“Outside, but who needs a hose, you’ll never put out the fire that we can create.” He said, putting his arms around her.
“Julian, would you just for once, behave?”

“I can’t, not around you, so why fight it?” he said smiling devilishly.

Eve tried to make the coffee, but he came behind her as close as possible, kissing her neck over and over.

“Julian, stop it!” she said, trying not to laugh.

He turned her around to lean her against the kitchen counter, his hand wandering to her top ever so innocently.

“Do you want to learn to sing soprano?” she said, looking at him curiously.

“Not really.”

“Then move your hand, what did I tell you upstairs, not now please.”

“I know I’m bad, but you turn me on so much, when I look at you, I can’t help myself, quick Eve get me a vacuum.”

“You’re going to do housework?”

“No I need to clean up my drool.” He said laughing.

“Anyway, sit down, your coffee will be ready in a minute. Julian I’m barely separated and all you do is come on to me.”

“Me, well my darling, who wanted to get frisky in the shower, hmmm?” he said, smiling devilishly.

“That was a vulnerable moment on my part.”

“How vulnerable was it when you told me to take off my boxers?”

“Julian!” she said, her cheeks turning red.

“Sweetie, don’t be shy, you wanted me as much as I wanted you and if your dear daughter hadn’t knocked on that door, then we would have gone a lot farther.”

Julian loved making her blush, he loved putting her on the spot, the fact was Eve did want him in the shower, but she was still quite cautious and he couldn’t help but tease her. She was even more beautiful when she was embarrassed, her innocence came through in her expressions and he loved that. Eve had a wild streak, Julian remembered from days long ago and he would be damned if he wasn’t going to bring it out once again. The shower was a start, he had been very taken aback by her forwardness, but he wasn’t going to let her stop now.

“So let me ask you something.”

“Sure.” Eve said.

“When you’re feeling comfortable with your separation and you’re ready to move on from that dip of a husband, then perhaps you will let me buy you a whole new bedroom set.”

“What?”

“You know, start fresh Eve, we can shop together.”

“Julian, I know your taste and my bedroom would look like something out of a porn movie.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh yes you would, from the days of the Julian you were after you left me, I can imagine what your romp nest was like, in fact I don’t want to know. I will pick out a whole new set.”

“Well…then we’ll have to try it out when you do.”

“Oh my God, what nerve you have!” Eve said surprised.

“You don’t want me to lie about how I feel do you, how much I want you again? Okay, maybe it’s an inappropriate time Eve, but I’m the type where you move onto greener pastures, you don’t hold onto the past. Except when it comes to you, that’s the only past I’ve ever wanted back and now, I may have that chance.”

Julian kissed her once again and Eve actually welcomed it. He could be quite persistent, but his mouth was so warm and she loved the feeling of it against hers. She was still quite upset, yet she was susceptible which is why she did want Julian in the shower. It was difficult, knowing she had feelings for Julian, but she was still in fact married to Randy. But as his mouth became even more passionate with hers, she just couldn’t resist until Eve happened to look up and see a figure standing at the door.

“Grace!” she said shocked.

Julian stepped away from Eve quickly, running his fingers through his hair, almost like that of a teenager getting caught for being naughty. She opened the door and let her in.

“Eve.”

“Hi.” She said softly.

“So you and Julian huh?”

Eve had told Grace about her past with Julian, but of course she had no idea they were that close once again.

“I can explain.” Eve said.

“Honey, I know what you two had before, but I just didn’t think you liked Julian that much now.”

“It’s a long story, we just kind of fell back into each other’s arms.” Eve said.

“I wish she’d fall into my bed.” Julian said under his breath.

“Pardon?”

“Nothing dear.” He said, looking at Eve.

“What about Randy, you two have a fight? I haven’t seen you lately very much, so I wasn’t sure what’s going on.”

“Oh Grace, Randy cheated on me and I know this looks crazy, me kissing Julian like this, but we’re just exploring the possibilities. But don’t say anything to Whitney and Simone, they sort of have an idea I think, but you know.” Eve said.

“You can trust me Eve, you’re my best friend, but you better be careful, you never know who’s watching in this small town.”

“That’s for sure, anyway, come in and join us for coffee.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had coffee with Julian Crane.” She said smiling.

“I won’t bite Grace, I promise.” He said laughing.

“So…are you sleeping together?” Grace asked.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you asked me that, Grace, that’s not like you.” Eve said surprised.

“Well if we can’t talk as friends do, then what can we do?”

“I wish.” Julian said, as he took a sip.

“Julian!” she said, glaring.

“What, we’re friends, if we can’t talk like that, then what can we do?”

“Don’t get smart.” Eve said irritated.

“I see Julian is still Julian in many ways, as bold as ever. Do your girls know about your son?”

“Shhh Grace, no one does, Randy never even knew.”

“And he never has to either Eve, he’s out of your life. I’ll take good care of you, that’s all you need.” He said.

“And no Grace, we are not “together” that way.”

“Give it time.” He said.

“Julian, would you stop with the comments please.” Eve said.

“Honey, it’s Grace, she’s not stupid, and okay so we’re not close that way yet, but still she’s your best friend. She knows about our past, so it’s not a surprise right?”

“My girls know about the past, and maybe that we’re getting closer again, but they don’t know about their brother, so let’s just leave it at that for now. I’m just newly separated, I can’t just spring everything on them now can I?”

“Well Eve, to tell you the truth, maybe you should tell Whitney and Simone, they have a right to know they have a brother out there.” Grace said.

“Yeah I agree with Grace.”

“Julian, you’re just agreeing so you can move this along and get me into bed.”

“And?”

“Men, anyway, what brings you by Grace?”

“Just wanted to say hello, see how you were, but I won’t keep you, I’m sure you and Julian have plenty to do.”

“Yes we do.” He said, leaning over and kissing Eve on the cheek.

She moved him away and said goodbye to her friend. When she shut the door, Eve just shook her head at him.

“So where were we dumpling?” he said, his hands, moving up and down her back.

“You were taking a cold shower, now vamoose.”

“I don’t want to.” He said, stomping his feet and laughing.

Julian helped her clean up and they sat in the living room, Eve making sure she could see his hands at all times. Whitney and Simone came home a little while later and Julian said hello.

“So, are you moving in or what?” Simone asked.

“Moving in?”

“Yes mom, daddy goes out one door, Julian comes in the other.”

“No darling of course not, Julian’s just a friend, you know that.”

“And I’m a senior, come on now.” Simone said, rolling her eyes.

“Simone, Julian’s really been there for me.”

“He’d like to be there for you alright.”

“Simone, your mom is very special, I care about her so much.”

“You care about using the Crane tactics to make your move.”

“Not at all, I’m here for support.”

“You know nothing of what support really means, except when it comes to a woman’s bra.”

Julian couldn’t help but laugh, Simone was very defensive, but he understood, she wasn’t the type that liked bull, she was straightforward and it was scary enough to think she was a lot like him in some ways. She wasn’t going to welcome him into the family with open arms and that was fine with Julian. He hoped, perhaps Whitney would be a little more understanding of their relationship.

“Julian, if you want to be a part of mom’s life, then so be it, but don’t you dare hurt her, or you’ll have to answer to me.” Whitney said firmly.

“Yes dear.” He said, touching her hand.

“I mean it, daddy’s an golly , and I know that, so does Simone, but don’t you be one as well.”

“I know Whitney, I care about your mother.”

“And what about Rebecca?” Simone asked.

“What about her?”

“Are you still shacked up with her as well?”

“Simone!” Eve yelled.

“Well it’s true, he shouldn’t be involved with you and with her, that’s just nasty.”

“First of all Simone, I’m not with Rebecca anymore.”

“You still live with her.”

“Maybe so, but I’ll change that, and Eve and I, we’re going to take things slow.”

“Slow for Julian Crane is waiting an hour before going to bed.” Simone said.

“You don’t know Julian, quit being a smartass and keep quiet for once.” Eve said annoyed.

“Mom, we’re here to support you, to be here for you through the tough times, don’t let Julian play you for a fool.”

“He’s not Simone, in fact, he’s been wonderful, and I want you to accept him as a part of my life. Julian may be bold and wild at times, but he’s also honest and I love that about him.” Eve said smiling.

“Fine, but if you’re going to be together, don’t do it around me, I don’t want to know about your hot adventures, again that’s just nasty.” She said, putting up her hand.

“Stop it!” Eve yelled.

Simone finally shut up and left to go upstairs.

“Mom, she’s just watching out for you.”

“I know Whitney, in her own way of course, but she can be a bit too personal and rude and I don’t want her to be like that. I taught you girls to be respectful of your elders.”

“Who you calling an elder?” Julian said laughing.

“Apparently you.” Eve said smiling.

“This gray, it’s really blonde, it depends on the angle you look at it.”

“If you say so Julian.” Whitney said, shaking her head.

Whitney left them alone for a while and Julian put his arm around her. Eve felt so comfortable around him and he was pleased about it. She wanted to just forget she even knew Randy, but she couldn’t. Every time she looked at her two girls, she was very much reminded of him. She obviously couldn’t take back the fact that she had married him and had two lovely girls. She wouldn’t trade them for anything of course, but she couldn’t believe he had done what he did. Eve got quiet for a while and Julian knew she was thinking about him again. It would be so easy to say forget him, he’s a jerk and move on, but they had spent many years together, this wasn’t just a boyfriend of a few months, it was a husband of many years. Julian joked around, wanting to have sex with her and coming on to Eve, but in all seriousness, he did want to be there for her in anyway possible. She looked at him and he touched her face, noticing tears in her eyes. It wasn’t the first time she had become emotional and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Julian wanted to be sensitive to her needs, no matter what they were.

“Honey, it’ll be okay, I know this is a rough time for you.”

“Yes, I’m trying to zone out everything, but the feelings are going to be there for a while. Listen Julian, what we did in the shower, I did want to do that you know.”

“Yes and I loved it, but I can also tell you’re not ready for it just yet. But don’t worry Eve, I’m not going anywhere, I’ll be here every day, anytime, day or night. I don’t care about Rebecca, and if she makes a stink about it, well too damn bad, you’re the important one in my life and you need me and I love to be needed, it’s nice.” He said, kissing her forehead.