Image Is Everything

Chapter Five

It was three days before Brian saw Justin again. Mark Phillips had had his lawyers draw up the contract he wanted Justin to sign. It was pretty standard stuff and Brian thought the money was fair for an inexperienced model, as Justin was. There were bonuses if the campaign went as planned. Mark had sent the contracts to Brian who then contacted Justin asking him to return to the studio to go over the papers and discuss what would happen next.

When Justin arrived at five that day, he seemed a little quiet to Brian.

"Is something wrong?" Brian asked as the young man sat down across the desk from him."

"I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do this."

"Why not?" Brian snapped. He didn't like being jerked around, even by this tasty morsel. He saw Justin flinch a little bit at the harsh tone of his voice.

"Um … I don't think I can spare the time," Justin said lamely.

"I told you that we could work around your studies."

"Um … Ethan doesn't think it's such a good idea."

"And who gives a flying fuck what Ian thinks? This is your life, your chance, not his."

"I know. I know," Justin repeated slowly like he was trying to convince himself.

"Is Ian such a great fuck that it matters whether he wants you to do this or not?"

"I … I don't know what you mean. It has nothing to do with that. We love each other."

"Do we now?" Brian asked his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes, we do," Justin affirmed.

"I would think that if Ian loves you so much, he would want you to have this chance. He would want you to be successful."

"He does," Justin defended himself. "He just … um … wants me to be successful at my art, not at modeling."

"And what do you want?"

Justin stared into Brian's hazel eyes. He didn't know what happened to him when he talked to this man, but Brian always made him feel that he could do anything. He liked that feeling.

"I want it all," Justin said strongly.

"Then tell Ian to fuck off and go for it."

"I … I don't know if I can do that."

"Of course you can. You can do anything you want."

Justin seemed to be struggling to decide what to do. He glanced up at Brian again and again. He frowned and shook his head and glowered. Brian waited to see what he would decide.

"Give me the contract," Justin said suddenly. "I'll sign it right now."

"Whoa, hold on," Brian warned him.

"Why?"

"I'm glad you want to do it, but never sign a contract without reading it. Isn't there someone you could discuss this with, like your father?"

"My father wants no part of me since he found out I'm gay."

"I see. Your mother?"

"I could show it to her, but it wouldn't mean a whole more to her than it would to me."

"I guess I could go over it with you," Brian offered.

"Would you?" Justin asked brightening up.

"Look, why don't you let me buy you dinner and we'll go over the contract between courses."

"I … Ethan's expecting me," Justin stammered.

"Maybe we better forget the whole thing," Brian said in exasperation. If he never heard the name Ethan again, it would be too soon.

"No, no … I don't want to do that. Sure, let's go to dinner. Could I use your phone to call Ethan?"

"Of course."

Brian stood up and walked to the back of the studio. He pretended to adjust some props and lights for an imaginary shoot in the morning. He had one ear on the conversation that Justin had started over the phone.

"I don't know how long I'll be … I'll be home as soon as I can … I want to do this … I'm doing it, Ethan, so get used to it … I will … I promise … I love you too."

Brian wanted to throw up. He couldn't believe this intelligent, open, young man that he was getting to know would allow his asshole boyfriend to run his life and make him unhappy.

"Ready to go?" Brian asked as he gave up the pretense of arranging the lights. He knew the phone conversation was over. Thank God!

"I'm ready."

"You okay?" Brian had to ask.

"Ethan was pissed, but I told him I'm doing this."

"Good for you."

They walked a block to a little Italian restaurant that Brian often frequented. They had wine and lasagna and chatted for most of the time. Surprisingly Brian was interested in what Justin had to say. The boy was more than just a pretty face. He was smart and had opinions about the government and the world. Brian was more impressed with this young man the more he got to know him.

By the time they were having coffee they hadn't even looked at the contract. Neither of them seemed to realize that, as they were still finding plenty of things to talk about. Finally Brian paid for the dinner and they got up to leave.

"Shit!" Justin said. "We didn't go over the contract."

"Yeah," Brian said knowing full well that they hadn't. "Why don't we walk back to my place and we can do it in a few minutes? It's not far."

Justin seemed to hesitate. "Um…"

"Need to call Ian?" Brian asked sarcastically.

"His name's Ethan, and no, I don't have to call, although he will be wondering what's keeping me."

"Suit yourself," Brian said heading for the door.

Justin was torn. He should call Ethan and tell him what he was doing. He had had a nice time with Brian and they did need to go over the contract. He knew if he called Ethan he would be told to come right home. They would probably fight about it. He decided to go with Brian. He'd deal with Ethan later.

They walked a couple of blocks to an old building where Brian inserted his key. Justin felt suddenly tense. He was going to this man's apartment. Ethan would be furious. Justin was concerned because he still remembered that kiss. He had never felt anything like that. Ethan would be really pissed if he knew that. Justin sighed. It was too late to back out now.

They rode the elevator to the top floor where Brian unlocked the door. He slid it back and indicated Justin should enter. Justin looked around.

"Wow!" he said. "This is a cool place."

"Thanks. It suits me."

"It looks like you."

"How so?"

"It's sleek and smart and classy … and beautiful."

Brian stuck his tongue in his cheek as Justin rhymed off the list of attributes for his apartment … and him. Maybe tonight would be the night.

"Would you like something to drink?" Brian asked.

"Um … water, please," Justin said. His throat had suddenly gone very dry.

Brian went to the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water. He tossed one to Justin and opened the other. He took a long drink.

Justin stared at him not opening his water. He had a sudden vision of Brian naked pouring water over his head. He looked sexier than hell. Justin's cock started to rise at the image. He shifted uncomfortably.

Brian watched him wondering what the blond was thinking. Something had got him going if the bulge in his pants was any indication. Brian smiled. "Have a seat. We can check out the contract."

Justin turned and went to sit on the white sofa. It was sleek and beautiful like everything else in the apartment. Suddenly Brian was beside him their thighs touching as Brian laid the contract out on the coffee table. Brian was saying something about Justin's fee and the bonuses if the campaign was successful. Justin tried to concentrate, but all he could think about was the gentle pressure of Brian's leg against his. It made his head swim.

"I think this is a very fair deal, Justin," Brian said turning towards the boy and pressing a little harder with his thigh.

"It sounds good. It's sure more money than I've ever made before."

"I asked Mark to write in a paragraph about working around your class schedule. Every effort will be made."

"Um … that's good," Justin managed to get out. He stared at Brian's lips. He wanted to experience another one of those kisses.

"Do you have any questions?" Brian asked.

Justin couldn't think of a single one … about the contract. He wanted to ask Brian why he hadn't kissed him already, but he knew he couldn't say that. He shook his head.

"Well then…" Brian said turning towards Justin again and dropping his hand to Justin's thigh.

Justin felt it burn through his pants. He took in an audible breath. And suddenly they were kissing again, kissing like the world was about to end, like everything depended on this one kiss. Justin moaned into Brian's mouth. Brian's tongue pressed against his lips and Justin opened for him. The kiss went on and on until they both were weak from lack of air. Finally they broke apart.

"Jesus!" Brian gasped not sure what had happened between them. He was a good kisser, enjoyed kissing, used it as a tool of seduction. But this had gone somewhere else. He could have kissed this boy for the rest of his life and have been happy with that. Although he could hardly wait for more.

Justin's head was spinning and his senses were reeling. He told himself to breathe, but all he really wanted was Brian's lips back on his. Suddenly he thought of Ethan. He better get the fuck out of there before anything else happened.

"I should go," Justin said trying to get his breathing back to normal and his cock to behave. He could feel it throb through his jeans. He let out what could only be a whimper.

"Do you have to?" Brian asked with a knowing arch of his eyebrow.

"It's late. Ethan will be worried."

"If you say so," Brian said sarcastically. He stood up.

Justin shoved himself to his feet. He hoped his legs would hold him. He felt weak all over. He must have wobbled a bit, because Brian suddenly had his arms around him. The kiss this time was deep and demanding. Justin wanted to break away but all he could do was moan and kiss back. He felt Brian's hands pull his shirt out of his pants. He's going to fuck me, Justin thought, and he could think of nothing he wanted more. Brian's hands snaked in under the shirt caressing the bare skin of his back. He moaned louder.

Brian broke the kiss and leaned back to unbutton Justin's shirt. Justin staggered a little. An image of Ethan ran through his brain, and he pushed Brian's hands away.

"I … can't," he gasped trying to get control of himself.

"You can. You want to."

"No … no," Justin whimpered. He sounded pathetic even to himself. He had to get out of there.

He grabbed Brian's wrist to stop him from undoing any more buttons. It also gave him something to hang onto to steady himself. He focused on his hands willing himself to be strong.

"I have to go," he said firmly, or what he thought sounded firm. It was hard to hear himself above the pounding of the blood in his ears.

"Don't," Brian said and it sounded almost like begging.

"I have to … before it's too late."

Justin turned away from the look in those hazel eyes. He made his feet carry him towards the door. Each step took almost more effort than he was able to give.

"Wait," the voice said from behind him. He didn't know why but he stopped. "Take the contract and read it over," Brian said holding out the papers.

Justin reached for it hoping Brian didn't see how his hand was shaking. "Thanks."

He reached the door, pulled it open and was through. He wanted to look back, to see if Brian was looking after him, but he knew if he did he would want to go back. He headed for the stairs knowing he couldn't wait for the elevator. His resolve wouldn't last that long. He started down the stairs hardly seeing them or knowing where he was placing his feet.

Brian watched the blond head disappear down the stairs. He let out the groan he had been stifling for the last few minutes. That kiss had rocked him to the core. He wanted Justin Taylor. He couldn't believe that he had let the man go, back to that fucking boyfriend. His cock throbbed in his pants. He was so hard, it physically hurt. He needed to get relief quick. He grabbed his keys. Maybe he could find another blond in the backroom at Babylon. It wouldn't be Justin Taylor, but maybe he could find a reasonable facsimile until he could claim the real thing for his own.

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