Tangled Temptations

Chapter 369

At 8 PM, Harvey drove Eloise home.

The golden Bentley glided to a halt in front of the Laurent family mansion, and with a click, he locked the car doors.

Eloise turned to him, her eyes wide with a mix of emotions. "Harvey, this is moving too fast."

Dealing with 20-year-old Eloise required little effort on Harvey's part. With a half- smirk, he teased, "I haven't even done anything yet. How can it be too fast?"

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Innocent as she was, she understood the insinuations of a man's flippant comment.

Harvey enjoyed her embarrassment for a moment, but his fondness for her prevailed, and he didn't want to push her too far. He unfastened her seatbelt and brushed away a strand of hair from her face.

The temperature inside the car was climbing.

Eloise felt tense as it was her first time this close to a man, and Harvey's gaze was filled with unfamiliar desire.

As her heart pounded like thunder, Harvey leaned in closer. His voice was more seductive than the night itself. "I want to kiss you."

At that moment, Eloise looked like a frightened little fawn. Moved by her vulnerability, Harvey gently scooped her into his embrace.

Eloise was at a loss, unsure of what to do.

"Wrap your arms around my neck," he instructed with a husky voice. His proud nose brushed against hers as his dark eyes locked onto her delicate face.

At first, she hesitated, but slowly, she reached up to his shoulders. She even looked down, avoiding his gaze, her young body trembling.

It was just a kiss, and she was this afraid.

Harvey wrapped an arm around her waist and gently lifted her chin, lowering his head to kiss her. The kiss deepened and became more insistent, but when he tried to go further, Eloise refused.

Leaning on his shoulder, her slender fingers pressed firmly against his. "You can't touch me like that."

She felt a strong connection to him, yet she was still clear-headed. They had just met and had just begun dating. A kiss was already too much, let alone anything

more.

Her voice was tender, almost tearful. Harvey regained a shred of sanity. It was he who had lost control. In his mind, Eloise was his wife, and nothing could be too excessive, but to the 20-year-old Eloise, Harvey was still a stranger.

Glancing at the girl in his arms, her dress half-peeled off and hanging off her delicate arms, he felt a pang of tenderness. He gently pulled her dress back up, fastening each button. Harvey kissed her flushed cheek, soothing and doting, "No tears. I won't touch you."

Eloise wanted to get off him, but he wouldn't let her. Harvey held her with one arm while reaching into the glove compartment with the other, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He drew one out, lit it with a flick, and took a long drag.

Eloise, quite the prima donna, couldn't stand secondhand smoke and complained, "I don't want to breathe in your smoke."

She was bold, plucking the cigarette from his lips, but then held it uncertainly, adorably clueless about what to do next.

Harvey leaned in and reclaimed the cigarette. He kissed her again. "Just half, then I'll let you go home."

Eloise fell silent. She nestled into his embrace, feeling his warmth through his shirt and the faint scent of tobacco.

Harvey cracked the window halfway. He smoked slowly, his hand gently stroking her hair. He cherished her, differently than he did the real Eloise. After all, Eloise was only 20 at that moment.

True to his word, Harvey smoked only half the cigarette before snuffing it out. He looked down at her. "Do you like me?"

Eloise wouldn't say. How could she voice such an embarrassing sentiment?

Harvey didn't press her. He held her close, kissed her again and again. And finally, with a gentle pat on her bottom, he said softly, "Go on back inside. Angus must be worried."

Eloise nodded.

Harvey straightened her dress and whispered hoarsely, "Don't hide our relationship."

She darted from the car and ran into

feeling a restless stir within. He had been coming to this dream for days, and had courted Eloise with the swiftest of passions. But his

another cigarette, contemplating. He smoked it down and was about to drive off when a quarreling couple approached

had evidently witnessed the

Max's clothes, weeping, "Max, you saw it. She left with someone else, from that fancy car. Why are

Max shrugged her off.

ground, crying hysterically, "Max... I love you. Now that

he

Ravenna continued to cry.

revelation struck Harvey

Max. Ravenna. Jeffrey.

key was Ravenna. Could it be that in

chandelier had fallen because

below, wishing he

No...

was here in this dream to atone for

cast an eerie glow on Harvey's face as he gripped the steering wheel with one hand and dialed Denise. "Arrange two

was professional enough to carry out the order

luxury car disappeared

...

continuing his romance with Eloise. Harvey often took Eloise out on dates, spending most of their time in his

matters. These were experiences Harvey never had with Eloise before. He wasn't sure if it was fate's way of granting them a second chance at love,

felt it was time to head back home. Outside, a torrential downpour had begun. Eloise, standing

had she spoken than lightning tore across

shower, he smelled crisp and masculine. Only then did Eloise realize he was wearing just a bathrobe. Her cheeks pressed against his warm skin. She could feel his heartbeat, and she

around her slender waist, his voice raspy with emotion. "Maybe because I

was not ready to spend the night with a man. She insisted on waiting for the

held her, sitting on the balcony with the city lights below, and

He knew he'd have to leave eventually. Even if it was all a dream, he didn't want to break the young

on his phone, and soon there was an answer. Harvey's dark eyes locked on Eloise as he

Eloise stared at him with

gently pressed her onto the plush white wool carpet, touching her nose affectionately.

left Eloise

and cozy - their home. Harvey cradled

never been this close to him before. She whimpered softly,

whispered back, barely audible over the sound of the rain, "I promise

inexperienced, and she

Deep into the night,

felt cheated and wanted to make

endearing, and it lightened Harvey's mood a bit. "Eloise,

face flushed, instinctively retorting, "I don't to have kids

"I've even thought of the

cuddled into him, wearing only

his voice soft in the night. "Linda, Darrien, Stephanie... What do

names. Then, she wrapped her arms around his

lightly. He pulled her closer, holding her gently in his arms. They had been through so much,

Eloise drifted between sleep and wakefulness, she heard Harvey whisper in her ear, perhaps saying,

later, Harvey still hadn't seen any move from

anxious.

one cigarette after another. His

through the events.

What had he overlooked?

his phone rang. It was Riley

got along with Riley well, and they often hung out together.

a get-together tonight. Are

but then a thought occurred to

Riley.