Tangled Temptations

Brett's proposal was as tempting as a freshly baked apple pie cooling on the windowsill.

Orlena wanted a slice of that pie, too, but she hesitated because if it were just her taking the risk, that would be one thing, but she had her little boy to think about. If things didn't pan out, the embarrassment would be unbearable.

Brett seemed to read her thoughts as easily as an open book. He gently tousled her hair, whispering, "Let's talk later. Wrap up here and get home early."

He should have left then, but he lingered for a moment longer, for parting was never easy.

Finally, she resumed the photo shoot.

Brett stepped out of the studio into the stormy weather. Donny attempted to offer Brett his coat, but Brett declined, "A little chill is nothing. I'm not some old geezer yet."

Donny didn't think much of it, replying with a smile, "At your age, you gotta take care better!"

Realizing his slip, Donny quickly opened the car door for his boss. As Brett settled into the vehicle, brushing off the snow from his sweater, he joked self-

deprecatingly, "Yeah, at my age, I still can't provide a full-fledged home for my wife and kid."

Donny sighed in empathy.

Back at the set, Orlena's performance faltered after Brett's departure. She managed to regain her composure and finish the shoot; she politely declined the crew's invitation to grab burgers together afterwards. Her assistant was quite the problem-solver and handled the check discreetly.

Orlena's mind was on Daniel. She hurried back, intending to pick Daniel up and take him to her apartment, but the sky was dimming, the snow was falling, and she found herself at Harvey's estate.

Harvey sat on the couch with his laptop open. He was dealing with work and didn't even look up. "Stay here tonight. Daniel's been waiting to play in the snow all day."

Orlena glanced at her son. Daniel came over, took her hand, and said in a soft voice, "I wanna play with Linda and Luca."

She always felt like she owed it to Daniel, and how could she refuse? Orlena patted her son's head. "Go on, but put on your puffer jacket."

With a whoop, Daniel ran off to play in the snow with Linda and Luca. Their laughter was a vivid contrast to the stark winter day. Orlena's eyes moistened with emotion.

At some point, Harvey closed his laptop and stared at his sister silently. These past few years, Orlena had changed a lot for Brett. She had become mature and sensible, yet Harvey wished she could remain naive and blissfully ignorant of heartache. His gaze fell on her hand. Half a cup of coffee remained untouched.

Harvey's tone was nonchalant. "Did Brett buy that? Are you treating it like a treasure?"

Orlena bit her lip, staying silent. She feared her brother's disapproval.

Harvey gave her a sharp look, disappointed at her lack of determination. "Weren't you all fired up earlier? Now a latte's got you all touched."

Orlena whispered weakly, "Harvey..."

Despite everything, Harvey loved her too much to stay mad. In a soft voice, he reassured her, “If you want to wait, then wait. You are an adult." With that, he went upstairs to join Eloise.

Orlena sat alone in the living room, holding the half-drunk coffee, staring out the window at the ever-intensifying snowfall.

Had Brett's private jet taken off safely?

Now, she regretted the afternoon's quarrel. Brett always made time to see her and Daniel whenever he could. If only she hadn't lost her temper, they would've had a bit more time together. After much hesitation, she dialed a number.

On the other end, Brett grunted an acknowledgment. Background voices suggested he was indeed on the road, likely rushing to Brockville.

Orlena's heart ached, and she blurted out, "Drive safe."

Brett was silent for a moment before assuring her, "Take care of our son. I'll visit when I can."

Orlena wanted to say there was no need, but she couldn't bring herself to utter those words.

...

Eloise, pregnant and fatigued, was just waking up in the soft yellow light that made her look incredibly tender and vulnerable.

Harvey sat by the bed, and Eloise didn't move. She just reached out an arm and wrapped it around his waist. Harvey, a handsome man with a physique to match, was something Eloise loved to hold close.

Her voice was soft. "Are the kids playing outside?"

Harvey hummed absentmindedly in agreement. "Orlena will keep an eye on them."

His long fingers gently caressed her arm, his voice slightly hoarse. "Why aren't you sleeping with clothes on?"

Eloise's cheeks flushed, too proud to admit.

Harvey's hand ventured under the covers. "Let me check."

Eloise tried to grab his hand, but it was too late. He had touched her... Harvey's eyes brightened, and he began to playfully tease her, kissing her deeply amidst the warmth of the bedroom.

He gently drew her out from the blankets, his gaze intense. Eloise, fearing he might become too rough, pleaded softly, "Don't hurt the baby."

Harvey caressed her belly. Their third child was growing in there. Eloise's physique was still tight and glowing despite two previous births, and at nearly four months pregnant, her belly only showed a slight bulge.

Young men might not favor pregnant women, but for a mature man like Harvey, there was an added allure. When she was pushed to the brink, her lips trembled, and her eyes were damp and flushed. She was utterly irresistible.

Harvey teased her with a gentle intensity, constantly inquiring about her comfort, while Eloise barely managed to respond. Leaning close to her ear, he teased in a low voice, "Like it that much?"

Eloise turned her face away, her cheeks burning with a captivating blush.

He was careful with her, playing with her tenderly just this once. After their intimate moment, he held her close, whispering sweet nothings.

The mood was just right. Then Harvey's phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number.

He took the call, stepping out to the living room for privacy. Barely two minutes later, Harvey returned and began dressing swiftly. "Got to step out!" He zipped up and was ready to leave.

Eloise was slightly annoyed. "It's snowing out, and you're running off?" Harvey leaned down to kiss the corner of her lips, murmuring, "It's important! Definitely not about another woman, Eloise. You can trust me."

Eloise leaned back against the headboard; her whole being was soft and yielding. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him, taking a moment before saying, “Harvey, I'd never doubt you."

She uttered simple words, yet they carried the weight of trust and affection. Harvey felt a pang of bittersweet emotion as he looked at Eloise. They had weathered so many storms together, and it was all worth it for her unreserved declaration of love. He cherished her deeply and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'll be back before ten. I promise! I've got to tuck you in for the night, my lady!"

Eloise kissed him back.

He extricated himself with difficulty, chuckling. "If I don't leave now, we might just go for another round!"

Slipping into his coat, he stepped out into the blizzard.

...noveldrama

Harvey drove himself.

An hour later, his black Range Rover pulled up in front of a drab apartment building. He got out and slammed the door shut.

A man in his thirties, who had the look of a detective, immediately approached him and reported in a hushed tone, "Mr. Horigan, when I arrived, the person was already gone, strangled with a rope! You'll understand once you see the scene."

Harvey pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tapped two out. Both men lit up cigarettes and walked into the decrepit building, one after the other.

Apartment 302.

The door creaked open to reveal a cramped room with a young man lying lifeless

on a dilapidated bed, naked from the waist down. A strangulation mark was evident on his neck, and it was clear he had been dead for some time.

Detective Johnson whispered, "Fresh, no more than two hours old. There was a violent sexual encounter before death."

Harvey slipped on his gloves. He picked up an ID card from the battered desk - a 24-year-old electrician.

Harvey looked around the room. He had a hunch about who did it, and he was sure no DNA evidence would be left behind. Ravenna was covering her tracks.

Beside the bed was a stack of $10,000.

"Hand this over to Coen for investigation. Also, dig into this guy's background and give his family a settlement of $50,000. Don't mention it's from me."

Detective Johnson didn't quite understand.

But Harvey didn't need him to. He silently left the suffocating room; the young man's dead visage was etched in Harvey's mind.

Standing in the blizzard, he smoked half a pack of cigarettes. He couldn't shake

off the scent of death that clung to his nostrils. It wasn't until he got home, to the warm glow of his villa, that he finally felt some relief...