Tangled Temptations

Chapter 354

Eloise was caught between surprise and delight. Harvey stood outside the car, gazing at her with a look that turned her smile into a blooming rose.

His voice was husky. "Do you like it?"

Eloise buried her face in the roses; her voice was unusually sweet and alluring. "I love it." No woman could resist the charm of a man bearing flowers.

Harvey smiled faintly. He closed the car door, gracefully walked around to the driver's side, and got in. The sleek black sports car pulled away slowly, its silhouette against the streetlights like a shooting star.

At the hotel entrance, Jeffrey stood quietly for a long time.

...

Inside the car, Harvey played a soft melody. Eloise sipped some champagne and relaxed against the seat, feeling a bit tipsy.

They approached a red light. Harvey stopped the car and turned to her. "Home or the apartment?"

Eloise sobered up a little. She whispered into the roses, "Does it matter? If it's all the same, I'd like the hotel."

The atmosphere was charged with an unspoken tension.

Harvey watched her. Then, after a moment of silence, he unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to her. Eloise looked up, about to speak, but he was already kissing her deeply.

After a long while, he lifted his head. His voice was a deep rasp. "Eloise, do you know what you're saying?"

With one hand clutching the flowers and the other around his neck, she seemed torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer. Behind them, impatient car horns blared. Harvey buckled up, his Adam's apple rolling seductively. "Then, to the hotel it is."

Perhaps it was the rarity of Eloise taking the initiative that had Harvey so excited. He drove to the nearest five-star hotel and checked in with efficiency.

No sooner had they entered the presidential suite than Eloise found herself pinned against the door, possessed by him. He was more forceful than usual, having held back for so long. Making love once would not be enough.

Harvey carried her to the main bedroom and laid her on the bed's edge. Her designer gown soon joined the white roses scattered across the purple fabric on the carpet.

In the bedroom, passion reigned. It was not until the early hours of the morning that they finally rested.

Harvey held Eloise, kissing her, feeling thoroughly content, body and soul. "What's gotten into you tonight?" he murmured in her ear.

Eloise, damp with sweat, leaned onto his shoulder and said lightly, "It might be the champagne."

He kissed her again.

They both remembered that they hadn't taken any precautions that night, but neither thought to remedy it.

In the early winter chill, Eloise didn't want to move from the warmth of his embrace. Neither did Harvey. After a while, Eloise spoke softly, "We should get up. Time to go home."

Harvey kissed her, feigning displeasure. "That's the trouble with kids. If only we could just sleep in till morning after making love. But no, we have to head home in the middle of the night."

Though he spoke thus, he began to dress her. Her gown was ruined, so he gave her his shirt to wear. Finally, he draped his coat over her. And he, in a simple grey sweater, didn't look out of place.

He walked her down to the lobby to check out. It was 1:30 AM. The receptionist recognized them and discreetly processed their departure, wishing "Mr. and Mrs. Horigan" a warm welcome back.

Eloise flushed with embarrassment. Harvey, unfazed, casually inquired as he took the receipt. "Can we get a membership card for a discount next time?"

The receptionist obliged.

Back in the car, Eloise couldn't help but protest, "There won't be a next time." Harvey put the membership card away, adjusted his sweater, and then looked at Eloise. "Mrs. Horigan, are you not feeling good? Because I feel fantastic."

Eloise's cheeks turned pink, and she dropped the subject.

Harvey slowly started the car.

Just as Eloise was about to rest her eyes, she caught sight of a red sports car not far away with a woman inside who looked emotionless, staring at them. She had long black hair and a gaunt face, looking so much like Ravenna.

down her spine and straightened up for a clearer view, but the red car had already turned the

and asked

Eloise was still shaken.

Harvey, why would

He gently patted her hand. "I'll have

home did she start to unwind a bit, especially

looking vulnerable. Harvey gently stroked her head, saying softly, "I'll call about the surveillance right now. Don't worry, okay?" He told her

Harvey obtained the hotel parking lot footage within half an hour. The woman in the red

the footage several times before thanking his contact, "You've been a great help,

awake.

cheek against his palm and offered a faint

the night, she fell asleep. She

dump truck. Through the window, he

walked towards him. Her white silk nightgown was stark against

up quietly at her, reaching

fingers touched his warm body. "I'll call an ambulance!" She could

to her, voice heavy with finality,

she had felt towards him, she never wished for his death. She began to drag him towards the car door, her tone laced with urgency. "Max, hold on,

how hard she pulled, she couldn't budge him an inch. Tears streamed down

"

go. With those words, his body slowly started to fade. In the air, red petals

Max was gone...

amulet, his final smile, and three silent words - I

"Max! Max! Max!"

was drenched in sweat, repeatedly calling

name.

warm embrace. "Eloise, you

her gently, as tender as one would be with a

tears still

remembered everything from her

Max." She clung

continuously comforting her, "It was just a

a dream."

tears fell. She was

against his chest, her voice as fragile as a kitten's.

in blood, sitting in the car. I tried to reach him, but then he

"In the dream, he gave

a twinge of guilt. If she had accepted the amulet before, would Max have avoided that path?

ways. She couldn't wish him well anymore, but

him dead.

about her feelings. Harvey

that Max's death cast a long shadow in Eloise's heart. Otherwise, she wouldn't have mistaken someone for Ravenna and often had

"Let's visit the

the day Max died, a fine misty rain, the world gloomy. But in Harvey's arms, there was warmth. He hadn't fallen asleep either, and eventually began to stroke her hair, asking softly,

arm. "You wouldn't want to know." What man

in and kissed the tip of her nose gently, insisting,

recounted bits of the past, and Harvey listened patiently and tenderly. He

truly been moved by her once. Max

as he looked down, his

Max was of their college days, with no horrific car accident, just trees, bicycles, and the library. All

be a lie, but he knew that Max was gone forever,

rose quietly. He didn't left the bedroom, since he didn't

by the floor-to-ceiling window, quietly watching the rainy

marriage. It was improving, yet tinged with new

Joan and Monica, Harvey had to process

wanted to live well, they had to accept