The Wish (18 page)

Alex’s heart hardened at the mention of his father—someone who, like many others, only wanted the money, not him. “I’m sorry I thought the worst about you and Paul.”

Alfred offered a soft smile of reassurance, curling his fingers around Alex’s hand. “As an attorney, I have to admit there was strong evidence to back your theory, but as your uncle, I need to say you should have spoken to me if something bothered you.”

“It gets worse.” This was Alex’s opportunity to clear the air, and he needed to put the ugliness behind him, allowing the three of them to move forward.

“Worse?” Bushy gray brows knitted together over his uncle’s eyes.

“I thought he was after your money.”

Alfred sighed and shook his head in disbelief. “Alex, you may as well know, Byron and I always tried to treat you two boys as equals. Whatever we gave to one, we gave to the other—or rather, we tried to. Paul never accepted a red cent from us.”

“I know.”

“You know? How?”

Choosing not to disclose his late-night prying, Alex offered instead, “Well, it’s rather obvious. I’ve seen his car, how he dresses. Instead of hiring a contractor, he’s refurbishing his store himself.”

“Byron and I believed you and Paul to be the children we couldn’t have. In all eyes but the law’s, Byron was my husband, and Paul is his heir, as you are mine.”

“Uncle, I know how close the two of you were, and it breaks my heart that Byron died so young.” Releasing his uncle’s hand and still carefully avoiding those too observant eyes, Alex added, “I hope one day to find something like that for myself. Someone who wants me and not the money, like Byron did you.”

“Alex, look at me,” his uncle commanded. Alex lifted his head and gazed into familiar blue eyes, warmth and compassion putting him at ease. “You will find someone someday, I promise you. One day, you’ll turn around and there they’ll be, right under your very nose.”

“I certainly hope you’re right.” Regardless of Alfred’s words to the contrary, Alex still had his doubts.

“There’s something else you should know,” Alfred murmured.

“Oh?”

“The Anderson estate, the properties and money, will be yours. However, my estate, or rather, mine and Byron’s, will be divided between you and Paul. I’m sure he’ll fight tooth and nail not to take it. That’s the reason it wasn’t left to him outright. The disbursement is detailed in my own will, as Byron and I agreed.”

Far from being upset by this news Alex experienced a keen sense of relief, the old adage about shared burdens being lighter coming to mind. “And the house?”

“When we built the house we never intended the place to be solely occupied by the two of us. We’d hoped to raise a family, fill that big empty space with laughter. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Laws weren’t what they are today. We couldn’t adopt you or Paul, and contented ourselves with what time we could spend with you. The house will belong to the two of you. Perhaps the next generation will succeed where Byron and I failed.”

A moment of quiet understanding passed between them. “Do you suppose Paul will agree to live there?” Alex finally asked.

“I hope the two of us can convince him. Alex?”

“Yes?”

“Will you move in with me permanently?”

After watching the video and hearing Byron’s words, he’d had time to think things through. “Well, funny you should mention that….” Alex smiled. “I’d already decided to sell the Houston condo and find one here.” At Alfred’s disappointed frown, he added, “I’ve suddenly come to the conclusion that I absolutely hate dining alone. Since I now know I’m not interrupting anything, I’d be delighted to stay.”

“Wonderful!” Alfred exclaimed. “Now I have to convince Paul.” Easing back into his nest of pillows, he closed his eyes and sighed contentedly, a thin smile playing about his lips.

Just when Alex thought he’d fallen asleep, one eye popped open. “Alex? How do you feel about Paul?”

That was a good question, and one Alex hadn’t yet figured out. “Now that we’ve proven he’s not some two-bit gold-digger, he’s not a bad sort,” he admitted with a shrug.

Alfred clutched his pillow tightly and sniggered. “I still can’t believe you thought that handsome young man my paramour. At my age, I should be flattered.”

“I owe you, and him, an apology.”

“You do not. As I said before, it did my old ego good. I do know how you can make it up to me.” His uncle winked.

“How?”

“By helping me convince him to stay.”

A
BRIEF
search of the house turned up no sign of Alex. “Figures,” Paul huffed over his morning coffee. The moment he started to think Alex a worthwhile human being, the man went out hunting ass. No, that wasn’t entirely fair. Alex had every right to go out and find a willing partner.
At least he’s giving me what I want and leaving me alone.
Paul wondered, if he’d truly gotten what he wanted, why he felt abandoned.

After breakfast he called the florist to ensure they’d delivered the gladiolas—Alfred’s favorite flower—and hurried to the hospital, arriving seconds after visiting hours began. He knocked and then opened the door, grinning when he spotted Alfred sitting up and appearing little worse for the wear. His smile dimmed at the sight of Alex reclining in the chair next to the bed, looking smugly satisfied.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Alex said, upping the wattage on his smile. He sat up, causing his shirt to gape open and revealing a vivid bite on his chest.

“Alex,” Paul greeted coolly, concealing his red face in Alfred’s neck with a hug. He’d actually slept with Alex! And left evidence for anyone to see! Ignoring his ill-advised one-night stand and the telltale love bites, Paul focused his full attention on Alfred. “How’re you today? What’s the doctor saying?” he blithered, hoping the dim lights hid his embarrassment.

Alfred grinned like a kid at Christmas. “The procedure went well, and if I’m careful and do what the doctor tells me, I’ll be back on my feet in no time.”

“Wonderful! The house seems empty without you.”
And without Alex
, Paul added silently. No need to pad the man’s already overinflated ego by telling him, though.

Alfred snorted. “The house would seem empty with a dozen of me in it. As much as I love the place and the memories it holds, sometimes it’s too damned big.”

“Well, I love staying there. It always felt like home to me,” Paul replied, heartened by Alfred’s improvement. After his uncle’s illness, he’d developed a fear of hospitals, associating them with bad news. Particularly Mercy General Hospital, where he’d spent a good deal of time over the past year—and where his father had died. Despite the doctor’s prognosis, he’d privately feared Alfred’s trip a one-way ticket. He murmured an inaudible prayer of thanks.

A quiet “ahem” reminded him of Alex’s presence. The man’s twinkling baby blues gave a moment’s warning before Alfred sprang the unexpected. “Paul, I know I’ve asked before, now I’m asking again. Please consider moving in, at least temporarily, until I’m back on my feet.”

Paul’s mouth dropped open, and he swept a panicked gaze back and forth between the two men, sensing collusion. Finding his voice, he squeaked, “How does Alex feel about me living under the same roof?”

“Alex?” Alfred raised a brow at his nephew, humor sparkling in his eyes.

“I think that would be an excellent idea,” Alex replied with a grin.

“You’re sure?” Paul went from surprised to wary at light speed. Alex had wanted him gone mere days ago; what happened since then to change his mind? Oh, yeah. Sex happened. Sadly, sex wouldn’t be happening again.

Alex’s answer sounded convincingly earnest. “Yeah, I’m sure. We’ve been talking, and I’ve decided to sell my place back in Houston. I’m moving here permanently.”

“Here? Why?” Never in his wildest dreams would Paul have believed Alex would give up a glamorous, carefree lifestyle to move to LA and care for an aging relative. And if Alex relocated, Paul would have to watch the beautiful bastard fuck his way through the local population. That idea didn’t appeal for more reasons than he cared to admit.

“Because Uncle Alfred asked me to,” Alex replied simply.

“All in the same house?” Paul suddenly visualized himself as a mouse caught between two cats. No matter which way he turned, he’d find no escape.

“Well, we’re still debating. I’d originally planned to find a condo downtown. However, it turns out Uncle Alfred wasn’t a hot-shot California attorney for nothing.” Alex cast a sly gaze at Paul. “He’s kind of persuasive and likes having us both at the house.”

So do I,
Paul’s heart said, frustration creeping in at the thought of seeing Alex every day, knowing he couldn’t have more. They did say familiarity bred contempt. Maybe he’d lose interest after a few more weeks of daily exposure. His own reservations aside, the arrangement would make Alfred happy. It wasn’t like Paul’s store assistant couldn’t handle things through the week, and he could always drive back to Bishop on weekends.

A nurse tapped on the door, saving him from having to make an immediate decision. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I need to change Mr. Anderson’s dressings and remove his catheter. Would you mind stepping outside?”

“No problem,” Alex answered. “We’ll head down to the cafeteria and get some coffee.” Grinning like a child with a new toy, he wrapped an arm around Paul, steering him from the room.

When the door closed behind them, Paul jerked away, hissing, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The wicked grin disappeared. “Look, I know what you’re thinking, and I had nothing to do with the invitation. Uncle Alfred wants us with him—both of us.” Alex’s bold blue eyes held none of their usual mockery. “I know I haven’t been there for him like I should, or for Byron, either, and there’s nothing I can do about it now. I can’t change the past, but I can try to do better in the future. Alfred’s about all I have left, family-wise, and he wants me here. He also wants you here.”

A warm hand cupped Paul’s cheek, and the heady scent Alex had worn the night they’d spent together filled his senses, inspiring an immediate reaction. Paul jumped. Shit! One night in Alex’s bed and he’d reverted to a hormonal teenager! No wonder the man was arrogant if he managed such an effect after a single night of sex.

Possibly misunderstanding the reason for Paul pulling away, Alex sighed, dropping his hand to his side. “I know I’ve said some things, done some things that I shouldn’t have. I’ve made some pretty harsh accusations, and I’m sorry.”

What? Alex apologizing? Paul opened his mouth to argue, but Alex cut him off. “No, just listen. I won’t bother you again. It’s clear you love the old man in there as much as I do. I’m now coming to understand what kind of love that is, and I’m willing to admit I assumed wrong about a lot of things.”

Again, Paul found himself wondering who this person was and what they’d done with the real Alex Martin—not that he’d pay the ransom if a note suddenly appeared. He liked this rational being much better, so he gave Alex the benefit of the doubt. “Go on.”

Alex raked his fingers through his hair and stared at the floor. “I want you to understand how much I worry about my uncle. As misguided as I was, I only wanted to protect him. Knowing how you much you care about him, I believe you’d do the same.”

Paul honestly couldn’t argue the point. He had no idea what changed Alex’s mind about him, but for Alfred’s sake, he’d accept the cease-fire at face value—for now. He still didn’t fully trust Alex, though he desperately wanted to. It would make working and living together a hell of a lot easier. Perhaps in time…. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll forgive me for being such an ass and come have coffee with me.”

Sparing a quick glance at Alfred’s closed door, Paul replied, “A quick one, maybe.”

Together they made their way down the corridor, never noticing the shadow dancing triumphantly in the doorway.

13

“
A
RE
you going out tonight, sir?”

A clean getaway came to a screeching halt at Bernard’s sudden appearance in the hallway. Either he didn’t know the house had been short one occupant the previous night, or his finely honed discretionary skills prevented him from saying so. Alex bet on the latter. Not much happened in the house that the ever-attentive butler didn’t know about. His sudden arrival made an inconspicuous departure impossible.

Alex decided, in order to keep his promise and leave Paul unmolested, it might be better if he stayed in his hotel until his uncle returned home to act as chaperone. He fully intended to be a man of his word. Only, he’d never before faced a temptation as powerful as Paul Sinclair. It wouldn’t do to push the issue at this juncture, so near to the breaking point. If he suddenly attacked the man across his uncle’s desktop, it’d surely traumatize the servants, not to mention Paul’s reaction—likely to be violent.

“You are staying for dinner, aren’t you?” Bernard asked, as though standing in the midst of hastily packed suitcases making casual conversation happened every day. Alfred
had
mentioned recent strange behavior.