The Law of Attraction (23 page)

“Oh?” James raised his eyebrows. “Sounds interesting. Are you going to leave me hanging with that evasive answer? Or are you planning on filling in some blanks?”

“It’s rather a long story,” Alec said. “But the short version is that I came out to my parents this weekend.” He watched as confusion spread over James’s face, followed by dawning comprehension.

“Oh my God, really? So you’re….”

“Gay. Yes.” Why did so many people find it hard to say the word?

“But what about Belinda?”

“Belinda and I have a rather more platonic relationship than we led people to believe,” Alec admitted, ignoring the flush he could feel heating his cheeks. “It seemed easier to let people think we were a couple.”

“Wow.” James seemed shocked, but there was no disapproval or negativity in his expression, only surprise. “Well, good for you. It can’t have been easy telling your folks, I imagine.”

“No, it wasn’t a barrel of laughs. But my mother surprised me—in a good way—and I think my father will get used to it eventually.”

“So, is there a lucky man who was the catalyst for this sudden revelation?” James asked.

Alec cleared his throat, avoiding James’s gaze and shuffling some papers around on his desk. “Yes, there is, as a matter of fact.”

“Will I get to meet him sometime?”

Alec panicked internally for a moment, warring with himself before opting for a reply that was evasive, but not a lie. “I’d say that’s very likely.” He changed the subject quickly. “Oh… and James?”

“Yes?”

“I haven’t told anyone else at work yet. I’m going to, very soon. But please keep this to yourself for now.”

James tapped his nose and smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

Ed was one of the last to arrive in the office that morning. He hurried in at ten to nine, muttering about delays on the Tube.

Alec heard his voice before he saw him, and the awareness of Ed’s presence flooded him with the desire for physical contact. He felt the pull of him, like primal magnetism at a cellular level.

He glanced up, and when he saw Ed’s bright smile levelled at him, tried not to grin back too obviously. “Morning, Ed,” he said. “Katherine asked me to send you in to see her as soon as you arrived. I guess she’ll be assigning you to a new team.”

“We’ll be sorry to lose you,” James said. “Have you got any idea where you’re going next?”

“No, but I guess I’m about to find out.” Ed paused to take his coat off and hang it on the stand in the corner before going to tap on Katherine’s door, which was ajar.

“Ah, Ed. Come in,” Alec heard her say before Ed went in and closed the door behind him.

Ed came out about ten minutes later, looking pleased with himself.

“What’s the verdict, then?” James asked.

Alec raised his gaze to Ed, waiting for his answer.

“I’m moving over to help with a big case in Employment. It sounds like it should be an interesting one.” Ed moved over to his desk and started to gather up a few bits and pieces that belonged to him.

“Need any help?” Jen offered.

She seemed rather crestfallen that Ed was leaving. Everyone in the team had grown fond of him in the few weeks they’d worked together. Alec sympathised. He was going to miss Ed’s company during the workday, but he’d probably be able to concentrate better without him.

“No, I’m fine, thanks.”

It didn’t take Ed long. When he was done, he cleared his throat and said loudly, “Right, well…. I’ll see you all around, I guess. Thanks, everyone, for making my start at Baker Wells such a great experience.” His gaze flickered to Alec and lingered there.

Alec’s heart beat faster, and he schooled his expression into one of careful indifference. “You were an asset to the team, Ed. Thanks for all your hard work. I hope it goes well for you over in Employment.”

“If your new team doesn’t do Friday drinks, come and join us sometime,” Maria said.

“Yes, somebody needs to help Alec get me into a taxi,” James said, and everyone chuckled.

“Oh dear, was it that bad on Friday?” Jen asked.

“I fear I made a bit of a tit of myself. I think I had a bad pint.”

“A bad pint of cocktail?” Ed teased. “Okay, I’m off. Take care, guys. Good luck with your next deal.”

Everyone chorused their goodbyes, and Alec tried not to stare wistfully at Ed’s back as he walked away.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Monday was a whirlwind for Ed. There was so much new information to take in as he met his new team and was given huge quantities of paperwork to read and digest.

He didn’t see Alec again all day and was almost too busy to think about him. But every now and again when he paused in his reading, he’d remember that he and Alec were a couple now, and Ed would almost burst with the excitement of it.

He worked a ridiculously long day, aiming to make a good impression on his new colleagues, so he didn’t want to be one of the first to leave. He would still have a good couple of hours reading to get through at home anyway.

When his phone chimed with a text at quarter to nine, Ed smiled when he saw it was Alec. He’d been resisting the urge to text him all day, not wanting to be too pushy. He knew Alec would be as busy as he was.

Are you still in the office?
Alec had texted.

Yes.

Have you eaten yet?
Alec sent back.

Ed’s stomach growled at the thought of food.
No
, he typed and then hit Send.

When his phone rang, Ed answered immediately. “Hi,” he said, smiling.

“Hi. So, I’m the last one in my office tonight,” Alec’s clipped voice came down the line, so achingly familiar that Ed could imagine him at his desk. His dark hair would be rumpled, as it always was at the end of the day, and his eyes would be shadowed with tiredness. “I still have a pile of stuff to read, and I’m craving Chinese food, so I was going to get some delivered here and press on with work rather than carry all the paperwork home. Do you want to join me?”

“For a working dinner? I can bring my reading too.”

“It’s the best I can offer you tonight,” Alec said ruefully.

“I’ll take it.”

“Is Chinese okay with you?”

“Perfect. I’ll be there in ten.”

When Ed arrived, Alec stood and walked forward to greet him with a warm smile that Ed felt right down to his toes.

“Hi,” Ed said, feeling as shy as if this were a first date. In a way, he supposed it was. Their whole relationship had been kind of backwards, so it seemed oddly suitable.

Alec reached out a tentative hand and cupped Ed’s jaw. “Is it okay if I…?”

“Yes,” Ed whispered as he closed the gap between them until they were kissing. He lost himself in the slow brush of Alec’s lips and the slide of his tongue.

The sound of the phone on Alec’s desk made them jump apart guiltily. “That’ll be the food. The place on the corner is always really fast.” He picked up the phone. “Okay, thanks. I’ll come right down.” He turned his attention back to Ed. “Sorry.” He grinned. “I need to go and collect it from reception.”

“Don’t apologise for feeding me. I’m all in favour.”

They ate sitting at Alec’s desk. Ed pulled up an extra chair, and they tucked into spring rolls and chow mein while they carried on reading by mutual agreement.

When all the food was gone, Ed began to yawn.

“Have you got much more to get through?” Alec asked.

“Another hour, maybe. I can always get up early tomorrow instead.” Ed yawned again, stretching back in the chair and putting his arms over his head. When he looked back at Alec, he found Alec watching him with unmistakable heat in his eyes.

“Stop it,” Ed said, his body already reacting to Alec’s expression.

“Stop what?”

“Looking at me with those fuck-me eyes. We said no more risky office sex, but if you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

Alec groaned in frustration and adjusted himself.

Ed swallowed, imagining Alec hard in his suit trousers. His mouth watered at the thought. Maybe Ed could just blow him quickly. If they shut the door and were very quiet—

“No. You’re right.” Alec stood and started to tidy his desk and pack his briefcase. “Another day won’t kill us. Let’s both go home and get this reading finished. Tomorrow I have my meeting with the partners, so hopefully I’ll have something to celebrate. If all goes well, I may end up going for a drink with Katherine after the meeting, but I won’t need to stay long. Could you come to my place?” Alec looked as though he was worried Ed was going to refuse.

“Of course.” Wild horses couldn’t have kept Ed away.

Alec relaxed, and a tentative smile crept over his features. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate… if it all comes off.”

“Is there any reason to think it won’t?”

Alec shrugged. “Katherine didn’t know, but she seemed to think my chances are good. I’m hopeful, very hopeful. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I’m going to tell them about us—if that’s still all right with you?” Ed nodded. “There’s no way that could jeopardise my position. I know my rights.”

Ed chuckled. “I should hope so. Let them try and fire a lawyer for being gay. It would be a bloodbath.”

When they’d packed up, they went down in the lift together and walked out into the dark streets. It was a mild evening for late February, with a hint of drizzle in the air.

They faced each other. The streetlights painted Alec’s features in sharp relief; the contrast of light and shadow emphasised the jut of his cheekbones and the masculine angle of his jaw. Ed felt weak with longing.

One more day. He could wait one more day.

“I’m going to hail a cab. There’s no sense in sharing one, is there?” Alec asked.

“No. I’ll get the Tube.”

“So, tomorrow….” Alec dug in his pocket and pulled out two keys on a simple loop as he approached Ed. “I’ve been carrying these around all day, waiting for a chance to give them to you. This one does the front door, and this one is the inner door to my flat. Let yourself in tomorrow, and I’ll get there as soon as I can. I’ll text you the address—assuming you can’t remember where it is?”

“I’m not that much of a stalker.” Ed tried to sound offended but completely failed. His breath caught as he stared at the keys Alec was holding out to him. He put his hand out and Alec placed them in his palm. The metal was warm from being in Alec’s pocket. Ed closed his fingers around them. “Thanks.”

“Those are for you to keep, by the way.” Alec’s usual smoothness had deserted him and uncertainty lurked in his eyes. “If you want?”

“Yes. I want.”

Alec’s expression relaxed a little. “Given the hours we work, we won’t see each other much unless we spend time together in the evenings. And I know it’s early days, but I hope you’ll stay at mine often. It’s closer to work, anyway.”

Ed grinned. “Excellent. With the promise of a shorter commute, you’ll never get rid of me.”

Alec moved closer and reached out to straighten Ed’s tie. “I have no desire to get rid of you, Mr Piper. Quite the opposite, in fact.” He put his hands on the lapels of Ed’s coat and tugged him closer. “I want to kiss you goodbye.”

“Here?” Ed glanced around. The streets were still busy with people leaving offices late, but they were all walking head down with purpose, or talking on phones. Nobody was paying them any attention.

“Yes.” Alec wrapped his arms around Ed and kissed him with a determination and a thoroughness that took Ed’s breath away. When Alec drew back, he was smiling. “That’ll keep me going till tomorrow. See you in the morning.”

He turned, his coat flaring out behind him as he raised his arm and called “
Taxi
!”

A black cab cut across a lane and screeched to a halt. “Sleep well tonight,” Alec called back over his shoulder, “because I’m planning on keeping you up late tomorrow.”

And then he was inside the taxi, pulling the door shut with a
bang
.

Ed touched his mouth with his fingers, still feeling the ghost of Alec’s lips.

Tomorrow couldn’t come quickly enough.

Ed’s phone rang at six on Tuesday, just as he was finishing for the day. When he saw it was Alec, he picked up immediately.

“How did it go?” he asked, hoping and praying that Alec’s news was good.

“I got it!” Alec replied.

Ed could hear the smile in his voice. Alec sounded breathless with excitement. “That’s brilliant. Congratulations!”

“Thanks. Even though I was half expecting it, I still can’t believe it’s really happening. I’m so relieved it’s in the bag. I’ll be signing the final paperwork on Friday.”

“And when you told them—” Ed paused and then lowered his voice. “—about… you know?” He glanced around at his colleagues but nobody was paying attention.

“Not a problem. A couple of raised eyebrows and cleared throats. One of the old goats queried the appropriateness of what he called an ‘office fling.’ But then Katherine reminded him there are at least two married couples at Baker Wells where both spouses work for the firm. They shut up after that.”

“That’s brilliant. So, we’re celebrating tonight, then?”

“Yes. I’m going for a quick drink with Katherine now, but I’ll come straight home afterwards. Will you meet me there?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. I’ve got to go. See you a little later.”

“Bye.”

Ed felt strangely guilty as he let himself into Alec’s building with the keys Alec had given him the day before. He half-expected someone to challenge him, but there was nobody around, apart from a rather self-important grey tabby cat on the doorstep.

The cat tried to push past him as he opened the door, but Ed blocked it with his leg. “Hey, I don’t even know if you live here, so I’m not letting you in. Shoo!”

The cat glared and then turned its back on him, holding its tail high with disdain as it stalked off.

Inside, Ed crossed the hallway and let himself into Alec’s flat. As he closed the door behind him, memories of the only other time he’d been here slammed into him.