Pryce’s brow furrowed. “Sure. I have a pitch call with a natural baby food company and one with a fair-trade coffee company.”
“Good. Nice work.” At Mason’s urging, Jude had begun to offer up more praise to the team. Doug was always the one handing out compliments, but with him now gone for the rest of the summer, Jude needed to pick up the reins.
Flushed and smiling, Pryce nodded. “Thanks. And I heard from an old fraternity brother from college yesterday. I remembered he’s working with some hot-shot tech guy, who’s one of the youngest billionaires—you know those social-media platforms everyone jumps on and are all the rage?”
Jude shrugged. “You’re asking the wrong person. I can barely stomach the little I have, and that’s only to see our clients and Ilana’s pictures, but go ahead. You know Doug is the social-media guru of The Company.”
Laughter bubbled up from Pryce. “Yeah, but it’s a necessary evil. Especially for our work. Anyway, he said he wanted to meet with me, so we’ve arranged something for later this week. If we get this account?” He rubbed his hands together. “It’s a sky-high budget.”
Jude’s heart raced. A huge campaign like Pryce mentioned would solidify The Company’s position as a major player; plus, the ongoing cash would put them in the black for years, giving both him and Doug, as well as their employees, that much-needed security.
“Excellent. Let me know what we can do to make this happen.”
“I will. I better go prepare for this afternoon’s meeting with Never Too Sweet.”
“Okay. I’m leaving the office for lunch. I should be back after two.” Jude stood and slipped his phone into his suit-jacket pocket.
“Got a hot date?”
Pryce’s constant prying irritated him, but Jude reined in his temper. “Anything further?” He cocked a brow, and Pryce jumped out of his seat.
“N-no. I’m going.”
Jude followed him out and stopped by the reception desk to speak to Miriam. “I’m stepping out for a little while. If you need me, call me on my cell.”
“Jude, we’re a marketing agency, not the FBI. What kind of emergency could happen? Go enjoy your lunch.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a brief smile, his mind already on Mason.
Once outside, he stopped at a diner and picked up matzo-ball soup for Mason and a turkey sandwich for himself. Edith had her aide coming today for a few hours, so she was set for lunch.
Jude walked into the apartment to find Mason, wearing his T shirt, sitting on the sofa, watching television and eating cereal.
His eyes brightened when he saw Jude. “You’re here.” He set the bowl down, then jumped up and threw his arms around Jude, who stood still for a moment, wondering how he could return to a life of silence and darkness. Bag of soup in hand, he held on to Mason, letting his chatter wash over him.
“I’m so bored, I’m watching reruns ofReal Housewives. And you know that’s bad because I’ve seen them all at least ten times. Did you bring me the soup?” He grabbed the bag from Jude’s hand. “Matzo ball?” He danced in place. “I haven’t had real matzo-ball soup since I left home. You know my mother makes the best. I’m feeling better, so I’ll definitely be back at work tomorrow.”
As he spoke, he walked to the kitchen and sat at the island. He reached into the bag for the container and opened it, sniffing deeply. “Ahh, so good. Just what I need. Come sit with me. You want any?”
Jude shook his head. “No, I’m good.”
Eyes alight, Mason gave him a once-over that left him stripped raw. “Yeah, you sure are. I gotta tell you, you’re one of the few men I’ve ever known who looks as good dressed as he does naked.”
That compliment was supposed to make him feel better, but instead Jude saw black. “Yeah?” He stepped into Mason’s personal space and took the spoon away from him.
Mason’s wide-eyed gaze met his. “What?”
“Don’t tell me about other men. I don’t want to know.”
Mason licked his lips, sending a shot of electricity straight to Jude’s dick. “I didn’t say it to make you jealous. I just meant you look hot.”
His explanation didn’t help Jude’s simmering insecurity. “I know you’ve been with other men. It’s not that. I…it’s me. I’m not as experienced or into stuff…” Embarrassed, Jude remained stone-faced. God, when would he stop feeling like an awkward teenager again, never knowing the right thing to do or say?
A hand touched his face, tender yet strong fingers cupped his cheek, forcing him to look at Mason. “Am I complaining? And how can you even think so after last night? After any of our times together?”
“No, but—” Jude began.
“No buts. Stop it. If you can’t tell what’s happening here is so fucking special, then I don’t know what to say. But you’re smarter than that, and so am I. So yeah. I know you’re nothing like anyone else, and I wouldn’t want you to be. And neither of us wants to be the first to say it because it’s weird as fuck that it’susand we never thought it could happen, but here it is. Here we are.” He took a breath and brushed his lips over Jude’s. “And you’re all I want.”
