“So if it feels good, do it? Is that all you care about?”
The stiff ridge of Jude’s cock dragged against his, and that wildness overtook Mason again. He didn’t care about anything except tasting Jude and feeling the heat rising from his skin.
He rested the palm of his hand on Jude’s cheek. “What’s so wrong about it? We aren’t strangers.”
“Sure we are.” Jude disengaged himself from Mason’s embrace and went to sit on the sofa.
Mason recognized a dodge when he saw it. Jude was a master at it, but this time he wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
“Fucking hell, whose fault is that?” Frustrated, he stomped over to Jude, who sat staring straight ahead. He was getting whiplash from Jude’s back-and-forth signals. “I’ve tried to get to know you, but you keep pushing me away. We’ve danced on the periphery of each other’s lives for over ten years, and never once have you tried to see me.”
“What do you want from me?”
“How about a chance to know who you are, aside from Ilana’s brother?”
Jude paled and turned his head, but even in profile Mason could see the lines deepen across his brow and the skin stretch taut along his stubbled cheeks. Mason waited, his breath harsh in his throat while the seconds passed, and then he had to strain to hear Jude’s quiet response.
“What if that’s all I am?”
The pain-laced words struck Mason like a knife to his heart, and he could only imagine the strength and courage it took an insanely proud and private man like Jude to admit that. He dropped to Jude’s side and took him by the shoulder, shaking him none too gently. The man needed a wake-up call, and Mason would be the one to give it to him.
“You can’t be serious. You’re so much more than that. Sure, you’re a wonderful brother—the best. A bit too overprotective, but with reason. And you’re a terrific boss who gives the people working for him the ability to shine. But you’re also the best friend anyone could ever have. I know firsthand how you and Doug supported each other when you started The Company.” He swallowed, determined to keep his shit together. “You were the brother he needed at that time. Not me.”
It had taken him several long, lonely years of soul-searching to admit that out loud, without the bitterness and resentment he’d built up over time. By running away to the opposite side of the world, he’d forfeited his time with Doug. At twenty, he’d preferred to blame Jude for occupying his brother’s time rather than take responsibility for his own behavior and petty jealousy.
But Jude wasn’t only proud, he was stubborn, and he was shaking his head as Mason spoke. “Not true. Doug always loved you and hoped you’d come home.”
“Of course he loves me, you idiot. I’m his blood brother. But you’ll always be the brother of his heart. And what about Edith? What single guy would care so much about an old lady?”
Jude shrugged. “I can’t let her starve. It’s no big deal to shop for her and take the dog out.”
Frustrated, Mason grabbed his shoulders, forcing Jude to look at him, and spoke into his startled face. “What the fuck iswrongwith you? I’m trying to tell you you’re a good person, and at every turn you throw up roadblocks. I’m not just saying this to be nice. You’re a kind, decent person. Someone I’d like to get to know.”
“There’s not much more than what you’ve already seen. There’s work and my family. That’s it.”
“I disagree. There’s so much more than the tiny piece you’ve given me.” He relaxed his grip on Jude and slid a hand up his neck to cup his cheek. “The physical is the easy part. I’m interested in what’s inside. The Jude I’ve only been allowed to see glimpses of when you’re with Edith.” He rubbed his thumb over the jut of Jude’s cheekbone. “Or when we’re together. In bed.” A shudder rolled through Jude, and Mason pressed his advantage. “I like that Jude. A lot. I want more of him.”
A dangerous light sparked in Jude’s eyes, and he leaned close enough for his breath to hit Mason’s cheek. “Yeah? How about now? You want more of me right now?” Featherlight, he touched his lips to Mason’s.
Excitement rolled through him. “Yeah. Let’s start with that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Snuggled warm and deep under the comforter, Jude stretched and cracked one eye open to see it was only five a.m. He hummed with the satisfaction that he still had plenty of time before he had to get up, walk Edith’s dog, then get ready for work.
A golden-haired, tanned arm held him close, and long legs tangled with his. He smiled to himself and sighed. A soft kiss landed on his shoulder.
“Are you awake?” Mason kissed him again.
“Mmm. Barely. Who would be at this hour?”
“Those of us who wake up and aren’t in their own bed.”
Hearing the note of uncertainty in Mason’s voice, Jude rolled over. The sight of a sleepy-eyed Mason, that glorious sun-streaked mane of his in full bedhead mode, set his dick to attention.
“Are you having regrets now?” Judeasked.
“About what happened?” A wistful smile teased Mason’s lips. “Hell, no. I’m hopingyoudon’t. But I can’t wear the same clothes I wore yesterday to the office.”
