Eve stared at Julian’s bedroom door. Today he would pledge himself to Rebecca Hotchkiss. Her stomach turned at the thought. Julian was giving up his life to keep her past--their love--a secret from T.C. and her girls while the blackmail from this secret destroyed her best friend’s marriage, stripped a child from his mother, and gave Liz daily ammunition to hold over her head. This had to stop. Eve took a deep breath and entered the room.

Julian sat on the bed, dressed in a tuxedo, his face buried in his hands. He was miserable. Her heart broke for him.

"Julian."

He looked up and made his way over. "Eve." His eyes traveled from the tip of her perfectly coiffed up do, to the hem of her form-fitting red velvet gown. "You look so beautiful." He stared at her for the longest time, speechless. Finally he cleared his throat. "What--what are you doing here?" he stammered.

"Changing your mind, I hope. Julian, you can’t do this."

"My darling, we’ve talked about this. Marrying Rebecca is for the best."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "No, it’s not."

He brushed away her tears. "Come now, no tears. I want you happy, Eve. Nothing else in this world matters to me. I love you more than my own life, and if giving my life to Rebecca keeps you happy--protects you from being hurt--I’ll do it. Theresa isn’t one of my favorite people, but I’m not getting any pleasure in hurting her. I’m placating Rebecca for now, but I won’t keep Theresa from her son forever. I’ll figure something out." He sighed. "In the meantime, I have to do this for you."

Eve tried to speak, but Julian pressed his finger to her lips and shook his head. "There’s nothing you can say, Eve. I know what T.C. and your daughters mean to you, and I won’t have you lose them, not if I can help it. With Theresa," he shrugged, "people already think I’m a heartless bastard; they expect this behavior from me. You know the truth, and that’s what matters." He favored her cheek with a loving caress. "When I say those vows today, I’ll be facing Rebecca, but I’ll be saying them to you, my dearest love." He kissed her softly and smiled. "Now, given the day, I have something for you. Turn around and close your eyes."

"Julian, I…."

"Eve, it’s Christmas. Humor me. Let me play Santa for you."

Not having the heart to argue with him, she turned around. Her flesh tingled at the feel of cool metal against her chest and his fingers against her skin. "Keep your eyes closed," he reminded, directing her a few feet to the right. "There." He smacked a kiss to her neck. "Okay, open your eyes."

Eve followed his bidding and was duly blinded by the string of flawless diamonds and ruby heart pendant she saw reflected around her neck. Staring in the mirror she touched the beautiful necklace. "Julian."

"I think it’s the perfect accessory to your gorgeous gown."

She turned to him. "I can’t accept this. This is just…this is too much."

"No, it’s not. Nothing is too good for you. Please, wear this for me." He fingered the ruby pendant. "I am heartless, because you have my heart. You always have, and you always will. This is just a tangible reminder." Fresh tears filled her eyes. His face soured. "My love, don’t cry."

"I can’t help it. I love you so much. I just..." Eve stopped talking and pulled him into a fiery kiss. When she pulled away, they were both breathless. "You’re not heartless, Julian, because you have mine." She backed up to the door and locked it.

"Eve, what…" he stammered.

"Shhh, no more talking, Julian. I just need us to feel. No one exists right now but you and me." She removed the small jacket that provided long sleeves for the gown and lowered the zipper along her right side. The gown fell with a heavy swoosh to the floor leaving her in only a red merrywidow with matching lace panties.

Julian gazed at her scantly clad body, desire burned in his eyes. "Just like Boston," he whispered.

Eve stepped up to him. "You remember that?" she asked, removing his tuxedo jacket and studs that fastened his shirt.

He brushed his fingertips along the swell of her full breasts while she continued to undress him. "I remember every moment I’ve ever spent with you." Julian unsnapped the sexy lingerie and let it fall to the floor. His hungry eyes darkened with desire. "Oh, Eve."

Moments later, they stood naked before each other. Her need for him at this moment was like nothing she’d ever known. Rebecca might be marrying Julian soon, but for now he was all hers.

Eve reached back to remove the necklace but Julian shook his head. "No, leave it on." They closed the short distance between them. He removed the pins from her hair and combed his fingers through the dark tresses as they tumbled to her shoulders. "You are even more beautiful than I remember."

"You make me feel beautiful."

Julian took her hand and led her to the massive four-poster bed. She wanted him so much, but the thought of being with him in a bed he shared with Rebecca. "Julian, I…"

A hint of disappointment tinted his hazel eyes. "Are you having second thoughts?"

Eve shook her head. "No, not for a moment. I want to make love to you. I just--" She stared at the bed.

Julian grinned. "My dearest Eve." He lifted her chin and brushed a kiss to her lips. "My darling, this bed is brand new, delivered yesterday, and I am the only soul who has been in it. I assure you."

She smiled. "How did you know?"

"I know you, and I love you." His head tilted. "Was that your only concern?"

Eve pushed him on the bed and straddled his waist. She guided him inside her throbbing center. "What do you think?"

Julian cried out in pleasure as she moved against him.

"I’m going to love you Julian, the way you deserve to be loved." She kissed and suckled his neck before trailing her tongue to his hardened nipples. He closed his eyes, writhing on the bed as she continued to ride his pulsating length. His hands found her breasts, squeezing and molding them with care. The feel of his soft lips and warm tongue on her sensitive nubs heightened the desire bubbling deep in her soul. Soon, very soon she would achieve her fulfillment. She didn’t want it to end. They slowed their jackrabbit pace to a snail’s crawl.

Julian flipped Eve to her back, thrilling her with deep, loved filled thrusts. "Mmm, Julian," she sighed, her body meeting his every thrust with a appreciate squeeze to his rigid member.

"You feel so good, Eve. I never want to let you go."

Soon, their slow thrusts picked up speed. Julian buried himself deep inside her once more. She held fast to him, not letting go. Not ever wanting to let go. The way Julian touched her, the way he looked at her, and the sound of his voice when he said how much he loved her or just a simple hello, defined his place as her soul mate. He made her whole. He loved her completely.

They cried out the other’s name as their bodies tensed and exploded in mutual pleasure.

"I can’t let you do this," Eve said when her breathing returned to normal.

"Eve--"

"No! You can’t make all the sacrifices, Julian. It’s time for the truth to come out. Too many people have been hurt by this secret, and I refuse to cry myself to sleep tonight with the thought of Rebecca’s money-grubbing paws all over you. Nobody deserves a life sentence with that, especially not the man I love."

"Don’t make this about me, Eve. All I care about is you." Julian brought her along as he sat up. "Think about your family. You could lose them."

She nodded. "Yes, I could. I’m afraid of how my daughters will react and how T.C. will lose his mind, but I’m still going to do it. I can’t pretend to have a wonderfully happy life with T.C. when every moment of every day I’m longing to be with you. It’s going to be hard, Julian. I don’t want to lose the respect and love of my daughters, but I can’t let more innocent people be hurt, and I sure as hell won’t let you marry Rebecca."

"You don’t have to do this, Eve, but if you insist, we’ll do it together. I’ll be with you every step of the way, no matter what. You are my heart, and I love you so much."

"And I love you, Julian. Merry Christmas."

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "It’s about to get a whole lot merrier." Sharing a deep kiss, they melted onto the bed and became one once more.