Eve opened the shower curtain and her jaw practically hit the floor.

“Eve, holy golly !”

“Randy, who the hell is this?” she yelled.

The woman tried to cover her soap-covered body with the curtain as quickly as possible.

“Answer me!”

“I’m Janesta, Randy’s nurse.” She said, volunteering the information.

“I should have known by the red hair, how could you Randy?”

“It’s not what you think Eve.”

“Nothing’s going on, you liar and you bitch, Julian was right!” she said angrily.

“It’s nothing honestly, I was just showing her uh, how this new line of soap works, we are testing it for our patients.”

“Oh cut the bull you ass, that is the most pathetic line I have ever heard in my life!” she screamed.

“I’m sorry Eve.” She said.

“You will be more sorry if you don’t get the hell out of my bathroom right now!”

“Okay, I understand.”

“And you Randy, get out, get the hell out of my house!”

“But Eve, where am I going to go?”

“With your floozy!”

“I am not one of them, I am a good girl.” Janesta said.

“A good girl who hits on women’s husbands? I believed you Randy, how could I be so naïve? A birthday kiss, oh my God! I should have listened to Julian in the first place, he was telling the truth. He said watch out and keep my eyes open.”

“I love you Eve, I told Julian I really do, and he said I was after Janesta.”

“You were honey, remember those times in your office and…”

“Janesta, button that lip of yours.”

“Randy and I built a life together, and you’re a nurse, you’re an intelligent woman, how could you be so dumb as to take up with my husband?”

“I’m sorry but he’s sexy and I just couldn’t resist.” She said, looking downwards.

“Well you can have him, get out now, both of you!” she screamed.

They grabbed their clothes and were out of there. Eve sat on the edge of the tub, the shower still running, tears forming in her eyes, feeling so used and so upset. She had been in denial and Julian had known just the way men were and Randy was no exception. She was sure he did love her, but if he did, he wouldn’t have been with his nurse. Eve had a terrible night, tossing and turning, unable to sleep and headed out to get a coffee. She sat down at the table, drowning her sorrows in cup after cup. She closed her eyes for a moment when she felt a hand upon hers.

“You were right.” She said, staring at Julian.

“About what dear?”

“Randy.”

Julian sat down across from her, taking her hands.

“What happened sweetheart?”

“I caught him with Janesta tonight in the shower.”

“Oh Eve.”

“I’m sorry I doubted you Julian.”

“Don’t be darling, I wasn’t doing it to be mean, I just love you so much and I just had this feeling that he wanted her. And the truth is, I don’t know if he told you, but I confronted him about wanting her and he denied it. All along the way, admitting my love for you, telling him I wanted you and not hiding the truth Eve.”

“Loving me, I thought it was about getting me into bed.”

“If I said no to that, I would be lying to you and I won’t do that, I do want you Eve, very much, but I love you too.”

“Julian, you have a lot of good qualities, but you also have some..”

“ golly ones, I know, I have a lot of them, including drinking, which I do admit, and I do too much. I do need to channel my emotions into something else besides the bottle, but I could if I had you as a positive influence in my life Eve.”

“Julian, I just found out my husband wants another woman, I don’t know how much I can inspire you at this moment.”

“You know Eve, I told him to be honest with you and admit his feelings for her, even if it did hurt then. But you finding out in this way is far worse. I told him that he better not get caught.”

“Why didn’t you tell me Julian?”

“Eve, darling, you didn’t want to have anything to do with me. Can you honestly say you would have listened?”

“You’re right.” Eve said, playing with his fingers.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for some of the comments I have made, dirty ones, rude ones, Eve, sometimes I literally put my foot in my mouth, but the truth is you’re the woman I love.”

“I understand, by the way, it’s nearly three in the morning, how did you know I would be here?” Eve asked.

“I didn’t, but I couldn’t sleep.”

“I thought you would have been passed out from drinking.”

“Usually yes, but not tonight, so I thought why not get a coffee and be even more wired.”

She smiled slightly at him.

“I can’t go home right now Julian.”

“Is he there Eve?”

“No, I kicked him and Bambi out for the night.”

“Bambi?” he said smiling.

“Bambi, Buffy, Bimbo, whatever, I don’t care at this point.” Eve said.

“I understand your frustrations, well, if you can stand being around me for more than ten minutes, perhaps I can keep you company the rest of the early morning?”

“What about Rebecca?”

“She can entertain herself.”

“Really?”

“She claims she is double jointed so let her please herself for the moment.”

Eve laughed at him, at least he had a sense of humor, and he hadn’t lost that since she had known him.

“Julian, I can’t go back home, I mean I don’t know if he will be there or not, my girls are sleeping too and I don’t want to upset them or get them up.”

“How about a hotel?”

“Julian Crane!”

“I’m being nice, not looking for sex, but at least we will have some privacy there Eve.”

“I don’t know.”

“Eve, for once, I am thinking above my waist, take me up on the offer, I promise to be a good boy.”

“You don’t know the meaning of the word.”

“True, but I can learn.”

Eve sighed and when he stood up and put out his hand, she took it.

“What about my car?” Eve asked.

“I would say leave it here, but then again, it might not have any wheels in the morning.”

“I will drive there and meet you, probably easiest.” Eve said.

“Okay, see you in a few.”

When Eve arrived, Julian got out of the car and put his arm around her, wanting her to know he honestly wanted to be there for her.

“Give me your best room.” Julian said, slapping down the Crane credit card.

“Julian, it’s not necessary, it’s late.” Eve said.

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what time it is Eve, I want the best for you my sweet.” He said smiling at her.

“If you want.”

“Mr. Crane, I have a king sized bed with a heart shaped Jacuzzi tub.”

“Great, I’ll take it.”

“Julian?”

“Yes?”

“A king bed?”

“Yes Eve, what’s wrong with that?”

“Well….”

“Darling, don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

“I don’t believe you.” She said smiling.

“It’s late Eve, I want the best like I said and we need a room, besides, then I can hold you and….yes, yes, we will take the room.” He said to the clerk.

Eve decided not to bother arguing and when he gave Julian the room card, they were up within moments.

“This is nice.” Eve said.

“And it’s all yours my dear Eve.”

“Why don’t I order us some room service?” he said.

“At this hour?”

“Sure.”

Eve went into the bathroom to wash up while Julian called. When she came out, he had a platter of whipped cream and strawberries and some champagne.

“Julian, this isn’t necessary.”

“Well in case you get hungry or thirsty Eve.”

“This food is rather…”

“Sexy, yeah I know, but well I wanted to cheer you up honey, I mean okay, maybe it’s not the best thing to be eating after what you saw, but…sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.”

“It’s okay Julian, it’s the thought that counts, but don’t you drink too much, you told me that you’re going to try to be a good boy from now on.”

“I will, but this is more for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Here.” He said, dipping the strawberry into the whip cream.

“I can’t eat that.”

“Sure you can, you need to keep up your strength.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Certainly not with a knockout body like yours, let me feed you, just one.” Julian said.

“You are so persistent.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Alright, feed me then.”

He watched her as she took a bite of the strawberry, biting his lip at the way she ate it. When she had a bit of whipped cream on the corner of her mouth, he couldn’t resist kissing her there, tasting the sweetness of it and her lips. She moved away from him then and stared at him.

“Sorry honey, I just, well, you know.”

“Julian, I am not ready to just jump in with both feet here. Just because Randy and I are apart, doesn’t mean we can just pick up where we left off so many years ago.”

“Eve, I am not in a rush my love, I just want to be here for you tonight.”

“You say that but we are in a room together, alone, a Jacuzzi, one bed, and you know what can happen, don’t deny it.” Eve said.

“I do know, but I am not planning on making the moves on you.”

“You’re not?” She said surprised.

“Well no, you’re upset right? And I don’t want to hurt you by doing something nuts to make you hate me even more than you have in the past.”

“Thank you for respecting how I feel.”

“Eve I have been a jerk in the past, but I can be just as sweet as the next guy when it counts and because I am in love with you, well..”

“In love?”

“Did I just say that?” he said smiling.

“Yes you did.”

“I know I tend to be bold and tell the truth, so yes, in love.”

“Julian, what about Rebecca?”

“What about her?”

“You don’t love her?”

“God no, she is a pain in the ass.”

“A pain that you have been to bed with.”

“I know, but I don’t love her.”

“In fact you have been to bed with a lot of women.”

“I won’t lie about it, you’re right, but it doesn’t mean I loved any of them.”

“But how could you do that?”

“Sleep with them Eve?”

“Yes.”

“Just pure lust, besides how could I ever love anyone but you.”

“And Ivy?”

“That was a disaster from the beginning, that wasn’t love either. Eve, when I left you, it was the largest mistake of my pathetic life, I turned to drinking, women, both together. When you lose your heart, you block out those hurt feelings and regrets, at least that’s what I did in destructive ways.”

“But why Julian?”

“I was a loser who listened to my father far too much and actually did many things I shouldn’t have in life. I was wrong to ever let you go, I became a different person after abandoning you. To get back the Julian you once knew, well it won’t happen overnight Eve.”

“Well anyway, I’m rather tired now, I want to try and sleep okay?”

“Yes Eve.”

When she lay down in the bed, Julian pulled the covers over her, laying his body quite close to hers. She lay there quietly when she felt his arms around her and his bare chest against her back.

“You’re still dressed Eve.”

“I know, I see you’re not.”

“I have my boxers on, take off your clothes.”

“Excuse me?” she said turning around to look at him.

“I mean leave on your bra and panties, whatever darling, I just mean you’re going to be awfully hot in your clothes since you didn’t bring anything to sleep in.”

“That’s not a good idea and you know it.”

“I will be the perfect gentleman, scout’s honor.” He said crossing his fingers.

When she agreed and removed her top and pants, she felt very strange being this close to him, hardly wearing anything, but she closed her eyes when she felt him wrap his arms around her once again, she felt safe and secure and content. Eve sighed, at the warmth of his body so near to hers, his warm breath upon the back of her neck. When Julian’s mouth accidentally brushed against her ear, she felt a sudden tingle throughout her body and she pulled his arms even tighter to her, not wanting him to let go.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

“Fine Julian.”

“Good, try to rest Eve, I’m not going anywhere, don’t worry.” He said kissing her cheek quite gently.

She lay there for quite some time, still tossing and turning, even if she was content.

“Julian?”

“Hmm?” he said, in a half asleep daze.

“Thank you for being here.”

“My pleasure Eve, I will be here whenever you need me.”

He kissed the back of her neck once again and she couldn’t resist maneuvering her body in such a way that she could look at him. She watched him sleep; he was so sweet looking when he was peaceful. Eve touched his mouth with the tip of her finger, and he opened his eyes to gaze at her.

“Thought you were sleeping.” He said, touching her hair.

“I am trying, but no such luck.”

Julian sat up for a minute and looked around the room.

“How can I help you sleep, just let me know, do you want me to order you some warm milk or a tea?”

Eve didn’t answer him and pulled him downwards to her, his mouth close to hers.

“I take that as a no when it comes to beverages?” He said smiling.

Eve lay on her back and stared at him, touching his mouth, tracing it with her finger, he took her hand and then kissed it. Eve watched him as he kissed each finger on each hand. He was being very kind and sweet just like he said and she felt very comfortable around him. She then brought his mouth to meet hers in a soft and gentle kiss and when she opened her eyes to gaze at him, Julian couldn’t help but smile.

“Perhaps this will help you sleep?” he said kissing her mouth again, tasting her full lips.

“It might Julian.” She said softly.

“Oh Eve.” He said, pressing his mouth firmer against hers as she ran her fingers along his back.

“I don’t know exactly what I want or what to do or..”

“Shhh darling, don’t analyze any of this, just do what comes natural.” He said kissing her neck.

“I’m afraid of that.”

“Listen, we will take this only to where you want, I am not going to pressure you Eve.”

“No?”

“Not at all, I love you, I will show you just how much no matter what happens.” He said, playing with the strap on her bra.

“Maybe we should stop here.” She said, lying on her side.

“If that’s what you want.”

“Julian, you’re not acting like yourself.”

“Yes I am, I am trying to be the man you loved, not the man you learned to hate.”

“I don’t hate you.”

“Well, for the things I have done, you should, but you loved me at one time and I want to be that man once again.”