Strategies

Brian placed his briefcase on his desk before hanging up his overcoat. With the search for the perfect spokes model to represent Tony’s new “Justin” cologne now heading into it’s forth week, and having interviewed nearly every up and coming male model in the industry, Vanguard’s golden-boy was rapidly approaching his wits end. One by one the parade of gorgeous men Brian had selected from an endless flow of headshots sent to him from across the country had fallen under Tony’s meticulous scrutiny. Even the candidates that Justin choose had failed to meet with Tony’s approval. “Crisp, clean, sharp.” Brian repeated to himself yet again as he took his seat behind his desk, and began sifting through the latest stack of photographs given to him for pre-selection prior to Tony’s arrival.

Cynthia entered Brian’s office, and placed his first mug of coffee for the day on his desk. “Does anyone look promising?” she asked.

Brian tossed the stack of photographs aside, and leaned back in his chair. “They all look the same.” he sighed. “The same faces, the same hair, the same bodies, Tony is right. We need something new, something different.”

“Well, at least you can relax this morning.” Cynthia said. “Tony called just before you came in to say that he, and Justin will be touring the graphics arts department over at Mosby Advertising this morning. He said to tell you that they wouldn’t be in until sometime after lunch.”

“That son-of-a-bitch!” Brian swore to himself.

Pulling strings to get Justin an internship at Vanguard was a cunning plan, and Brian had played right into Tony’s hands. Tony knew very well that Brian would object to having Justin around the office with his former lover there. Brian’s refusal to mentor Justin offered Tony the perfect opportunity to personally take the young man under his wing, thus affording them time together alone. Brian’s first thought was to confront Justin. He would lay down the law, and forbid him from having any further dealings with Anthony Massey. Case closed. That thought however was quickly dismissed. To confront Justin would be an admission on Brian’s part that he indeed saw Tony as a threat. Hell no, there was no way he was going to give the silver haired fox that kind of satisfaction. No, Brian needed another strategy. He needed to come up with something that could unnerve the unshakable Anthony Massey. What could make Tony so uncomfortable that it would draw his attention away from Justin?

“Brian, is something wrong?” Cynthia noticed the distant expression on her boss’s face.

“No, of course not.” Brian assured her. “Cynthia I’ve been meaning to tell you that I did some checking for you. There is no Mrs. Massey, and no Tony’s not involved with anyone.” he said.

“Really? I was beginning to think that perhaps he was part of your tribe.” Cynthia speculated.

“My tribe?”

“You know.....gay.”

“I don’t get that vibe from him. Do you?” Brian asked

“No, but then again I’m not getting ANY vibes from him.” Cynthia pointed out.

“Maybe he’s shy.”

“Shy?” Cynthia frowned. “Come on Brian. How could anyone who looks like that, and has Anthony Massey’s kind of money be shy?”

“That’s usually how it is with powerful businessmen types. They’re a tiger in the boardroom, but really a kitten when it comes to their private lives. He probably needs a more assertive woman. Someone like yourself.” Brian said coyly.

Cynthia eased into the seat across from Brian’s desk. She listened attentively as Brian began to give her the rundown on Anthony Massey, his interests, his pastimes, the places Tony frequented. Before long Brian’s wily assistant was beginning to form some strategies of her own.

Tony scanned the daily lunch specials unaware of the vigilant blue eyes that were watching his every move. Justin peeked over his menu at the shimmering silver that blended into the dark waves of his former lover’s hair. He studied the smoothness of Tony’s skin, the moustache that framed his top lip, the visible dimple in Tony’s chin, and the nearly hidden ones in his cheeks that always presented themselves at the slightest bit of humor. Like so many hot summer reruns, visions of stolen afternoons in penthouse four once again began to replay in the young man’s mind. Justin’s senses recalled the smell of Tony’s hair still damp from his morning shower, the lushness of Tony’s feather bed against his naked skin, and the security of Tony’s strong arms wrapped snugly around him as he slept.......... “Do you see something you’d like?” Tony asked.

Justin’s eyes quickly returned to his menu. “Yes, I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries.” He ordered without thinking.

Tony placed his menu aside, and signaled for the waiter who promptly came over to take their orders. He then leaned back in his seat and looked across the table at Justin.

“What?” Justin smiled.

“Nothing.” Tony said. “I’m just looking at you, that’s all. I’m remembering the first time you came to my home when you were in my bathrobe, and standing next to the Monet in my study. I told you then, and I say again now that your beauty makes the Monet pale in comparison.”

Justin could feel the color rush to his face. He reached for the goblet of ice water in front of him, and nervously took a sip.

“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” Tony asked.

“No, not at all.” Justin lied, and shifted in his seat.

“I talked to Phillip Davenport the other day.” Tony continued. “He told me to tell you hello, and that he looks forward to us coming on the boat with him again this summer. Remember how we danced all night on deck underneath the cool summer night stars, with the sound of Lake Michigan splashing around us? You looked so handsome in your little black tux. I can still feel you in my arms, and hear the voice of Anita Baker singing in the background.”

Justin again reached for the goblet of ice water in front of him, this time downing the remainder of its contents.

“Do you remember the time I took you riding?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, and I flipped over the horse's head. How could I ever forget that?” Justin recalled.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that before.” Tony laughed. “The poor horse, you should have seen the expression on his face. I wish I had my camera that day.”

“I was so sore that afternoon you made me soak in the Jacuzzi.” Justin laughed.

“And I sponged you down.” Tony added. “I remember that. In fact I remember everything about you princess, like the first time we made love.”

“Waiter, more water please!”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Justin choked down the frog in his throat. “I’d hardly call that making love. You called me a little tomcat.” He reminded his former lover.

“Yes I did. Fortunately you got better. WE got better.” Tony smiled.

Justin watched the cubes of ice collapse in his glass as the waiter poured him a second goblet of water. Tony was now overstepping his boundaries. Justin’s former lover needed to understand in no uncertain terms that he was just a friend now, and nothing more. The “open relationship” that Brian once insisted on was a thing of the past. Brian & Justin were now an exclusive couple, and it was time for Justin to put Anthony Massey in his rightful place.......“Tony.” Justin began.

“Yes princess?”

God, how he loved it when Tony called him princess. Justin’s mind recalled the first time he heard Tony utter that word. Justin had been standing next to the Monet in Tony’s study when Tony walked over, and undid the tie on the young man’s robe. The older man allowed the terry cloth to ease open as his eyes spanned the length of Justin’s body beginning at his feet, and slowly ascending to the teen’s angelic face. Anthony Massey cupped Justin’s face in his hands, and looked into the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. “Beautiful.” he approved. “Princess, what are you doing with a backroom whore like Kinney? You should be mine.” Tony whispered…………

Justin took a sip from his fresh glass of water, and began again. “Tony, I’m in love with Brian.” he said.

Anthony Massey sat back in his seat, and leaned slightly to one side. “And?” he asked nonchalantly.

“And we’re in a relationship.” Justin added.

“And?”

“And we’re a couple. Don’t play dumb Tony!” Justin snapped.

“I’m not playing dumb princess, I’m waiting for you to tell me what I need to hear.”

“And what is that?” Justin asked.

“I’m waiting for you to tell me that your heart doesn’t still skip a beat whenever you see me.” Tony said. “I’m waiting for you to tell me that you’ve forgotten how it feels to be in my arms, the weight of my body when I’m on top of you, the scent of me, the sound of my moans when we’re making love, and the feel of me inside of you. Tell me princess that you don’t think of your man sometimes late at night when you’re laying there next to that boyfriend of yours.”

Mercifully the waiter returned. Justin could feel the color draining from his face as the smiling young man placed their meals on the table in front of them. “Will there be anything else?”

“No. This is fine.” Tony quickly dismissed the young server, and turned back to Justin. “Come on princess. Tell me that you don’t love me, tell me that you don’t want me, and I’ll leave your life forever.” he said.

Justin’s voice froze along with his courage. This was a wakeup call the young man hadn’t anticipated. It was the first time Justin was forced to entertain the thought of Tony leaving his life forever.

“Come on princess, I’m still waiting.” Tony pressed the issue. “Tell me that you’re not in love with me. It shouldn’t be hard to say if that’s how you really feel.”

Justin stared at the cheeseburger, and fries arranged neatly on the plate in front of him. “I can’t hurt Brian.” he said.

“We won’t hurt Brian.” Tony promised.

“I love him so much.” Justin looked up into Tony’s eyes.

“I know you do.” Tony concurred, and placed one hand on the table midway across the linen tablecloth.

Justin reached over, and intertwined their fingers. “I love you both.” The young man conceded.

“I know you do.” Tony smiled.

It was almost three o’clock before Justin, and Tony made it to Vanguard. Justin hurried to Brian’s office, as Tony made his way to conference room one. “Did you enjoy your lunch with your boyfriend?” Brian asked without looking up from his computer.

Justin walked around to Brian’s side of the desk, and kissed him on the forehead. “You’re my boyfriend.” he said. “And lunch was ok.”

“Just ok?”

“How special can a cheeseburger, and fries be?” Justin asked before turning off the computer monitor, and taking a seat on Brian’s lap. He locked his arms around Brian’s neck, and gave him another kiss, this time on the mouth. “Hummmmmm. So what have you been up to all day?”

“Not much, just plotting a few strategies.” Brian smiled.

Across the hall in conference room one Tony was going over the proofs from the morning photo shoot that Brian had overseen. “Can I get you something Tony?” Cynthia asked.

“No, I’m fine.” Tony assured her.

Cynthia watched as Tony studied each proof first at arms length, then up to the light, finally maneuvering them to various angles. Indeed the legendary perfectionist was so engrossed in his work that he didn’t even notice that Cynthia had sat down next to him. Brian’s assistant eased her chair closer to Tony, and placed one arm along the back of his chair. “This one looks promising.” She said, and leaned over allowing her breast to rub against Tony’s arm. A startled Tony quickly turned to Cynthia who met his eyes with a smile.

“Ahem!” Brian cleared his throat politely at the conference room doorway. “Cynthia has our favorite client found someone that he might be interested in?” he asked.

Cynthia crossed her legs, and placed her hand on Tony’s arm. “I certainly hope so.” she smiled.

Tony’s eyes narrowed as he watched an impish grin spread across Brian’s face. “Excellent. I have a few things I’d like to go over with Justin in my office. I’ll leave you in my assistant’s capable hands Tony.” Brian said, and exited conference room one closing the door behind him.

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NEXT WEEK: 10.5 Uncut

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