Julian and Eve slept peacefully. She slept on her side wrapped in a sheet, facing away from him, and he lay next to her, one arm holding her close to his chest.

A knock on his bedroom door awoke Julian with a start.

“Julian, are you in there?” Rebecca Hotchkiss called.

“Rebecca?” he mouthed quietly, wondering what on earth she could want at such an ungodly hour. He looked at the clock and groaned when he saw it was nearly 8:30 am.

“Julian…” Rebecca turned the knob on his door.

Panicked, Julian looked down at Eve, who was still sleeping soundly. Thinking quickly, he grabbed the ends of the sheet that Eve was wrapped in and gave it a violent tug, sending Eve hurling over the side of the bed.

Landing in a totally confused heap, Eve shrieked in surprise as she tried to figure out what had just happened. When she heard Rebecca’s voice, she covered her mouth with her hand and tried to lay as still as possible.

Julian, feeling terrible about what he had just done, kicked Eve’s clothes under the bed, placed the unopened champagne and glasses between the bed and night table and then raced to the door. “Rebecca?” he said with a forced smile. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his face flushed as he pulled open the door.

“What was that noise?” She pushed her way into the room.

“Noise? What noise?” Julian asked.

“That thump...and then a shriek.” Rebecca glanced around the room suspiciously.

“Oh that. I was watching TV,” Julian lied.

“But it sounded so real.”

She tried to move farther into the room, but Julian stepped in front of her. “What do you want, Rebecca?”

She pouted at his tone. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“No!” he replied too quickly. “Yes….I mean sure, Becks, it’s always nice to see you.” He poured on the charm.

“Are you on something, Julian?” she asked as she leaned closer to inspect his eyes. “You seem a little on edge.”

“Of course not!” he said. “I am merely surprised to see you, that’s all.”

“Oh.” She raised her chin, not really believing him. “Well, I am here because my Gwenie is in the hospital, and I was wondering if you could take me.”

“Don’t you have your own car?” he asked, annoyed.

“Yes, but I thought maybe you and I could spend some time together today…for old times sake.” She suggestively ran her finger across his chest. “I mean it must have been a while since you’ve had any action,” she purred as she threw her arms around his neck.

Eve lay on the floor, her heart pounding furiously. Though she was worried about Rebecca finding her, she couldn’t help but be amused at Julian’s predicament. He was trying to fight her off, but the woman was relentless.

“I have no time today, Rebecca. I have business to attend too. Besides, I told you it was over.” He pried her arms from around his neck.

“I didn’t think you were serious, Pookie,” she stressed. “You can’t still be pining after Eve Russell. I mean, she did leave you in that club to be with her husband. Does that not tell you something?”

“Yes! That she’s a kind and caring person.” He pushed her towards the door.

“Oh, there it is!” Rebecca exclaimed as she side stepped Julian and rushed over to the bed.

“What?” Julian asked, confused.

Rebecca bent and picked up Eve’s bra that Julian had missed kicking under the bed. “I was wondering where it had strayed.” She inspected it for a moment. “My favorite one too. I must have left it here the last time we…”

“Uh, Rebecca, I think you better go now.” Julian ushered her out the door. “I really have to get to my meeting this morning.”

“Well, you know where I am. If you need me, just call, ok?” she offered as she stuffed the bra into her bra.

Julian eyed her curiously.

“Better than any handbag,” she said. And then with a few tugs, she flipped back her red mane and left his room.

Julian locked the door, and sank against it in relief. Remembering Eve, he cursed and rushed around the side of the bed, where Eve was already stumbling to her feet. “I am so sorry, Eve.” He helped her sit down on the bed.

Eve looked at him, her appearance disheveled. “Throw me out the window, why don’t you?” she said dryly. Then she smacked him on the arm. “You let her take my bra.”

Rubbing his arm he said, “What was I supposed to do? She would have known I was hiding someone here. She is one smart cookie.”

“What am I going to do now?” she asked. “Do you have any idea how uncomfortable it is without one?”

“I’ll lend you a hand or two till you get one!” he grinned.

“Julian!” Eve exclaimed with a laugh. “Men! You are all alike.”

“Well, I’ll buy you a truckload,” he promised as he bent and kissed her and then got to his feet, pulling her with him. “I’m going for a shower, care to join me?” he grinned as he led her to the bathroom.

“I don’t know, Julian, it is really late. I should have left hours ago,” Eve said, slightly panicked as she looked at the clock.

“Eve…”

“Yes?” She looked up at him.

Julian dissolved all her worries as he took her in his arms and kissed her with an overwhelming urgency. His hands splayed her back as he molded her body to his.

Eve’s heart pounded in her ears as she returned him every kiss.

A few minutes later, Julian released Eve and turned on the shower. As the glass steamed up, Julian held out his hand to her. “Game?” he challenged with a grin.

Eve studied him for a moment; then, she slowly raised her hand and paused. She smiled as his eyes followed her hand. He was captivated.

She seductively traced a fingernail along his fingers, across his palm, moving lazily in circles and then, rested gracefully in his hand.

He smiled as he laced his fingers with hers. Raising them to his lips, one at a time, while glancing at her, he took each finger in his mouth and swirled his tongue around them.

When Eve’s mouth dropped open slightly in anticipation, Julian dropped her hand and pulled her into his arms, his lips settling on hers. Moving his mouth over hers, he deepened the kiss.

Desire burned between them as they kissed, their breathing ragged and shallow. Julian released her lips for a moment and opened the shower door. He struggled to control himself as he fumbled to un-button the shirt she wore. Then he pushed it off her shoulders, and it dropped to the floor. Stripping his boxers, he stepped into the shower, pulling her with him.

Eve stood before him, water running down her face, her shoulders….her breasts. She smiled at the obvious pleasure in his eyes. With Julian there was never a moment when she didn’t feel beautiful, didn’t feel loved.

Julian reached for the soap. He lathered a soap puff and then gently ran it over her shoulders and down her arm. Then, he impatiently tossed the puff over his shoulder and gathered her in his arms and showed her once again just how much he did love her.

After Julian and Eve had showered and dressed, he called down to the garage. "Please bring my car around front."

Putting on her jacket, Eve flipped her hair out of her collar. After he hung up the phone she said, "Thank you, Julian, for everything!"

He smiled gently, drew her close and hugged her. "I love you, Eve. If you ever need me…"

She reached up and kissed him lightly. "Being with you was wonderful, even though it did cost me a very good bra." She laughed.

He laughed with her. "I will replace it. I promise!" he said as he stepped back, held out his hand and opened his bedroom door.

She placed her hand in his and walked down the stairs to the front foyer with him. Just outside, as requested, his car was waiting.

Julian walked her to the car and held the door for her as she climbed in. Closing it firmly, he then got into the driver's side and started the engine.

The luxurious Mercedes roared to life, as Eve sank into the leather seat. The smell of the new car was intoxicating.

Julian turned to look at her as he took her hand and held it. "I'll never forget this night, Eve."

Eve smiled and replied, "Neither will I."

Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed it. Then he released it for a moment to put the car into drive. Picking her hand up again, he slowly rolled the car down the long Crane driveway, savoring these last few moments alone with her.