Zero looked into Jude's sexy yet somehow innocent gaze and said in a gruff voice "Hey there, Jude."

Jude drew a deep breath "Gideon?"

The name rolling off Jude's tongue made him weaker from the pulse of his heart "I..." he glanced down unsure on how exactly he was gonna start this and discovered that Jude was wearing a pair of white cotton boxers and nothing more. Newly tanned skin with lean muscles adorning his lithe body. Trying to catch his breath and break the tension he'd caused, he joked. "I thought you'd be a jockey kind of guy?"

Jude laughed "Don't insult me Zero. Listen..."

"What. I bet you look good in them too."

Jude chuckled then started to say, "Look about the interview."

Zero clasped Jude's hand, "I just finished watching it in my room, you did a great job promoting the lodge and there was nothing to exploit the kids." He swallowed hard. " thank you for that."

"I'm sorry for pushing." Jude dipped his head apologetically. Letting his short chestnut curls fall into his eyes as he continued to say. "If it makes you feel any better I'll have you know that I didn't watch the interview. Once talking about the kids was out of question I delegated to my assistant to handle the media hook, whilst I had everything else to manage. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm fine and I'm also not stupid. I perfectly aware and in approval of the intent behind the report."

Jude looked up smiling, "I don't think you are stupid. However I am curious as why you're not siding with your parents. I'm sure you must hate the piece just as much as they did?" Jude raked a hand through his hair.

Earlier before Zero came knocking he was putting in some overtime hours handling other aspects of his job for the former football player. He was almost done and although he hadn't mentioned it, he was planning on watching the news-piece before bed. So that he could steel himself for the confrontation the next day. Seeing how lax Zero was in front of him though, threw him off.

Zero took a step closer and leaned with his shoulder on the door.

Jude tried to concentrate but Zero's body temperature was too strong. His attraction to the sports star too potent.

"For one thing, I never side with Phillip and Esther."

Although he didn't understand fully Jude could see why. Watching the family dynamics had been painful to say the least. "They don't get you do they?" He asked.

He shook his head. "And neither do you. At least not when it comes to gauging my reactions."

Jude blinked startled into silence. "What?"

"Mhm" Zero nodded his head seriously. Wanting to discuss something more important but then he was reminded of what was most important so he moved away from the doorway and stood straight and tall. "I'm dyslexic." he blurted out. His own emotions shot straight from arousal to nervousness within seconds.

Jude blinked and as the athlete let himself all the way in the publicist's room "Do your parents know?" Jude asked settling on the edge of his bed sitting thigh to thigh.

He nodded and quickly added "And before you say anything yes you'd think the twice Nobel Prized Professor and the award-winning psychologist would understand. They don't." Zero said flatly, embarrassed. "All that's there for them to see is that I couldn't hack school. I'm not their pride and joy like you are to your parents and your uncle. I'm their biggest embarrassment."

Jude winced.

The insight was more than he neither expected nor ever really thought of. How sad and how shocking that he wanted to make up for what he lacked. "Well, I understand your family dynamics now." He said touching at his eyes to make sure there wasn't a sob tear there.

"That's nice but don't think I'm looking for your pity." He said folding his arms erecting barriers in case Jude rejected him it'd happened before.

"Good." Jude cocked his head to one side "Because I don't do pity. One question though?" he stood to match Zero's posture "How'd you learn to compensate, I saw you going over contracts in your office and went through a lot of paper work you did yourself?"

He shrugged, still cavalier "I met someone who cared enough to point me in the right direction. And even though I took my fair share of hits to the head in my day, I'm proud to say the direction I was given has never left me."

Jude hid a tinge of jealousy under his beautiful smile as he complimented "Well you were fortunate and blessed with a sense of taking good direction."

"I definitely was." Zero agreed smiling. But he wasn't about to tell Jude that his uncle had been his savior. He'd bared enough of his soul for the day. His body, however, he wouldn't mind stripping further. And since he had come here for that reason he figured why waste a good opportunity?

He threaded his fingers below the hem of Jude's boxers "I think this would break with one easy tug." He murmured.

Jude's hands lifted to his shoulders for support with a scandalized gasp, "Gideon."

The sound of his name rolling off the object of his affections tongue sent a chill spiraling down his spine which urged him to flirt more "Can I tell you something." His voice had grown rough with desire.

Jude whispered back "Yes." his gaze flying straight to his.

He grinned "Wait, I can show you better than I can tell you."

Their gazes held and when he couldn't take the teasing foreplay of words he lowered his head closer Jude's. Only he didn't go for the kiss, no he buried his face in his neck, suckling the sensitive area of sweet flesh, inhaling the fruity scent of Apricot soap and shampoo he associated with Jude.

Jude's body trembled beneath his touch, as did his.

"Mmh you're good," Jude moaned.

He smiled into the neck "Of course I am it's me." He said nuzzling into the neck.

He chuckled the sound low and throaty "You're so arrogant." Jude said pulling the blond athlete's face from his neck and bit his lip mindlessly.

The athlete wrapped a strong arm around his partner's waist the other strategically digging into the hip as he carried him to the center of the bed.

Of course the publicist tried as might putting up a fight so he could be put down but Gideon had precise plans with him and the little display of resistance was kind of spurring on his tent.