Business... Before Pleasure

Justin didn't linger long in the shower. There were two reasons for his haste; right now, he wasn't certain which one was the most prevalent. There wasn't a doubt he wanted to get back downstairs and spend more time with the gorgeous man that he found so fascinating; but, he wasn't blind to his own predicament, either. He knew he needed the support and assistance Brian offered him. He felt wrong in accepting it... but realized it was something he needed to do.

Briskly, he rubbed the towel over his hair, then over his skin, making quick work of slipping into the robe that he had teased Brian about a short time ago. Naked under the robe; he couldn't help wondering how much that would linger in Brian's mind. After the intensity of their kiss, there wasn't a doubt that Brian wanted him. His future might now be in question... but, that fact remained. He was a bit surprised at how forward he had been with Brian - if Brian hadn't shown signs of wanting the same, he knew he wouldn't have been. Still, in light of his current dilemma it had been a risk. As he thought about it, he couldn't think of any better way to pass the time while he was here.

As he made his way down the stairs, Justin knew without a moment of hesitation that he wanted Brian to be his first. How it came about didn't matter to him. Already, he had discovered himself to have seductive powers with the experienced man. That was both surprising and exciting to him. He planned on using whatever became necessary to further that particular goal. Brian wanted him just as intensely, so... it shouldn't be much of a task making it happen. It was just a question of how and when.

Stepping into the kitchen, he found Brian sitting at the table, a bowl of cubed melon pushed to the side, with him staring studiously at his laptop perched directly in front of him. Apparently, his host was once more focused on business. Justin had the feeling it centered around his problems. "Interesting reading?" Justin asked, the seriousness of his situation once again twisting his stomach in knots... the frown on Brian's face doing nothing to settle his nerves.

"A bit." Brian pursed his lips, his eyes only briefly moving over Justin. Right now, dwelling on how little the blond wore beneath one of his own robes something he wanted to push far from his mind. "Get yourself something to eat and drink. Emmett cubed melon before he left, and there's some sliced turkey and deli rolls if you'd like a sandwich. I just want to look over a few more things, then I'd like to ask you some more questions."

"Sure," Justin answered, amazed at how Brian's moods switched so quickly, and seemingly - effortlessly. The sexual tension that had existed up in his temporary bedroom seemed to have evaporated - at least for one of them. Justin realized that was probably for the best - at least, for now. His legal issues needed to take precedent over everything else. He glanced over his shoulder from his position at the refrigerator, noticing Brian reading what had to be today's newspaper article with his picture larger than life across the front. Looking up he noticed that it wasn't his hometown paper, but the one for this area. Justin unscrewed the top on the bottle of water he'd just removed, taking a long drink. "I-I see I made the local news already."

Brian scowled at it as he read the article. "Yeah. I didn't expect it to hit this fast, either. Apparently the Chief of Police wants you back there ASAP. You traveled more than two hundred miles that night. They expanded that search quickly for someone who realistically shouldn't be able to get this far in such a short amount of time."

Slathering mayonnaise on the deli roll, before adding the turkey and a couple pieces of lettuce, Justin turned to ask, "What do you think that means?"

Brian pinched the bridge of his nose, as thoughts raced through his head. "One of two things. Stockwell is either being exceedingly conscientious... or they have a lead that indicates you heading in this direction."

"Stockwell..." Justin sneered as he made his way over to the table, sandwich and water in hand. "The second biggest homophobe in town."

"I'm assuming the biggest to be your closet boy's daddy..." Brian closed the page, before his eyes settled back on Justin. "I need to know every step you took after leaving that night. Tell me everyone you talked to, whether they know who you are or not. Nothing is insignificant."

Justin quickly finished his sandwich, amazed at just how hungry he had been. Taking another long sip of the cold spring water, Justin told him, "I ran on foot from Chris' house. At that point, I didn't know where I was going; I just knew I had to leave. First, I went to my best friend's house... Daphne. We spoke outside. Her parents didn't see me."

"You're sure about that?" Brian asked, right now, wanting to eliminate the possibility that someone had told the police what direction Justin had headed. At Justin's nod of assurance, he continued on, "How long were you with her... and where did you go next?"

"I wasn't there long. She insisted on giving me some money. Daphne wanted to come with me, but, I insisted she'd be more help if she stayed behind." Justin took in a deep breath, knowing that Brian wouldn't like the next part. "She has important family connections... they would have searched even harder if she snuck off."

"How important?" Brian asked, his voice ominously low.

Justin averted his eyes, when he admitted, "Her grandfather is one of the county judges."

"Shit!" Brian muttered. "You sure can pick them, Goldilocks. You did good, though. She is the last person that should be at your side right now."

Nodding, Justin told him, "Yeah, I figured."

"Okay, after leaving Daphne's house - where did you go next... and more importantly who did you talk to?"

"No one for awhile. I started heading down the highway; I was too afraid to even hitch hike. I realize that would have gotten me away faster... but, I couldn't trust anyone..."

"Wise decision." Brian's eyes were wild and intense when he told him, "Trust no one. That's the only way to stay safe and alive."

Justin's eyes were warm on the man that he somehow knew would be relentless in protecting him. "Not even you?"

Brian looked away. He wasn't about to tell the kid he could trust his life in his hands... his body, well, that could become another matter entirely. "I'm a stranger to you, Justin. It doesn't make sense for you to trust me."

"Yet I do. I get that it makes no sense... it's just something I can feel." Justin didn't miss a flicker of something that flashed in Brian's eyes. It could have been emotion, or something else entirely... all that mattered was that it was there. And, in his mind - it meant something.

"Okay, let's move on from this," Brian replied in what was resignation. He felt odd about admitting Justin's trust in him was valid, but, he knew it was too. "Outside of these walls - you are not to trust anyone. I don't care if you've known them your entire life. The margin for error in your case is nil. I need you to recognize that."

Justin wasn't quite sure he agreed; Brian didn't know his friends. He trusted them all completely. However... Brian was in a position to help him. It wouldn't be right to disrespect either him or his decisions. "I can't say I agree entirely... but, I'll do what you say."

"Good." Brian watched as Justin took a sip of water, wanting to open a barrage of questions. He wanted to know everything about that night. In fact, if he was completely honest... he wanted to know everything about Justin. What that meant he didn't know. He told himself the boy was just that interesting - something that had been lacking from his life for a long time. "What happened after you started walking? Did you take a cab, bus, train or anything? I know you didn't walk over two-hundred miles on foot."

"No, I didn't." Justin took in a deep breath, knowing this part of his story Brian would find the most to be concerned about. "My other friends, Michael and Ethan went out looking for me. When I was walking I would duck out of sight whenever I saw lights approaching. Apparently, they could see me from the distance." Justin immediately read the worry and irritation on Brian's face. "They stopped the car and called out to me. I came out of hiding when I realized it was them."

Brian nodded his understanding. He was worried about how much these friends could know, and yet, for some reason he was grateful to them for getting Justin to safety. "How far away did they drop you?"

"Not too far. A few miles - if that. Ethan had mentioned the expanse of houses on this beach. He thought I might find one abandoned - at least for the season." Justin smirked when he looked at Brian. "I thought I'd done that... but, soon found it to be occupied."

"Right..." Brian laughed. "You can't be in contact with your friends, Justin. If you have a cell phone - it needs to be gone. It can be traced. In fact, if you have one on you, I need you to get it for me now."

Justin shook his head. "I had one, but it got left behind. It was in my car which was left at the Hobbs' residence."

"Okay, that's good. That you ran off at night is probably a good thing - fewer people to identify you. Think about this carefully, Justin. Did anyone else come in contact with you during the night - anyone that either knew you or could recognize your picture?"

He thought about it for a minute, his memory of the night that had been so horrific for him more than clear. "No. As I said, I stayed out of sight. I only came out when Michael and Ethan found me."

"That's good. I expect the authorities just broadened their scope in the hopes that someone might have seen you. Due to you being on foot... and as far as they knew - having no money - they will think you are rather close." Standing to his feet, Brian affixed a stern gaze on his young guest. "This is important, Justin - you must stay inside the house unless I take you out. I will only feel safe to do that at night."

Justin nodded his head emphatically. "I have no problem with that. I definitely don't want to expose myself. Not only do I feel safe here... I like it here too."

Brian rolled his lips under, his eyes narrowing shrewdly. "I'm not sure if you are constantly flirting with me, or if it's just you; however, I'd be cautious if I were you. I am not a man to deny himself for long... and I don't play games."

His tongue slid out to moisten suddenly dry lips. In this instance it wasn't meant to be provocative. Right now, he was just caught off guard by Brian's sudden change in mood. He would never understand this man - that was now apparent. One minute Brian had been caught up in business, and the next, the predator reappeared. Justin definitely liked the latter version... most especially if that hungry, hunting look remained focused on him. He stood from his seat, his hand toying with the tie around his waist. He couldn't resist provoking the hungry lion. "I think you remember that I'm not wearing anything under this robe. Does that tempt you, Brian?"

"Teasing little shit!" Brian hissed underneath his breath. "I give up." Brian smiled when Justin's eyes lit up in what was nothing short of satisfaction. "However, not right now. I want you to spend the rest of the day thinking about what you want... and if you really want to gain this kind of experience here and now. If you decide that's what you want - I'll fuck you tonight."

"I can answer that now, Brian. I want my first time to be with you. I don't need to wait until tonight..." Justin's response was fervent, not a flicker of doubt existed. "I have a request, though."

Brian's nostrils flared, keeping his distance and not grabbing the blond at this moment, one of the hardest things he had ever done. "That is..."

"On the beach. Can you fuck me on the beach?" Justin blushed as he visualized being spread out on a blanket, and this beautiful, sexual beast taking everything he had to offer.

"I have a feeling before we're done - I'll have fucked you everywhere!" Following his words, a growl rolled in his throat. "I know just the place. For now, I have some calls to make. I'll check with you after dinner, and we'll go out about eleven o'clock - unless you change your mind."

Justin's smile was dreamy... his eyes full of anticipation. "I won't."

Brian didn't say the words, but he hoped he didn't change his mind. He wasn't sure the timing was right for the boy... but, fuck how he wanted him. He would make his first time one to remember. In fact, he believed it would be one they both long remembered. This would be one long fucking day; however, the end of it would be pure bliss.

TBC

A/N: The next chapter will have us checking in on Chris' condition, and more of what's going on there. Methinks Brian is about to formulate a plan; perhaps we'll learn more about that too. Thanks for reading - comments are always greatly appreciated! :)