Tangled Temptations

Chapter 374

Harvey drove back to his apartment. His heart was tied in knots with anticipation, only to find that Eloise was not there. He flung open door after door, calling out, "Eloise!"

The place echoed back emptiness.

Just as he was about to head downstairs to look for her, the sound of the front door clicked and swung open, and in walked Eloise. She was wrapped in an oversized jacket, her cheeks flushed from the autumn chil. It was his old varsity baseball jacket from his college days, and it looked striking on Eloise, especially with her slender, pale legs peeking out from underneath.

Harvey frowned, his brows knitting together in worry. Only two days were left, and his nerves were frayed. He feared something might happen to Eloise. His voice carried a stern edge. "Where have you been?"

Eloise blinked, taken aback. After a pause, she replied softly, "I made a lot of food tonight, and when you didn't come back for dinner, I took it down to feed the stray dog?"

Harvey's expression remained unsoftened. He eyed her, his voice husky with concern. "Stay put during these next couple of days, okay?"

Without another word, he retreated to his study. He needed a moment; his emotions were teetering on the edge, and he was desperate for a semblance of calm, though it felt nearly impossible. Everything hinged on the next forty-eight hours.

The study was dark as Harvey sat silently, smoking, pondering how many days had passed in reality compared to the many days he'd dreamt.

He worried about Eloise. He worried about their third child, a little girl he had named Stephanie.

Harvey's mind was in turmoil. The ashtray on his desk was brimming with cigarette butts.

The door creaked open. Eloise tiptoed in, finding her way into his arms in the dim light, and snuggling into his embrace. Her voice was a mix of comfort and softness. "Harvey, what's wrong?"

Young girls didn't take well to being brushed off or snapped at. "I haven't done anything wrong."

but the warmth of her soft, petite body against his and the feel of the delicate silk strap of her nightie beneath his fingers began to thaw his resolve. "Did you wear this on purpose?" Harvey toyed with the strap, his voice gravelly as if he'd swallowed hot sand. His

head up to kiss his chin. Her

Harvey leaned in to find her lips. Eloise was still slightly dazed, and her mouth parted just enough for him to

pushed herself up. In the muted glow, she was stunningly beautiful. She stared at him with eyes soft as silk and said, "Harvey,

money followed. He had given her his entire fortune, and she

rolling sensually, was overwhelmed by impulse, which shattered his remaining control. He carried her delicate body to the bedroom, to the very bed

...

and fell into a

if wanting to leave something behind, something to make the upcoming

He arranged for the aftermath and ordered Peterborough's

in

as he lay down, Eloise, half-asleep, turned and wrapped her arms around his neck,

things," he replied,

voice barely above a whisper.

heart, stroking her hair, murmuring, "Soon, it won't

was soft and tentative. She hoped he only slept

She looked up at him, sensing something amiss. That was when Harvey slid a cool diamond ring onto her finger, a perfect

was momentarily stunned. She slowly raised her hand, entranced by the ring

pulled her hand down. Their

her neck, his voice a low murmur. "Eloise, be my wife. I've loved you for

They had been entwined for a

20, didn't understand all this, but she was overjoyed. Harvey watched the light in her eyes, his own heart aching with a bittersweet