It wasn’t until he went to business school that he found that same safety with Doug and his parents. Only then could he take a breath. Ilana had found a job in the fashion industry after college, and he had Doug’s friendship. It had been enough.
“Jude?”
Lost in his memories, Jude jerked his head up. Mason stood in the doorway, and for a second Jude was back in those early days of school with Doug, when his younger brother was consistently getting into hot water. And now, as he did then, Jude smothered his attraction for Mason; instead, he allowed the corresponding annoyance—at the ease with which Mason moved through life without any worries—to rise to the surface.
“Yeah, what is it?” If he sounded gruffer than usual, Jude didn’t care. Whatever it took to keep that wall between them as impenetrable as possible. The consequences of letting it slip—case in point, their night together—had proved to Jude what he’d always known. Mason Reiner was his weak spot.
Mason, to his credit, was used to it and didn’t get offended. “I finished with Deirdre. She said she’s waiting for you to come over and say good-bye.”
“Okay, and then we’ll have to go over the roundtables and what you should expect.”
“I already went over it with Deirdre, but fine,” Mason muttered as he passed by.
“I like to tell people myself so they can’t say later that I didn’t.”
Mason locked eyes with him. “Don’t worry. Once you tell me something, I’ll never forget it. Trust me.”
Gooseflesh prickled over Jude’s skin as he recalled their night together.
Suck me. Harder. Come on.
Jude caught sight of Deirdre across the hall, hefting a small box.
“I need to talk to Deirdre,” he mumbled and brushed past Mason.
He entered her office, took the box from her, and set it down to give her a hug.
“I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too. But between Rob already living in San Francisco and doing the bicoastal thing for a while, it was time.” She sat on the cleared desk and pulled her hair from her face.
“Yes.”
“There’s something else I didn’t mention. I’m pregnant, and my doctor said I need to be on bed rest, so Rob wants me there with him as soon as possible.”
“That’s wonderful news. You two have wanted a child for years.” He paused. “You had a chance to fill Mason in on everything?”
Deirdre lifted a shoulder. “Yes, but I have to say he didn’t need much help. He’d already had everything in place on his calendar and several ideas of his own he plans on broaching with you. I think he’ll do great.”
“We’ll see.” Mason usually made a great initial impression, but then failed on the follow-through.
“You don’t sound too positive.”
Jude shrugged. “I’ve known Mason a long time.” And he left it at that. “Do you need help carrying this to the car?”
“No. It’s light.” She hugged him again. “I’m going to miss you.”
Jude blinked at the burning in his eyes. “Even though I’m a grump half the time and a grouch the other?”
“Yeah, but you’re my grump and grouch. I hope you let Mason help you. I think he’s going to be a perfect fit for you.”
She picked up her box and was on her way, leaving Jude to think about how perfectly he’d fit inside Mason the other night.Dammit. He raked a hand through his hair. Here he’d been busy telling Mason not to bring up what happened between them, and he was the one who couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Get your act together, idiot. You’ve never let sex override your brain before.
Still…you’ve never had a night like you had with Mason.
He walked into his office and faced Mason, who gave him a questioning smile.
