Tangled Temptations

Chapter 396

Eloise had a hunch that something was off with Harvey. Normally, he couldn't hold his patience for long, but now he was unusually calm.

She tilted her head slightly, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. The delicate lines drove him crazy, and her soft, fair skin was simply irresistible. "Delicious." Harvey whispered, his aristocratic nose gently brushing against her skin, barely containing his desire.

Eloise felt his skin burning against hers. She gently pushed him away.

"What's wrong?" Harvey asked, his hands softly caressing her belly. "Is the baby giving you trouble?"

Eloise wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She looked down and murmured, "It's you who's troubling me."

Harvey leaned in closer, his nose touching hers as he asked in a low voice, "Don't you want to?"

Eloise, accustomed to their intimacy, didn't hide her desire. She nibbled on his lip playfully. "I'm a little tempted, and yet I'm a bit hesitant."

Harvey chuckled softly, restraining himself but still holding her close. They exchanged the sweet nothings of a married couple and had conversations about the baby, Orlena's wedding.

He talked a lot until finally, Eloise couldn't help herself. "Harvey, do you want to bring up Jacob?"

Harvey paused for a moment, then smiled, "Jacob's not significant enough to concern me."

Eloise knew then that it was Landon on his mind. With a little thought, she figured out it must have been Linda who tipped him off.

Despite how Eloise raised her, Linda was always in Harvey's corner - a fact that both irritated and warmed Eloise as a mother. What could be more wonderful than nurturing a lovely little life together? This feeling even surpassed the love between a man and a woman.

Eloise gently pushed him away and settled at the vanity, slowly brushing through her brown hair, which she took great care to maintain its lustrous sheen.

Harvey didn't pester her further. He lounged lazily at the head of the bed, watching her.

As Eloise combed her hair, she spoke softly, "It was just a chance encounter. Why are you still concerned about it? Besides, we only talked business."

She explained the situation with Landon.

Harvey's smile carried a hint of tease. "Seems like it was a private chat, though." He added, "You even texted each other in private." With that, he pulled her back into his arms.

Eloise found herself helplessly beneath him like a young fawn. Her cheeks flushed. "Harvey!"

He didn't speak again, nor did he interrogate her; he just teased her, tormenting her with a slow, maddening intensity. Finally, he lay beside her, damp with sweat, and whispered, "Eloise, I'm jealous."

Eloise looked up at her husband. At that moment, Harvey was indescribably sexy...

As the holidays approached, Harvey was busy with the company's year-end party.

Everest Technologies wasn't planning anything extravagant this year, and as CEO, Harvey would just say a few words and have dinner with the employees.

Eloise didn't attend. She was at the Horigan Mansion, helping Orlena pack her things.

"Your housekeeping skills have improved a lot. You're

glanced up at

woman soon to be married, Orlena's gaze was enchanting as she said softly, "You're starting to sound

help but

mimicked. "Especially when you're bossing me

up and embraced Orlena gently. "The

moist as she protested half-heartedly, "I'm older than

softly, asking quietly, "Is Uncle treating you

lost her previous bravado, falling silent before softly admitting, "Sometimes

But she loved him.

you loved someone, you compromised

nothing more and just tenderly

this tender

suggested, "You take the

light smile, "Veronica, what a surprise to hear

usual banter, Veronica exclaimed, "The

"What happened?"

it? She wants to

In her quest to marry into the prestigious Velona family, Ravenna was using them as stepping

scoffed, "As if we'd want to sip

"I'll go."

"What?"

you serious? Since Max's death, you've been

Eloise's smile remained gentle.

voice.

with a

"I'll work with you, Eloise. After all the things she's done to us, we can't

up, Orlena looked at her. "You're meeting

fold a blouse, smiling. "The bride-to-be shouldn't worry so much. Relax... I'll talk to

replied innocently, "Just don't deceive me, okay? You

in a few days. I'll take you

She then called Harvey in

agreed. He said,

Orlena tagged along with Eloise

and Veronica had arrived first. The two women clearly didn't get along, and Veronica had an extremely

a chair for Eloise,

managed a light smile. "I'm

was Ravenna, the nemesis, and yet Eloise

her eyes. "Eloise, you still don't trust me, do you? Brought someone along just in case I might pull

stopped her, her smile untroubled. "It was Harvey's idea. What about you,

wanted to curry favor with Eloise, but

Eloise