“Emmett, I’m not ready to be with anyone yet, so stop bugging me about it.” Justin turned his back on his friend to look out the floor to ceiling window that overlooked the lake.

 

“Justin, it’s been three years since the accident. Daphne would never have expected you to be celibate all this time.”

 

“You have no idea what Daphne would have expected Emmett. But it really doesn’t matter, she’s gone and I’m here.” He sighed a tormented sigh. “If I hadn’t told her I was leaving because I couldn’t continue living a sham of a life, if I hadn’t broken her heart, she would still be here.”

 

“You don’t know that Justin. What happened to Daphne was accident, nothing more, no matter how much guilt you feel about it. It’s unfortunate that you’d just told her you were leaving, but really Justin, living a lie with her was worse than not telling her. A high school indiscretion hardly meant you had to sentence yourself for life.”

 

“Having Gus isn’t a life sentence Emmett, he’s my whole life now, I don’t need anything more.”

 

“That’s where you’re wrong Dad.” Gus walked over to his father and put his arms around him laying his head on the shorter man’s shoulder. “You’ve been in your own private jail just too damn long. First before mom died and now you’re still in it. I’m not stupid even if I am seventeen. You need to get a life.”

 

“Gus, I didn’t know you were here. You shouldn’t have been listening.”

 

“How else would I ever find out things around here? Christ dad, you wouldn’t say shit if your mouth was full of it.” Gus looked at Emmett, “I’d always kind of hoped you and Auntie Em would get together.”

 

Emmett and Justin laughed. “We both learned an important rule to live by about eighteen years ago - never fuck your friend.”

 

“It’s not as if Auntie Em would get pregnant Dad.”

 

“Gus, you know, as much as your coming changed my life, I have never regretted it.” Justin turned and kissed his tall son on the cheek.

 

“I know Dad, Mom wasn’t mad because you told her you were gay, she was just mad that you were unhappy for so long. I’ve told you that.”

 

“Gus, maybe we should give your dad his birthday present now.”

 

“Yeah Dad, Auntie Em and I got you something - it’s a present and you can’t say no.”

 

Justin looked at his best friend and his son, both of whom were grinning ear to ear. “I’m afraid to look.” He took the envelope that Gus handed him and carefully opened it. Unfolding a letter that was written on heavy vellum paper, Justin read.

 

The Chicago Quoin is pleased to grant Justin Taylor one night as a gift from Emmett Honeycutt and his son Gus Taylor.

 

You may use this gift on a night of your choice upon receipt of a copy of your most recent S.T.D. test results. Please fax the results to 1-403-555-6537 and quote #781.

If your results are satisfactory a map and the exact address will be faxed back to you.

 

Thank you for choosing The Chicago Quoin -

 

Morgan Queen.

 

 

“What is this?” Justin asked.

 

“We both think you need to get laid. It’s been far too long, you may even have forgotten how.” Emmett joked.

 

“Yea Dad, it’s kind of an upscale house of ill repute” Gus giggled. “Nothing but the best for you Dad.”

 

“You guys think I’m so out of it I have to pay for it now?” Justin shook his head. “Am I that bad?”

 

“No(,) you are as handsome as ever Dad, just waaaaay out of practice.” Gus gave him a hug. “This place is kind of like a club, you can dance and have fun and you get your choice of any guy there.”

 

“It was a nice gesture guys, but I don’t think I’m the whore house kind of guy.” Justin had to laugh at the absurdity of the whole suggestion.

 

“Dad, just humor me on this will you. Go there and dance, spend the night, have fun. If you don’t find anyone you want to be with - that’s ok, but at least you’ll be out of this apartment for a night and away from the gallery.”

 

Justin sighed as he looked at the two expectant faces. “I’ll think about, that’s the best I can do.”

 

“Cool dad, I know you’ll love it there, I did.”

 

“Geeze Gus say you haven’t been there.”

 

“It was a birthday gift from Auntie Em, I couldn’t say no.” he grinned.

 

“Emmett” Justin’s voice was stern. “I can’t believe you gave him a night in a whorehouse for his seventeenth birthday.”

 

“It seemed like a good idea at the time and you were in Paris, sooo.” Emmett’s voice trailed off.

 

Justin rolled his eyes and looked at Gus with amusement in them. “So, how was it?”

 

“Like you needed to ask Dad.” Gus laughed “Think about it - it was my seventeenth birthday and I was as horny as they come - this guy I had was amazing, he knew it was my first time and he was great - didn’t rush me or anything - it was everything I ever thought it would be and then some. Too bad he works in a place like that - ‘cause I could really go for him.”

 

“I’m glad your first time was good” Justin reached up and ruffled his son’s hair. “I suppose Emmett did have a point, my first time sucked and not in a nice life affirming way.”

 

“Your first time with mom or your first time with a guy?” Gus was curious.

 

“Your mom and I - well our first time was kind of our last time - we didn’t really give it much of a try - though obviously something worked - ‘cause you’re here.” He smiled to himself as he thought back to that day. “I wasn’t interested in girls and I had to think of this hot guy on the football team, while your mom was thinking of her current love interest - we were only doing it because she had this idea in her head that her first time should be with her best friend. That was before I had my rules.”

 

“The first time with a guy wasn’t a pleasant experience. I went down to Liberty Ave, I was living in Pittsburgh at the time, I was seventeen and horny - like you - and just as determined as your mom had been to lose my virginity. I managed to pick up some guy who seemed nice at the time, but he wasn’t all that experienced himself and the result damn near finished me from ever wanting to have sex again - at least that way. Your Auntie Em found me later that night, that’s when we met and became friends.” Justin went over and kissed Emmett on the cheek. “Emmett’s been my best friend ever since.”

 

“How come we don’t live in Pittsburgh any more?” Gus asked.

 

“When my Georgie died, he left me some money - your dad and mom wanted to get out of the Pitts, you were just a baby, and so I thought why not. I packed up my stuff and your dad and mom packed up theirs and we stuffed everything in a big old van and headed for Chicago and new life.” Emmett beamed at Justin. “It’s been a great sixteen years.”

 

“You guys are awesome” Gus gave them both a quick hug. “But Dad I’m serious, you have to go to the Quoin - you’ll love it there - who knows, maybe you’ll pick the guy I was with - that would be weirdly erotic - he could show you a thing to two.”

“How old was this guy?”

 

“I don’t know, pretty old, probably twenty three or maybe older. It’s hard to say.  They all look gorgeous so it’s hard to tell.”

 

Justin looked at Emmett and they both burst out laughing. “I don’t know Gus, an old guy like that - he might not be my type.” He chuckled. “Gus I’m thirty four, by your standards I’m all but doddering. I think I’ll just take my chances on Rush Street.”

 

“No really Dad, go to the Quoin, this guy has a lot on the ball. He’s a University student and is working on his degree in marketing. They call him Taurus - ‘cause of a tattoo he has on his hip, kind of a zodiac thing.”

 

“I’m not going to go fuck someone my son has already had.”

 

“Why not, it’s not like you’d be moving him in here. I wouldn’t be calling him daddy.”

Gus smirked and Justin was reminded of Daphne when the boy looked like that. No wonder he’d let her talk him into fucking her that time. He stood back and appraised his tall son. He was a handsome devil, more than six feet tall, dark curly hair, but he had Justin’s sapphire blue eyes and combined with his mother’s dusky complexion the boy was amazingly exotic.

 

“We’ll see.” A parent’s stock answer and Gus had to be satisfied with that.

 

Two weeks later Justin found himself nervously studying the map that had been faxed to him and wondering for the hundredth time if what he was doing was right. He was afraid they’d laugh him out of the clubs on Rush Street if they ever found out the stud of Rush was going to a whorehouse. He supposed he should stop calling it that and instead use the term Quoin, it sounded much nicer, though call it what you will, it was still a damn whorehouse.

 

In order to avoid Gus and Emmett’s questions, he’d waited until Emmett had taken Gus to visit his grandmother in Pittsburgh, begging off of the trip due to the show he had to get ready for. It was a lame excuse and probably hadn’t fooled either of them, but it was the best he could come up with.

 

Still unsure after days of agonizing over his decision, Justin turned into the long driveway and headed for the farmhouse off in the distance. Discrete lighting set in the tree lined drive helped to lead him to the wide front porch. If a valet hadn’t run out to take his car away, Justin might have thought he was in the wrong place.

 

“Mr. Taylor, we’ve been expecting you.” Justin looked into the green eyes of a stately woman dressed in a well-tailored white business suit. Her eyes twinkled at his surprise at her knowing his name. She held out her hand “I’m Morgan Queen, your son was quite accurate in his description of you. You really couldn’t be anyone else.”

 

“Yes, he has an artist’s eye for description.” Justin acknowledged. He looked around. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but not this.” The rooms flowed into each other and were bright with sound and music. The men and women were all well dressed. To Justin it wasn’t much different than some of the gatherings he’d had at his own loft.

 

Morgan’s tinkling laugh showed her amusement, “I suppose I could take offense at that, but instead I’ll view it as a compliment.”

 

“It was meant as a compliment Ms. Queen.” Justin said gallantly.

 

“Please dear boy, call me Morgan.”

 

It was Justin’s turn to laugh, it had been a long time since he’d been referred to as a boy.”

 

“I have someone special in mind for you tonight Mr. Taylor, though if he’s not to your liking, by all means you may choose another.” She linked her arm through Justin’s and walked him into the busy room.

 

Justin had barely entered the room when his eyes were drawn to a vision of beauty leaning nonchalantly against a wall, observing sardonically the goings on in the room. He felt a tingle at the back of his neck and when a pair of brown eyes turned and locked with his - Justin was lost. His stomach clenched and his mouth became dry. Never before had anyone ever affected him like this. Reluctantly he tore his eyes away, but not before drinking in the lean well muscled and lightly tanned body. The cream silk lounge pants the man wore only managed to accentuate the obviously cut cock that they covered.

 

Morgan, observing the exchange between the two, smiled to herself, Brian wasn’t who she had in mind for the blond, but the two of them had connected and who was she to stand in the way of lust at first sight.

 

“Morgan, why don’t I take your guest away from all this noise and get him a drink.” Brian drawled and Justin looked into his eyes taking note of the almost navy ring around the iris. He had to paint this man.

 

Morgan laughed. “Brian my dear, that’s the fastest I’ve seen you move in quite awhile. This is Justin Taylor, he’s spending the night.” This was her way of telling Brian that the two thousand dollars for a full night had been paid and it was now his decision whether or not he wanted to commit for the entire night.

 

“Wonderful,” Brian breathed. He looked at Justin. “Did you have anything in mind?”

 

“Nothing special, no.” Justin managed to choke out.

 

“I can change that.” And he took Justin’s hand to lead him away with a wink to Morgan. “If you’re spending the night, why don’t you come back to my place, it’s more comfortable than all of this” he waved his free arm. “Unless you’d like to party for a while.”

 

Justin looked around and made a decision. “No, that’s fine, we can go to your place. Is it far?” he asked.

 

“Not far, a little ways beyond the car park.” Brian led him out the front door.

 

Justin loved the feel of his hand in the other man’s, so possessive, yet somehow right. “Can I stop at my car, I’d like to get something from the trunk?”

 

“Sure.” Brian looked over the cars parked “Which one is yours?”

 

“The old corvette over there.” Justin pointed to a small sports car that gleamed under the light of the parking lot. “My son tells me it’s my mid life crises car, though at thirty four I hardly think I’m going through a mid life crises.”

 

Brian laughed, “You don’t look thirty four, I would have guessed mid twenties.”

 

“That’s been the bane of my life. I was carded at the clubs up until a couple of years ago.” He laughed.  “I suppose I should be flattered.” Justin opened the trunk and pulled out a soft-sided brief case.

 

Brian raised his eyebrows - “I don’t go in for any heavy S&M and only mild bondage and I don’t bottom unless it’s been arranged for before hand.”

 

Justin had to laugh, “You have a lot of rules Taurus, but don’t worry, and nothing kinky is going to happen.”

 

Brian was embarrassed, he sounded like he was new at this game. He should have known better. Maybe going back to his place wasn’t such a good idea after all. He was about to suggest they go back and take one of the rooms that were available when suddenly they were in front of his cottage. There didn’t seem to be any graceful way of going back so he unlocked the door and opened it. He stepped back to let Justin go through the door first.

 

Justin wasn’t sure what he was going to see. The cottage was small but inside everything was clean and tidy. The decorating would be considered minimal - and that was being charitable. A love seat and a television a table piled with books and a old computer and printer. “Do you spend much time here?” Justin asked.

 

“More than you’d think.” Brian was suddenly shy, he didn’t usually bring his clients back here and he’d been surprised that he’d even asked. “the bedroom’s through there.”

 

“Great, but I’m not tired.” Justin looked the handsome man up and down. “I would like to do something though. He placed his briefcase on the table and began to open it.

“I told you I -

 

“I know, I know, nothing kinky” Justin laughed. He pulled out his favorite sketchbook and an assortment of charcoal pencils. “I want to sketch you, do you mind?”

 

“Sketch me?” Brian looked at the sketchbook in Justin’s hand not sure what he was seeing.

 

“Sure,” Justin turned to Brian. “Look Brian, my son and my business partner and friend bought this night for me - they figure I need to get laid. Who knows, maybe I do, but I like to be the one picking out my own trick d’jour and frankly I’m getting sick of tricking. I’m looking more for a relationship.” He studied the fine features of the man standing in front of him. “Why don’t you consider this a night off and relax however you usually do in your home. I’ll keep myself occupied with sketching you - who knows maybe your face will appear in my next show.” He grinned at Brian a smile that was infectious and lit up the small room.

 

“You mean I can do anything I want?” Brian wasn’t sure he understood the older man.

 

“Of course. I see you have books on the table. Are you studying anything in particular?”

 

“I’m working on my marketing degree.” Brian said.

 

Justin immediately thought of Gus. “You don’t by any chance have a tattoo of a zodiac sign on your hip do you?”

 

“Yes I do, why?”

 

Justin laughed. “My son recommended you. He thought you’d be good for me.”

 

“Your son?” Brian was puzzled. “I don’t do kids.”

 

“Gus looks older - but it was his first time - his seventeenth birthday. I was only sixteen when I got his mother pregnant. It’s a long story and not always a happy one.”

 

“Gus, I remember him. He’s tall and beautiful.” Brian thought back. “I remember him mentioning that it was his birthday present from his Auntie Em. That would be Emmett Honeycutt, he’s a regular here, or I wouldn’t have had Gus as a client.”

 

Justin beamed “That’s my boy - he was very impressed with how you treated him.”

 

Brian laughed. “I’ve never fucked a father and son.”

 

“It isn’t too likely you ever will unless you find someone else, my handsome Taurus” Justin laughed. “I told you, I’ve finished with casual tricking. It’s all or nothing for me now. You go and work on your studies; I’ll sit over here and sketch. We don’t even have to talk.”

 

Brian looked at Justin long and hard and then taking him at his word walked over to the table and sat down. “If you want something to drink, there’s water in the fridge and I have a couple of cold beers in there as well.”

 

“Thanks, but nothing for me now, maybe later.” Justin settled into a corner of the loveseat and began to sketch.

 

Brian, conscious at first of Justin watching him held himself stiff, but the more he got into his studies the more relaxed he became.

 

Justin smiled as he watched Brian relax. The younger man was too tense. He hid it well, but it was easy for someone trained, as Justin was to see the signs. Two hours went by in companionable silence before Justin’s right hand began to cramp and he knew it was time to stand up and move around in order to work the cramping out it.

 

“Are you okay?” Brian asked. He could see the flash of pain that crossed Justin’s face as he stood and shook out his hand.

 

“Just a cramp in my hand, I need to get the blood circulating, it’ll be alright.” Justin used his left hand to massage the right.

 

“Here, let me.” Brian took the offending hand and began to expertly knead the knotted muscles. “Hey, these knots have been here awhile, you should have your hand massaged properly more often if you’re using it like you do for long hours.”

 

Brian led him back to the love seat. “Sit down Justin, let me work on your hand(.)(A) a couple of minutes isn’t enough.”

 

Wordlessly Justin allowed himself to be seated. The scent of Brian was an aphrodisiac that went straight to his groin and he resisted the urge to kiss the raspberry lips that were hovering so close as Brian worked on his hand. “Does this happen often Justin?”

 

“More than I’d like.” Justin admitted. “It’s the residual of something that happened when I was much younger. There really isn’t much I can do about it. But you’re right, I have been ignoring it. I haven’t had any therapy for months. I’ve been too busy getting ready for my latest show.”

 

“What happened, do you mind my asking?”

 

Justin couldn’t believe the way his hand was feeling, even the latest therapist he’d had, didn’t do as good a job.  “One of the school jocks took exception to my choice of a dance partner at our high school prom. He decided to use a baseball bat to make his point. Justin lifted his blond hair from his forehead and showed Brian the scar. “I was in a coma for a week and therapy for ever I guess - it affected my motor skills on this side. My dance partner wasn’t as lucky, he’s dead.”

 

“I thought you were married and with a kid when you were sixteen.”

 

“I had a kid, Daphne and I never married, but I did live with her until she died three years ago. We were best friends.” Justin looked away; his emotions were too close to the surface.

 

“I didn’t go to my prom.” Brian hesitated, he didn’t want this man to think less of him, but he had to be honest. “I was too strung out on crystal meth, I really don’t remember much of what happened when I was sixteen.”

 

Justin looked at him. “Brian, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s nothing for you to be sorry about. I discovered when I was high, my world became a tolerable place - unfortunately it was a costly vice and I ended up peddling my ass to pay for it. Morgan found me and offered me a place here if I got clean so I did. It worked out okay.  I’ve been able to finish high school and I’m on my third year working toward my marketing degree. I’ve got a not bad place to live and I really only work a couple of hours a day. I even have two days off a week.” Brian stopped talking. What was it about this guy that made him open up like that? He never talked about his past.

 

Brian looked at his hands that were still massaging Justin’s hand. He carefully placed Justin hand on the man’s knee and sat back flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to talk so much.”

 

Justin took his hand and cupped Brian’s chin making the young man look at him. “Brian, there is nothing you can tell me that I wouldn’t understand. You’re a fine young man and very clearly going places. I can tell just from talking to you for these short hours.” Justin could feel the attraction between the two of them, but he knew that he’d never act on it here and maybe not ever. It wouldn’t be fair to Brian, the age difference alone was too big. “I like you a lot Brian and I think we could even be friends, if you want to be.” He sighed. “You said you get days off, when is your next one?”

 

“I’m off Tuesday and Wednesday each week.”

 

Justin reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it up and took out a business card. “Why don’t you give me a call, I can take you to the city for lunch, or you could spend the afternoon at my gallery.”

 

“You don’t have to come out here, I can take the bus.” Brian looked at the heavily embossed business card.

 

“I wouldn’t think of making you take the bus. That’s why I’m the boss. I can take days off when ever I want.” Justin stood up. “Walk me to my car, I think I’ll head home now.”

 

“But it’s early, you paid for the whole night.”

 

“Actually, Gus and Emmett paid for the whole night. We’ll let this be our little secret.” Justin took the card back that was in Brian’s hand and wrote a number on the back. “This is my private cell number; let me know when to get you.”

 

Brian didn’t know what to say. Clients had tried to date him before, but this was different, Justin hadn’t really been a client. “I don’t know Justin,” Brian was still unsure if he should take Justin up on his offer.

 

They had reached the blond’s car by now and Brian bent down and opened the door. Before Justin slid into the white leather seat he let his hand caress Brian’s cheek and he leaned in to kiss him gently on the lips, something else that Brian never allowed and suddenly he found himself liking the touch of Justin’s lips on his. “Later” Justin whispered to Brian and he slid beneath the steering wheel. Brian could only stand still and watch the red glow of Justin’s tail lights as they disappeared down the long drive. There had been something about Justin that he’d never felt with anyone else and his mind was in turmoil.

 

“Not bad for an older man eh Taurus?” Morgan had materialized beside him. She wrapped her arm around Brian’s waist.

 

“Hi Morgan, I didn’t hear you.”

 

“No, you were still listening to Justin Taylor’s words in your mind. So how was he?” Morgan never asked about Brian’s clients and he looked at her curious.

 

“What’s to say Morgan, they’re all the same.” Brian never lied, but he did know how to evade the truth.

 

“All cats are gray in the dark eh?” she laughed. “Well don’t go getting any ideas, Justin Taylor comes from money and he has money, he probably forgot about you before he hit the first traffic light. You know he’s known as the stud of Rush Street. Never fucks them twice, never asks their names and most of all, he doesn’t do boyfriends especially boyfriends who are nothing but a street hustler who has cleaned up some.” She patted Brian’s cheek. “You trust Momma Morgan, you stay here and you’ll do just fine. We all come from pasts we don’t want to remember and no one here gives a shit.” With a quick kiss on his cheek she left Brian standing in the dawn mists that swirled around his ankles.

 

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