Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 187

Eloise was shaking with anger. She said furiously and helplessly, "Harvey, are you only happy when I have no friends or family around?"

Harvey scoffed. "Landon is your friend, huh? His feelings for you are so obvious, everyone knows!"

...

Eloise knew Harvey wasn't just joking around. If he wanted something, he would go all out. If he said he was going to go after Landon, he meant it. Eloise didn't dare to take the risk.

Landon was her friend, who helped her many times. She would rather drift apart from this friend than drag him down.

But she was filled with resentment! She hadn't done anything wrong. She just liked someone. If liking someone was a crime, then she would rather never have loved Harvey!

Eloise gave a bitter laugh. She said softly, "You don't love me. You're just mad that someone else might take what you like. Harvey... Love is not about possession. It's about letting go!"

Harvey said coldly, "Like Landon? If you don't want to have it, how can you call it liking?"

At least in Harvey's eyes, that was not the case. What he wanted, he had to have!

When Eloise didn't respond, Harvey took a step forward, reaching out to touch her face, but Eloise dodged.

"Now you won't even let me touch you?"

...

Harvey let go of her, adjusting his shirt in the mirror, meeting her gaze through the reflection.

The elevator door opened. Landon was standing outside, looking at Eloise with warm eyes. "Let me take you home."

Eloise stiffened a bit. She remembered Harvey's warning. Landon gently put his arm around her shoulder, whispering, "You're about to cry. Let's go home."

Eloise was a bit dazed. She gave Landon a look and ended up getting in the car with him.

...

Late at night, in the hotel lobby.

Harvey was standing under the dim light, watching Eloise get into Landon's car. He smiled.

Eloise, you wouldn’t let me get close to you. Then... I'll just have to wait for you to come back to me!

...

Eloise had something to tell Landon, and he sensed it. He lit a cigarette at the red light, took a drag, and asked, "What do you want to say?"

Eloise looked at him and whispered, "Landon, we shouldn't keep in touch."

"Because of Harvey?"

Eloise didn't deny it. She and Landon hadn't gotten to that point yet, and she didn't want him to get hurt because of her. He deserved a good life and giving it up for her wasn't worth it.

Landon was slowly smoking his cigarette. The light turned green, and he gently stepped on the gas, taking Eloise all the way back to her apartment. He leaned back in the seat, saying softly, "Eloise, I've liked you for a long time. I gave up once because I saw that Harvey liked you, and I gave up because I couldn't beat him. The Bowen family couldn’t compete with the Horigan family. But this time... I don’t want to give up again.”

Landon looked at her and said, “Even if I might end up a total failure!”

Eloise didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t promised anything to Landon, but he was willing to take risks for her. If she were still a little girl, she would definitely stand by his side and fight, but she was past the age of impulsivity.

“Landon!” Eloise closed her eyes. She wanted to apologize to him, but she had also liked someone before. There was nothing wrong with liking someone.

Seeing her so torn, Landon laughed. He said, "Eloise, this is a man's business! I chose to do this, so you don't need to feel any burden!"

But how could Eloise not feel burdened? She went back to her apartment and sat quietly on the couch. Milo curled up next to her. Her phone was right next to her. She hesitated for half the night, but in the end, she didn't call Harvey.

...

In the following half a month, she didn't see Landon. But in the financial news, she often saw Landon's Sleak Tech making headlines, mostly negative economic news, even involving issues of broken capital chains.

Eloise called Veronica, inviting her out for coffee.

Harvey elaborated patiently, "You know. Share meals. Share a bed."

Eloise fell silent, settling down next to him quietly.

Harvey studied her profile. It'd been days since he last saw her. If it weren’t for Landon, she wouldn’t be in his car, let alone talking to him. Harvey felt a pang of jealousy.

Eloise finally stirred. She opened the car’s mini fridge, grabbed a can of chilled coke, and cracked it open. Harvey watched silently, not stopping her.

The coke soaked his pants. The icy sensation nearly made Harvey jump. He looked up at her, his gaze intense.

Eloise gritted her teeth. "Deal with it yourself, Harvey!"

After speaking, she moved to get out of the car, but Harvey stopped her and locked the doors. His voice rough. "You soak my pants and think you can just leave? Aren't you going to clean it up?"

Eloise struggled, but to no avail. He pulled her over to dry him off. As she did, Harvey's throat bobbed slightly. "Eloise, did you do that on purpose?"

Eloise shoved him away forcefully. Harvey still watched her, his face a mask of suppressed emotion. Their gazes met, full of unspoken understanding.

Harvey spoke softly, "Eloise, it's been a while. I miss it."

Eloise's eyes welled up. Everyone had needs, but how could Harvey have the nerve to say he wanted her after hurting her? She felt their inequality more than ever. She lifted her head slightly, trying hard to keep her emotions in check. Then, gathering all her strength, she said calmly, "I'm sorry, but I don't miss it at all!"

She thought he'd get mad, but to her surprise, Harvey didn't get angry. Not only that, but he also gently caressed her cheek, just like he used to. His tenderness was like a knife twisting in Eloise's heart!

Harvey spoke softly again, "You can't see inside from out there. Eloise, I really miss you!"

...

Eloise froze. Then she was in his arms, held tightly against him. She gritted her teeth. "What are you up to, Harvey?"

He held her waist, whispering, "Stay still, or I can't promise I won't do something. Who's the one who dumped coke on me? I was just here to check on you. Eloise... I really miss you..."

Eloise couldn't escape. All she could do was turn her face away, choosing to ignore what was happening...