do so pulsed between them, thickening the air. If they started kissing and touching now, they wouldn’t get around to talking for a long time. As much as Felix wanted Jude, he needed answers more.
The master bedroom was an ample space decorated in calming hues of blues and gray. Jude walked to a tall chest of drawers and pulled out a pair of gym shorts. “Do you want my old T-shirt back? It will be much softer than the one we got from the hospital gift shop.”
“I’d rather go without if you don’t mind.” Felix couldn’t imagine any fabric would feel good against his ravaged flesh. He’d only sustained road rash to his shoulder blades. It could’ve been much worse.
“Of course not.” Jude set the shorts on his bed and retraced his steps to where Felix stood near the door. “The shower is a little tricky. It took me a while to get used to it.”
“One of those smart systems where you tell it to turn on or adjust the temperatures?”
“Sort of, but it’s not voice-activated.” Jude smiled at him. “I’ll demonstrate it for you.”
Felix quirked a brow. “How gallant.”
Jude chuckled. “I meant that I’d show you which buttons to push.”
“Well, you are filthy too,” Felix said, gesturing to the dried blood and dirt staining the front of Jude’s dress shirt. Felix had been too distracted by questions from the police and the medical staff to notice Jude’s condition. That was his dried blood smeared on the light blue fabric from where Jude had cradled Felix against his chest. A hard shiver rolled through Felix that had nothing to do with being cold.
The urge to request hands-on instruction temporarily obliterated all other thoughts. Jude leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his lips, but it didn’t last long enough. He turned and walked toward the bathroom. “The quicker you shower, the faster you get your grilled cheese sandwich.”
Felix smiled as he followed. “Are you going to feed me every chance you get? I’ve packed on quite a bit of muscle since our freshman year of college.”
Jude waited for him by the shower. “It was never pity, Felix. Those big amber eyes just brought out my nurturing instincts. Sometimes, I think another chance with you is too much to wish for, but I do hope that someday you’ll realize my affection for you is genuine.” Is. Not was. “Shower. Food. Talk.”
Felix nodded.
Jude showed him how to work the shower, then left him to his own devices. Careful to keep his back out of the spray, Felix washed himself as best he could. Jude’s bodywash smelled, looked, and felt luxurious, and Felix relished smelling like him. After toweling off, Felix slid on the borrowed pair of shorts. They were a little large, but the drawstring ensured they stayed on his hips.
Felix padded barefoot downstairs. The hot water helped relieve his aching muscles, but his movements were stiffer than usual. The smell of butter, toasty bread, and melted cheese greeted him when he reached the first floor. He inhaled appreciatively and headed toward the kitchen.
Jude’s face was in profile as he entered the room, but Felix could still see the intensity etched in his expression as he scrutinized the contents in the skillet. He was such a food snob. Felix wasn’t sure what cheese or type of bread Jude chose, but it wouldn’t be basic-bitch white bread or Kraft singles.
Jude’s cell phone rang before Felix could tease him. Jude’s body tensed when he checked the screen. He let it ring a few more times before moving the skillet to a cool burner.
“Hello,” Jude said, his expression and voice were cold enough to freeze hell. Felix didn’t recognize this side of Jude, but he was intrigued to know who could make him react so viscerally.
Jude turned and looked at Felix then. He jolted but recovered quickly, running his gaze over Felix’s barely dressed body. The iciness in Jude’s eyes melted a little as he listened to whoever was speaking on the other end of the connection. He looked no less dangerous or predatory, and the blood-stained shirt made him look like the sexiest action hero Felix had ever seen.
Felix felt frozen to the spot, barely able to breathe. What the hell was going on?
Jude closed the space between them. He cupped Felix’s face with his free hand, running his thumb over Felix’s lips. “Yes, I got your message. Now hear mine.” Jude paused but never looked away from Felix’s eyes. “Fuck you, Jack.”
Jack?
Felix’s