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He reached into his own pocket and handed her his phone instead. “Thane’s number is on the last dialed list. Connie’s number is in there too, but just call Thane and he’ll put Con on the line for you.”
She took it, careful not to touch his hand. As the call went through, she found her attention riveted by his eyes. They really were incredible. Even as she gazed into them, the gray of his eyes darkened until they were almost black, with the silver flecks remaining bright as stars in the sky. She’d only seen the look on his face in movies—desire had a certain edge to it, she discovered.
“Saul? Saul, is she awake? Is she okay?”
“Connie.” Caera’s voice croaked out, so she cleared it quietly. “It’s me. I’m okay. Do y-you know Saul?”
“Oh, sweetie. Yes, I know Saul.” Connie’s voice flowed down the line, bright with confidence. There was no hesitating in her admission. “Saul is our friend, you’re perfectly safe with him, I promise. We wouldn’t trust you with him if we didn’t.”
“I think…” The words slipped out unbidden as Saul’s eyes held her hostage.
“Caera? You think what?”
“I think…I’m in trouble. Big trouble.”
“From Saul? Trust me, sweetheart, he won’t harm you. Just help you.”
Caera shook her head slowly in denial, but her eyes remained locked on his. Something crawled through her veins, an inch at a time, heating her blood. Between her legs, in a place she’d never paid much attention to, warmth blossomed. “Not that kind of trouble, Connie.”
“Then what…oh. Oh, well now.” Connie laughed lightly, and there was an edge of relief to the sound. “He is a very attractive man, I must admit. Do you want to ask me anything?”
Her voice trembled. “I’m not having sex with Saul.”
Saul’s eyebrows lifted sharply in surprise. He ran his hand through his hair, his expression unreadable, and she still couldn’t tear her eyes away from his. It was like there was something in them that sucked her in, a traction beam luring her into him.
“No one’s saying you have to, but why not? He’s a good man, he’s experienced, and if he’s got you worried, he’s interested.” Connie said every word slowly, patiently. “Enjoy him, Caera. Seriously. Take him for a ride, let go of some of those inhibitions of yours and just feel. Let him help you.”
“I don’t need any help,” Caera muttered sullenly.
“Do you know one of the best remedies for a good night’s sleep?”
“A bottle of sleeping pills and a lead shot?”
“A damn good bout of sex and some orgasms.”
Caera blinked. “You did not just say that.”
“Oh I did. Would you like me to repeat myself? A damn good bout of sex and some orgasms. Saul can give you what you need, and he is…qualified to some degree to help you with your…episodes.”
Her last defense was to close her eyes and shut out that penetrating gaze she sensed drilling into her soul. “My episodes? Is that what we’re calling them now? Why not just call me insane and be done with it?”
“You’re not insane, darling. You’re an insomniac.”
“There’s no difference between the two. Insomnia will eventually drive me to insanity. That’s the way it works. Brain cells wasting away into the ether.” Caera didn’t know tears were falling until her cheek was cupped in a large, warm hand and a callused thumb gently stroked them away. When she opened her eyes, Saul looked at her with enough sympathy to make them fall faster. “I have to go, Connie. I just wanted to know Saul checked out.”
“Caera, you break my heart when you’re like this. Do me a favor. Give Saul a chance. Don’t be scared, don’t shut yourself off from him. Open up, let him see who you are, and just experience what he offers. I wouldn’t have asked him to take care of you if I didn’t think he could help.”
Too tired to care anymore, Caera mumbled goodbye without promising anything and ended the call. Wordlessly, she handed the phone back to Saul.
“So you don’t sleep.”
She shrugged listlessly. “Nope.”
“Well then, time to remedy that. You hungry?”
“Does it not bother you that they’ve essentially hired you to be a male prostitute? A gigolo or whatever the hell they’re called.” Caera rubbed a shaking hand over her face. “I suppose you might as well get on with it. Does here on the couch suit you? Does the fact I’m a virgin turn you on?”
“Ah, that conversation hasn’t helped my cause, has it? Little rabbit, you don’t need to worry about that tonight. Or tomorrow, the day after, or the day after that. Not until you’re ready.” Saul’s voice gentled, and his hand stayed pressed to her cheek. “I’m not here for sex, Connie didn’t ask me to sleep with you. There has been no money changing hands. There won’t be.”
