Chapter 19
 

Eve was in the tub, taking yet another bath--she and Julian had made love again, and she finally had managed to shoo him away so that she could actually get clean. While Eve was bathing, Julian decided to attend to some pressing matters.

He dialed Crane Industries, intending to speak to his assistant Kathy. She picked up on the first ring, knowing Mr. Crane felt it more professional to answer immediately.

"Crane Industries, Julian Crane's office, how may I assist you?"

"Kathy, it's Mr. Crane. I need you to take care of a few things for me."

"Certainly Mr. Crane, what do you need?"

Julian hesitated, but only for a moment. "I need you to hire some bodyguards, eight should be sufficent. "

Kathy was confused. "No disrespect, Mr. Crane, but you have a black belt in karate--do you feel that that will be necessary?" She knew very well that Mr. Crane was a fifth degree black belt, and could make mincemeat of any attacker, and was licensed to carry a gun as well. He preferred not to be encumbered by the constant presence of "overpaid high school security guards," as he had termed them.

"Just do it, Kathy. I want four to be stationed at Dr. Eve Johnson's house, and the other four at the mansion. Have them in place by no later than this afternoon."

"But how will I get-"

"Kathy, need I remind you that I do not like to be questioned?" Julian was becoming irritated. He'd had a romp with Kathy once--quite satisfying at the time, as he recalled. Yet ever since then, she tended to push him in ways that no other employee would dare to.

She was immediately contrite. "I'm sorry, Mr. Crane, it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't, Kathy. You're far too valuable to Crane Industries to be replaced. Now please see to the bodyguards," and with that he disconnected the call. Rubbing his forehead, he sighed heavily. Kathy had been an enjoyable little confection, but that was behind him now. All he desired now was the lady Eve.

Julian now turned his attention to TC Russell. Every time he thought of him, even though he had never laid eyes on the man, he felt a killing rage overtake him. His precious Eve, abused at the hands of that SOB! How anyone could lay hands on her, hurt her? If it was the last thing he did, he would personally make sure that bastard would never hurt anyone again, especially Eve.

Suddenly, he thought of their daughter. Whitney.....how he would love to get to know her, be close to her. Julian wondered where she was, if she was happy, if she was love...he wanted to know everything about her.

"She is such a beautiful girl, just like her mother," he smiled to himself. As he was smiling, Eve walked into the room, wearing a blue terry-cloth robe.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to bathe in private," she said gratefully. Julian came over and put his arms around her, and she gave a sigh of contentment. "Penny for your thoughts."

"Darling, I'm a Crane, my thoughts are worth far more than mere copper. Perhaps 24-karat gold-ouch!" Eve had playfully elbowed him in the ribs at his remark. "All right, I'll tell you. I was thinking of our daughter."

Eve's beautiful eyes filled with tears. "She's a wonderful young woman, Julian. And I am so proud of her--she's studying to become a lawyer."

Julian smiled at her meaningfully. "As I was, when we first met. Does she enjoy her studies?"

"Yes, very much so. She plans to specialize in family law."

"I'd like to pay for her schooling, Eve--that is, if she would let me." He swallowed hard. "I haven't done anything for Whitney her entire life."

"You didn't know, Julian, please don't blame yourself." She stepped back so he could see her face. "We didn't know."

"Will she--will she want to meet me? I don't want to upset her--she grew up believing TC was her father."

"Whitney knows that TC isn't her biological father--and ever since TC hit me--"Julian's eyes flashed angrily at that reminder--"she cut off all contact with him."

"Is she upset at you as well, my dear?"

Eve shook her head. "Not anymore. She was upset when she first found out, but I told her everything--including the fact that I did love you."

His shoulders slumped. "Then she knows I chose the Crane fortune over you back then...how she must hate me."

"Julian, we were both young....and that happened so long ago. If you want to talk to her, meet her....all you have to do is take the first step."

His eyes widened. "What are you saying?"

"Call her, Julian--I'll give you her cell number." Eve noticed Julian become deathly pale, and he seemed to have trouble breathing. "Julian, are you right?"

He waved his hand dismissively, giving her a weak smile. "I'm fine--I am just overwhelmed at being a father. for real this time. That Poison Ivy lied to me all of those years about Ethan being my son, and I despaired of ever having a child. Now...I have a lovely daughter." He smiled sheepishly. "WE have a lovely daughter."

Eve tilted her head and smiled. "Yes, we do, Julian. And she'll get to know you, and love you."

"That's too much to ask for the moment, Eve...perhaps one day she will."

"How can she help it....her father has charmed me more than once, right?" Eve kissed Julian on the cheek, which he promptly returned.

"That's not all I am capable of, my dear," he whispered in her ear, then proceeded to kiss her neck. Eve tried to wriggle away from him, but Julian held her fast.

"Julian!" she said, exasperated, but responding in spite of herself. "Can't you control yourself for five minutes?"

"My love, we were apart for over twenty years....I cannot deny myself the pleasure of simply being with you."
Julian's lips moved back up to her ear. "Of course, there are things that are even more pleasurable. Shall I show you how?"

"Do I have a choice?" Eve was starting to have trouble concentrating on the discussion at hand. Julian nibbled at her earlobe, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her.

"Yes, my darling. You can choose to let me love you." With that, Julian continued his sensual assault on Eve, and any coherent thoughts she had were lost in their mutual love and passion for one another.