There was a pause before Hunter finally answered. “I’ve been in that damned class for almost two weeks and I still get light-headed whenever I see a needle.”
“At least you’ve stopped passing out at the sight of them,” Caleb said, laughing.
“Just barely.” Obviously wanting to change the subject, Hunter asked, “Are you going to attend Emerald’s birthday party at the end of the month?”
It was Caleb’s turn to snort. “I don’t think we’ve been given a lot of choice about going. The invitation read more like a summons than a request to help her celebrate her seventy-sixth birthday.”
“It sounds like the one I got.” Hunter laughed humorlessly. “I knew that old gal was going to yank our chains every chance she got.”
“Have you talked to Nick lately?” Caleb asked.
“He called me last night and suggested we all meet for a beer before we attend Emerald’s party.”
“That’s a good idea.” Caleb chuckled. “Maybe if we have a buzz going, it’ll make the evening more tolerable.”
“I like the way you think.”
Finalizing plans to meet before the party, Caleb hung up and headed for his bedroom to change. He was looking forward to seeing Nick and Hunter again. And his only regret about finding out that he had two brothers was that he hadn’t learned of their existence sooner.
But he really had no room to complain. He’d had a great childhood with the love and guidance of his maternal grandparents and a mother who had been totally devoted to raising him the right way. He’d asked who his father was a few times, but his mother would only smile and tell him to be patient—that one day he’d learn all about the man. After a while he’d given up asking, and if he’d missed having a father, Caleb couldn’t ever remember it. His grandfather had taught him everything he’d needed to know, from how to tie a fishing lure to what it meant to be a good, honest man.
But as he pulled on a pair of gym shorts, he decided he couldn’t say he’d missed knowing his manipulative paternal grandmother. No matter what she said about not meddling in their lives back then or the way they ran the businesses she’d given them now, he had a feeling she still had their every move under surveillance and would have no problem stepping in to take over if she felt it was warranted.
But when Caleb opened the French doors to step out onto the patio and spotted Alyssa standing by the hot tub, his grievances with Emerald Larson were quickly forgotten. Damn, but Alyssa looked good. Her black one-piece bathing suit clung to her body and enhanced all the curves that he’d been fantasizing about ever since walking into her office the day he’d arrived to take over the financial firm.
He swallowed hard. He’d been right about her legs, too. They were long, sleek and perfect for holding a man close while he made love to her.
“I’m sorry.” Walking over to her, he had to clear his suddenly dry throat. “It took longer than I planned. One of my brothers called.”
“I heard the phone ring.” She smiled wistfully. “It must be nice to have siblings.”
“You’re an only child?” He wasn’t ready to tell her that a little less than a month ago, he hadn’t even known his brothers existed.
Nodding, she took off her glasses and, laying them on a nearby chair, started to climb the steps to get into the hot tub. “I always wanted a brother or sister to share memories with, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Caleb took hold of her arm to help steady her as she stepped into the bubbling water, but the second his fingers touched her satiny skin, a jolt of electric current zinged straight up his arm and exploded in the pit of his belly. Climbing into the hot tub on shaky legs, he sat down beside her and tried to think of what they’d been talking about.
“I, uh, haven’t always been close with my two brothers.”
“Is there a big age difference between you?” she asked, sounding genuinely interested.
“No, we’re all about the same age.” He knew he was walking a fine line, but he wanted to be as truthful with her as possible. “We had the same father, but different mothers.” Deciding it was time to change the subject before he revealed more than he intended, he smiled. “Could you tell me something, Alyssa?”
“It depends on the question and whether or not I know the answer,” she said, looking a little apprehensive.
“Why do you go by your initials at work, instead of your given name?” He’d wanted to know the answer since reviewing her personnel file. “It’s very pretty.” Like you.
She shrugged one slender shoulder. “That’s what my father always called me. I think it was his way of pretending I was the son he always wanted, but never had.”
Reaching out, Caleb traced his index finger along her porcelain cheek. No matter what kind of hell he’d have to go through, he couldn’t seem to stop touching her. “I’m sure he loves you more than you realize, sweetheart.”
She remained silent for several long moments before nodding. “I suppose it was possible that he cared for me, but it’s something I’ll never know. He died on a mission in the Middle East during my junior year in college.”
Caleb felt like a complete jerk for bringing up an obviously painful subject. Without thinking twice, he lifted her onto his lap and did his best to ignore how her shapely bottom felt pressed to his rapidly hardening body.
She stared at him for several long seconds. “Caleb, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Hush.” Cradling her to his chest, he held her close as the water bubbled around them. He tried to tell himself that he was offering her comfort, but the truth was she felt so right in his arms, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go. “I’m sorry, Alyssa. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“It’s all right.” He felt her begin to relax against him. “I’ve never had any illusions about it. My father and I didn’t have a great relationship.”
He kissed her temple. “What about your mom? Are you close to her?”
“Mother passed away when I was eight.” She sighed. “That’s when I started attending school at the Marsden Academy for Girls.”
“Your dad sent you to a boarding school?” Anger burned at his gut. How could Merrick have done that to his only child? Caleb could only imagine how lonely and scared she must have been. At that moment, he despised the man for abandoning her when she’d obviously needed him most.