He grabbed the leash off the peg on the wall, and Foxy twirled around like the dervish she was.
“Hold still, little monster.” He snapped on the pink lead, and out the door they went.
He ignored the amused looks from other dog walkers and pedestrians. He knew they were a sight—him and this tiny Pomeranian on a pink leash, who had more personality than a lion.
Once they returned to the apartment and he’d given the dog fresh water, he discovered Edith in the same place at the dining table. When she put her hand on his arm, he stiffened.
“Please don’t be angry with me, Jude. I only said that because you deserve more out of life than hanging around with an old lady. No matter how fascinating I know I am.”
Giving Edith a wan smile, he bent to kiss her soft cheek. “I’m not angry. Have a good time with your friends tonight.” He escaped down the hall and entered his apartment, where he quickly undressed and settled on the couch with a grunt.
Out of habit, he scrolled on his phone, first checking Ilana’s social media, but she still hadn’t posted any pictures. Doug had, and Jude took his time to study them, enjoying the happiness on their faces more than the beautiful backdrop of famous places he’d only read about. A comment from Mason caught his attention, and Jude squinted at the time.
Only twenty minutes ago.
Recalling that Mason was with Russell Saville, Jude hesitated a moment, but he clicked on Mason’s profile. An array of pictures popped up from Mason’s life on the superyacht, all with him in various stages of undress. Jude flew past them, ground his teeth, and hit the most recent shot, taken less than an hour before. Russell had his arm draped over Mason’s shoulder, a wide grin splitting his face.
Contrary to what he’d told Mason, The Company didn’t have an official non-fraternization policy. He’d told Mason that to ensure he concentrated on work while at the office instead of hooking up.
He zeroed in on the huge smile plastered across Russell’s face. “I bet you’re happy, you dumbass. I turned you down, so you’re making your way through my staff.”
Knowing Mason’s lack of discipline, Jude doubted he’d have to worry for long. Mason could say whatever he wanted, but Jude remembered the younger man, who’d be all gung ho about a new venture, only to have the excitement and energy fade quickly, and then he’d move on to something else that caught his eye, leaving behind a host of unfinished projects and brainstorms. There had been the homemade-cookies phase, the organic-soap-making phase, and the infamous failed hip-hop career. Jude wavered between admiring Mason’s nerve and getting frustrated with his wastefulness.
“The Company isn’t like working on a yacht in the South Pacific. There’s no piña colada machine waiting for you.”
Annoyed that he was spending his night thinking about Mason, Jude forced himself to concentrate on the work awaiting him, but his mind kept straying to his phone. Furious at his weakness, he took a shower and stood under the spray, but even there, Russell’s smiling face seared through him like an angry ball of fire, exploding through his chest.
Jude had little doubt Mason would wind up in Russell’s bed, if not that night, then soon, and he couldn’t fathom why that made him so angry.
Chapter Eight
God, he was bored.
So bored.
Mason had agreed to the dinner with Russell, figuring it would be a good way to ease into the new job. He’d seemed like a fun, cool guy, and what better way to find out about The Company and its people than from someone working there, especially off-hours and after a few drinks? Maybe Russell would even have some insight into Jude.
Inside the sushi restaurant on Mercer Street, they sat jammed together, knees touching. It was where you went to see and be seen, not for the quality of the food. Not Mason’s type of place, but he went along with it because the thought of going home and sitting in his bedroom, eating sushi again, was enough to make him agree to almost anything.
And at first all was light and fun. They had a few beers and shared some vegetable gyoza. He enjoyed the casual flirting and even took some pictures and posted them on Instagram, tagging the restaurant and The Company. The publicity couldn’t hurt, and he wanted to show Jude he was always thinking about the business.
What Mason didn’t count on was Russell’s negativity, which started after the initial who-are-you-and-what-have-you-been-doing-with-your-life talk.
“Tell me about Pryce.” Mason dunked his Alaskan roll in soy sauce, wrapped a piece of ginger around it, and popped it into his mouth. “Why was he so obnoxious toward me?”
“He’s an ass. Thinks he’s more talented than he is.” Mid-chew, Russell rolled his eyes and swallowed. “Naturally arrogant. You can tell the minute he opens his mouth.”
“But you and him…?” Mason let the question hang in the air, waiting to hear the answer.
Russell shrugged. “Yeah, why not? Arrogance can be hot. Especially when you’ve got him on his knees. Doesn’t matter what I think of him personally.”
However nonchalant Mason might’ve been about his sex life, he’d at least had to like his bed partner. “Okay…well, anyway, how do you think I’ll be able to work with him?”
“You’re Doug’s brother, right?”
“Yeah, so?”
Russell’s brows arched. “So what do you care? Don’t sweat it. Not like they’re gonna fire you. You’re family.” He picked up another roll and shoved it into his mouth.
