Justin expected to spend the next day recovering from working in the diner. He didn't get up until late in the morning. Daphne was gone when he finally appeared, and he had to admit he was glad she wasn't there. She had lectured him again about being a little mouse and running away from the big sleek cat aka Brian Kinney. He didn't want to hear any more of her opinions regardless of whether she was right or not.

Debbie called right after he got up and asked if he could possibly come in and help her with the lunch rush again. Kiki was still under the weather. She had found somebody to take the more lucrative dinner shift, but no one for lunch. Somewhat reluctantly Justin agreed to go in.

He arrived at the diner at eleven o'clock and it was already starting to get busy. Debbie waved at him and gave a thankful grin as he went to the back to retrieve a clean apron.

They were well into the lunch rush when the unexpected happened. Justin was pouring coffee at one of the tables when the bell above the door tinkled. Justin knew immediately that Brian Kinney had just entered. Justin planned to make sure that Debbie waited on the man. He continued pouring trying to make sure his hand didn't shake noticeably.

When he couldn't prolong it any longer, Justin walked back behind the counter to put the coffee pot back in the machine. He didn't want to look at Brian so he started making a fresh pot hoping that Brian would leave or Debbie would wait on him. By the time the coffee started to drip, Justin knew he had to turn around. He took a deep breath.

As he turned he felt Brian's eyes on him and he tried to brace himself for the smirk he knew would be on that face. Brian was sitting at the counter dressed in an amazing pinstripe suit with a red tie. Justin felt himself grow hard. He had never seen anyone in a suit that looked that good … except maybe in GQ. Justin glanced around seeing Debbie serving a table. He realized he was going to have to deal with Brian.

"May I help you?" he said finally.

"About time," Brian said with a smirk. "I only have an hour for lunch."

"Sorry," Justin apologized. "It's kind of busy. What would you like?"

"What looks good today … besides you?" Brian asked his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

Justin felt the blush creep up his face. He cleared his throat and in his most professional voice said, "The pink plate special is fish and chips and it's very good."

"Far too greasy for me," Brian replied. "Got to watch my figure."

"So everybody else will," Justin said sarcastically before he could stop himself. This guy was so full of himself.

"Oh, the mouse has turned," Brian smirked.

"Look," Justin said hating to be chastised by this guy. "Do you want to order something or not?"

"I was hoping you'd suggest something good."

"I believe I did."

Brian smiled. He liked a little fire in his men. This guy could prove interesting if he egged him on a little more. "I'll have coffee … black."

"You took all that time and you want coffee?" Justin asked in disbelief.

"That's what I said."

"Fine."

"To go," Brian added looking at his watch.

"Sure," Justin snapped grabbing a paper cup and pouring the coffee from the old pot.

"I'd like some of the fresh stuff," Brian observed.

Justin gritted his teeth. He threw the cupful down the sink and poured some fresh. He snapped on a lid and shoved it in Brian's general direction. "Buck fifty," he said curtly.

Brian pulled out a ten and handed it carefully to Justin. "Thanks for the excellent service," he said. "I look forward to having you service me in the future." His innuendo was so transparent. "Keep the change," he added as he walked toward the door.

Justin stared at the money in his hand. He couldn't believe the arrogance of the guy. He crammed the $8.50 into his pocket brushing his stiff dick as he did so. If only that prick didn't have such an effect on his own prick.

"Order up, Justin!" cook called and Justin went to get back to work and try to get his mind off one Brian Kinney.

When Justin got home from the diner Daphne was waiting for him. They decided they'd like to go see a movie. Justin had had enough of the visits to Gayopolis as he had started calling Liberty Avenue. It took them a while to decide on something they would both like. Finally they chose "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

They both enjoyed the quirky humor of the movie and how it had been translated from the equally quirky books.

"I loved that robot, Marvin," Justin said as they came out of the theater. "He was the best part of the film."

"He was so fucking depressed all the time. Nothing ever suited him or went the way he wanted it to," Daphne laughed. "His whining was … exquisite."

"Totally and I can so identify with him," Justin said.

"What do you mean?"

"That Brian Kinney guy came into the diner today while I was working."

"Ooh, did he come onto you again?"

"Not exactly. He was a total ass as usual. He took up a whole bunch of my time deciding what to order."

"So?"

"Guess what he ordered."

"How the fuck should I know?"

"A cup of coffee," Justin said shaking his head. "And he left me an eight dollar tip."

"He didn't!" Justin nodded. "He fucking likes you. You are such an idiot, Taylor. You could have him if you wanted."

"He thinks he can have me, and I'm not up for grabs."

"You … you … you are nuts!"

"Thanks for the glowing recommendation. Just because I'm not prepared to buy his bullshit, you think I'm stupid."

"Justin, you're far from stupid, but you're missing the chance of a lifetime."

"And how do you figure that?"

"Emmett says Brian Kinney is the fuck of a lifetime. Just think what you could learn."

"That might be true, but Emmett also says he tosses out his tricks as soon as he's done with them. I'm not prepared to have that happen to me."

"Maybe it wouldn't. You might be the exception."

Justin snorted. "Not fucking likely!"

"You'll never know until you try," Daphne said reasonably.

Justin stared at his friend. He supposed she did have a point, but he wasn't at all sure if he could handle Brian Kinney. The man had an interesting effect on his body. Each time they had met Justin had got hard. In spite of that he found the man's arrogant attitude very off-putting. And the reputation of Brian Kinney was certainly less than stellar. The man scared Justin. That was the bottom line.

"Want to go to Woody's for a drink before we go home?" Daphne asked. "Maybe Brian will be there." She made disgusting kissing noises as she said that.

"Fuck no!" Justin reacted. He would be happy to never see Brian Kinney again. At least that's what he kept telling himself.

"Should I start clucking now?" Daphne asked scowling at Justin's timidity.

"Let's go home," Justin said pulling her towards the station wagon.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

For a couple of days Justin managed to avoid Brian Kinney. He worked a shift at the diner and Brian did not appear, although he got to meet Debbie's son Michael. Michael seemed nice enough but nothing like his mother. Other than a quick hello when Debbie introduced them, Michael seemed to have little time or interest in Justin.

One afternoon Justin wandered into the bookstore on Liberty Avenue. He wondered how the place stayed in business because there never seemed to be anybody in there. He had met Trevor, the owner, the first time he went into the shop. Trevor loved books of all kinds, but especially art books. As a result, he and Justin had hit it off. Trevor was quite content to have Justin sit at the little table and chairs he had in the shop and flip through whatever art books interested him. Often Trevor would sit with Justin, when it wasn't busy and that was most of the time. Sometimes Trevor would make them a cup of tea in the back room and they would sit at the table sipping, talking and perusing the art books.

Justin was looking through a somewhat massive volume on the works of Michelangelo. He would give his eyeteeth to own the book, but he had to buy the books he needed for school, so a book like this would just have to wait. Trevor was in the back making them some tea, when the bell above the door tinkled.

Justin looked up and immediately muttered, "Fuck!" to himself. Brian Kinney had just come in.

"Be right out," Trevor called.

"No hurry," Brian replied coming up to the table where Justin was sitting. "Well, look who's here," he smirked.

"Fuck off!" Justin replied.

Brian lifted the corner of the book to see what Justin was looking at. "Oh, Michelangelo. You into old guys?"

Justin scowled and then retorted, "You should be so lucky! You following me?" Justin couldn't think of any other reason Brian Kinney would be in a bookstore.

Brian snorted. "That'll be the day that I follow anyone. I lead."

"Then lead yourself right on out of here."

"I have business here," Brian replied.

"You mean you know how to read?" Justin asked sarcastically.

Brian chuckled. The kid had a sense of humor, and apparently could dish it out when he wanted to. "Contrary to the belief on Liberty Avenue that I do nothing but fuck, I do know how to read and I actually own a couple of books."

"No shit! How cultured of you!" Justin replied.

"I have my moments."

"Do you even know the name of a book?" Justin challenged.

"Besides the one you're reading?" Brian shot back.

"What authors do you like?" Justin asked wondering if Brian would have an answer to such a simple question.

"It depends what genre you're talking about. At the moment I'm rereading "Atlas Shrugged".

"Oh," Justin said momentarily taken aback. Maybe this Brian did know something about books. "Do you think there's a gay undertone to his stories?"

"Maybe and the author is a she," Brian smirked.

Justin had tried to trip Brian up with that comment, but obviously the man knew what he was talking about. Justin wasn't sure what to say next.

Trevor saved him when he appeared carrying two mugs of tea. "Ah, Brian, I have that book for you. It came back today." He set the tea down on the table and went behind the counter. He reappeared carrying a beautifully bound volume that he handed to Brian. "The binder apologizes profusely for the damage to the other book. This matches the set and he hopes you'll be pleased with it."

"I fucking better be for what I'm paying."

"Look it over and if it's okay then we're even. No charge for sending it back."

"It looks fine, Trevor, but I'll have a closer look at home," Brian replied.

"Let me put that in a bag for you," Trevor said. He handed the bag to Brian. "Thanks for your business as usual, Brian."

"See ya, Trevor," Brian called as he walked out the door.

"What was that book Brian got?" Justin wanted to know.

"It's part of a custom set of the works of Charles Dickens. That volume was "Little Dorritt", one of Dickens' lesser known works."

"Brian Kinney reads Charles Dickens?"

"That and a lot of other stuff. He's always buying books here. He laid down a shitload of money for that set of Dickens. Hand tooled leather binding with gilt edging, cost a mint."

"Wow, I never would have thought…" Justin began.

"Most people think Brian's a great fuck and a wiseass, but he's a lot more than that."

"See the used book section back there," Trevor pointed. "I'd say seventy per cent of those books are ones Brian's bought here and then sold back to me at a fraction of what he paid."

"Why the fuck would he do that?" Justin asked.

"Apparently he likes to keep his life to the minimum. He doesn't like clutter, so when he reads a book he sells it back and buys another. That way he doesn't have them lying around."

"And what about the one he got today?"

"If he finds a book he particularly likes, he tries to get it in an heirloom binding and then he keeps it. The books he owns cost a bloody fortune."

"Is he single-handedly keeping you in business?"

"Sometimes I think so," Trevor laughed. "Anyway, enough about Brian Kinney."

"Yeah," Justin agreed although this new information about Brian did put the man in a different perspective. Justin found it a struggle to turn his attention back to Michelangelo and his tea.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

When Daphne suggested going to Babylon once again, Justin decided to be brave and make the girl's day.

"I'm game," Justin said with a smile. "Tonight?"

Daphne stared blankly at her friend and roommate. "Where's the real Justin Taylor? Are you an alien who has taken over his body?"

"No, it's me. I'm taking your advice."

"Shit, I can't believe my ears. Is something bad going to happen to me now?"

"Not that I know of, you twit. I'm agreeing. Let's go to Babylon tonight. I loved dancing the last time I was there. I'll even dance with you," Justin grinned.

"Well, thanks muchly, but what if Brian Kinney is there?"

"So what if he is? I can still dance."

"You won't let him scare you away?" Daphne asked with a frown. She wondered what could have caused this transformation.

"I won't let him scare me away. At least, I'll try not to."

"Then you're on. Let's find something gorgeous to wear," Daphne said dragging Justin into the bedroom.

When they walked into Babylon a little after eleven, Justin felt better than the last time he had been there. He knew what to expect and he liked knowing that. The unknown could be scary. He knew he could dance and tell guys to fuck off if they bugged him too much. He knew Emmett and his friends would be there. He thought he knew a little bit more about Brian Kinney, and if he was there, he was pretty sure he could handle himself. That meeting in the book store had made him think differently about the man.

Daphne spotted Emmett dancing and they moved out to meet him. He introduced them to Ted Schmidt with whom he was dancing. Daphne and Justin joined them hamming it up and doing some hip bumps and twirls. After a couple of songs they made their way over to the bar. They were all enjoying a cosmo when the atmosphere in the room changed. Justin knew Brian Kinney had arrived.

He shifted uncomfortably trying to assume a comfortable pose. No matter how much he told himself that he could handle this Brian he still had some grave misgivings. He finally figured out what Emmett was saying and managed to laugh at what he thought was an appropriate time. Suddenly he felt Brian behind him. His cock was immediately in action.

"Hello, boiz, and sweet damsel," Brian said to the group.

Justin heard Daphne giggle but he refused to turn around. He listened as Brian bantered with Ted and Emmett. It seemed like Brian was as sarcastic with them as he was with Justin. Brian ordered a beer and Justin continued to stare straight ahead hoping Brian would ignore him. Brian drank a good slug of his beer and then leaned against Justin's back. Justin tensed immediately.

"No hello for me?" Brian purred in Justin's ear.

"I know you're there."

Brian's eyebrow went up. Justin could see it in the mirror. "Then dance with me."

Justin looked pleadingly at Daphne but all she did was flatten her lips and indicate he should do it. "Sure, why not?" Justin said trying to sound braver than he felt. He followed Brian out onto the floor.

They began moving slowly at first. Justin didn't think Brian was much of a dancer but apparently that wasn't necessary as all eyes seemed to be on him anyway. Justin decided to close his own eyes and feel the beat. He moved effortlessly to the music. After a minute or two he felt Brian slide in behind him. His first reaction was to move away, but he felt Brian's arm come around him and pull him back into the muscular body behind him. He felt a little moan escape his lips. He liked the feel of that body. Brian's hard-on pressed against his ass and his own cock throbbed in his tight jeans. He swayed and pressed back into Brian forgetting everything except the feelings wafting through his body.

Justin wasn't sure how long he let this erotic dance go on, but it seemed like forever. Finally the music changed to something slower and Justin felt Brian's hands turn him around so they were facing each other. He dared to open his eyes and look into the lust-filled hazel ones that were staring at him.

Brian grabbed Justin's shirt and pulled him forward. Their lips met with an impact that knocked the breath out of both of them. Justin was sure there must be a crackling electrical field surrounding them. He could almost smell the burning flesh as their bodies seared together and their lips were locked in a scalding kiss. Neither of them knew what hit them, but they didn't want it to end. The kiss went on and on as most of Babylon stopped and watched the floor show.

Finally one or both of them broke apart. They stood chests heaving on the floor of Babylon. Justin looked into Brian's eyes. He could tell that Brian wanted him, as if that kiss hadn't said everything. And he wanted Brian, but this was going much too fast. The little mouse inside of him screamed for him to get away, collect himself, bring his reason to bear, not let his dick rule his world.

Brian stood staring at this strange blond who was unlike anything he had ever dealt with. His dick was responding in its normal fashion, hard and needy and dripping. But the odd thing was the constriction in his chest. He had never felt that before, and he wasn't at all sure he liked it. He definitely wanted this Justin Taylor, but what the hell else was going on? He needed to figure it out before anything else happened.

Brian turned and walked towards the bar. He needed a drink … immediately. He signaled for a whiskey … double. It was gone as soon as he got it in his hand.

Justin stood riveted to the floor of Babylon. He didn't know what had hit him. He had never felt anything half as intense as that kiss. His cock was screaming for release, but his heart was pounding so hard in his chest that it almost drowned out that need. He simply stood and stared as Brian Kinney walked away.

Suddenly Daphne was at Justin's side. She was saying something, but the ringing in his ears prevented him from understanding. He shook his head and pressed his fingers against his ears.

"Are you all right?" Daphne screamed at him.

"No."

"Then let's get the fuck out of here," she said grabbing his hand. Without any will of his own, Justin allowed her to drag him out of Babylon.