Next to go on the floor were the black slacks and boxers. After that Gideon rubbed his chin smiling as he savored the sight before him. Granted Jude wasn't as naked yet as Zero would have preferred but still it was everything to him.

He moved in; slowly overlaying himself on top on Jude. His lips tracing letters on Jude's bare shoulders.

At the first touch on his groin from the publicist; Gideon groaned a guttural sound. The sound getting lost in a moan of satisfaction from Jude.

Zero decided he liked how Jude moaned along with his body, so he dipped his head down. To lick at the pink nipple that was erect and begging for attention. Attention he was more than willing to give. The Heisman trophy winner pressed his tongue on the malleable flesh. He circled his tongue on it and Jude moaned some more. Swiveling his hips beneath the former football player.

Their hips thrust in a sensual manner that reminded them both of high school stolen dry-humping sessions.

Jude's hands got entangled in his hair and pulled it back in a movement that could've been painful but at that moment it made the animal in Gideon arch his back seeking for more he needed more of this, more of Jude.

Maintaining focus and taking it slow had never been more difficult for Zero. But he managed. Cupping Jude's firm bottom and making sure his hands were branded on the publicist's skin.

The sound of the iPhone's ringing penetrated Jude's consciousness and he muttered a low curse. "I have to take that. "

"Don't answer it," Zero told him at the same time as his lips trailed over; distractingly on his neck. The kisses were deliciously punctuated with enticing licks of wet tongue until he trembled off and hovered above him. Zero held Jude's pink nipple between his thumb and forefinger, rolling gently.

The need to take Jude had never been stronger, he felt his own blood rush straight to his head from the desire to possess Jude.

The phone rang again.

"I really have to take tha..." Jude got distracted before he finished his sentence and moaned when Zero's lips covered his own. He raked his hands through Zero's blond hair. Hanging on to it tightly as he felt his partner's slickness. Without thinking he arched his back, seeking more. Then just as quickly his eyes opened when he came back to his senses. "I have to." With the problems at the lodge, he had no choice but to work, so he reached for the phone, jerked off the bed. White bed linen wrapped around his waist "Jude Reynolds here."

Zero felt the cool brush along his skin, it didn't desolate his desire though. The need to take a man had never been stronger.

Ever!

And now looking at the fine publicist with a fine patrician profile sans any clothing the desire to possess him nearly consumed him whole. He jerked off the bed not caring to cover anything up and walked over to the publicist who's demure had changed adopting a more serious one since he'd gotten on the call.

Zero placed a comforting hand on Jude's lower back, sensually kissing along his jaw, up his neck, up his ear in slow movements.

Jude held up one finger on Zero's mouth, eyes slowly drifting shut with heaviness "I'll be right there." He spoke into the phone then softly spoke to the athlete right after he'd gotten off the phone "That was your assistant, someone broke into the lodge and sliced the electrical wiring in strategic places around the site."

Business and compassion flickered in his eyes as he walked over to pick up his clothes off the floor and finished "Which will prevent you from passing the inspection today."

By the time Jude and Zero walked into the offices at the lodge, Jude had withdrawn into himself forever prodding his phone or laptop, pacing about and flipping through the pages in his files.

If Zero hadn't experienced their intimacy first hand he was sure he'd think he'd imagined the whole thing. But he hadn't. Zero knew he'd felt it Jude had been as hot with wanting him just as much as he did.

Try as might to ignore those feelings Zero refused to be a partner in denying those feelings but for now, work would come first.

Zero...Gideon Bennett wasn't finished with Jude Reynolds he would see to it that that they'd complete what they'd started and he would make sure that Jude would enjoy every seductive moment of it.

His secretary walked in the office and flung her body into her chair with a weary sigh, completely missing him as he sat silently in a hidden corner. Her smooth blemish free dark brown skin, black curls cut in an updated shag and full lips gave her a sexy appearance that made her a splash in most New York bars.

"Boy, I wouldn't wanna be one of the people that were on night duty yesterday. Jude and Nick are ripping through them like CardiB at a fashion show." She spoke to the receptionist carelessly not noticing Zero-her boss seating in the far end of the office and was startled when he spoke up "Who the security guard on duty?"

"It's the new one apparently out front he didn't see a thing 'n guy in the back perimeter slipped out for the bathroom without letting his partner know," she answered timidly.

"I wonder if he'd done it before. If someone had been watching his routine they could've counted on his bathroom break." Zero speculated.

"Well regardless, inspection is put off until the wires can be fixed," Jude said joining them with Nick following inside behind him "Who would want to sabotage this?" Jude asked glancing sideways at Nick.

Gideon dismissed his two female employees from the office.

Tension radiated from Zero in waves and anger vibrated through his skin "Beats me." he shrugged "I just gave the police a list of anyone and everyone in my life, work or otherwise. Let's see what they come up with."

A knock sounded on the door and the secretary walked in "I have Sam on line four, he's insisting on talking to you." she said biting her cherry coloured lip well aware of the history there.

Zero glanced apologetically at Jude, Jude who simply rubbed on his rising left eyebrow. "I'll get back to him later; I have more important things to attend to." He dismissed his secretary for the second time.

The business side of Jude nodded "You sure do. While the police do the detective work we..." He glanced between the two best friends "...have to do damage control. I've put in a call to my local TV and radio affiliates, reporters are on the way."

"What about social media?" Nick asked.

Jude frowned, "It won't reach our primary target market." then he took out his notepad and jotted something down. Quickly adding, "As a preemptive strike TV and radio will work quick and perfect enough right now."

Zero's gaze turned icy "Why would you want to broadcast problems?"

Nick stared between the two men with an interested stare. He understood why Jude's plan was excellent but he also knew his friend and empathised on why he wouldn't like the plan.

Jude shrugged. "You two are celebrities, town favourites and with the police's involvement now news will travel and fast. Wouldn't you rather we put out our own story out there first in a positive light?"

Nick cleared his throat "Jude has a point man."

Jude continued before either of them could comment some more "What I'd like to do is focus on your commitment to the kids and supplementary education offered at the summer camp environment. Acknowledge that yes we've had some difficulties and delays but no matter what we will open on schedule. After all, it's for the children which ought to appeal to the viewers' emotions. Also you two on-screen might excite a few bored housewives."

The publicist shrugged again and finished "All of which will make them think twice about cancelling. Hey whilst we're on this, I could use a quote in there from you two." He bit down on his pen thoughtfully "Something about why the kids mean a great deal to you. Are they orphans? It would be great if they are people love orphans."

"Jude!" Gideon yelled "They're just children orphaned or not I can't allow them to be exploited like that ok?" pause, he squared his shoulders "Listen this whole thing isn't about me."

His best friend and business partner Nick added: "Or me."

Jude nodded his head, "Right. It's about the kids. Maybe one of them is gay maybe even trans and closeted in sports..,"

"Jude stop!" Both friends said in unison.

Jude sighed, exasperated.

He glanced between the two best friends deciding to give it one more shot "Look you're public figures and if you want people to care about this place and trust you. Then all doubt that you're only doing this for publicity or monetary return need to be evaporated otherwise they will pull out and head up someplace else. Where don't have to worry about their reservations falling short. So it's up to you."

"Your suggestions are unethical." Zero said.

"It's good business." Jude countered.

"Well that's not how I do business." Zero faced him.

Nick joined in to ask in a neutral tone, "Well isn't it enough that we're helping kids. Is it that imperative that we get into the why?"

"I need a media hook." Jude explained.

"Then tell them we remember what it's like being kids." Zero said rubbing at his creased forehead.

Jude sat in a chair and drummed his fingers in the table, in frustration. He put the pen back in his jacket pocket "Fine, I won't exploit the kids but I need to know. Will we be doing this my way or do I leave you on your own and head back to the city right away?" now his gaze was trained solemnly on Zero.

A pregnant silence filled the air, serenaded by the sound of the air conditioner in the background.

"What's your way?" Nick asked.

"Dinner with Chisipite College at the Bennetts."

"Oh yea your mom called me about that and I was gonna go but I'll be travelling next week upstate for my little brother." Nick chuckled, facing to explain himself to Jude. "He's the President of a fraternity in trouble for hazing. So it's both my brotherly duty to go have a talk with him and my duty as an alumni to go paddle all their asses back on the straight and narrow.."

Zero turned his head towards his best friend and asked, "Hazing again? What was it this time?"

Nick laughed taking out his iPhone for visual evidence, "They hazed a freshman pledge into coming out as gay. When dude's straight's as an arrow."

The two best friends exchanged the phone and laughed.

Jude cleared his throat, standing up. "Well?"