“I’m so glad you finally figured it out.” She patted his cheek and proceeded inside, her bright caftan sweeping behind her.
Gracious as always, Warren pulled out Edith’s chair and took the one next to her. Mason followed Jude into the kitchen, where he’d filled the kettle with water, then set it on the stove to boil. Arms folded, Mason leaned on the counter, trying to capture Jude’s attention, but the annoying man wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“Do you believe me?”
Jude faced him. “About Warren? I believe he still loves you. It threw me that he’d come halfway around the world because he thought you were in trouble.”
“I’d move a mountain if you said you needed me.” Mason met Jude’s startled gaze with a tender smile before taking two steps that brought them only inches apart. “Nothing could keep me away from you.”
Jude’s breath hitched. “I can’t offer you what he can—private jets at the drop of a hat and superyachts to travel the world. I’m out of my element here. All I know is…I don’t want to lose you.”
The painful admission coming from such a private man stunned Mason with its raw honesty. “Do you really think you could? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a persistent little fucker. I have no intention of letting you go.” His arms found their natural position—around Jude’s waist so he could lean in and nuzzle the warm skin of his neck. Jude’s laughter rumbled through them.
“At least you admit it. And I’m not ashamed to say that I love you to anyone who asks me. You’re everything I’m not—easygoing and always seeing the good without preparing for the bad. Quick to make decisions, where I would take the time to go over both sides and weigh the options.” Jude’s fingers found the wavy hair curled at his nape. “But you’re also lighthearted and happy and bring sunlight with you. You taught me to let go of things I can’t control. Like you. I don’t want to control you.”
Pleasure soaked through Mason. “Don’t worry. You couldn’t unless I let you. Then it might be fun. I have some ideas if you want to try later.” He pinched Jude’s ass.
Jude cupped his cheek, and their lips met in a hard, hungry kiss. “You bring me all the joy and life I never thought I’d have. And I can’t even imagine the grief we’re going to get from Doug and Ilana.” He groaned, and Mason shook with laughter.
“I say bring it on.” Mason kissed him then, sinking into the taste of this man, forever grateful they didn’t let old prejudices stand in their way. The sharp burst of the teakettle whistle broke them apart.
“What’s taking you two so long?” Edith called out from the dining room. “No funny business in my kitchen.”
With his hair messed up from its usual precise style, lips swollen, and cheeks flushed red, Jude shut off the water, and Mason grabbed him again. Uptight had never looked so sexy.
“Nothing funny about it, Edith,” he called out before kissing Jude again.
Epilogue
One month later
“I still can’t get over it.” Doug sat up in bed, pillows propped around him, Ilana at his side.
“Youcan’t?” Jude said. “Imagine howIfeel.”
He winced as Mason’s elbow dug into his side. “What the hell, Jude? Is that supposed to be funny? Because first, it’s not, and second, I know exactly how you feel. Pretty fucking fabulous, especially after this morning when—”
“Shut up,” Jude growled, but it was lost in thewhoopof laughter from Doug.
“I am so going to love this.” Doug’s gaze zeroed in on their clasped hands.
Jude stiffened and attempted to draw away, but Mason held on tight. No matter that they’d been inseparable all summer, spending every evening together, Jude couldn’t shake off his reluctance to show affection, even in front of the people closest to him.
“Don’t.” Mason’s sharpness surprised him. “If you can’t let yourself go with my brother and your sister around, we might as well give up right now.” He tugged on Jude’s hand. “Is that what you want?”
Tension vibrated between them. “No.” Jude didn’t want that.
It was the first time they were seeing his sister and Doug since they’d returned from Rome. Warren had kept his promise and sent his private jet, with a nurse, to bring them home. Their homecoming had been delayed several weeks, the doctors exercising extra caution with Doug’s recovery.
Jude added, “I don’t think we should be talking about our private life now. I’m more concerned with Doug’s recovery.”
“Don’t worry about us. We’re fine,” piped up a bright-eyed Ilana. “Doug met with the doctors today, and they cleared him to get out of bed and start walking.”
“Yeah. Today, the chair. Tomorrow, the world.” He laughed weakly.
“Good. So now you can stop slacking off and get back to the office.” As much as Jude tried to make light of the situation, it shook him to see Doug so pale and banged up.
The accident had taken its toll not only on Doug, but on Ilana as well. He knew his sister too well for her to foist him off with feigned cheeriness. The strain weighed heavily on Ilana’s face, and he had to force himself not to jump in and try to make decisions for her. Those days were gone, and his insides churned as he held himself in check. It was her life, and he’d have to watch from the sidelines.
