Chapter 87 So Close
Tyler, who was standing next to Eleanor, overheard it. Eleanor caught the smirk on Chris’s lips, like he’d just figured out her weak spot. ‘Figures; she thought. ‘No wonder he and Serena ended up together, even got married. They were the same kind of people.”
Tyler slipped his arm around Eleanor’s waist. “Still want to go out?”
Eleanor shook her head. “I’m a little tired.”
Eleanor hesitated as she stepped back into the room. She glanced at Tyler, then quickly looked away, struggling to find the right words.
“After that night, I actually went to the hospital for a checkup. I just couldn’t shake the worry,” she said softly. “I even got a test done. If you don’t believe me, I can show you the report.”
“You went to the hospital?” Tyler looked at her, his eyes full of concern, not a trace of judgment or disgust.
“Yeah, I was still scared and just wanted to be sure,” Eleanor admitted. “After that, I swore I’d never stick my nose into things that weren’t my business again.”
Tyler walked over to her, hesitated for a moment, then said, “The man you met that night–it was me.”
Eleanor had been staring at the floor, but when she heard that, her head snapped up, eyes wide in shock. “What?”
“I’m serious. That night, it was me,” Tyler repeated.
*****
That night, Tyler happened to have a client in the city where Eleanor was going to school. He’d planned to visit her after work, but when he heard her voice in a bar, he rushed over without thinking.
When Tyler carried Eleanor back to the private room, his client misunderstood and insisted on sending them to a hotel. That night, Eleanor, barely conscious, clung to him.
He almost lost control, but with the last bit of willpower, he put her in the bathtub and called a doctor friend who lived in the city. The doctor gave her a pill to help with the lust burning through her, and she finally fell asleep.
The doctor joked, “You could’ve handled this yourself. Did you really need to drag me out here?”
No matter how much Tyler wanted Eleanor, he couldn’t touch her–not when she was still Chris’s girlfriend. When he helped her change into a robe, Tyler admitted he struggled to keep his hands to himself, but he forced himself to do the right thing.
*****
“I was afraid you’d feel awkward if you found out, so I never told you,” Tyler said. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
Eleanor stared at him, still in shock, unable to say a word for a long time.
“You were Chris’s girlfriend. If people found out I had seen you like that, it’d be awkward for both of us. Sometimes, it’s just better not to know,” Tyler explained. “Once I made sure you were okay, I bought you some new clothes and left.”
After that, he rushed back to Westbridge. If he’d known Eleanor went to the hospital later, maybe he would’ve told her the truth.
Eleanor snapped back to reality. “Tyler, did you already have feelings for me back then?”
“Yes.”
“Then how did you hold back? Even if you did something, I wouldn’t have known.”
Tyler shook his head. “You weren’t in your right mind. It wouldn’t have meant anything. Besides, I wasn’t planning to take you away from Chris at that point.”
“Well, I’m definitely clear–headed now.” Suddenly, Eleanor climbed onto Tyler’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She noticed his ears turning red.
“You’re blushing.” Eleanor laughed.
“You naughty girl,” Tyler said, his voice rough.
“Tyler, don’t you want to see for yourself if I’m lying?” With that, Eleanor pressed her lips to his.
Tyler gently pulled her away. “You’re not feeling welt. Don’t
Successfully unlocked!
“I was just messing with you,” Eleanor said. “I was just hesitating about whether to take things further with you. Now, I don‘ t think there’s anything left to hesitate about.”
There was a flicker of heat in Tyler’s eyes. “You sure about this?”
“I’m sure,” Eleanor replied.
1/2
Chapter 87 So Close
Tyler rolled over, pinning Eleanor beneath him. He slipped the hairpin from her hair, kissed her on the brow, then her cheek, and finally, her lips.
As a cool breeze brushed over her, Eleanor shivered. Tyler whispered by her ear, “Don’t be scared.”
Eleanor closed her eyes and nodded.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “Mr. Langford, Mrs. Langford, you have guests–they’re already at the door” Tyler’s face turned stormy, and Eleanor hurriedly pushed him away, quickly straightening her clothes.
“Hey, Eleanor, I’m here.” Angust strolled into the room, calling out cheerfully–though he immediately sensed something was off.
Tyler was glaring at him, his expression dark with obvious anger. Eleanor was absentmindedly running a brush through her hair, her cheeks flushed. It was the middle of the day, but the curtains were half–closed.
Angust caught on right away. He felt a little disappointed, but still joked with a grin, “Did I just walk in on something? Should I step out and let you two carry on?”
Eleanor’s face turned even redder, and the brush slipped from her hand, falling to the floor. Tyler walked over, picked up the
brush. “Here.”
“Such a lovely couple,” Angust said, sounding genuinely impressed. “Kind of makes me jealous.”
“If you’ve got something to say, spit it out,” Tyler snapped, shooting Angust a fierce glare.
“Oh, it’s nothing big,” Angust said. “Lila was worried Eleanor might get picked on by the in–laws, so she insisted I bring her over. She’s downstairs in the living room.”
Tyler shot back irritably, “Then why are you up here?”
“I came to see Eleanor,” Angust replied. “Lila already gave her gift, but I haven’t yet, and I felt bad about it. So I wanted to talk to Eleanor about that. But seriously, what are you two doing with the curtains drawn in the middle of the day?”
Tyler gritted his teeth. “If you’re done, you can get lost.”
“No way,” Angust laughed. “Eleanor, I know you’re not impressed by ordinary gifts. Guess who I managed to find? I got Drake Abbott–the sugar art guy. You know him, right?
“He’s famous worldwide for his fondant art. He agreed to squeeze in time to make a custom fondant figurine for you.”
“Really?” Eleanor smiled. “Thank you, Angust.”
Angust patted his chest like he was proud of himself. “Eleanor, come on, I know you like the back of my hand. You’re all about these art pieces.
“Drake’s sugar art has won international awards, and you’ve always looked up to him. Pretty impressive of me, right?” Angust stared at Eleanor with those big, hopeful puppy–dog eyes, practically begging like a little lapdog.
“Now that you’ve said your piece, you can leave.” Tyler didn’t bother hiding his impatience.
“I’m not done yet. Eleanor, you’re still young–don’t rush into having kids. Once you do, you’re stuck.” Angust shot Tyler a sideways glare.
Tyler clenched his fists, finally losing it. “Angust, get out.”
“I’m a guest. Is this how you treat company?” Angust simply plopped down, refusing to budge. “I’m not leaving. Eleanor, it’s been forever since I had your roasted ribs. Lila and I are eating here today.”
“She’s not your chef. She doesn’t owe you anything,” Tyler shot back.
“Eleanor…” Angust gave Eleanor those pleading puppy eyes again.
“In a few days, Xandra and the others are coming over,” Eleanor said. “We’ll have a get–together then, and I’ll make it for you. Today’s a big family thing, and there are people here I really can’t stand.”
“Deal.” Angust grinned, looking all innocent.
Tyler’s hands tightened, his face icy cold.
“You should come too,” Eleanor said to Tyler. “I want to introduce you to everyone.”
Hearing that, Tyler’s face instantly lit up. “Absolutely. What about you, Mr. Marlov? Not that it matters–I go where my wife
tells me.”
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