Playful Desires

SEDUCED TO SLEEP C6

The month went by in a flash. It wasn’t as tedious as he expected. In fact, it was quite . . . ordinary. There are nights where no s*x is involved, and then there were nights where both of them acted wild.

“I already transferred the money to your account.” Paige informed him before they started discussing the extension.

“Is that so? Thanks, then.” He has no plan to check how much she gave him. He felt that it might change the way he looks at her, so he decided to look at it when they finally agree to call it quits.

“Uhm, I’ll double it if you agree to another month’s extension.” Though she’s already convinced that it was him, she felt that he might bolt if she offered a longer term. So, she fixed the extension for another month only.

Austin squinted at her. “Not tired of me yet?”

Paige wasn’t sure how to answer that. She simply shook her head.

“Another month, huh?”

“Yes. Please, say yes.”

There it was again. The pleading. But unlike last time, she didn’t tear up.

“What will you do if I say no?” He was simply wondering. You could say he’s just teasing her.

Shit. That’s when she teared up. He made her anxious.

“What do I have to do for you to say yes?” Even her voice trembled. She found peace in him. She was overjoyed to be normal like others. She didn’t want to suffer sleepless nights again. Just thinking about the possibility made her fearful.

Austin knew something was not right. He contemplated as they stared at each other. Her expression was clearly begging him to agree.

“I don’t get you. Why don’t you tell me why you have to do this? I don’t believe for a second that you like me and that’s why you want us to be together every night. Tell me the real reason.”

In his head, it’s a mystery and he would like to have it answered.

“You’ll think I’m crazy.” She muttered, feeling defeated. Should she actually tell him?

“Try me.” He stated in a serious manner, his gaze not leaving her face for a second.

“I . . . I have insomnia.” She confessed and watched him frown.

“Insomnia?” He’s sure he knew that word, but why didn’t it make sense? He’d seen her sleeping well every night.

“Yes. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Are you sure? What? Were you just pretending to be asleep in the last month?”

Paige shook her head, “That’s not it. This was before we met. I would drink a lot and engage in s*x because I thought tiring my body out would allow me to . . . you know, fall asleep. It doesn’t always work.”

“Have you tried sleeping pills?” The suggestion automatically slipped from his slips, even though he doesn’t fully understand her situation yet.

“Don’t think I didn’t. I’ve already tried everything. I’ve seen plenty of doctors and psychiatrists, therapists and psychologists. I’ve tried different meds and they all did nothing. Nothing worked!”

At this point, he’s starting to understand. But how does it connect to him?

“When we first met, I was able to sleep. It was one of the best nights of my life. I’ve never felt so well-rested. But after that, I was deprived of sleep again. It was so frustrating. The second time we met, I was able to fall asleep again. What was peculiar then, was that we didn’t have s*x. We were watching a movie and I just fell asleep. I thought it might have something to do with you.”

Hearing her explanation, he thought it was absurd. She’s saying she gets to sleep when . . . when he’s around? This last month, he knew for a fact that she didn’t miss a night of sleep and she looked very happy whenever she wakes up.

“I don’t exactly know what’s going on, all I know is that I get to sleep when you’re around. As long as it’s working, I planned to keep doing it. To help me sleep. You have no idea how stressful it is to keep working when you’re so tired. You wanted to sleep so badly but your body and mind just won’t cooperate. Won’t you help me out? Please?” Her expression clearly conveyed her emotions.

Well, s**t. It was the most bizarre thing he ever heard in his entire f*****g life. He was inclined to believe her, though.

“We can’t keep doing this forever, though. Are you looking for alternatives?”

“There are researches . . . various research studies, which I helped fund, just so they can find other things that might work, that would help me sleep.”

Austin nodded, “That’s good to know.”

“They’re a bit slow, though. They always say they can’t rush it. They have to test them out many times. So, can I ask you to help me out for a few months?”

He thought of his project and considered their timeline for its progress.

“Fine, but I need to set my own terms.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“It’s related to my project. For now, our whole team is working on it. But once we make it work, we need to go out and seek clients and investors. When that time comes, I might not be available to help you out. I’ll be too busy, then.”

Paige understood what he meant and she’s already glad that he’s willing to help her.

“I understand. We can end our agreement, then. You can go without worry.”

“How about you? How are you going to . . . will you be fine?” Somehow, he can’t help but also worry for her condition. They’ve gotten a little closer in the last month.

“I’ll find another way.” At least, that’s what she hoped would happen.

“Alright.”

In the months that followed, though they tried to keep personal things private, they just couldn’t help but share some information and experiences with each other. He especially liked her business advice and the guidance she would provide whenever he consults certain situations with her. As for Paige, being able to get nightly rest was more than enough. The pleasurable nights were just bonuses. He was kind and caring. It’s too easy to fall for him, but she kept denying herself. He was considerate and gentle, but whenever they get too close, he would re-establish the distance between them. She understood that it might have something to do with their social status. He never asked about it, seemingly showing that he’s not interested. She already transferred a lot of funds to him, but never once did he mention it. She had a suspicion that he never looked nor cared.

As he usually kept working during the nights, she knew exactly the progress of his project. Whenever she finds herself wishing that it would fail or that it would take him more time to finish, she would always feel terrible. She was a selfish person.

Eight months. It took him eight months.

He sighed as he was done testing the latest version of the program they were developing.

“It’s done.” He still couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t muster the energy to be excited. There’s still so much to do after this.

“Is it? Congratulations, then.” She was having mixed feelings. She’s happy for him but she also knew the implications. Their agreement is now over.

They looked at each other and seemingly agreed on one last night. It was the wildest and the most passionate of all. She would miss him but she wouldn’t tell him that.

Austin hadn’t brought many stuff to her place so when he left, he only carried one bag full of his clothing and personal stuff, along with his work bag. It was somewhat nostalgic but they both knew he would be very busy in the next few months, if not years. Hustling with a new start-up and getting it off the ground is a daunting task.