She picked up a magazine and fanned her face. The heroine hovered on the edge of climax, then the phone rang.

Claire started. Yanked out of the sensual moment, she glared at the disruptive instrument. The Thornkill house phone never rang at this hour. Dressed in her pajamas, Claire wasn’t eager for the caller to see her.

“Com open. Vid off,” she instructed. The speaker light blinked indicating the line was open. “Thornkill residence.”

“Miss Casson, this is Jonas Thornkill.”

His voice brought forth a flood of emotions, namely her intense unexpected sensual reaction to the ruggedly handsome son of her recently deceased employer.

“Good evening, Mr. Thornkill.”

“I’ll be arriving within the hour.”

The elder Thornkill had given her a safe place to hide when she desperately needed it and she’d moved into the servant’s quarters, an apartment above the garage of the huge hillside home, ten months ago. Hollis Thornkill had refused to accept money for his kindness so Claire had repaid him by taking over the housekeeping duties. A real estate mogul, Hollis, had worked long hours and traveled extensively. His unexpected, but tragic death had brought his son home to Dragon Haven.

“Is there a problem, Miss Casson?”

Although she called the elder Thornkill by his first name, his son had never given her the liberty.

“No, Sir. Is there anything you require?”

“I realize the hour is late, but I’d appreciate a few minutes of your time.”

Claire’s heart sank. Hollis had given her a home, friendship and sanctuary. She’d had no expectations of receiving the same from his son. Perhaps it was time to move on.