A/N: This wasn't what was due to be updated next, but... since this chapter was finished, and the response was so favorable for the first chapter, I decided to post it ahead of schedule. I do hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading, and your support. It is much appreciated!
Chapter 2
Ted couldn't stifle a groan as he watched Brian icily glaring at the overly pretentious host that had just seated them at their table. This was already looking to be even worse than he'd ever imagined. Brian was obviously spoiling for a fight; and in this uptight atmosphere, it wouldn't be difficult to find one. He only hoped that their client that was presently five minutes late for a time he had scheduled himself would arrive soon. At this point, he couldn't guarantee how long Brian would act with the proper decorum.
"May I get you gentlemen a drink from the bar?" the question was directed solely at Brian, the man keeping a slight distance from their table, apparently not one liking to be touched in any manner.
Brian arched a brow, his eyes sliding in brutal assessment over the middle-aged man that had just seated them; deciding quickly, he was going to turn this into a fun, yet forced outing. "Haven't we met?" Brian returned, instead of answering the simple question. When the man frowned at him in a mixture of confusion and irritation, Brian became even more assertive. "Yes. I am sure we met at a club I frequent."
Ted hid his face behind the wine list, uncertain if he should attempt to escape this obvious train wreck, or sink fully into oblivion. There wasn't a doubt that this sanctimonious jerk deserved every moment of Brian's caustic tongue... but here and now, wasn't the best of times. Then again, that was typical Brian. He did as he wanted, when he wanted; being in an upscale heterosexual restaurant wasn't about to deter him.
"I don't think so, Sir." Flushing uncomfortably, he sneered, "I am not one to frequent clubs-"
"Hmmm..." Brian replied thoughtfully. "Okay, maybe it wasn't at Babylon." Brian's eyes became even colder when the man seemed to stiffen even more. His voice lowering to a hushed whisper, he told him, "I'm sure I did see you on Liberty Avenue. Don't worry, though-" Brian made a quick glance at the man's gold-embossed name tag. "Your secret is safe with me - Sterling."
The man began to bluster even further. "You are mistaken, Sir. I - I must return to my station. Justin will be your server. He will attend you soon."
Brian grunted as the odious man all but ran from the table. Underneath his breath, Brian growled, "I doubt there is anyone even remotely capable of serving me here-"
"Well... that was pleasant," Ted observed in his typical droll manner. "Tell me, boss. Will it be your goal to offend all of the restaurant staff?"
"If I feel like it, then, yes it will..." He cast a pointed look towards his accountant. "Admit it, the man was an unmitigated asshole."
Ted chuckled. There was no disputing that. "Agreed... but it might be best to try to adapt to this foreign element... and get through it as quickly as possible."
"Speaking of," Brian spoke while glancing down at his Rolex, "Where the fuck is Barnum? I swear-"
"Brian..." a jovial voice resounded, as a hand reached out to vigorously shake Brian's hand when both men rose to their feet. He nodded briefly to Ted. "Mr. Schmidt." Taking a seat in between them, he rather mockingly commented, "I hope you haven't been waiting too long."
It took all of his control not to scathingly mutter how fifteen minutes had been far too long to sit waiting in this breeder nightmare. "Not at all. We were just enjoying the ambiance..."
Ted knew if he had been drinking at the time, he would have choked on that. What surprised him even more was when the client released a hearty laugh. Perhaps this meeting place had held dual purposes.
"I like you, Kinney. You are direct." A.J. Barnum looked Brian straight in the eye, when he told him, "I know this restaurant isn't ideal for you. The reasons I gave your assistant were valid. I do enjoy the food here... and it is close to the airport. But, I did want to test how much you can adapt to your client's needs, especially under extraordinary circumstances."
Brian inclined his head. He wasn't the least bit surprised that had been Barnum's take, and he did respect him for that. "Of course. Despite my preference of locales, or eating establishments, this is a business meeting. I am always ready to please the client. After all, that is good business."
"Tactful... yet diplomatic," A.J. replied. "I'm very impressed with the proposal you made in your office yesterday, as well as with your business reputation. I see no further need to haggle or waste time. I am prepared to sign with Kinnetik for the three-year contract you outlined."
"Excellent..." Brian responded, not really having any doubt of his success with this particular client. His unique presentation and sales pitch had lured A.J. Barnum instantly. It had all been a matter of sealing the deal. Brian glanced in Ted's direction, preparing to advise him to remove the contracts when he saw a blue-eyed, blond moving towards their table in hurried steps. He arched a brow as his eyes swept over the blond; his eyes quickly narrowing when he viewed the flush staining the pale cheeks at his intense perusal. Interesting, Brian thought. This man didn't belong in this establishment. In fact, if he wasn't mistaken... this young man belonged on Liberty Avenue. Perhaps this luncheon could be a mixture of both business and pleasure. "Theodore," Brian spoke softly, not taking his eyes off of the blond that was nearly upon them, "Why don't you pass the contracts to Mr. Barnum. I'm sure he'd like to finalize business before enjoying his lunch."
Ted frowned at the tone of Brian's voice. His words were softly spoken, but they somehow held a certain roughness. A combination that didn't fit in with his words. Glancing over his shoulder at the approaching waiter, Ted instantly realized the cause. Hell, he thought to himself. It starts anew. Quickly he reached into Brian's briefcase and pulled out the contracts, deftly passing them across the table. They needed to make this a signed deal before Brian did something to fuck everything up. From the way Brian was overtly eye-fucking the blond waiter, that possibility was more than likely. This was highly out of the ordinary - even for Brian. Generally, he focused on business... and with this being a million-dollar deal, it was unthinkable! "Were there any points you needed clarification on, Mr. Barnum?" Ted asked the question, deciding one of them needed to focus on business; right now, it clearly wasn't Brian.
"None. My attorney looked at it, and everything appears in order." Respectfully, he laid the document down as the waiter hovered at their table, waiting patiently for an opening to speak, without interrupting their conversation.
"Good afternoon, Gentleman. My name is Justin, and I am your server today." He glanced at each man, quickly realizing his gaze held on one man the longest. "Can I interest you in something from the wine list... or even the bar?"
You can interest me in a great number of things, Justin. Brian's thought was immediate. He would fuck this man. That wasn't even in question. "Whiskey for me." Brian surveyed him closely for a moment, his eyes stopping to memorize the full, succulent lips; in his mind pleasure-giving lips. "Tell me, Justin - are you old enough to serve hard liquor?"
Uncertain of why he was being so bold, yet for some reason feeling drawn to be so with this beautiful man, Justin reached into his pocket and removed his wallet. He flashed it briefly in front of the brunet's surprised, yet amused eyes. "Don't mind the picture, Sir... but, as you can see, I have just turned the ripe old age of 22."
Brian chuckled. The boy had spirit... and yet, there was something in his eyes, a familiar flicker of a hidden, and yearning emotion that he hadn't seen in a long time. He wasn't certain it could be what he thought it could be... but, he was intrigued. Brian didn't get intrigued easily. It was definitely something he wanted to explore... but business did come first. The most amazing fact was that he had forgotten for a moment that he was in a business meeting; his entire attention had been captured by the captivating blond. Once captured... he didn't want to let go.
Justin forced his gaze away from the outspoken man, a tingling in him he knew he shouldn't be feeling. His attention moved to the man in the middle, and finally, the older of the three; quickly he wrote down his drink order, before moving his gaze to the other man that looked like he wanted to crawl under the table in embarrassment. Justin almost smiled. He imagined that might be a common occurrence when dining with this clearly unconventional man. He placed menus in front of each man, careful not to brush against one man in particular; for some reason Justin thought that would be a huge mistake. "I'll be right back with your drinks, and take your lunch order."
To Brian's amazement, all at once he found himself disappointed he wasn't alone for this lunch visit to breeder central. Amidst the final stages of a business acquisition wasn't the most opportune time to pick up hot, blond-boy ass. However, where there was a will, there was a way. Brian knew someone had said that long ago. One thing was more than certain - he was more than willing, and by the time he was finished, waiter Justin would be as well. It was just a question of if it would be a one-time fuck or more. After that lost, searching look Brian had gleaned in Justin's eyes, Brian really hoped it would be the latter.
Business and lunch a completed success, Brian shook A.J. Barnum's hand, and watched as his newest client stood to his feet. "I'll be in touch soon. I'm sure your exclusive line of sportswear is well on its way to being in high demand."
"I'm counting on that, Brian."
"That went well..." Ted drolly observed, deciding that had been the most awkward lunch in his entire life. Brian's attention had appeared to be on the fine points the client had wanted added to his newly launching advertising campaign; and yet, whenever the waiter, Justin, was in sight, he was clearly anything but focused. Fortunately, A.J. Barnum seemed so caught up in his own ideas that he failed to notice Brian's attention drifting at those times. As Brian finished his drink, and kept his eyes affixed to the spot the waiter had last disappeared, Ted blandly spoke, "So, is this where I wait in the car while you pull the unsuspecting trick into the restroom?"
About to give his - far too bold - employee a scathing reply, Brian's eyes narrowed on the duffel bag he saw thrown over the hot little blond's shoulder. He had no doubt as to where he was heading. Brian was certain this establishment would have an employee restroom, or even a place to change, but if his eyes were seeing correctly, the enticing boy had just stepped into the public restroom. "You know, Theodore, that's an excellent idea. Use the company card to settle our bill; I'll join you outside in ten minutes... or so." Brian stood to his feet, a look of censure on his face. "Let's hope my mood improves before we return to the office. If not... I will need to speak with you about crossing the line - again."
Ted rolled his eyes; this time he wasn't the least bit concerned. Everything would be just fine; at least, as long as Brian scored with the blond waiter. If not... well, it would be a long afternoon for everyone. Shaking his head in a mixture of grudging admiration, and astonishment at the stealthy and self-assured Kinney walk towards his obvious prey, Ted picked up Brian's briefcase, and signaled the replacement waiter for the check. It was a shame the blond's shift had ended before they had finished; there wasn't a doubt in his mind that Brian's form of gratuity would have been more than generous. As it was, he was quite certain Brian would be extending it in another manner.
For some unknown reason, Ted didn't think ten minutes would be nearly long enough to satisfy Brian's hunger this time.
TBC
