“Would you like to head back or do you want to stay here a little bit longer dear?”
“Maybe I should get going, T.C. will be suspicious and I wouldn’t be able to deal with more anger, especially if he found out that I was with you. I don’t need him to lose his cool once again Julian. You saved my life on that jet Julian, you risked everything for me and I just couldn’t live with myself if T.C. hurt you so badly that…”

Eve stopped her words, running her hand over the white dress shirt, playing with the buttons in her fingers. Julian undid a few buttons on the shirt as he previously removed the tie, feeling the need to get out of it. He placed Eve’s hand on his warm chest, leaning over to kiss her ever so softly upon her neck. He could smell her perfume she was wearing, taking in every drop of the alluring scent.

“Oh Julian.” She whispered.

“Are you sure you want to go?”

“No, but I have to.”

“You don’t really, I could stay here with you all night.”

“I know you could Julian, but I have to make an appearance back home. But I have to tell you I am very pissed off at T.C., for what he did.”

“What’s that love?”

“He was willing to let you die Julian, he didn’t even want me to examine you when he hurt you, my husband is barbaric and I don’t think I can even look at him the same for being that way.”

“Honey, he was just angry because he thinks I was taking advantage of you, combined with his hatred for me.”

“I know Julian, but you are a person and he should remember that you saved me.”

“He doesn’t care Eve, he never will, I am his worst enemy, but you my dear, even if you are married to him, are the love of my life. There is no one else in this world for me, you are my soul mate and I love you so much.” He said taking her in his arms and holding her.

“Are you sure you can make some excuse with Rebecca when we go away?”

“I was thinking, I shouldn’t even give one, she is going to know I am with you Eve.”

“Well, still, don’t give her any angles to use against us anymore than you have to.”

“Whatever you say sweetheart, I just can’t wait to go with you, I have been dreaming about having some real time alone with you for so very long. I am as excited as a kid in a candy store.” He said smiling.

“I can tell, well, we should head back Julian.” She said touching his face.

“My cell is always on, you call me anytime and if T.C. starts on again about things and you need to talk to me or just need a breather, ring me please Eve.”

“I’m so glad I can count on you.”

“You always will able to my love.”

Julian studied her for a moment, sighing heavily, he could barely stand having to let her go that night, it was an awful feeling to know that the woman he dearly loved would be in another man’s arms. Even if he was her husband, it didn’t matter to Julian, they belonged together, it was only a matter of time until he could hold her in his arms, be the only man in her bed, or so he hoped. He didn’t want to rush things even if his heart and soul were yearning for her love. But Eve was everything to him so he had to be the most patient he had ever been in his life, she was so worth the wait. They said their goodbyes for the night, sharing a long and sensual kiss before departing. Eve then returned to see T.C. still with Liz.

“You were gone an awfully long time and I must say you look different.”

“What do you mean T.C.?”

“I don’t know, anyway, did you talk to Whitney?”

She had forgotten that she told him that.

“Um, no she was busy.”

“So where were you then?”

Eve hated being put on the spot like that; her mind was racing for a good answer.

“I hope you didn’t run into Julian again?” Liz asked.

Eve’s eyes widened when Liz made that remark, wanting to slap her for it.

“No, I was just getting some air, the club can be so warm.”

“It seems to me you have been getting a lot of air tonight Eve.” Liz said smiling.

“T.C., let’s go home okay?”

“What about Whitney, shouldn’t we tell her we are leaving?”

“She’s, uh, socializing with some of her new fans.” Eve said.

“Oh, well, let’s go home.”

T.C. put his arm around Eve, and she actually tensed up, feeling uncomfortable, still quite upset that T.C. was willing to let Julian die. They walked in the door and T.C. lay down the keys, taking off his jacket and tie.

“I am going to get changed, meet me upstairs baby.” He said to Eve.

When he left the room, Liz just smiled at Eve.

“So you had quite the night didn’t you sister dear?

“Why don’t you screw off, I am so sick of you in my house and in my face, get a life.” Eve said angrily.

“Oh I have a life, I have a wonderful club which I am running and your precious daughter my lead attraction. Eve, life is good for me, but for you, it’s almost over, once Whitney tells T.C. about your lover Julian Crane, you will be cooked. With the hatred T.C. showed towards him tonight, there is no chance in hell he would ever forgive you for being with him, let alone having his baby. Oh Eve, the fall is coming and I am going to be here with front row seats.” Liz said rubbing her hands together.

“Go to bed, and leave me the hell alone, you are a bitch.” Eve yelled.

“That doesn’t bother me, at least my life isn’t about to come apart, good night Eve.” She said leaving the room.

Eve undid her hair, letting her tresses fall loosely and looked in the mirror.

“Life has never been so complicated, my past coming back to haunt me. I thought I could hide it forever, but it’s too late for that now. The only positive influence I have in my life is Julian, without him, I don’t know what I would do and the fact is I do love him, I love him so much.”

“I love you too sweetheart.” T.C. said walking in the living room, startling her.

“Oh T.C.”

“It’s been a long night, but a wonderful one, seeing Whitney up on the stage, she was so amazing Eve. The night was perfect until that golly Julian tried to take advantage of you like that, that bastard!” he said annoyed.

“Julian wasn’t doing that T.C.”

“How can you say that, he was dragging you!”

“He was drinking.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass if he was or not, it’s just like that loser to try anything to get into a woman’s pants, and yours, oh my God, I should have killed him. Imagine trying to seduce a married woman, but then again, this is Julian we are talking about.”

“T.C. are you forgetting that Julian once saved my life, due to the fact that you started that fight with him?”

“One good deed, that’s it, okay maybe two, if we count him saving Whitney, but it doesn’t give him the right to force himself on you and take you to his car or God knows wherever to have sex with you, he is a pig.” T.C. said, rage returning to his eyes.

“Julian has changed T.C.”

“Changed, that’s bull and you know it. You will never make me think he has a decent bone in his body, because he doesn’t. And here you go defending him again, what’s with that?”

“Julian is different, he just is T.C.”

“I don’t want to talk about him anymore, let’s go to bed.”

“Bed?”

“I am so tired right now, once I hit the pillow, I will be out like a light.” He said.

Eve was relieved T.C. didn’t want to try and get frisky. Though even if he did, she wasn’t giving into him. When T.C. lay down, he wasn’t kidding, he was out, but Eve couldn’t sleep, she hated being next to her husband at that point, knowing she resented him for what he had done. After a while, she looked at the clock, it was nearly one in the morning, but as many times as she tried to settle in for the night, she couldn’t. She got up and went downstairs to the kitchen and made herself a tea. The house was very quiet, she remembered the times when her girls were young, how they would hear her sometimes down there and join their mother and just talk. She missed how close they used to be, she felt like she didn’t even know Whitney or Simone anymore and she certainly didn’t know her husband the same. Eve felt like Julian was all she had now really and sitting there nursing the tea, made her think of him, wondering what he was doing. She looked at the clock again, and wondered if she could call him. But perhaps he would be sound asleep, but then he always told her she could call anytime. So she dialed his number, hoping his cell would be on and Rebecca would be out of earshot.

“Hello.”

“Julian?” she said softly.

He was very surprised to hear from her, but smiled at the sound of her voice.

“Hi sweetie.” He whispered.

“Is Rebecca nearby?”

“She is actually in the bathroom, so I have to be rather quiet, let me walk downstairs.”

“I hope I didn’t wake you, I just wanted to talk.”

“Eve, what’s wrong, is it T.C.?” he said then opening the office door.

“I don’t know, I just need to hear a reassuring voice.”

“Oh love.”

“I can’t sleep Julian and I am just feeling very sad right now.”

“I’m so sorry, what can I do to help?”

“Nothing really, I just miss you.”

“You do Eve?”

“Yes Julian.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment and she wondered if he was okay.

“Is she nearby?”

“Yeah, actually, could I call you back in about fifteen minutes or so?” Julian asked.

“Yes, but call my cell, not the home phone, I don’t want to wake T.C.”

“Alright Eve.”

She sat there, finding it rather chilly so she crept upstairs to grab her robe and sat back down at the kitchen table waiting for his call. She looked at the phone, smiling slightly as she thought about how impatient she felt waiting for it to ring. Like a young girl waiting for her boyfriend to phone her for a date. She was lost in a trance for a moment when she nearly jumped through the ceiling when there was a knock on the door. Her eyes widened when she saw Julian standing there.

“What are you doing here?” she said shocked.

“Well, you are feeling sad and you missed me so I would rather be here in person to hold you right now.”

“But Julian, T.C. and…”

“Is he a sound sleeper?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t stay too long, I will be careful.”

“I mean if he catches you Julian, oh perish the thought.”

“Sweetheart, you are worth the risk and you need me right now and I love you so I want to be here.”

“Well thank you.” She said smiling.

“By the way, you look very beautiful in that silk robe, is the…uh…. negligee, match the robe?”

“There’s the Julian I know.” She said touching his arm.

“I am trying to be nice and sweet, it was just a question.”

“Sure it was, anyway, yes, it matches the robe, it’s blue as well, and I suppose you want to see it?” She said.

“Well, if you are offering.” He said winking.

Eve opened her robe and Julian’s eyes widened in amazement.

“God, you are beautiful my love, so stunning.” He said pulling her into his arms.

“I am glad you are here.” Eve said, looking into his warm hazel eyes.

“I would do anything for you.”

“I know you would and I very much appreciate that you showed up, I can’t say you aren’t spontaneous.”

“That I am, especially when it comes to the woman I love.”

“What did you tell Rebecca?”

“Nothing.”

“You just left?”

“Yes.”

“Julian, what if she asks where you were?”

“Like I said Eve, she knows how much I love you, Rebecca may have her so called blonde moments, but she knows I am with you.”

She took him by the hand he sat next to her at the table, pulling his chair quite close to hers. She turned to look at him and he kissed her very softly on the mouth several times.

“Would you like a tea?” she asked.

“No dear, I am fine.”

“How about some milk?”

“Maybe if I was ten and I wanted to have strong healthy bones.”

“Julian!” She said laughing.

“Honestly, I am good Eve, thank you.”

“I just wish I could sleep.”

“Why don’t you get dressed and we will go for a drive.”

“I can’t Julian, T.C. would most likely wake up, and that’s just a bit too risky.”

“Okay, why don’t we go in the living room then.” He said putting his arm around her.

When she sat on the couch, Julian pulled her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, playing with her hair.

“Everything will be okay Eve, you have me and I am not going anywhere.” He said kissing her forehead.

“I wish everything would be okay, but it is probably only a matter of time when everything will come out.”

“Eve?”

“Yes?”

“What do you want from this really?”

“In what way Julian?”

“Do you want to be with me? I know you want to take things slow, but how strong are your feelings really? I mean you know when it comes to me, I am so in love with you and I can’t deny that.”

“Julian, I love being with you, I love being able to be myself and not have to worry about anything at all. My feelings have resurfaced for you, though I thought they were long gone, but being with you, spending time with you, they are strong.”

“I know you said that you loved me before, but I also know that you are torn between T.C. and I. I am not asking you to tell me right now, Julian I am leaving you for T.C., and I know this is difficult. But I do promise you, when we have that time alone, I will make it very worth your while.” He said kissing her neck.

“I am very upset with T.C. right now, so I guess that means that I am also extra sensitive and vulnerable around you, which may not exactly be a good thing.”

“I will not take advantage of that, I promise you that, but every time I see you, I feel like we have more of a connection and it makes me want to kiss you over and over Eve, show you the love I have for you.”

Eve lay against his chest, she closed her eyes for what she thought was one brief moment and when she opened them, she looked at the clock, and it was almost five in the morning.

“Julian, why didn’t you wake me?” she said looking at him.

“Why honey?”

“Because, what if T.C. were to wake up and find me gone from the bed?”

“Oh heaven forbid if you actually stepped outside the bedroom for two minutes.” He said rolling his eyes.

“You know what I mean.”

“Honey, you were content and peaceful, I wasn’t going to wake you, and so I let you sleep.”

“What if you had fallen asleep and we were to wake up and have him find us?”

“I did sleep for a bit, but for the last while, I have just been watching you, do you know how beautiful you are?” he said kissing her again.

“Julian, I am serious, T.C. could easily wake up.”

“Like I said, I am willing to take that risk, you must have been tired and besides I love holding you like this, it’s the best feeling in the world.” He said hugging her.

“I think you should go now though.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes Julian.” She said sadly.

“Are you sure you are going to be okay Eve?”

“For now, thank you for coming over, that was very sweet of you.”

She walked Julian to the door and he smiled at her touching her face.

“I love you Eve.”

“I love you too.”

She hugged him again not wanting to let go, but knew she had to. He kissed her once more and held onto her hand for a moment, squeezing it before shutting the door. She smiled at him and when she went back upstairs, T.C. was still in a deep sleep. She lay next to him and never felt so alone, missing Julian’s touch.