Cassie
A few cracks of early light spanned across Cassie’s face and she opened her eyes. A dark sunrise peeked through the blinds, but the brightness of the room confused her. Ah, the lamp was still on.
Something moved beneath her. Not a pillow.
Suddenly the world rushed back into her brain, and she remembered.
Renner…the escort.
Wearing that cologne and looking just like…
He’d stayed with her. The entire night.
I slept the entire night?
The clock on her nightstand glowed blue. 6:55 a.m.
Thank God. Relief flooded her body and she hugged the strange, yet welcome form beside her. All she knew was his name, that he used to be a bodyguard, and had the same affinity for colognes. This man had given her the one thing she really needed. The first straight night’s sleep in six months.
It didn’t matter that she’d had to pay for it.
“Good morning, Cassie,” the man’s sultry voice cooed.
She sat up and looked at him, watching his too-good-to-be-real smile and hazel eyes glowing into hers. Bare chiseled chest, light tan and defined abs filled her bed. Cassie could see why a woman would fall for this escort, but she knew better.
Her heart wouldn’t let her connect after what she’d been through. Especially, not with an escort. Nevertheless, she was grateful he’d stayed with her, no expectations or assumptions.
No judgments, either.
“You slept well,” Renner continued when she didn’t say anything.
“Thanks to you,” she sighed and brushed her hair back, not really caring that it was a crazy mess.
Light shadows lined his eyes, and a hint of stubble covered his chin. He pulled off the sleepy warrior look to perfection.
“Did you sleep at all?”
With a noncommittal shrug, he yawned. “A bit. I enjoyed the company.”
Cassie smiled, but pulled away. The whole exchange felt entirely too intimate. Slipping off the bed, the carpet felt cold to her bare feet. She escaped to the bathroom and did her business. When she returned, he’d already stood and redressed. The chic and trendy vest and jeans combination looked good on him.
What amazed her more was that she actually paid attention. The last six months had been on autopilot, making it one hour to the next, let alone day-to-day. Keeping her son on as normal schedule as possible kept her moving, despite moments of emotional chaos. Those weak moments were easier to handle at home. Public breakdowns were luxuries she couldn’t afford. Not with Landon.
Hiring Renner was the last thing she’d ever expected to do. Desperation had driven her to it. How could she possibly explain to her family and friends?
Standing before him, Cassie could still smell a hint of the cologne that had made her drift to sleep.
He took her hands, cupping them in both of his and kissed her knuckles. His calluses were rough and easily defined.
“I can’t believe you stayed,” she mumbled.
“You asked me to.” Renner quirked a confused smile at her. “It’s what you needed.”
It’s what I paid for.
She couldn’t stop the thought from jumping in. The purpose of escorts—their stereotype—wasn’t lost on her. Not that she’d ever indulge. Cassie hadn’t been brought up that way. It wasn’t the kind of home she’d created for Landon.
“Cassie, not that I’m not happy to be here and give you what you wanted, but why did you call the agency for this? Just a warm body in the bed, couldn’t a friend have done this?”
The question was inevitable. Although, he’d gone the entire night before he’d asked. Or maybe she was just that tired; he hadn’t gotten to it before she’d collapsed.
“I didn’t want someone I knew. Who knew me, and what…happened. The constant questions or talking about it, or the…pity. I didn’t want another reminder.”
When he opened his mouth to push for more, she rushed the rest.
“Asking this of another man who may have wanted to take it further was out of the question. I don’t want any hassles or entanglements with personal feelings or intimacy.” A crushing pain gripped her abdomen, the same she always felt when her mind wandered to him.
Or the thought of asking for help. That was just as worse.
“Can I ask what happened?”
Her airways squeezed shut. Not this, please. Not after my first night of real sleep.
“It’s okay,” Renner amended, clearly reading what had to be anguish on her face.
Something in his eyes caught her attention. Something that told her he cared, and his protective nature was hurt by her refusal.
“I’d rather just be alone. I have a lot to do today.” The mail was the first she swore to get through. It screamed at her every time she walked by.
Renner sighed and kissed her knuckles again. “It was lovely to meet you, Cassie. If you need anything else, just call.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. His name and phone number were etched in white letters across a pewter background. Nothing else. “For discretion.” His smile was more genuine than before.
“Thank you, Renner,” she replied. She read his last name off the card. “Renner Shaw.”
“Anytime.”
Cassie kept her feet planted to the carpet as he clopped down the stairs.
He’d been exactly what she’d needed. An understanding person with no attachments or preconceptions about her. To fill a space so she could recoup and build energy. Today would be the first in her life that she was truly alone.
No Landon. No Kyle…
Did she want to go to bed that way tonight? If she could sleep at all.
What if all that would happen was her tossing and crying all night in a truly empty house? Merely only a reflection of her heart.
Alone, broken and empty.
“Renner?” She managed to keep from sounding panicked, and ran out of her bedroom.
He stood by the open door with his hand on the knob. He smiled up at her as she gripped the railing.
“Are you free tonight?”
His smile slipped.
Oh God. He thinks I’m asking him out. How many customers had he turned down?
“Um…” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m just hoping for another night’s sleep, is all. And if you’re not booked…”
The poignant stare he gave her made her stop. “I’ll be here, Cassie.”