Chapter 10

Brian and Cynthia were going over the material for the presentation to Jacobsen Bikes. They were arranging the ads in the order they thought best showcased their plan when there was a knock at Brian's office door.

“Yeah, what do you want?” Brian demanded.

“Um … it's Kip Thomas. I was wondering if I could have another look at the bike,” a voice said through the closed door.

“Turn them around so he can’t see what we're doing,” Brian ordered Cynthia in a whisper. He pointed to the boards.

Cynthia quickly did as was indicated.

“Enter,” Brian commanded.

The door opened and Kip Thomas entered the office. He looked around, seeing Cynthia standing beside the foamcore boards which leaned against the wall, their backs to the office.

“Checking out what we're doing, Thomas?” Brian asked with a smug look on his face.

“No, of course not. I wanted to see the bike one more time before the presentations. Will you bring the bike into the meeting?”

“I might.”

“I … I'd appreciate it if you would.”

“You would, would you?” Brian asked relishing making Kip Thomas squirm for as long as he could. “I would have thought you'd get a bike of your own.”

“I tried, you asshole, but they wouldn't send two.”

Brian chuckled. “I'll share. Look at the bike all you want … for the next three minutes. Then Cynthia and I have work to do.”

Kip made a face at Brian then went over to the bike. He pulled it away from the wall and balanced it, seeing how long he could get it to stand up without falling over. When he had tried that a few times, he turned around, glowered at Brian and walked out the door.

“You're welcome,” Brian called to his retreating back.

“What an asshole!” Cynthia reacted.

“Yeah.”

“Should I start assembling this stuff in the conference room?”

Brian nodded. “Make sure it's covered up. I'll be there in a minute.” He turned to his computer as soon as Cynthia disappeared with the boards. He opened his e-mail and started to type.

Hey BB,

It's zero hour. Into the lion's den with Jacobsen Bikes. I really think we have a winning campaign – Cynthia and I. I just had a visit from Kip Thomas. He wanted to see the bike. I think he was fishing for information about what I'm planning. He didn't find out anything though.

Anyway, keep your fingers and toes crossed. I'm off to pitch my ideas.

PP

Brian gathered up his notes from his desk. He didn't really need them. He knew exactly what he was going to say, but it never hurt to have back-up just in case.

He was about to log off his e-mail when he saw a new entry in his in-box. A smile creased his face.

Hi PP,

I've got fingers, toes, legs, arm and any other body parts that I can cross - crossed. You're going to do great! I know it in my heart.

Go get 'em, Tiger!

BB

Brian grinned. God, he loved his blond boy. The little twerp knew just the right thing to say at the right time. Brian didn't know how he had been lucky enough to find Justin, but he couldn't be more thankful that he had. Taking a deep breath, Brian headed for the conference room.

When he entered he saw that Jacobsen was already there. Kip Thomas was sucking up to him like there was no tomorrow. Brian mentally kicked himself for not getting to the conference room in time to meet his client. But then he would have missed Justin’s message, and that was what had him riding high at the moment. Somewhere inside he knew that Jacobsen was already his client anyway.

With a smirk on his face, Brian waited while Kip Thomas imparted his words of wisdom to Jacobsen. He knew better than to interrupt and cause a scene. He looked around the room seeing Cynthia straightening the covered boards. He smiled slightly knowing how lucky he was to have her on his team. She made his life so much easier. He took a deep breath as he saw Jacobsen glance in his direction.

“Mr. Jacobsen,” Brian said extending his hand.

Arthur Jacobsen Shook Brian’s hand and smiled. Kip Thomas glowered in the background. “Are we ready to proceed?” Jacobsen asked. “I’ve never had two presentations from the same agency before.” He laughed as he took a seat at the conference table. “Who’s going first?”

“I will,” Kip said quickly. He hoped if Jacobsen saw his presentation, he might not even want to view Kinney’s. He walked over to the bike that Cynthia had wheeled in just as Jacobsen arrived.

Brian sat back and waited. Unless Kip Thomas really was a fucking advertising genius, Brian knew his ad campaign would blow Kip’s right out of the water.

“I think we should go totally with commercials, forget the print stuff,” Kip began. His hand ran along the handle bar of the bike, and then along the bar connecting the front of the bike to the seat. He caressed it lovingly. His actions were not lost on Jacobsen, if Brian was any judge of men, and he certainly was.

Brian was impressed with Kip’s opening gambit. His obvious pleasure in the bike was very obvious. But Brian cringed at the mention of a commercial only campaign. Was Thomas serious? Commercials cost a fucking fortune. And there was no guarantee they would reach the audience likely to buy Jacobsen’s costly bike. Brian let out a long breath. Now he was totally sure that Kip was going to blow it. More than that he was making a fucking fool of himself and the Ryder Agency. Brian looked at Jacobsen, noting that the man did not seem surprised or concerned. He was listening intently to Kip’s spiel. Could Jacobsen really be that dense? If so, Brian had greatly overestimated the man.

“I would run a series of probably five different commercials, each featuring one aspect of the bike. There would be one about the incredible balance the bike has, another about how light and easy to handle the bike is. One could showcase the aerodynamics, another the great gear system,” Kip explained. “That way we would show bike riders everywhere that this bike has the potential to meet every expectation they have.”

“Very interesting, Mr. Thomas,” Jacobsen was saying. “Do you have some cost analysis for this project?”

“Of course,” Kip replied smugly. “Here it is.” He handed Jacobsen a folder full of figures and information.

“Thank you. I’ll look this over more fully after we hear Mr. Kinney’s presentation,” Jacobsen stated.

Kip looked deflated for a moment, but then recovered and graciously acknowledged Jacobsen’s wishes. Kip sat down at the conference table while Brian positioned his wheelchair beside the boards. Cynthia stood ready to turn them over as Brian began to speak.

“We took rather a different approach from that of Mr. Thomas,” Brian said smiling over at Cynthia. He didn’t bother to look in Kip’s direction. “We felt for this new bike that you should concentrate on print ads in strategic magazines and publications that serious bikers and racers would be likely to read. Broad based advertising would be very expensive and would not likely reach the potential buyers you’re looking for.”

Brian paused to let this information sink in. He looked then at Kip who was fidgeting in his chair looking very uncomfortable. Brian hoped Kip realized that he had totally missed the mark on this client.

“Cynthia has a friend who is into serious biking. We asked Gavin to test your bike and give us a report on how good it was,” Brian explained.

“I hardly think that was necessary,” Jacobsen said rather indignantly. “We know how good our product is.”

“Ah, but I didn’t,” Brian added quickly. “Gavin assures me that this is the best bike he’s ever ridden.” Brian patted the seat of the bike affectionately. “In fact, Cynthia and I had to fight him for the bike when his test ride was over. He didn’t want to give it back.”

Jacobsen laughed at that. “That’s the kind of comment I like to hear.”

Kip scowled at them and tried to look defiant. Brian could almost feel sorry for the guy … almost.

“We loved Gavin’s enthusiasm about the bike, and he looked awfully cute in his bike gear, so he’s the model for our ads.”

Cynthia began turning the boards around. A shot of Gavin’s backside, replete with “Jacobsen Bikes” embroidered on his ass, graced each ad. In the corner of each was a small frontal view of Gavin astride the bike. In each ad he gave a testimonial to one aspect of the bike that he had liked so much.”

“Those are great,” Jacobsen stated. “I couldn’t have asked for a better way to advertise this new bike. I don’t think I need to see any more. You’re hired, Mr. Kinney.”

Brian looked triumphantly at Kip who slunk down in his chair. At that moment he did feel somewhat bad for his co-worker even if he had been a thorn in Brian’s side ever since he returned to work at the office.

“I have another suggestion, if I might,” Brian said to Jacobsen. “Your firm also makes regular bikes?” Jacobsen nodded. “What if we took Mr. Thomas’ commercial ideas and applied them to your more general products. I think there could be an interesting crossover, highlighting that your company uses the great technology and research from your racing bikes to make your everyday bikes that much better.”

Jacobsen looked thoughtful. “That has some possibilities.” He looked over at Kip who had brightened up at Brian’s suggestion. “Perhaps you two could draw up some proposals in that regard.”

“Happy to,” Brian said shaking Jacobsen’s hand.

“Yeah,” Kip replied. “Happy to.”

Jacobsen took his leave having instructed Brian to draw up the appropriate contract for the new bicycle ads, and come up with a firm proposal for the combined advertising for the rest of his bikes. Cynthia showed the man to the door.

“So why did you do that?” Kip asked slumping down in his chair.

Brian was gathering up the boards ready to take them back to his office. “Do what? Make a winning presentation? I’m famous for them,” Brian smirked.

“No, not the presentation,” Kip sighed. “Why did you offer to use my commercials and expand the ad campaign? I would have thought you’d want to leave me out altogether. I thought you’d be gloating that you won and I lost.”

“I thought I would too,’ Brian replied with a frown. “And a few years ago I definitely would have done that. I would have stomped you under the heel of my fucking boot.”

“So … why didn’t you?”

“Because it would have been too easy.

“Too easy?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m sure you don’t,” Brian replied as he took the last of the boards down and laid them all across his lap.

“Will you fucking tell me what this is all about?” Kip said in exasperation.

“I was a different person back then. Now I don’t need to trample my opponents to know that I’m good at what I do. Hell, I’m great at what I do.”

“Yeah, I guess you proved that today.”

“And I enjoyed winning,” Brian said honestly. “But I also realized that you had some good ideas in your ads. You merely made a few critical errors in judgment. I could have left you out to dry, or I could triple the value of the Jacobsen account by expanding into other areas … and your ads would make that easy to do.”

“You did this for the benefit of the company?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that I did.” Brian smiled as that realization hit home. “I think it works out better for all of us this way.”

Kip shook his head. “I didn’t know that Brian Kinney could be so altruistic,” he said sarcastically.

“Altruism had nothing to do with it. I get the profits from my campaign … and at least half of the profits from yours. Ryder gains a new client with deep pockets and I get credit for making another client happy. It’s a win/win situation … for me.” Brian chuckled as he wheeled himself out the door leaving a somewhat dazed Kip Thomas sitting at the conference table.

“You enjoyed that, didn’t you?” Cynthia asked as she met her boss outside the conference room.

“Every fucking minute.”

“I thought so.”

“And you were right.”

Cynthia laughed. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? Go home and find a certain blond.”

“I don’t have to find him. He lives right downstairs.”

“Then go get him, tiger.”

“You know, maybe I will.”

Cynthia smiled. “I’ll finish up any details around here.”

“Thanks.”

“Not a problem,” Cynthia said, as she watched Brian go into his office with the boards from their latest triumph. She saw Kip Thomas slink out of the conference room and scurry into his own office. Sometimes she loved her job.

 

*****
 

“Justin,” Brian called as he entered the loft.

“Up here,” Justin replied from the bedroom.

“What are you doing up there?” Brian asked as he set down his briefcase and headed up the ramp.

“What do you think?”

Brian stopped at the top of the ramp and his mouth dropped open. The lights were off and Justin had lit candles all over the bedroom. He was lying naked propped up against the pillows atop the platform bed. His skin seemed so white and glowing in the candlelight. He almost looked translucent. Brian felt such love well up inside himself. Feelings that he never dreamed he would have coursed through him. He tried to say something but no words would come.

“I hope you like it,” Justin said softly.

“Like it! I’m speechless.”

“But in a good way, right?”

“In the very best way,’ Brian whispered. “You look so radiant. I can’t believe you’re real.”

“Oh, I’m real. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I hoped it was me you were waiting for … and not somebody else,” Brian teased.

“Only you, big guy.”

“I…”

“Don’t say anything. Just take off your clothes and join me. I thought we could start our celebration of your first big new account right here.”

“It’s actually my second new account,” Brian corrected as he pulled off his tie and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Acme Garden Tools was the first.”

“But this was the big one. You triumphed over Kip Thomas,” Justin said with a smile. “How did he take it?”

“Not so bad, especially after I offered to use his ideas for a broader campaign for Jacobsen Bikes. I think that took some of the sting out of his defeat.”

“You did what?” Justin asked sitting up.

“I brought him into the expanded campaign for Jacobsen,” Brian repeated as he removed the last of his clothes. He brought his chair over to the side of the bed.

“But why did you do that?”

“I didn’t see any point in antagonizing Kip more than losing the account already had. Besides, he had some good ideas in what he drew up.” Brian hoisted himself onto the bed.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Justin said in awe of this side of Brian.

“I can be altruistic when I choose to be.”

“Altruistic? Ha! What’s the real reason?”

“I think it made him squirm even more that I was offering him crumbs and he was forced to take them.”

Justin laughed as he settled against Brian’s body. “I knew there had to be more to it than altruism.”

“Don’t you think I can be kind and generous?”

“I know you can be both, but not with Kip fucking Thomas.”

“You know me too well,” Brian said kissing Justin gently.

“I don’t know you nearly well enough, Mr. Kinney, but that’s my long term goal. I want to learn everything about you that I can. It’s my life’s work.”

Brian chuckled. “A very ambitious and noble goal, Mr. Taylor.”

“Thank you very much. Now, I have more important things to do.”

Justin ran his hand along the line on Brian’s groin that marked where he had feeling and where it ended. Brian gasped. It was the most sensitive and erotic place on Brian’s body. Justin loved torturing his lover with all the things he could do there.

“This is your special reward for winning and for being persistent and sticking it out at Ryder and being such a sweet. wonderful man.”

Brian snorted. “You are so full of shit.”

“Only part of the time,” Justin giggled. His tongue licked along the line where his hand had been before.

Brian sucked in a breath. “Oh, fuck!”

“Just relax and let me show you how proud I am of you.” Justin continued to suck and lick Brian’s groin while his hand slid up and down Brian’s now erect cock. He glanced up at Brian noting that the man’s eyes were closed and his breathing was fast and shallow. He was accomplishing exactly what he wanted to do. “That’s it, Brian. Just let go. Let it happen.”

Tongue, lips, hands hair, teeth, fingernails. All came into play as Justin worked his unique magic on Brian’s body. He felt Brian’s upper body grow rigid as he tugged on Brian’s dick.

“Almost, my lovely man,” Justin whispered as he deep throated Brian and ran his hand over Brian’s groin at the same time. Brian gave a huge groan and shot his load into his lover’s mouth. Justin took it all, sucking Brian until he had every last drop of his spunk. Then he crawled up Brian’s body and deposited a taste in Brian’s mouth, giving him the deepest and most passionate kiss that he could conjure up.

“I love you, Brian,” Justin whispered.

“I can’t believe how much I love you right back, Justin Taylor.”

Justin smiled as he laid his head on Brian’s chest. “You can rest for a while. I have many more things planned for you.”

Brian smiled and closed his eyes. If there was a God, then this was heaven. Justin was the only person who could take him to this kind of peaceful paradise where wheelchairs didn’t matter and the world was perfect.

 

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