Spin and Fall

Chapter 6: Mail

Back in his hotel room, Justin checked his Cornish e-mails. He had asked his current professors to let his academic advisor know that he was finished with his requirements so his advisor could check his transcript, make sure everything was in order, and apply for early graduation on his behalf. Justin had been the first in his class (and the only one yet, as far as he knew), to turn in his thesis. He had been hoping to be able to face the review committee that coming week and felt even more eager to do so now, because he wanted to move and start his new job and his new life as soon as possible.

He was thrilled to see the e-mail from his advisor confirming he was indeed done with his requirements, and giving him a Wednesday, 2:00pm appointment with the committee. He would not be needed in Seattle after that. He could actually move as early as next weekend and possibly start next Monday.

He decided to store all his furniture in Seattle until he had decided on a permanent lodging solution in Pittsburgh and to rent a furnished place until then. He’d also sell his car, and buy a new one there. No point in adding mileage to his by driving it over. He had been contemplating trading it in for the latest model anyway.

He contacted a moving company to come, pack, move and store everything in his home on Friday morning, and a cleaning service to come in the afternoon. He called the Audi dealership in the U-district to check how much they would buy his car back for, and after negotiating a little, made a deal. He could probably have saved a couple of thousand selling it on eBay, but he didn’t want the headache, and they would even give him a ride to the airport…

He checked the furnished rentals available around Liberty Avenue on the Internet, and made four appointments for the next day. He also found the address of the Audi dealership closest to him. He liked his car, and wanted to get the same model again in the 2006 version.

Feeling extremely accomplished, he hesitated and then checked his regular e-mail. Comments to his artwork, an e-mail from his mother, and… nothing else. He knew he’d been vaguely hoping for something from Aidan, though they had only communicated that way the one time, and though he would not have felt comfortable e-mailing the man himself, since they had never even mentioned keeping in touch.

He never opened his mother’s e-mails, and was still pissed she’d gotten his address by snooping into his sister’s computer. He closed his laptop, and since it was only 6:00pm, he decided he still had enough time to look through Kinnetik’s welcome package.

The package contained Kinnetik’s financial report, details of its employee structure, medical and dental coverage, different forms to fill out and sign, a mission statement, Employees’ Conduct and Ethical Behavior Contract, nothing out of the ordinary.

He was expected to open an e-mail account using Kinnetik’s server right away, his address consisting of his first initial and last name. He opened his computer again, went to Kinnetik’s web page and under e-mail set up, opened an account as J.Taylor @ Kinnetik.com. He took the necessary steps so his Cornish e-mails would copy to his new account and was about to do the same with his g-mail when he stopped. He did not want his mother’s e-mails. And Aidan… Aidan was married, and Justin knew seeing him again would only lead to falling for him more than he already had. It would mean feeling more regret about what could never be, and more hurt and sadness. He was not a masochist. Better to move on now. It would only be more difficult and more painful to do so in the future.

Quickly, before he could change his mind, he went back to g-mail and closed his account. There. He sent an e-mail from his new account to his sister, asking her to try and keep it private this time. He felt a wave of sudden grief, and berated himself for being such a silly little faggot. Instead of letting it overwhelm him, he started getting ready for the evening. He took a shower, shaved, brushed and flossed. He chose a particularly well-fitting pair of jeans, worn commando to accentuate his assets, a very thin, very tight long sleeve t-shirt the color of his eyes, used mousse to control his devil-may-care hairdo, and he was ready. Six condoms, and six individual packets of lube should do the trick, pun intended. He needed to fuck, big time. The thought of fucking in public was very arousing. He was looking forward to trying the infamous backrooms…

Wearing a red down jacket, he strolled out of the hotel at 7:00, just in time to see Ted’s Mercedes pull up. A young guy stepped out of the car and greeted him.

“Hi, I’m Blake. It’s nice to meet you, Justin. I’m glad you could join us.” He tilted the front seat and got in the back.

“Hey! I can squeeze in the back,” said Justin.

Blake laughed. “This is my welcoming gesture. Enjoy it. It’s never happening again.”

Justin laughed too and got in. Blake was only a few years older than him, and very, very good looking. Way to go, Ted!

“I hope you like diner food,” said Ted, joining traffic. “We’re going to one of the most iconic gay hangouts in Pittsburgh, The Liberty Diner. You get to meet Debbie Novotny, the substitute mom to all the boys of Liberty Avenue, beloved by all, and Michael’s real mom. She is… well, I’ll let you see for yourself…”

Blake laughed in the back. “I think that’s best. I wonder if Hunter is working as well.”

“He might be. He’s trying to save enough money to buy a car. The tips are good on Saturday night. Especially the way he flirts.”

“Hunter is Michael and Ben’s teenage son,” explained Blake. “He’s a waiter. He’s straight, dating this adorable little brunette Debbie’s nicknamed Half-pint, because she’s barely 5’ tall and 90 pounds soaking wet. But she’s a real firecracker. She’d have to be to keep up with Hunter…”

“Hunter could flirt the cassock off a priest. He’s a good looking boy. He makes very good tips…”

A red Honda just liberated a spot right in front of the diner, which Ted took advantage of.

“Disgusting,” said Blake.

Ted just chuckled.

Blake explained as they got out of the car, “Ted has the most unbelievable parking Karma. I would have had to go around the block ten times and we would have ended up parking half a mile away. It’s a total disgrace,” he added sliding under the arm Ted had raised in invitation, and kissing his neck with a smile.

Ted squeezed him one handed. “There has to be some benefit to you for dating this tired old accountant…” he said.

“I thought that was the spectacular sex…” whispered Blake, loud enough for Justin to hear.

Justin cracked up. They were such a nice couple, so obviously crazy about each other. He thought back to the story Ted had told him that afternoon. It only proved that if something was meant to be, it would happen, regardless of the obstacles. He had a fleeting poignant memory of making love to Aidan last Saturday, thinking exactly that, when he had believed (Then I’ll take what you can give, JT.) that Aidan had swept away the biggest obstacle to their being together for more than an occasional tryst… Before he had realized that as far as obstacles, it had been nothing compared to the reality of a pretty blonde, a good-looking boy and that angel baby… Now he knew that he and Aidan were simply not meant to be.

He left those thoughts behind as they entered a diner that looked exactly like a diner ought to, the good looking guy wearing leather pants that bared his delectable ass walking in before them just improving the ambience that much more.

In one of the furthest booths, three people were watching them enter with slightly curious but welcoming expressions. A tall, nice looking guy with an adorable smile and a space between his front teeth got up and sat next to the other two, leaving a full bench for the three of them to slide in.

Ted made the introductions. “Justin, this is Ben Bruckner and his husband Michael Novotny, and this is Emmett Honeycutt. Ben teaches sociology at Carnegie-Mellon, Michael owns Red Cape Comics, and Emmett has one of the most successful catering businesses in Pittsburgh, voted the “Best of the Best” by Pittsburgh Weekly for two years running. Guys, this is Justin Taylor, the new director of Kinnetik’s Art Department.”

“Oh my God! Justin! You look seventeen! How old are you, honey?” asked Emmett, completely candid.

“Emmett!” said Ted, embarrassed.

“What? He’s so cute!” said Emmett, unabashed.

Justin had to laugh. “I’m 22.”

Ben, who was a total hunk, laughed with him. “Don’t mind Emmett. After all, he was just saying out loud what we were all thinking. Truthfully, you do look like one of my freshman students.”

“And you are cute!” added Michael with a smile. Suddenly he looked worried. “Oh, gosh. He hasn’t met Brian yet, has he?” Michael asked Ted.

“Michael, have a little faith in your best friend, why don’t you,” said Ben, lightly reproaching.

“I think Brian is perfectly able to handle working with a good looking guy,” said Blake. “He’s not quite as childishly impulsive as all that, Michael or he would not have made it where he is today. You don’t become CEO of the fastest growing advertising company in the Northeast by thinking exclusively with your dick!”

“I’ve known him a lot longer than you… He’s my best friend!” said Michael. “Justin, you should be prepared. Brian doesn’t do boyfriends, or repeats. He doesn’t believe in love, or relationships. Once he’s had you, he’ll want nothing more to do with you…”

Hmm. Justin had never met Brian, and Ted had seemed relieved that he was a top, eliminating any potential problems, but Michael’s warning sounded different, as if he was somehow proud his best friend might be more driven by his libido than by his intelligence or what was best for his company, completely dismissing Blake’s excellent point. And also just assuming that Justin had no will of his own…

Justin smiled at Michael. “I’ll try to resist the irresistible Brian Kinney, Michael, I promise. I think, with my future on the line, I might manage, if just barely.”

Aside from Michael, who looked a little puzzled that Justin was not taking his warning more seriously, they were all grinning. Emmett went as far as chuckling a little. The waiter appeared with his pad in hand.

“Gentlemen, Dads, Gorgeous (the last addressed to Justin), have you made your choices?” He looked at Justin with a smile so sexually charged, it promised more a blowjob and a fuck than a burger and fries. Justin realized this was Hunter, and he could see where the big tips came from. “Flirting” was putting it mildly. The teenager’s looks were more blatant sexual overtures than innocent flirting. How did he get away with it? Surely some guys got mad when he didn’t carry through with what his behavior promised?

Just then a woman with bright red hair and full makeup appeared, wearing a vest with about 50 badges and a t-shirt that said, “If God didn’t want fags to fuck, why did he give them a prostate?” Justin had to laugh at that one. She put her arm around Hunter and said. “You’re off, Hunter. Half-pint just called. The movie’s at eight, so I’m cutting your shift a half hour.”

The boy smiled at her. “Thanks, Grandma.” He kissed her cheek. “See you tomorrow.” He turned to Michael and Ben. “Dads? Care to make a donation towards popcorn and skittles?”

Mike handed him ten bucks.

“Uh… Dad,” he said to Ben, “I also need your wheels. Can Uncle Emmett give you guys a ride home?”

“That would be a big no, Hunter,” answered Ben sternly. “Not going to happen. You and Half-pint can take the bus.”

“Do you know how hard it is to convince the driver to go up to make-out point, and let us smooch in the back row for an hour?”

“I guess you’ll have to make-out during the movie,” said Michael chuckling.

“Dad. We’re seeing Saving Private Ryan. Not exactly a make-out kind of movie…”

The red head lady shook some keys next to his ears. “Here. Take mine. I’ll walk home.”

“Ma! It’s freezing outside!” objected Michael.

“So Carl will pick me up. Go Hunter. And be here on time tomorrow, or I’ll kick your ass.”

“Debbie, you spoil him too much,” said Ben.

“Yeah, Ma! It’s bad enough he uses you as an excuse when guys get frustrated with his flirting: “Last time my Grandma caught me with a guy, she called the cops ‘cause I am a minor…”

She laughed. “I told him to tone it down. I think he has, for the most part. You can’t be mad at him for using his experience to make a buck. At least he’s not turning tricks…”

Justin thought that was a strange thing for a Grandmother to think about her grandson, but no one else seemed surprised. He surmised that there was a story there somewhere. Debbie suddenly noticed him.

“And who are you, handsome?”

“Justin. I’ve heard a lot about you, Mrs. Novotny. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Debbie,” she corrected with a smile. “All good I hope?”

“Yes. I believe “universally beloved” was part of it.” He smiled at her.

“Ah. That would be Teddy.” She turned to the man. “Thanks, sweetheart. So, Justin, you’re new around here?”

“Very. I actually only came here for the weekend, for an interview with Kinnetik.”

She turned to Ted. “Isn’t Brian in Toronto? Did you and Cynthia rake this sweet boy over the hot coals all by your lonesome? I assume he got the job?”

“Yes to all three. Head of the Art Department.”

“Well, I hope you’re thick-skinned,” she said to Justin. “Brian seems to always have a hard on for his Art Department. Never has anything nice to say about them…”

“I’m certainly hoping to change that.”

“Don’t let Brian scare you off. He’s an asshole, but he is the best. What was that thingy he got last year, Michael?”

“He was nominated for a Clio, Deb,” said Ben, smiling.

“Yeah, and he wins best adman in Pittsburgh every year or whatever it is. They say he’s brilliant, though where he finds the time to work with all his fucking around I’ll never know…” She laughed.

She obviously had a lot of affection for the man, and after her comment about her grandson, this one about his new boss did not really faze Justin.

They ordered and the food was exactly what it ought to be: deliciously greasy and salty. Justin had a hamburger and fries, and they were perfect.

It didn’t take knowing Emmett very long to come to adore him. He was friendly, nosy, and unafraid to speak his mind. Apparently, though he was extremely financially successful, he chose to rent a room at Debbie’s and share space with her and her often-present boyfriend Carl rather than live alone. He was a little flamboyant and unapologetic about it. When Justin told him he was going to check furnished apartments the next day, Emmett immediately offered to come with him, and Justin was glad. It definitely would be a lot more fun with him, and Emmett was familiar with the neighborhood and the rent prices around town.

They left for Woody’s, a bar with pool tables, not far away apparently since they were all walking there. Michael, who had seen Justin leave a ten-dollar tip for his Mom, smiled and said, “Thanks.” They walked together.

“Did you ever read comics, Justin?” Right: Ted had said Michael owned a comic store…

“Sure. I used to love Captain Astro when I was a kid. I still can’t believe they killed him off.”

“Oh, God! I know!” answered Michael passionately. “Me neither. I suspect he was too close to being openly gay.”

“Really? I always wondered about that. When I was in my early teens, I was always hoping he’d come out of the closet… ”

“I think a lot of gay teens felt the same. It’s a shame really that he never did. But gay teens today have Rage. Even though it’s a video game, he has that comic book-superhero look, you know… And he was able to bridge the gap and have universal appeal. Hunter says all his classmates own both Rage and Rage 2. I think that’s fantastic. I wish they would make a comic with him. It would sell like crazy.”

Justin looked at him, and realized Michael was just chatting, completely unaware of the compliment he had just bestowed upon him. He did not really know what to say. Ted, who’d been walking behind them with Ben came to the rescue.

“You should show Justin your stories for a Rage comic Michael,” he said. “You still own the character, don’t you, Justin?”

“Uh… Not exactly. I’ve given up all rights to the videogame and to any cartoon or movie developed from the game. I do retain some rights to the character though, so they can’t change his basic make up even though he’s no longer under my control… You know, make him straight or even non-sexual. No matter what, he has to remain an in-your-face, promiscuous gay hero, even if he has a boyfriend. I think I could suggest the creation of a comic and possibly sponsor a writer, but I have no real influence or authority. ”

Michael stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “You mean, you created Rage?”

“Yes, two and a half years ago,” admitted Justin. “The graphics, and the basic concept. I sold it all. I had done the part that interested me.”

“Oh, my God! That’s amazing! You have no idea the impact you’ve had on gay kids. They come to the comic book store and talk about Rage constantly. Would you really consider reading my stuff? I can’t draw, but I know comics, I know how to write a comic story. I think some of them are pretty good!”

“Sure. I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll read them…”

“Wow. Wow. That’s… Wow!”

“You heard him, Michael. He has no authority in the matter, and cannot promise anything,” repeated Ben.

Michael laughed, as excited as a little kid. “I heard him, Ben. But first of all, you know I have to fawn all over him, and second, you have to let me be excited about the creator of my favorite superhero reading my fanfiction. Even if nothing comes out of it, it’s huge!”

Ben wrapped his arm around Michael's shoulder, whose face was split with a huge grin, and kissed him. Justin laughed, touched by Michael’s words, and charmed by his unbridled enthusiasm. He could see what Ben saw in him.

At Woody’s, Justin ordered a Perrier, like Ted and Blake. Emmett ordered a Cosmo, which turned out to be a pink drink in a martini glass, and Ben and Michael ordered light beers. Ben asked Justin if he played pool and Justin replied that he’d played before, making a face that led them all to believe he was not very good. They drew for teams, and Justin ended up paired with Michael, Ben with Ted and Blake with Emmett.

“Well,” said Michael, kindly. “I’m not very good either, nothing like Brian. So at least, you won’t have to feel bad.”

They were facing Ted and Ben first. “How about we play for the next round of drinks,” suggested Ted evilly, knowing that to hustle the others, Justin would have to suck at the first game.

Justin gave him an “I warned you” look. Though he only sank one ball, he discretely set up Michael for a succession of impossible to miss shots. After a few turns, Ted realized what he was doing and grinned at him. Michael was amazed at how well he was playing, and kept saying, “Really, Justin, I’m not ordinarily this good! I swear!”

Ted and Ben paid for the second round of drinks.

Blake and Emmett were both very good, but Michael’s miraculous streak seemed to be holding, and Justin had a couple of ridiculously lucky shots, so they won again.

It was still too early to go to Babylon, but Michael decided he wanted to quit while he was ahead. Ben sat out with him, so Ted was teamed with Justin against Blake and Emmett.

Blake grinned. “Do you guys want to change partners, to make things more even?”

“Are you saying you two are both better than us?” asked Ted.

They were better than Ted, there was no doubt about that. Blake chuckled. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“Care to place a wager on that, pretty boy? Put your money where your mouth is?” said Ted.

Blake laughed. “Ted, we’ve been together almost three years, and you’ve beaten me, what? Twice? And I hate to say it but Justin kinda sucks…”

“I have twenty bucks here that say we are going to win,” said Ted, waving a bill.

Blake guffawed. “Forget about money! We have a joint account, Ted. Let’s play for something really meaningful… How about the dishes for a week?”

Ted grinned. “Now you’re talking. But why stop there? Cooking dinner plus the dishes for a week. How about it?”

Blake gave Ted a pitying kiss. “You’re on!”

Justin and Emmett were laughing. “This seems like a private matter, Justin. I think we should stay out of it. How about you and I play for drinks at Babylon?”

“You’re sure? I might just inherit Michael’s lucky streak…”

“Considering you only drink water, I think I’ll be all right…”

“How about the best of five,” said Ted, sitting on a nearby table, making himself comfortable.

“Sure.”

“Justin,” said Ted. “You break.” He smirked happily. He was so bad.

Of course, what followed was more a pool demonstration than a game. No one else got to play. After a few exciting shots, Emmett was jumping up and down, clapping his hands, saying, “Oh, my god, oh my god! Michael! Ben! Come see this!”

Blake looked at Ted, who was chuckling. “You rat! You knew he could play, didn’t you…”

“Maybe…”

Emmett broke the second game and sank three, and Ted missed the ball on his turn. Blake sank two, but that was all she wrote.

Ted broke the last game, sank one, and with Justin’s advice, Blake actually sank four, but it was no contest.

“Is that why I was playing so well? Did you set up my shots?” asked Michael, suddenly understanding where his greatly improved game had come from.

“I might have,” admitted Justin.

“Gosh! That was great! I loved it!”

Justin decided that aside from his strange and apparently illogical view of Brian Kinney, Michael was a very lovable man. He genuinely liked every one of Ted’s friends and felt really good about his decision to move to Pittsburgh. It was time to go to Babylon. Justin was very glad. He was ready for some physical release. He needed to dance, and he needed to fuck.

For some reason, they were able to forgo the line that went around the corner. They just went straight to the door and, after Ted greeted the bouncer and introduced him to Justin, they all waltzed right in. He imagined Brian Kinney was probably welcomed at Babylon like he had been in the clubs in Seattle, but he was impressed that welcome should extend to so many of his friends. He promised himself to ask Emmett for some clarification the next day.

He immediately loved Babylon. It felt right. The lights, the music, the go-go dancers, the size of the club, the type of crowd, it was perfect. When they got to the bar, the bartender lined up the others’ drinks without asking, apparently very familiar with their order. He turned to Justin, eyebrow raised in question.

“Evian,” said Justin. He’d had enough sparkling water for the night. Ted and Blake, and Ben and Michael were already dancing. Emmett was waiting for him. Justin emptied the small bottle, knowing he’d not drink from it after it had sat on the bar, and they joined the crowd.

Emmett was a great dancer, totally uninhibited. Justin was having a good time, but he needed some action so he signaled to a guy who’d been eyeing him to join them. He was about Justin’s age, and nice looking. Emmett winked at Justin and made himself scarce. Justin and his trick started grinding on each other and making out, and the trick said hotly in his ear, “I want to fuck you, Blondie.”

“My name is Justin, and if you want me, I’ll be the one doing the fucking, or you can find another mate,” replied Justin, smiling temptingly.

The guy gave it a minute’s thought, then nodded his agreement and said, “I’m Brice. Let’s go.”

The backroom was bathed in blue light, with guys sucking and fucking everywhere. Justin had been aroused already, but the sounds, smells and sights of the backroom made him as hard as a baseball bat. He looked at the pairs they passed, getting an education as he went, so that by the time they’d found a spot, he was up to speed. Still, he would do things his way.

He started kissing Brice again, while undoing his pants and sliding his hands inside the waistband of his boxers. Fuck, underwear should be outlawed. Brice was hard and leaking, his dick just average, maybe six and a half inches and cut. Justin kissed his neck and bit the junction of his neck and shoulder lightly, then dropped in a crouch as he yanked Brice's pants down as far as they would go. He took his cock in his mouth, holding the base with his left hand, as he unlaced one of Brice’s shoes with his right. While expertly blowing him, he lifted his foot from the shoe, slid the pants and underwear off that leg and foot, and put his foot back in his shoe. The floor was not the cleanest…

He spent a couple of minutes concentrating on the blowjob. Brice’s skin and pubes smelled of that Irish Spring soap, quite pleasant. He started playing with Brice’s balls. Then, while still blowing him, to Brice’s increasingly enthusiastic comments, he lubed the fingers of his left hand and sneaked them between Brice’s legs, starting to prep him. Justin took his time, giving Brice the blowjob of his life. Once three fingers were slipping easily in and out of his ass, he drummed lightly on Brice’s prostate, and the man came, screaming incoherently.

Justin spat the cum on the floor, stood up, turned Brice to the wall, forced his legs apart enough so that he was at the perfect height. After opening his own pants and sheathing his dick in a practiced move, he entered him in one smooth push. That felt so fucking good.

“Aaahhhh!” was Brice’s only comment. He was still reeling from his orgasm and his dick, which had started to soften, twitched in Justin’s expert hand. Justin held back his own desires to help that dick fully harden again in his lubed hand, but then forgot about Brice and just fucked to his own satisfaction, pumping in and out of the welcoming warmth hard and fast, feeling the tension of the day melt as his pleasure rose and rose. He could vaguely hear Brice’s enthusiastic response but really didn’t care, just enjoying the slide of the hard dick through his fist and the tight hole he was pumping into. Brice came again, and the spasm of his rectal muscle brought Justin to his peak. He stopped moving and came, savoring the sensation, Brice’s spasms enough to provide him with the stimulation needed to sustain his release to its conclusion. God, he’d needed that!

He pulled out gently, removed and tied the condom before dropping it on the floor, and did up his pants. Then he helped Brice, who was quite malleable, back into both his boxers and trousers’ legs, cleaned him up with a cum cloth from a pile within reach, tucked him back in and zipped him back up. Brice’s head was resting on his folded arms against the wall. Justin cleaned his hands with some disinfectant gel from a dispenser affixed to the wall, kissed Brice’s neck and started out, but Brice suddenly came to life and grabbed his arm.

“Justin, fuck… That was… that was… God. Unbelievable.”

Justin smiled at him. “I’m glad you had a good time.”

“Can we, uh… can you…?”

“Starting next week, I’ll be here a lot. We can do it again anytime, OK? Just don’t expect you’ll ever fuck me. I don’t bottom. Ever. See you.”

He got a few looks on the way out. He’d not fucked Brice in order to make the point that he was a top. He’d just needed to fuck. But it looked like a few people had noticed his performance anyway. Good.

He went back to the dance floor and caught up with his new friends. He danced with Ted and Blake for a while, goofing off with Blake who was a hot dancer. Ted was laughing, admiring his partner, knowing without a doubt who would get the last dance.

Justin suddenly saw just what he’d been looking for: A tall, muscled guy whose looks screamed 'Top!’. He smiled at his friends and left them, making his way to his quarry. The guy took one look at the adorable blond and zeroed in on him. They danced for a while, getting closer until the tall guy had his arms on Justin’s shoulders and bent down to kiss him. Justin took control of the kiss, and grabbed the guy’s cock through his pants.

The man inquired, “You wanna fuck, gorgeous?”

“I want to fuck you,” said Justin, expertly caressing his cock.

“How about the other way around,” asked the guy, smiling indulgently.

“How about we go to the backroom and I only fuck you if you beg for it?” asked Justin.

The guy laughed. “Not gonna happen, but I’m game…”

Justin was taking a chance. The guy was obviously not prepared to bottom. Hopefully, his personal hygiene was up to par… He started on him the exact same way he had on Brice, giving him head until the guy couldn’t remember his own name and came, letting the entire back room know how good he felt. He smelled very nice. Some minty soap, maybe even a hint of tea tree oil. Justin spat out his cum, and felt pretty confident turning him over.

He pushed the guy’s legs apart, and spread his cheeks. His crack had the same minty smell, and as he licked around his anus, he could taste the tea tree oil. He plunged his tongue in his hole. The tingle of the tea tree oil welcomed his tongue. He thanked his lucky star: the big guy was very clean. He proceeded to rim him as well as he knew how, which was saying something, and soon the man was hard again in his hand, mewling and growling, and finally begging, “Don’t stop! Don’t stop… Oh, god! So good… Oh fuck, yeah… OK! Please! Please fuck me! Oh god, please fuck me already!”

Still working the man’s hole with his tongue, Justin opened his pants, put on a condom, and very generously coated it with lubricant. He got up, put a glob of lubricant at the big man’s entrance, and slowly, slowly breached him.

The man’s hole was not as relaxed as he would have been with a finger prep, but he was eager for a cock. He even sped things up by impaling himself backwards on Justin’s dick the last inch or so. “Fuck me, fuck me, please!”

Justin had just come a half hour before, so he was able to concentrate on the man’s pleasure and make it last. The large head of his cock made stimulating his partner’s prostate pretty much unavoidable, but he applied himself at coming out to stretch the inside sphincter, then filling him all the way, and milking his prostate evenly and lightly on the way back out. He was driving the guy insane with pleasurable sensations and soon the whole backroom knew it. Justin sped up, really driving him wild, and finally grabbed his dick, jerking it with the little squeeze around the head at the end of the stroke he had noticed the guy enjoyed while blowing him.

The guy shouted with each jet of cum his cock sprayed out, and his orgasm was incredibly strong and long, even better than Justin had hoped for. Justin held back, and didn’t come, but slipped out gently and tied the condom all the same. He tucked himself away and then, just as he had with Brice, took care of this new trick. Once he was done, the guy turned and kissed the hell out of him.

“What’s your name?” Justin asked.

“Vance.”

“I loved eating your ass, Vance. You taste delicious.”

“God. You’re an amazing fuck…”

“My name is Justin. I really hope we have a chance to do this again. And I love the tea tree oil soap you use.”

Vance laughed. “I’m in love with your cock. You can fuck me anytime.”

“Good. Because I don’t bottom. Ever.” He gave Vance one more kiss on the lips and walked away. Guys were watching him leave. He had the backroom’s attention. He rubbed his erection and said, “Fuck. I’m hard again. Anyone here with a plug in?”

Several guys said, “Me!” but one guy, a beautiful, very short black twink actually stepped towards him, already unbuttoning his 501’s. He toed off one shoe, freed up a leg and spread them, leaning against the wall, offering his gorgeous ass. Justin unbuttoned his pants again, put on a condom and covered it with lube, and worked the plug out of the guy’s ass. He replaced it with his dick, which instantly had both of them moaning in pleasure.

“You feel fucking good,” said Justin. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re going to see stars…” He turned to another guy who was jerking off while looking at them.

“Get down there and suck his cock.”

Without any kind of argument, the guy did. Justin proceeded to fuck the daylights out of the black kid, kissing his neck, nibbling his shoulder, loving the cocoa butter taste of his skin, and his deep quiet moans. He wrapped his arms around his torso under his short shirt, loving the silk feel of his skin, the muscles trembling under the silk and the short, springy hair against his cheek. The kid’s skin broke into goose bumps.

“Come with me,” Justin whispered in his ear.

The kid howled in pleasure and let go, his head resting on Justin’s shoulder as Justin emptied himself into the condom, sucking on his trick’s neck. God, this guy felt so good. He definitely wanted to fuck him again. Still holding him tight in his arms, he asked, “What’s your name?”

“Bill Colwell.”

“Did you like this, Bill?”

“Oh, god yes…”

“I’m Justin. I liked it too. A lot. I definitely want to fuck you again. I’ll be back in town next weekend. I want your number, your e-mail, whatever, OK? Find me on the dance floor.”

He slipped out of the kid’s ass, and letting him take care of himself, buttoned his pants up, kissed Bill’s cheek and left. God, he loved to fuck. He felt good, relaxed and loose. He loved the backroom concept. He went to the bar to get some water. Michael and Ben were there, talking and laughing.

“Hey, Justin! Where have you been?” asked Michael.

“The backroom,” answered Justin, drinking his water. He was parched.

“Oh,” said Michael, looking surprised.

Sensing that it didn’t sit all that well with Michael, he added, “We don’t have them in Seattle. I just wanted to check it out.” He shrugged.

The black kid chose that moment to approach a little shyly. He was gorgeous, really. Justin regretted not having taken the time to kiss those lips. Next time… He handed Justin a folded note. Justin smiled and put it in his pocket. The kid left immediately.

“Who was that?” asked Michael.

“Someone I met in the backroom. I wanted his number. You guys want to dance?”

Another guy stepped up to Justin and tried to hand him a note. “What’s that?” asked Justin.

“My phone number, Justin.”

“Why are you giving me your phone number? Do I know you?”

“I was watching you in the backroom. You were amazing. I want you to fuck me…”

“Thank you, but no thank you. I don’t want your number, sorry.”

“But…”

“Listen, maybe we’ll hook up at some point, but I don’t want your number, OK?”

“You took that other guy’s…”

“I asked for his. I’m with my friends. Please, leave me alone.”

The guy left, looking crushed. Gee, what a weirdo.

“Sorry about that,” Justin said to Michael and Ben. “He was weird…”

“You’re a top?” asked Michael, sounding surprised.

“Michael,” said Ben, apparently trying to tell him something.

“Brian is a top. He’s the king of Liberty Avenue,” said Michael, earnestly. “He is the guy all the tricks want. It’s been like that since we were sixteen. He can get anyone he wants.”

“Yes. I’ve heard something to that effect,” answered Justin with a smile.

“Just so you know. They want your attention because he’s not here. Don’t be hurt when he comes back and they ignore you.”

“I won’t be. Shall we dance?”

Ben was watching his husband with a funny half-fond, half-exasperated look on his face. Justin wondered how he put up with his husband’s obvious worship of Brian Kinney. But then, Michael turned to Ben, smiled and said, “Yeah, let’s dance!” and his love for Ben was so obvious in that flirtatious smile, in the light in his eyes, Justin had his answer. Michael may hero-worship his best friend, but he was crazy in love with his husband, and Ben knew it.

He danced with the two of them for a while, happy to note the looks of invitation in a lot of men’s eyes as they watched him with his friends. He’d made his point and had started establishing himself as a top. Suddenly however, his early morning and his full day caught up with him and he felt exhausted.

“Guys, I’m going to call a cab and head back to my hotel. I’m bushed.”

“We’re ready to go too. Your hotel is on the way. We’ll take you home.”

“Hey, thanks! Let me find Emmett and confirm tomorrow…”

“You don’t need to. We all have breakfast at the diner on Sunday morning around eight,” said Michael. “He’ll be there. You will be too, won’t you?”

“Uh… Yes, sure. Thanks for the invite.”

He caught Ted’s eye in the crowd on the dance floor. He and Blake were slow dancing to the techno beat. He mimicked sleeping, then pointed to Ben and mimicked driving. Ted gave him a thumb's up, and went back to making out with his partner.

Justin, Ben and Michael went to the coat check to get their winter coats and left. Why wasn’t Justin surprised that they drove a Prius? They dropped him off saying they’d pick him up at eight in the morning. He dragged himself to his room, completely washed out.

He got ready for bed, and out of habit, checked his email.

There was a note from his sister, thanking him for the tuition, acknowledging his new address and assuring him a longer e-mail was coming. There was also an e-mail from B.Kinney@ Kinnetik.com.

Welcome to Kinnetik and to Pittsburgh, Mr. Taylor.

You seem to have both Cynthia and Ted enthralled, so I have high hopes you might actually bring our Art Department to its full potential.

Let me know ASAP when we can expect you to grace the halls of our fine company with your presence, so I may (gleefully, believe me) can your predecessor.

Looking forward to meeting you and seeing for myself what they are so excited about.

Brian Kinney


Justin hit ‘reply’.


Mr. Kinney,

I will be at the regular Monday meeting a week from now.

You have both Cynthia and Ted enthralled as well, so I have high hopes you may be worth my considerable talents.

Have fun firing Carrie York. Hopefully she won’t steal anything when she leaves.

Looking forward to meeting you and seeing for myself what they are so excited about.

Justin Taylor

He’d heard so much about his boss, he’d decided to forget about all of it and judge for himself. He hoped the man had a sense of humor. Truthfully, if he was the kind of guy to take offense at his response, he’d rather not work for him.

 

*****

 

As was his habit, Brian woke up at 5:00am. When in Toronto, the period between his awakening and his son’s and the half hour when Gus was in the bath were the only time he allowed himself to work. He checked his e-mail. There was a reply to his welcome note to their new employee, Justin Taylor.

After reading it, Brian bursts out laughing. In her e-mail yesterday recounting his interview in detail, Cynthia had mentioned how confident Justin was, comfortable in his own skin. She obviously had not exaggerated. He pressed reply.


Mr. Taylor,

I am pleased you will be able to join us so soon.

However, I was wondering if you would object were I to make use of your considerable talents before then. I have a project I am particularly eager to complete ASAP and would love to see what you can make of it, since Carrie obviously will not be around for its completion.

I will make sure that as she leaves on Friday she doesn’t abscond with any of those things that seem so valuable to you art people: crayons, cute-shaped erasers, #2 pencils, colored paper clips…

Did you enjoy Babylon?

Brian.


He prepared a file to e-mail to the young man regarding the Sim and Sam campaign.

He knew what he wanted. Would Justin Taylor get it, though communication via e-mail certainly was not ideal? He wrote:

Because it makes you strong.
(Person returning from run)

Because it gives you an edge.
(Person at the office, their run done as others still slept)

Because it makes you feel great.
(Person on treadmill)

Because every one of them share your passion.
(Employees of Sim and Sam)

Because it’s all about running.
(Sim and Sam store.)

He added all the current information about the stores, statistics about clientele, return business, employee profiles, (the store had very little turn around), average sale per customer, and so on.

He was looking forward to seeing what his newest employee would make of it. Of course the chances of anything decent being ready by Friday were almost non-existent, yet that’s exactly what he was hoping for. He wanted an excuse to go back to Seattle at the end of the week, to spend next weekend with JT. It would only be two weeks since his last visit, but so what? And he wanted them to talk. He wanted to stop pretending that he was coming for business, and let JT know, if he wasn’t aware of it already, that he had become… important to Brian.

After he had admitted to JT that he cared more about him than about topping, (Then I’ll take what you can give, JT), JT had… made love to him. There was no other description for the sweetness, the tenderness, the passion that had transpired in JT’s every move. And it had been so, so good. Brian believed they had both felt it, had both known what was really going on. Compared to that, Sunday had been all in good fun, but Saturday night stayed with him, infinitely precious.

Would JT be receptive to going further down the path to a relationship than where they were now? To know each other’s name, meet each other’s friends, share each other’s life as much as could be expected in a long distance entanglement? He believed he would and actually regretted not mentioning his desire last Sunday before he left.

He put the last touches on his Benex presentation. That was fully ready, but not worth enough to justify a trip out to Seattle… Justin Taylor’s participation would be what made it possible or not…

At eight o’clock, he had a new e-mail from the young man.


Brian,

Bad form pulling a Godfather (making me an offer I can’t refuse), so soon in our work relationship… You’re my new boss, so were I so inclined, I still could not deny your request.

It just so happens I am eager for something interesting to do, so it’s all good, but I just hope you don’t pull that shit all the time, or we will not get along…

Though I am as possessive of my art supplies as the next artist (especially my crayons…), I was actually referring to Carrie absconding (nice word…Do you ever do the Sunday crossword puzzle in the New York Times?) with some of Kinnetik’s intellectual property, for example, your font collection, programs belonging to your firm (Photoshop and the like) and other products licensed to you. As an employee, she would also have been able to charge expenses incurred using different Internet sites on your accounts. You could end up financing whatever freelance work she may do, or even provide her new employer with technology at your expense.

I apologize if this is old hat to you, but if not, and if you have so far trusted fired employees not to fuck you over, you may want to hire a firm called “Track it” at www.trackit.com. They make it their business to check out every piece of software licensed to you, every Internet site that bills to you, and every piece of intellectual property, such as your font collection, that may have walked out with past employees. They charge a fixed fee, and as far as I know, it’s always worth it, unless you have been incredibly diligent in checking your ex-employees’ computers and controlling your Internet sites' billing details.

Babylon is awesome, and I particularly love the backroom, though according to Michael, once you return I will find no one to fuck, because you’re the top they all want… I guess I’ll have to make do with your rejects. A sad state of affairs!

At least I think he understands now why I was not too concerned when he warned me that once you’d fucked me you’d want nothing to do with me and not to set my heart on you…

I actually liked Michael very much, as well as Ben, Blake, Emmett and Ted. I hope you don’t mind me co-opting all your friends (as well as your tricks apparently!).

Send me what you need me to work on. I’ll look at it on my flight back.

Justin.


Brian read the e-mail. First, he had to admit the Godfather accusation was completely justified, and it was very refreshing to have someone call him on his shit. Well, Cynthia did all the time, but this was different. This guy had balls. And excellent taste in movies…

He went to the “Track it” site and paid the $1500.00 fee to have his property looked into. He provided them with the names of seven ex-employees that he could remember, and under ‘about to be dismissed’ entered Carrie York’s name. He had a feeling this would be money well spent.

He had to smile at Mikey’s assumption that he would fuck one of his own employees. Right. Because he’d learned nothing through being sued when he worked for Ryder… And obviously had no self-control whatsoever.

It did tell him three things about Justin: He was hot, since Mikey had been so sure Brian would want to fuck him. He was a top exclusively, since he had not even entertained the thought of Brian doing so and he happily fucked in backrooms, something none of his friends had really done much of. Well except Emmett, but since Emmett was a big nelly bottom, their experiences had nothing in common.

It was a little weird that a new employee of his was already so ensconced in his private world. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He would have to reserve judgment until he met the man.

He replied to Justin.


Justin,

I shall endeavor to control my Godfather tendencies, and appreciate your willingness to look at the file. (See attachment)

Thank you for the heads up about “Track it”. I have subscribed to their service and am curious to see what they come up with, if anything.

Unlike Mikey, I am quite sure Babylon’s backroom is big enough for the two of us.

Brian.


He had just pressed send when he heard Gus’s little voice. “Daddy?” He closed his computer, put it back in its leather bag, and walked to the bed where Gus was smiling at him. Brian slid back under the covers and snuggled with his son who buried his face in his neck.

“You’re poky, Daddy.”

“You too Gus. When was the last time you shaved?”

Gus giggled. “I don’t shave, Daddy. I’m just a little boy.”

“Wow! It must make getting ready for work a snap in the morning!”

“I don’t get ready for work. I don’t have a job!”

“You don’t have a job! What do you do all day?”

“I go to preschool.”

“What do you do at preschool?”

“I play with my friends.”

“Really? All day? Can I go to preschool?”

“No Daddy. You’re a grown up! You have to go to work.”

“Pfft. It’s so unfair. I have to shave, I have to work, and I don’t get to play.”

“You can play with me today! And if you don’t want to, you don’t have to shave, even. Just don’t kiss anybody, it’s scratchy.”

“I think I’d rather shave than miss out on kisses.”

“That’s good Daddy, ’cause JR likes kisses.”

“Just JR?”

Gus said seriously, “Matthew says big boys aren’t supposed to like kisses. Kisses are for babies.”

“You can tell Matthew he’s got it all wrong. I’m a big boy and I love kisses.”

“Really, Daddy? ’Cause I like kisses too, but I don’t want people to think I’m a big baby…”

“Really. Kisses are great. No matter how old you are.”

“Then you really got to shave Daddy, ’cause you won’t be here tomorrow, and I want lots of kisses to store them up.”

“I will. Go down to breakfast. I’ll shower and shave real quick and I’ll be right down, OK?”

“OK, Daddy.”

He was down less than fifteen minutes later, in time to catch Lindz before she left for work. Grinning at his son he gave her a kiss then kissed Mel, and JR, and finally Gus.

“You’re soft Daddy, and you smell good, too.”

“Thanks Gus.”

The three grownups had coffee while JR drank a bottle and Gus ate his Cheerios. Brian and Mel were taking the kids to the Royal Ontario Museum, Gus’s favorite, because of the dinosaur skeletons. Lindz said she was jealous. She didn’t like working when everybody else was having fun. She wanted Gus to bring her back a drawing of a dinosaur to put in her office. He promised he would.

They took paper and crayons along and Brian and Gus worked on the drawing of a Tyrannosaurus Rex while Mel walked JR in her stroller through the Mayan exposition.

They came home for a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (Brian had an apple) and then father and son played Lego’s, building an elaborate garage for Gus’s multiple cars, while JR napped and Mel did laundry. Lindz came home at five o’clock.

They ordered Chinese for dinner, because there was no way Mel was cooking two days in a row and Lindz was not in the mood to spend her evening in the kitchen. Gus liked orange chicken, which Brian considered suicide by breading and grease. Luckily, Mel and Lindz were as weight conscious as he was and they were able to order and share three healthy dishes over brown rice.

JR loved brown rice, particularly in her hair and inside her sleeves, but she also shared in her brother’s love for battered and fried chicken covered in sticky sweet sauce. After dinner Brian took both kids into the new bathtub after pouring some of the stupendous strawberry body wash in it. The three of them had a good time and thanks to the glass enclosure, there were no floods.

Mel waltzed in, not having realized that Brian was not just giving the kids their bath, but taking one with them. She was retreating rapidly when Brian said, “Don’t go! Help me get this wiggly baby out of here. She’s so slippery I’m worried about dropping her.”

He stood up and handed the incredibly wiggly, giggly baby to her mother, who caught her in a hooded towel. He laughed to himself noting that the pink-cheeked Mel was carefully avoiding looking at him. Brian stepped out, got Gus out and wrapped him in a towel before placing one around his own waist, removing the plug at the bottom of the bathtub and rinsing it with clear water to get rid of the remaining bubbles.

Lindz had come and gone, collecting Gus to put him in his PJ’s, but JR’s changing table and her onesies were in the bathroom. Brian distracted the baby while Mel got her ready for the night then dried himself and got dressed again as she was combing the baby’s thick dark curls.

“You have no modesty at all, do you,” commented Mel, resigned.

“None,” admitted Brian. “Plus I think it’s funny to embarrass the hell out of you.”

Laughing, she threw a stuffed monkey at him. “You jerk!”

“I’m actually curious about why it should… Why do you care about some naked guy?”

Mel blushed again. “Uh… I just haven’t seen that many, I guess. The last one was my brother Joel when he was, I don’t know, 13? You’re a lot… you look quite different and I didn’t want you to think I was staring because I was, you know… interested. I mean I’m interested, like the dinosaur bones are interesting. But not like, interested in what you could do to me with that… thing.”

“You can relax. I don’t think I could do anything to you with that thing even if I tried…” He shuddered and she laughed. He added, “I guess you feel about men the same way I feel about women.”

“Pretty much, shudder included,” she answered. “Though I can tell you are esthetically very pleasing. Can I ask you a weird question? Out of scientific interest?”

He figured it didn’t have to do with his knees…“Why not.”

“Is your…”

“Cock? Dick? Penis? Member?”

She chortled. “Penis. Isn’t your penis rather… large? Joel’s was a lot smaller…”

“Your brother hadn’t hit puberty yet.”

“Oh, Duh. Yeah, obviously,” she shook her head at her own obliviousness.

“But my penis is on the larger side,” Brian continued, for the sake of completion. “Especially once it’s erect.”

“Oh, God, yuck. Don’t go there!” She did shudder, and it was his turn to laugh. “I think I now have all the information about penises I need or want, thanks. Fuck! Gus has one of those… I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it…”

Brian chuckled. “If the poor boy is straight, you’ll have to tell him about sex.”

“Oh! Please god, let him be queer! Then it’ll be your job!” They both cracked up.

JR had fallen asleep in her mom’s arms. They put her in her crib in the pink princess room lovingly decorated by her father and his husband while Mel was still at the maternity hospital. Brian kissed the baby's soft round cheek, caressed her silky hair, already knowing from experience how soon and deeply he would be missing her. They went to join Lindz in Gus’s room. He was in bed, in his “Daddy and me” pajamas, Brian’s top folded under his cheek. Lindz was reading him a story and his eyes were closing.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, Gus.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“I had the best time.”

“So you’ll come back soon?”

“Yes. Very soon.”

“I love you Daddy.”

“I love you too, Sonnyboy.”

“Can I have a kiss?”

Brian sat on the bed, took the small body in his arms and, hugging him closely, covered his face in kisses.

“Did I miss any spots?

“Nope!”

“Good. Good night.”

“You’re going to call me?”

“Of course.”

“Bye, Daddy.”

“Bye.”

Brian left the room, grabbing his bags on the way out. He fucking hated these good-byes. His flight was in an hour and fifteen minutes. He always took the same return flight because it allowed him to see the kids to bed. They had the whole thing down to a science by now.

Lindz had the coffee brewing and Mel poured three cups. Brian called a cab. He and Mel hung out in the kitchen and Lindz joined them after a few minutes. Lindz had sold two paintings that weekend and would get a decent commission that month. The girls were planning on coming to Hunter’s graduation and it would be fine for Gus to stay at the loft. Mel had been working a criminal case, embracing her firm’s specialty and it would go to trial soon.

Finally, the phone rang to announce the taxi was waiting outside.

“Are you driving yourself home?” asked Lindz. Brian had finally gotten his license back.

“No. Ted will be playing taxi. He insisted. Plus he’s dropping someone else off at the airport tonight right before my flight gets in, so it works out great…”

“Gosh. I miss Ted,” said Mel. “Say hi for us, OK?”

“Will do.”

TBC…

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