About The Wish
by Eden Winters
153 pages / 68000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-918-7
Available file types -
html, lit, pdf, prc, epub, Sony Reader pdf
Alex Martin is arrogant, wealthy, spoiled, and lonely. His never-ending
stream of lovers sees only his wallet. Hiding behind a mask of aloof
indifference, he really wants someone who can see past the money,
someone who’ll stand up to him as an equal.
Down-to-earth bookstore owner Paul Sinclair insists on making his own
way in life. He longs for someone who thinks, works, and doesn’t ask for
hand outs: a true partner in every sense of the word.
After years of avoidance they finally meet, and neither is impressed.
Though worlds apart they share a common bond: their uncles, Alfred and
Byron, are long-term partners. And when the uncles conspire to
match-make, a little thing like Byron’s being a ghost isn’t going to
stop them.
Review
Alexa Snow, author of
Sleeping Stone, writes: Alexander Martin and Paul Sinclair are the
nephews of two men who've been partners for many years. Now, one of the
men, Byron Sinclair, has died, and both Alex and Paul return to the
estate to comfort Alfred, the grieving widower, only to find that Byron
and Alfred had a plan, a secret hope, that the two of them would get
together and become a happy couple. Of course, it's not nearly that
simple, since Alex and Paul are incredibly different in many ways --
Alex has always lived off his family's money, never wanting for a thing
and enjoying his spoiled existence, whereas Paul has struggled to make
his own way in the world. It's going to take some kind of miracle for
the two of them to find common ground, even with Alfred's help...
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story with a charming hint of the
paranormal. The characters' backgrounds are shared in skillful ways that
both natural and seamless; the characters themselves are easy to fall in
love with (some sooner and some later) and the fact that they love each
other is apparent in their words and actions. It's a story rich in
details, capturing the lives of the wealthy without alienating the
reader. Thoroughly enjoyable in every way!
Sample
“Have you never had anyone to love you just for you?”
The answer was a resounding, “No,” even if Alex chose not to voice it. The
truth was, even in bed with another living, breathing human being, or two,
hell, even in the middle of a crowded club with his so called friends, Alex
was alone. He didn’t like it nearly as much as he pretended to.
Capturing Paul’s angular face between his hands, he forced Paul's head up so
their eyes met. “What do you see when you look at me?” he whispered huskily, his
lips scant inches away from Paul’s. He wanted badly to close that distance.
Hearing Alfred’s words replaying themselves in his head stopped him. It was
time to take responsibility for his actions, and he’d made a promise that he
intended to keep.
Tear-filled eyes, grieving now for someone else’s loneliness and not because
of a manipulative ex-lover, studied him intently. Finally Paul said, “I see
someone who was given everything he wanted and nothing he needed.”
“Just what do you think I need, Paul?” Given the man’s unique insight, Alex
genuinely anticipated the answer. It was bound to be profound.
It didn’t disappoint -- Paul kissed him. Though it was just a brief brush of
lips, it meant more than Alex could ever explain.
“Do you still want me?” Paul murmured as he withdrew.
Now that was even more unexpected than the kiss, and when he hesitated Paul
asked again, “You still want to sleep with me, right?”
Part of him triumphantly yelled ‘Yes!’ but there was no way he’d accept that
offer, not under the circumstances. Though it killed him to do so he shook
his head sadly and said, “How is that different from what I have now? I
don’t want you to fuck me because you feel sorry for me, or so I can wipe
away the memory of another man.
You don’t want me, Paul. I don’t know what you want, but I’m certain it
isn’t me.” How ironic that after all his fantasies of having Paul in his bed
he couldn’t accept what was offered. “You know, if someone had told me
earlier tonight that I’d be turning you down, I would have told them they
were crazy. You may have said it, but you don’t mean it, and it’s you,
Byron, and Uncle Alfred who taught me not to settle. I was a little late
getting the lesson, but it’s finally sunk in. Goodnight, Paul.” With those
words Alex did the hardest thing he’d ever done -- turned his back on the
thing he wanted most in the world to go to bed alone.