Relieved, Mason slung his laptop case over his shoulder. “Great. I gotta get home. I’ll see you next week.”
“Yeah. See you Monday.”
Pryce left him, and Mason turned off the light and walked out.
Two hours later, juggling a pizza box, he rang the bell at Jude’s apartment. Nerves rattled inside him. Ostensibly, this was their first official date, and he had no idea what to expect.
The door opened, and Jude, looking mouthwateringly sexy in gray sweats and a black T-shirt, gave him a smile that let him know he shared the same nerves.
“Hi.” Jude arched a dark brow. “Pizza?”
Mason breezed past Jude even though he was anything but lighthearted. “From Lombardi’s on Spring Street. What better way to start the evening of our first date than pizza and beer?”
He set the box down on the kitchen island and sniffed the air. His stomach growled. “What’s that smell?”
Jude ducked his head. “I figured if we started working, we’d be hungry, so on the way home I stopped and got a big box of appetizers. I don’t know how to cook, but I can heat things up like a pro.”
How Mason managed to keep a straight face when his insides had turned all melty, he didn’t know. He’d never had anyone do anything like this for him. Warren didn’t count because he was paying him. Mason dismissed those days, preferring to think of the present.
“That’s really sweet. I’m sure I’ll love them all. Thank you.”
“It’s no big deal.”
Jude tried to act gruff and brush it off, but Mason wasn’t letting him; he slipped his arms around Jude’s neck and hugged him. After a moment Jude relented, giving him a quick squeeze in return before letting him go.
“We should get started. It’s already eight o’clock.”
Making a mental note to revisit later why Jude seemed to shy away from affection, he washed his hands at the sink, and spying two plates on the counter, set one in front of Jude and took the other for himself. He opened the oven, slid out the tray of appetizers, and put it next to the pizza box.
“Okay. I’m fine with eating while I work. Keeps my brain cells active.” Mason pulled out a barstool and served Jude a slice and then himself. He bit off the corner and chewed. “Damn, this is good.” When he realized Jude hadn’t started eating, he set his slice on the plate. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just…you always attack everything with such positivity. Even your food.”
“What’s the point of being negative? Energy like that only drains you and brings everyone down.”
Jude picked up his pizza and took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. “I guess it’s worked in your favor. Never Too Sweet asked that you be assigned to work on their account with Pryce. They were very impressed with you.”
Excitement shot through him, and he struggled not to throw his fist in the air. “That’s amazing. I’m psyched, but…”
Jude cocked a brow. “But what?”
“I thought I was here to be your assistant.” Was Jude trying to push him away already? Mason had hoped that spending close, quality time with Jude would help them get to know each other better.
“And I thought you wanted a career. This is what you should be doing. You’re a natural. You’re better than being my calendar clerk or assistant.”
Blunt words from Jude, but he didn’t hand out praise like M&M’s, so hearing him say that sent a surge of pride through Mason.
“I…well, damn. Thanks. I’m happy to learn everything I can.”
They finished their food in silence and set to work. At eleven o’clock, his eyes burning from staring at the screen and creating spreadsheets, Mason closed his laptop and stretched his arms over his head. “God, I’m so tight.”
Jude was at the sink, rinsing his coffee cup. He turned off the water, and surprising Mason, came to stand behind him and started massaging his shoulders. “You are.” In another unexpected move, Jude moved his hair off his nape, and Mason sighed at the warm, soft mouth moving over his skin. Strong hands reached under his T-shirt and rucked it up.
“Mmm. God, that feels good.” At the first sweep of Jude’s hand on his naked skin, Mason hummed.
“I can make you feel even better.”
His dick hardened, and he pulled his shirt up and over his head.
