A Diamond In The Rough (Julian, Eve, Whitney, TC) Chapter 30
by EvianForever
 
 
 
 

Julian waited for Kathy to pick up her cell phone--he had to get through to her to warn her to call off the guards, before Eve got wind of what he had done.

"Finally," he murmured as he heard her cell connect. "Kathy," he began without waiting for her to respond, "you MUST tell those body guards to be vigilant, but even more discreet. Dr. Johnson did not approve of my securing them in the first place, but I cannot take chances with her safety. I will be back at the mansion with her and a Ms. Whitney Russell--see to it that my wishes are taken care of."

With that, Julian hurriedly ended the call, relieved that he had had the chance to let Kathy know at last. Now, Eve would still be safe, but never know that he had lied to her. He loved her far too much to cause her a moment's pain.

"Now, you'll be safe, my darling Eve--you and our daughter."
 

On the other end of the now disconnected line, TC grinned widely with sheer malicious pleasure.

"You stupid bastard--you don't even know how much you helped me."
 

Whitney walked alongside her mother, noticing the change in her expression and demeanor. Her mother looked so relaxed, and happy--could it be all her father, Julian's doing?

"Mom?"

"Hm? Oh yes honey, what's wrong?" Eve focused on her. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking."

"You and Mr. Crane--my father," she began hesitantly. "You two really do love each other, don't you?"

Eve smiled gently at her.

"Yes, sweetheart, we are very much in love with each other. I don't think I ever really stopped loving him."

"Mom...how did you two really meet? I still really haven't heard just how, and when, and.." Whitney was surprised to see her normally composed mother blush. "I don't mean to intrude."

"It's okay, really. Of course you would be curious, I am sure you have a lot of questions about Julian and everything that has happened in the years since we've met." Eve pointed to a restaurant. "Why don't we go there and order some coffee--we can wait for your father, and I can tell you all about Eve," she smiled, her eyes twinkling.

"I'd love that, Mom."

When they were seated, coffee mugs in their hands, Eve closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts.

"I was eighteen years old, and I wanted something different than what my parents had planned for me. I wanted to live life, not let it pass me by as I merely went through the motions. I wanted something more--something exciting, passionate.

"So, I decided to audition as a singer at a jazz club called the Blue Note. I got the job, and began singing at the last set every night. The crowd loved me--and I loved the thrill of making people laugh, cry, and simply feel when they heard me sing. I wanted to make it big--just like Billie Holiday. I wanted someone to help me realize my dream."

She opened her eyes and looked at her daughter, her brown eyes starting to tear.

"That's when I met a man that would change my life."

*********Flashback*********
 
 

"Crystal, see the crowd out there? They loved me, they really loved me!" Eve Johnson tossed her black curls and laughed, the intoxication of performing adding a radiance to her already beautiful features.

She raised her glass of club soda in salute to her friend. Crystal was a

"This is just the beginning, Crystal--I'm sure that someone like a talent scout will notice me, and then I'll be on my way to a recording contract. I'll be the next Billie Holiday!"

Crystal couldn't help but smile as she looked at Eve's starry-eyed expression.

"Eve, you have the talent, no doubt about that. I can't think of why some hot-shot scout or producer would lower themselves to drop in on the Blue Note." Her blue eyes became hard. "More like some dope dealer or coke peddler will see who their next victim will be." Crystal was a beautiful blonde, but the things she had seen in her life of clubs and bars had left their mark on her face and in her disposition. She trusted very few people, Eve being one of those precious few.

"Oh, I'm not worried about that. All I want to do is sing."

"I've heard that before, honey. I just want you to be careful."

Eve shook her head dismissively.

"I'm a big girl, Crystal. I'll be okay with whatever comes my way." Eve turned to the mirror in the tiny dressing room, and reapplied her lipstick. She then turned towards Crystal. "Wish me luck!"

"You mean break a leg."

"I always hated that phrase."

"Go ahead, honey, knock them dead. Maybe that hot shot producer you've been dreaming of is waiting for you right now." Crystal managed a genuine smile for her friend. "Better make sure you sing your heart out for him."

"He won't be able to resist me tonight." With that, Eve left the dressing room, her heart racing in anticipation of her next set.
 

Julian Crane surveyed the scene around him. This place seemed just chock full of decadent delights--liquors for the asking, and lovely, scantily clad ladies who would just die for a night with the infamous Julian Crane. Tall, dark haired, with hazel eyes that could be at once inviting and predatory--and being a billionaire several times over to boot--he was well aware that he was considered THE catch here, as well as anywhere else!

"I wonder which one of these little delights will have the pleasure of my company tonight?" He laughed at his own wit. "Who could resist a Crane?" Then again, he could always swoop one of the performers off of their feet.

Draining his Scotch, Julian signaled the bartender for another one. Apparently, this club was purported to have some decent jazz singers--the best jazz club in Boston .

"Now only if the singers would be breathtaking, I'd be as close to heaven as I could get. "

The stage suddenly flashed the spotlight, and the crowd turned its attention to the stage. A woman walked to the microphone--a beautiful African American with cafe-au-lait skin, a mass of dark curls, and a figure that already had the men near the stage cat-calling.

"Oh, my God,"Julian breathed. "What a deliciously exotic creature she is. "I could get lost in luscious lips such as those. And that body is just begging to be caressed...." He felt his body respond to the vision in front of him.

"I must find out out about this delicate morsel," he promised himself as he got up from his seat and moved closer to the stage. He had to see this beauty up close.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Blue Note presents the very lovely Eve Johnson!" The announcer introduced her as Eve sat down on a stool, holding her microphone.

"Eve," Julian repeated. "First woman, and first woman to know the pleasures of the flesh--how appropiate," he purred. "I'm even more intrigued." He sat back as the music began, a wide smile on his face.
 

Eve surveyed the crowd--the usual group of booze hounds. It didn't matter to her though--this club was like the ones that Billie Holiday started out in, and so Eve Johnson would too. Sitting there, dressed in a figure-fitting red velvet dress with a plunging neckline and a slit showing her shapely legs, Eve knew she caught the eye. What she was really concerned about was if she could seduce the crowd with her voice. That was what would get the attention of a record producer on the prowl!

Smiling at the audience, she began to sing:
 
 

I taste your kiss at moments like this
Long after your touch gave me such a rush
And now I know it's true that not one second or two
I could live without you

Oh,how I tried to pretend
I could choose to make this end
Oh what a fool I've been

But the thought of losing you
Makes me cold and turns me blue...

"Eve," Julian repeated. "First woman, and first woman to know the pleasures of the flesh--how appropiate," he purred. "I'm even more intrigued." He sat back as the music began, a wide smile on his face.

"I must find out more about her," he vowed silently. His appreciative gaze locked with hers, and he held it for the longest moment.

"Who is that?" Eve thought to herself as she continued to sing. That man who was sitting directly in front of the stage, who seemed to be entranced with her. He was handsome, and by the looks of him, was definitely of a different caliber than the other men who frequented the Blue Note. His clothing spoke of wealth, and having been raised in an upper middle class family herself, she could tell the different between a 'mule in horse's harness' and the real thing.

The way he looked at her sent a thrilling chill up her spine. Maybe he was someone who could help her! Eve directed her lyrics toward him, in the hope that he would do just that.

His breathing becoming labored, Julian leaned ever closer to the stage. She was singing to him, and the intoxication of the moment was wonderful. He was so focused on her eyes and lips singing, he didn't notice the looks and titters of the other patrons at his rapt attention.

Eve finished her song, then launched into 'God Bless The Child'. She sang song after song, and the crowd responded wildly to her, and she enjoyed their adulation. Yet her eyes were fixed upon the man who sat directly in front of her, his gaze devouring her hungrily. She had moved a little closer to him, drawn almost against her will by the animal magnetism of his look.

Finally, her set ended, and Eve warmly thanked her audience, then winked at the man sitting in front of her. She descended the steps at the right of the stage, then went towards the bar, graciously acknowledging the compliments of people who told her how much they had loved her performance, and ducking the few drunken idiots who had tried to get some 'quality time' alone with her.

She sat at the bar, crossing her shapely legs. Where was he, the one that reeked of money and status?

I hope that guy is a producer! He looks like one--and he's cute, too!

"Club soda, Billy, " she told the bartender, who handed it to her with a smile.

"Surely such a breathtaking woman such as yourself deserves more than a simple club soda," a velvet-sounding voice said from behind her.

Startled, Eve turned around to face the man that had stared at her during her entire set. Him!

Julian's breath was almost taken away being this close to her. Her face alone could launch a thousand ships, but her body was a sultry delight that just begged for someone to make love to. His eyes drifted to her lips, full and inviting, and when they lit upon her cleavage, they took on a look that disconcerted her.

"My face is up here," Eve said nervously, trying to strike the conversation back up.

He blinked in surprise, then smiled apologetically.

"Quite right, Ms. Johnson. Let me introduce myself--Julian Crane, at your service." Boldly taking her hand , he proceeded to press a kiss upon her palm.

Eve snatched her hand back, outraged. The nerve of him! She glared at him, color flushing her cheeks. Julian Crane! The Cranes were one of the richest families on the planet--surely he'd be able to help her somehow!

Julian couldn't help but grin at her. Her prim outward manner was a contrast to her gorgeous face and inviting, lush curves.

"I beg your pardon, Ms. Johnson. You must be aware of how ravishing you are--I simply could not help myself."

"Could have fooled me. " Eve tried to look sternly at him, but Julian smacked himself on his own hand, affecting a self-reproachful air.

"Come come now, I regret the liberty I took with you. Let me get you a glass of champagne to make it up to you--the best the Blue Note has to offer." Julian flashed her his most charming smile, and in spite of herself, Eve softened a bit towards him. He really was quite handsome, and not like the other drunken bums who'd tried to hit on her.

"I really don't drink," she told him. Undaunted, Julian signaled to the bartender.

"The best champagne you have," he demanded, and a short time later Julian and Eve were sipping Dom Perignon in a private alcove.

"This does taste really good," Eve admitted, as she sipped at her drink.

"Exquisite isn't it, my pet," Julian agreed, his hazel eyes enchanted by the curve of her full, sensual lips at the edge of the champagne flute. When she put it down, she smiled at him, the champagne making her feel more friendly towards him.

It helped that he was quite possibly the most handsome and distinguished man she'd met in a long time. And the fact that he promised to help her with some contacts in New York for a possible gig at THE Studio 54!

"Strawberry?" he offered her from the small dish that lay before them on the table. Eve nodded, so he decided to see just how far she would let him go. He picked up a berry, and held up to her lips. Eve opened her mouth to accept the proffered strawberry, and her tongue brushed lightly against the tips of his fingers.

"Oh God, Eve,"he moaned, shuddering with pleasure. His body immediately and almost violently responded, yet he held himself in check with a superhuman effort. Leaning over, he began to kiss her neck, his warm lips evoking the beginning embers of passion in Eve.

"We really shouldn't be doing this, Julian. It's late, and I'm tired...I have a late set tomorrow night," Eve half heartedly protested, as Julian's lips made their way to her ear, which he outlined lightly with his tongue.

Breathing into her ear, his moist breath sent shivers down her spine.

"Do you really want me to stop, Eve?" Julian nibbled at her ear lobe, then buried his head again in her shapely shoulders and nuzzled the delicate skin there.

"I can't, Julian," Eve whispered. Julian placed a long finger under her chin, and traced her lips with his thumb.

"I know you want me, Eve. You can fight me, but I know you want me just as much I want you, don't you Eve?
Don't you?" His hands grazed the top of her breasts, displayed in her low-cut dress.

Eve was trying to resist him, but the champagne had lessened her will to fight him. That, and the desire for him was overpowering her reason. Julian intensified his assault on her senses, feeling that she would soon be his.

"We can continue this at my suite in the Boston Grand Hotel--you'd like that, wouldn't you my dear?"

"I don't think--" Eve forgot what she had intended to say as Julian suddenly kissed her, tenderly at first. Then the kiss turned into a fiery explosion, his tongue invading and ravaging her mouth, Eve matching him kiss for kiss.

Breathing heavily, the pair broke apart, Eve's cocoa eyes darkened with newly awakened passion, Julian's hazel orbs flashed with a desire he had never known before.

"Let's go," he whispered.

********* End Flashback*********
 

Eve's eyes were full of tears at this point. She didn't want to tell Whitney about the drugs that Julian had later introduced her to, it would only hurt their daughter.

"That's how we met, sweetheart. "

Whitney's heart went out to her mother, seeing how shaken she was.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. You were the result of your father and I meeting. I could never regret that." Eve reached over and held Whitney's hand in both of her own. "You were meant to be."

Whitney smiled, tears now in her own eyes as well.
 

Julian stood outside the coffee shop, watching Eve and Whitney bond. Pride and love swelled his heart, and he wiped away a tear from his eye.

"I've wronged you so much in the years that I've known you, Eve. God willing, I now have the chance to make amends to you and our daughter."
 
 
 

Chapter 31
Chapter 29
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