And there it sat between them. His decade-long secret. From the first time he’d caught sight of Jude when Doug brought him home to work on a project, Mason had fallen in lust with his brother’s best friend’s dark, broody looks. The thrust of his hard jaw, the strong profile, and those deep-set velvety-brown eyes had been the subject of all his teenage dreams.
“You. Had a crush on me. That’s rich.”
Mason pushed Jude off him and blindly walked away. Humiliation seeped through him, and he wondered why he’d exposed himself.
“Fucking tequila,” he muttered at the bottle. “You bastard. Look at you sitting there so innocent in the bottle, fucking up my life.”
A warm mouth played against his ear. “Don’t run away from me.”
“I’m not. I wanted a glass of water.”
Jude’s rumbling laughter vibrated against him, and Mason closed his eyes, wishing he could capture that sound. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a terrible liar?”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“I’m sure you have. Certainly by me. But you don’t have to be embarrassed. I didn’t know you’d felt that way.”
“Yeah, well, it was a long time ago. I wasn’t about to tell you then, and I’m not a kid anymore.”
“Trust me, I know you’re a man.” Jude turned him around so their mouths touched. “And what if I said…I think I always wanted you too?”
Chapter Seventeen
Jude’s lips twitched as he held Mason’s stunned gaze. “Surprise.”
Mason shook with laughter. “Once again proving that neither of us knows shit about relationships.”
“I don’t know,” Jude said, pulling him close. “We’re doing pretty well so far.”
“I mean, yeah, the sex is off the charts.” Mason nipped at his neck, and Jude quivered. “No complaints on that front.”
“I would think not, the way you scream my name.” If he sounded smug, he meant to. “Ow.” He rubbed the spot where Mason had sunk his teeth into his shoulder. “What’re you, a vampire?”
“You’re not exactly quiet yourself, buddy. Just wanted you to know it goes both ways.” Like a cat, Mason rubbed his cheek against his, and Jude couldn’t help stroking him. “But there’s more than that. More than sex, I mean.”
His heart pounded. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. And you know it too. That’s why your heart is racing a hundred miles an hour.” Before he could shrug it off, Mason grabbed his hand and placed it over his chest. “Like mine.”
Jude flattened his palm and felt the vibrations of the thumping. He fisted Mason’s T-shirt and drew him even closer, molding their bodies together.
“I don’t know what it is or what to call it. But I know I like it. And I like being with you.”
Mason wrapped his arms around Jude’s neck and clung to him. “I like you too. A lot.”
“So maybe we should do something about that? We worked enough today. I’m ready for a little relaxation.”
Mason hummed against his cheek, soft lips leaving a wet trail of kisses until their mouths found each other. “What do you have in mind?”
Jude palmed Mason’s ass and squeezed. “I have to take the dog out for a walk.”
Mason fell away from him laughing. “You’re kidding me. I’m trying to be romantic, and you want to go scoop dog shit?”
“Save it for after.”
Eyes sparkling, Mason ducked under his arm as Jude leaned in for a kiss. “Guess you’ll have to wait for it too.”
* * *
