Page 25 of Trapped for Christmas

“And? He’s the best assistant I’ve ever had, and the best boyfriend. Jacob is a skilled multitasker.”

Mason snorted, and his brother frowned at him, not realizing the joke he’d just made.

“What happens if something goes wrong? Is that fair to Jacob for him to lose his relationship and his job at the same time?”

“First, I would never leave Jacob high and dry like that, but that doesn’t matter. He’s it for me. I don’t think about it going wrong. It’s just not something that’s possible.”

Mason had a lump in his throat. His brother had surprised him, but what he’d said was true. If only he’d not put up stupid barriers two years ago. Could things have been different with Zeb? Might they have had a chance? Zeb wasn’t the same person he was when they first met. He might not feel like it right now, but he was one of the strongest people Mason knew.

“Can you close the door?” he asked Leo.

He got up and did as asked before sitting back down, a look of concern on his face.

“How’s Zeb doing?” asked Leo.

“And you say you can’t read people.” Mason smiled.

“I can see you’re upset about something, and you’ve been in love with him for a long time.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You look at him the same way I look at Jacob. The way you were when he collapsed on Thanksgiving . . . I’ve never seen you look so broken.”

Mason wasn’t sure what to say to that, and he knew if he tried to speak, he’d choke on his words. He didn’t want to cry in front of his brother. It wasn’t a macho thing; it was just something they didn’t do.

“I think you’ve still got a chance,” said Leo.

“What makes you say that?”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“He could do better than me.”

“I agree.”

Mason laughed. “Thanks, Leo. Please be more honest.”

“There’s almost twenty years between you. You’re a grumpy bastard, and you’re married to this place. Any man you’re with is going to come second to Epicure.”

“Not him.”

“Wow. Okay, then why are you still hesitant? Fuck the assistant thing. It’s nobody else’s business. Besides, it has its benefits.”

“Like what?”

“You get to see each other more because you work together, and . . .”

“What?”

“You know.”

“I’m going to regret this . . . Be specific.”

“He can sit under your desk and keep your cock warm with his mouth.”

Mason’s jaw dropped. He’d heard far worse from Ryder over the years, but his brother? Leo was a matter-of-fact guy, but this? He was like a different person from the one he’d had lunch with two months ago. Would he change if he pursued something with Zeb? The situation was completely different. Leo and Jacob had only just met. Mason had history with Zeb. It was only two years, but that was like fifteen in gay years.

“I can hear your brain whirring from here,” said Leo.