Julian took a shower, letting the hot water, run down his body, and when he closed his eyes, thoughts of Eve filled his head and he smiled, loving the chance he had just had to visit with her even if she wasn’t exactly thrilled to be near him. He did love her; he always loved her, even if he did treat her terribly at one point. The more he thought about her, the more he wanted her back in his life and in his bed. He knew she was in love with Randy, but perhaps deep down she was still in love with him. She may never admit it to him, as her husband was ideally the perfect husband for her. He did treat her right, he was kind and good, was set financially, they had two wonderful girls, but he wondered just how much passion they shared for one another. Was Julian only considered the sinner in Eve’s mind or was he just a saint only at one time? Could be prove that he could be the man for her? Only time would tell, but he wasn’t going to give up on her, that was for sure. He was being naughty and bad by chatting up a married woman, but it had never stopped him before and Eve was more than just the usual woman who helped to put the permanent holes in his wall from a noisy headboard.

“Julian?” Rebecca said, opening the shower curtain.

“Hey, it’s cold, close that damn thing and shut the door.”

“Yeah it’s cold alright.” She said staring below his waist.

“Out Rebecca!” he said smiling.

“I want to come in and shower with you.”

“Too late, besides I’m busy fantasizing.”

“About me?” she said, touching his soaking wet gray tresses.

“You wish, now leave the bathroom.”

“Fine, be boring, I can tell you’re not in the mood for me, but whoever it is you are thinking about, she won’t be as good looking as I am.” She said, her head becoming larger by the minute with conceit.

“Whatever you say, anyway, I’m not in the mood for you, that’s for sure.”

She shut the door in a huff and he just shook his head, laughing at her. Julian dried off and wondered what Eve was up to at that very moment, he didn’t want to picture her with Randy, doing more than playing a board game. He wrapped the towel around his waist and the idea of nude Twister with Eve popped into his mind suddenly. That was one game he wouldn’t mind playing one bit.

“What are you smiling at?” Rebecca asked, when he entered the bedroom.

“Just thinking of a game.”

“Oh Julian, just tell me which one you want to try, I am ready for anything.”

“Sorry dear, this doesn’t involve you.”

“What?”

“Nope, not you at all Becky.”

“Your blowup doll then?” she asked.

“Certainly not, I don’t own one of those, I have enough hot air with you in my life.”

“You sarcastic jerk!”

“That’s me darling and you love every minute of it, don’t you?”

“No, you’re mean to me, you were never like this before, why are you acting like this?”

“Because I can.” He said grinning.

“If you don’t stop it, I am not giving you what you want.”

“And?”

“And little Julian will be as dry as dust, maybe I should get a cactus and bring that out for revenge when you are nasty.” She said.

“Now Becky, you have to do better than that.”

Eve sat in the living room, reading a book, when Randy opened the front door. She was off that day, but he had pulled an all nighter and he brought her breakfast, complete with a dozen carnations.

“Randy, they’re beautiful.”

“Only the best for you, my sweet.” He said, leaning over to kiss her.

“You’re too good to me.”

“I love you Eve, I could tell you ten thousand times a day, it doesn’t matter, my love for you is forever.”

“Well you’re so kind to me, here you are tired as anything and still you’re as considerable as ever, thinking of me.”

“Of course Eve, I know I work a lot, we both do, but it’s important that we make time for one another.”

“Oh Randy.”

When they were finished breakfast, he put his arm around her as they finished two strong coffees, Randy needed it especially, sleep wasn’t a part of his world, he was always on the go and Eve realized that, but she was willing to compromise always because she knew the importance of helping people.

“Well Eve, what do you say we continue breakfast upstairs?”

“Upstairs?” she said wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Yes.”

“But you need to sleep.”

“Sure, but before I do, let’s say, we get our exercise, in case, I don’t get a chance later on?” he said winking.

“I like your thinking.” She said, standing up from the sofa.

Randy practically lifted her up into his arms and Eve laughed, feeling like she was being carried over the threshold.

“Oh please, you two need to get a room.” Simone said, coming in from the kitchen.

“We are.” Randy said.

“Oh dad, how gross.” Simone said shaking her head.

“Randy, don’t give our baby girl a mental picture.” Eve said laughing.

“Yes please, I couldn’t take that.” Simone said, turning up her nose.

Randy put her down and hugged his youngest daughter.

“How are you sweetheart?”

“Fine daddy, how was work?”

“Exhausting, I’m going to bed.”

“Well whatever you two are doing, sleeping or…oh God, I can’t even say it, anyway, I am going out for breakfast with Kay, see you later.”

When Simone shut the door, Randy looked at Eve, and kissed her quite passionately.

“Now where were we?”

“You were carrying me, but don’t give yourself a hernia, you perform enough surgeries.” Eve said smiling.

“As if Eve, come on now.” He said lifting her up again.

Randy was a tall man, over six feet so he was strong and when he carried her into their bedroom, he laid her on the bed, taking off his oxford shirt.

“I love you Eve.” He said laying his body on top of hers.

“I love you too.” She said, preparing for a morning of making love.

When they were finished, Eve lay in her husband’s strong arms, enjoying the feeling of being so cared for and loved. Being with Randy, made her so happy that she had married him and moved on with her life. Julian could never compare to her wonderful husband. They lay there for quite some time and when he kissed her again, wanting to go for another round, his pager went off.

“Damn.”

“What is it hon?” Eve asked, touching his arm.

“I have to go back to work Eve, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, work is work.”

“I will make it up to you again later, I promise.” He said hugging her closely to him.

“I know.”

She watched him put on his clothes once again and was gone. She honestly didn’t mind that he was out the door like that, marriage was about compromising and that was exactly what they were doing, it was life. Eve sat alone, just watching television for a while when she heard a loud bang. It startled her and she ran downstairs to see what it was. She was shocked to see Julian tapping her door as hard as he could. She could see a panicked expression upon his face and she opened the door with concern.

“What’s wrong Julian?”

“I am in so much pain, help me Eve.” He said, holding himself.

She helped him into the living room to sit down in the chair.

“When did it start?” she said, getting her medical bag.

“About ten minutes or so ago, I showered and I was…oh.” He said, leaning over in pain, tears actually in his eyes.

“Oh Julian.” She said trying to help calm him down.

“The kidney stones, I…”

“Kidney, I thought you said they were gall stones?” Eve said, rubbing his back.

“I was wrong Eve.”

“Well you haven’t passed them yet?”

Hell no!” he said, practically screaming the words.

She helped him as much as she could and when he was finally able to pass them, the pain more unbearable than life itself up to that point. He lay back on the couch afterwards, sighing in relief.

“Thank you for helping me Eve.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I never knew they could be so painful.”

“Yes Julian, they can be.” She said touching his hand.

He gazed at her, quite astonished, she was being so kind to him, but she was a doctor, so she wanted to help him.

“I wasn’t faking it of course.”

“Oh Julian, I know, you don’t have to explain, but where was Rebecca?”

“She was there, but went out with Gwen for a while so I was alone. Sure I could have called the ambulance, but I automatically thought of you.” He said, touching her soft wavy tresses.

“Well at least you asked for help, that’s good Julian.”

“Eve?”

“Yes Julian?”

“I am really sorry that I have been a jerk, you have to know how sorry I am for everything I have done to you. I am being genuine here; I know it’s hard to believe me after everything that happened between us. I was the coward who left you, but you just don’t know how much I wanted our baby and you. I wish I could take back everything that happened so that I could be your husband.”

“Well Julian, you made your decision, now you have to live with it.”

“I know Eve, but I still wish I could take back everything.”

“The past is the past I have told you before.”

“I know.” He said, looking away from her.

“You just have to try to be a good man, try not too be so evil in life because it doesn’t pay to be that way Julian.”

“I know that and loving you Eve, that will make me less of a coward and more of a real man.” He said, moving her back slightly on the couch.

“Julian, no, please.” She said pushing him back, to allow for space.

“Why?”

“You know why, I’m a married woman.” She said, giving him, quite a look.

“I know you are married, but…”

“No Julian, I love Randy.”

“But you used to love me, remember?”

“Used to Julian, but I love Randy now.”

He didn’t say another word, but leaned forward, placing a sweet and gentle kiss upon her mouth.

“Julian, what did I tell you about kissing me?”

“I don’t remember.” He said, kissing her again, having selective hearing, like most men.

“You do too.”

Julian stared at her, studying her soulful eyes, her full mouth, her stunning and sexy features, he couldn’t help but want to taste her lips over and over, they were beautiful, just like her. He licked his mouth, making it slightly slick and pressed his mouth against hers again. Eve tried to push him away, but he deepened their kiss by moving her back farther on the couch so she was lying down against the pillow.

“Julian, I can’t do this.” She said, almost in awe.

“Do you really want me to stop?” he whispered, kissing her neck, and nibbling her ear.

“You know we can’t.”

“You’re telling me no, but your body language is saying yes to me, so which is it darling?” he said sitting up slightly to look at her.

“Julian, I’m married.” She said, in protest.

“We’re just kissing.”

“Kissing leads to other things and how can you forget what you did to me?”

“I haven’t done anything to you, quite yet, but you are certainly doing something to me.” He said pressing his lower part of his body against her.

She knew exactly what he meant by that.

“Julian, you were only in pain a while ago, you shouldn’t be doing this.”

“I am fine, you took good care of me, you are a good doctor and I love you for it.”

“You left me remember?”

“Honey, don’t mention that now.”

She pushed him away in irritation.

“You know damn well what I mean, I don’t want to get hurt again Julian.”

“I won’t hurt you again, I won’t do that, I love you too much Eve, do you love me?” he asked, brushing his fingers, along her lips.

“I love my husband.”

“You are so stubborn Eve, I know you love him, but do you love me?”

“I used to.” She said simply.

“I think…that you could love me again, I will treat you right this time, I won’t abandon you.”

“It doesn’t matter, I am not available to be with, and don’t you understand?” Eve asked in frustration.

“I understand that I want you in my bed again, I want to sleep with you Eve.” He said bluntly.

“No.”

“Eve, let me make love to you, let me show you how good it can be again.” He said, playing with the buttons on her shirt.

She hated how persistent he could be, but he had a way of gazing at her with his sexy hazel eyes and mouth that was so sweet to devour, that she had a hard time saying no to him.

“I know you want me, don’t you Eve?”

“I can’t.” she said weakly.

“Yes you can, I won’t tell anyone and you won’t either, it will be our secret darling, we can have the hottest sex we have had in years and no one will be any the wiser.”

“I can’t cheat on…um….”

“You can’t even remember his name honey, I must be having some affect on you, and Randy won’t know.”

“Randy will know, my face will tell it all when he comes home, I will feel guilty.”

“No need to feel guilty, you still want me and that’s okay, I mean the truth is I have never gotten over you.”

“But Randy is a good man Julian.”

“Are you sure, have you seen his new nurse?”

“What?” Eve asked.

“She’s pretty hot you know.”

“What do you mean hot?”

“Yes darling, not as hot as you in my opinion, you are scorching Eve, but she is pretty and I am sure Randy thinks so too.”

“Julian, don’t do this, Randy doesn’t have a wandering eye like that.”

“Don’t be too sure Eve, after all he is a man and things can happen, look at us.”

“Nothing has happened yet.”

“We have kissed so maybe Randy kissed Janesta.

“You know her name?” Eve said, shocked.

“Of course Eve, I know everyone and he only works out of town a bit and there is always talk about someone new who comes to Harmony or surrounding areas. Her name is Janesta Wilks, she’s twenty-nine and not holding, with long red hair and…”

“Shut up Julian, get out!” she said pushing him onto the floor.

“Eve!”

“How dare you accuse my husband of cheating, you have probably slept with her yourself and you are just trying to get me to feel better about having sex with you.”

“Honestly darling, I am just saying open your eyes, don’t be naïve, and you just never know, you have to protect yourself Eve.”

“I know I have to protect myself from you, you haven’t changed one damn bit Julian, so save this crap for your many bimbos you date!” she said angrily.

“I am just trying to…”

“Get out, you’re a jerk!” she said, pushing him quite firmly towards the door.

But when Julian refused to move, she got quite angry, trying hard to open the door that he was leaning against.

“Go to hell!” she yelled.

“I am already there dear, so no point wishing it again, anyway, I am not leaving until you listen to me.”

“I will call the police.”

“No you won’t Eve, I know you don’t hate me that much.”

She gave up after a few minutes, she didn’t have the energy. He sat down next to her on the couch again.

“I’m sorry honey, I just don’t want you to get hurt by Randy, there are always temptations around and Janesta could be one of them, that’s all I meant. Like I said, you are far more beautiful than her any day, but just be aware of the chances and risks that some men would take.”

“Not Randy Julian, he would never do that.”

“Take it from someone who knows, temptations are always there Eve.”

“So you can’t be trusted.”

“I know I can’t Eve, not with any other woman, but you.”

“Yeah right.”

“I love you Eve, I would be faithful to you, totally, you are my love, my true one, my heart so how could I ever hurt you again? Do you think I would be stupid enough to do it more than once?”

“You could be all talk and hurt me over again, so yes.”

“I am not all talk, I want to be more than that, Eve, I just love you, that is why I want to get physical with you, I don’t want you to cheat, but I don’t call it cheating the same because if I hadn’t screwed up, we would be married with our son.”

“But you did, so I have another husband and two daughters.”

“Darling, keep your family, but can’t I just have one night with you, one night to spend in a hot session hitting the sheets?”

“I’m not a one night stand Julian.”

“That’s with a stranger, we have made love before, I just want another night to continue where we left off, that is all I ask, I will make it more memorable than you could ever imagine Eve.”

“Would you please go home?” she said, frustration, still in her expression.

“Alright, I won’t press the issue anymore, but know, that I do love you and the only reason I did mention about Randy’s nurse is because it could happen Eve, marriage is all about trust, but you just never know when it can be broken.”

“And I would be breaking it by going to bed with you Julian.”

“As I said, we were once lovers so I don’t look at it the same, I loved you then and I love you now Eve. Randy may love you, but just remember, that temptations are everywhere.”

Julian took her hand and kissed it, not wanting to bother her anymore, although he had been hoping that she would eventually change her mind and sleep with him. It was all he wanted was to show her how much passion they once shared. He left her alone, thanking her again for helping him being in so much pain. Eve shut the door, closing it tightly and locking it, she didn’t want any more interruptions from Julian for the day. She sat back on the bed, making herself a cup of tea and opening her book to the page where she left off. As she read, her mind didn’t focus on the words; it raced with thoughts of whether Julian was right about Randy. Could this Janesta actually turn his head? She tried to shake it off, knowing Julian wanted her as well, but her mind returned to her husband working in such close proximity with this woman. Randy returned home a few hours later and greeted Eve with a loving kiss, but he sensed something was wrong immediately.

“So how is Janesta?” Eve asked, crossing her arms.

“Janesta?” he said, rubbing his forehead.

“I heard she is your new nurse, you never mentioned her before Randy.” Eve said dryly.

“Why would you care about my new nurse Eve?”

“Oh I don’t know…because she is gorgeous and you forgot to mention that?”

“Honey, do I sense a bit of jealousy here?” he said touching her cheek.

“I’m not jealous, but the least you could do was tell me about her.”

“Eve, what does it matter if she is gorgeous?”

“Oh so she is then, well fine!”

“Eve, honey, relax.” He said smiling.

“Randy Warner, how dare you work with such a woman!”

“Oh come now, you have colleagues who are rather handsome don’t you?”

“I don’t work that closely with them.”

“Eve, I don’t have an interest in Janesta one bit.”

“I’m just sure, but with such a sexy woman under your wing, how can you not be attracted to her?”

“She is my nurse Eve.”

“And I bet her uniform is as short as say, a French maid?”

“Eve, where is this coming from? Who told you about her?”

“Well if you must know, Julian.”

“Julian Crane, that ass, well no wonder you are upset.”

“He was over here today after you left.”

Randy’s eyes narrowed and he stared at her.

“What do you mean he was over here?”

“Randy, he had a kidney stone attack.”

“He probably faked it just so he could come over to see you, I am going to kill him for real this time.” He said, forming his hand into a tight fist.

“No, it was genuine, but he just happen to mention in passing about your nurse.”

“That jerk would do anything to make me look bad, Eve, honestly, I don’t want Janesta, I admit that there a number of my male colleagues who do want her, but not me. I am a one woman man, you’re my love.” He said,

“I guess so.”

“Eve, you never have to worry about me straying, I love you so much, you are so incredible. I couldn’t ask for a more loving and wonderful wife than you.” He said, kissing her neck.

“I love you too Randy.”

“I know how Julian Crane’s mind works, he is a manipulator, he loves to play mind games and toy with your emotions. I already know how much he hurt you in the past, so this is no surprise that he still wants to play these games. I know you loved him in the past, and he obviously loved you too, but a real man wouldn’t have left you when he did. Are you sure you don’t want to consider moving from Harmony? I could get a transfer and perhaps you could too. We could have a fresh start away from Julian Crane and the whole wacky Crane family.”

“Don’t include Sheridan in that mix.” Eve said.

“Oh I realize that, Sheridan is a lovely woman, she just has a nut for a brother and an golly for a father.”

“I don’t want to leave Harmony Randy, I love it here.”

“But if Julian is going to continue to bother you like he does then…”

“I can handle Julian, but I still wish you had told me about your nurse.”

“Eve, I honestly didn’t see a need, she is nothing more to me than a woman I work with. I wasn’t trying to hide her from you, I just didn’t see it as a big deal.”

Eve smiled at him, feeling better about what he said. How could she let Julian ever make her doubt her love for Randy? She did trust him, she had been married to him for many years and he had never led her to think that he would be unfaithful and either would she. They stepped out a little while later to pick up some Chinese take out, Randy suggested someone else do the cooking that evening. Eve waited at the counter for it to be ready; she felt a hand around her waist, assuming it was Randy who had run over to buy some batteries. She turned around, coming face to face with Julian.