Chapter 5 – Kinnetik in NY
Monday, January 23, 2006
Brian was out to New York City for another series of pitches for ad campaigns. One of the businesses he was pitching to, Lambda Metals, had lined up three ad guys one after the other to tell them about their potential campaigns. As Brian was leaving the Lambda conference room he saw Adam Wyatt from Kennedy and Collins sitting in the hallway with his assistant.
"Adam? Brian Kinney. We met 5 years ago at the Atlas awards."
"Brian, Hi! Good to see you." They shook hands. Adam remembered Brian very well. It's the only time Adam could remember going to an awards banquet and getting fucked during it. Five years earlier Adam's employer, Kennedy and Collins, had been looking for someone to hire and he had hooked Brian up with an interview at the time. But the company decided to promote a younger man from within the company and Brian's early New York dreams were dashed.
This day at Lambda Metals Adam pulled Brian to one side, out of earshot of his assistant. "So, how are you? I heard you started your own agency."
"Yes. Kinnetik. We're doing pretty well. 10 million dollars' worth of contracts last year alone."
"That's fantastic, Brian."
"And you are still with Kennedy and Collins?"
"Yeah, but they're shaking up the command structure and I'm worried about my job. It pisses me off … nobody knows the New York ad market better than I do. They're getting someone in from England and I think he's going to mess everything up, bringing some of his cronies with him. I'm actually looking for another job."
"Really? Would you consider working for me?" Brian knew enough about Adam to know that he'd be an asset to Kinnetik and might be perfect for the New York office manager he was looking for.
"For Kinnetik? Sure! Are you hiring?"
"I'm planning on opening a New York office for Kinnetik and I'm looking for someone to manage this office for us. I'm still working out the details, but … Why don't you fly out to Pittsburgh and check out the Kinnetik offices there and we can discuss it further?" Brian handed Adam a business card. "Sometime within the next couple of weeks?"
"Excellent! Looking forward to it." Adam gave Brian a wry smile. "Maybe we can, you know, hook up while I'm there."
"I'm with someone now, so, sorry, no." Brian said as he shook hands with Adam again before departing. He'd consider fucking Adam again, but, then again, if he was going to hire him that might not prove to be a good idea. He'd learned his lesson from the Kip incident. He wasn't interested in Adam that way. Besides, he'd be over the fuck 'em once limit. Brian had only been with Justin for the last few weeks; he was all he wanted.
When Brian got back to his apartment from the meeting, Justin was there cooking dinner.
"Hey, Sunshine." Brian grabbed Justin for a kiss.
"Hey, Brian. Dinner will be ready soon."
Brian told Justin about running into Adam and the possibility of Adam being the Kinnetik New York manager. Justin was happy that Brian was able to move forward with his plans that would eventually lead him back to the big city full time.
After they ate, they went to Stephan's for a couple of drinks and some dancing. They found themselves in the back alcoves again, in the red room this time. Before Justin got a chance to recline, Brian had grabbed him from the back, biting into Justin's neck and loosening his pants. Justin leaned back into his lover's mouth. Brian exposed Justin's perfect ass and then he lowered his own pants to expose his hardened cock. Justin could hear him slipping on a condom. Their breathing was hot and erratic in the need to do this and do this now. Justin could feel slicked up fingers preparing him for the penetration that he knew was approaching. Brian slid himself into that most perfect place with a passionate thrust. Justin moaned and pushed back. They continued this way with Brian pumping his cock into Justin, grazing his prostrate at each thrust, for the maximum pleasure for both of them. Brian reached down to fasten his hand around Justin's leaking cock.
Brian growled into Justin's ear as he fucked him with wild abandon. "I want to fuck you raw. I want to feel myself inside you with nothing between us. I want to feel every bit of your sweet ass around my cock."
"Oh, yes!"
"Would you like that, too? You want to fuck me bareback?"
"Yes, fuck me like that. So hot."
"Imagine that's what I'm doing now, Justin. I'm buried deep inside you and you can feel everything."
"Oh, yeah. Do it to me."
"So good. So tight."
"Yes."
Brian's breath was hot in Justin's ear as he hit his lover's sweet spot. "I can feel every part of you. Such a perfect fit."
"Oh, aaahhh, I'm going to come."
"Come for me now, Justin."
With that Justin's orgasm exploded and Brian followed him over the edge in pleasure.
After some recovery time, Brian pulled out and disposed of the condom. Justin cleaned up a little and collapsed onto his back on the bed, his pants still around his knees. Brian, in a similar manner of dress, reclined on top of him.
"That was hot. I love imagining doing it raw." Justin said.
"Someday … " Brian said.
"Mmmmm, yes."
Monday morning, February 6, 2006
Adam flew to Pittsburgh and met the staff at the offices there. Ted, Brian, and Adam talked about how the managing job would work and discussed some rough salary points. Brian told Adam that they'd know within a few weeks if Kinnetik NY would be a 'go' or not. If it did, Adam would have the job of manager. They shook hands on the deal. Ted and Cynthia were very impressed with Adam and were sure that Brian had made a good choice.
Brian had a lengthy discussion with Ted and Cynthia about Kinnetik. Brian promoted his top Pittsburgh ad man, Andrew Miller, to manage Kinnetik there. Brian needed Ted to oversee the books for both locations, and Ted couldn't do that if he was also trying to manage Kinnetik Pittsburgh. Ted understood. He was an accountant and a darn good one. If he tried to run the place he would be out of his comfort zone. As for Cynthia's part, Brian asked her to relocate to New York, also. Brian explained that he'd need her to keep communication lines open to both offices. He couldn't imagine working in an office and not having her by his side.
Saturday afternoon, March 4, 2006
Justin called Brian a few days before Brian's birthday. "Hey."
"Justin. How have you been?" Brian asked.
"Great. Busy. The restaurant is filled with tourists in for spring. How about you? 'Been busy?"
"I've been steadily getting more and more business from New York based companies. I'm usually in the office late."
"… and the bar scene?"
"Not so much anymore."
"You know, we don't have any kind of agreement to be exclusive, just the 'fuck once, no kissing' rules."
"We never really said. But, yeah."
"I'm not trying to pry. … I just… Forget I brought it up."
"Well, I'd been thinking about this anyway. We both want to be able to do it, you know, raw."
"Oh, that'd be so hot and so… god, Brian…" Justin whispered.
"Yeah, I know… But we can't do that until we've been tested, then went for a few months exclusive, and then probably tested again."
"That's probably the best approach."
"So, how about we share our last hurrah? Do a three-way with a guy and then he's the last one?"
"Sounds interesting. Go on."
"Next time you're in town we pick someone from the dance floor of Babylon, like the old days, and then take him back to the loft. No holds barred. Anything goes. One last fuck for the ages."
Justin chuckled a little, "Anything goes, eh? Sounds kinky and fun. I'm game."
Brian was smiling. "OK. Now you have to let me know when you'll be in town next."
"It might be sooner than you think. Hey, I gotta go ring up another customer. I'll talk to you soon. Later."
"Later."
Tuesday evening, March 7, 2006
Michael and Ben had been setting up the house for the party for hours. They'd vacuumed, dusted, set out tables and chairs and food.
"I can't wait until they all get here for the birthday party." Michael said. "Brian is going to be so surprised."
Ben smiled and said. "Then he's going to strangle you." He hugged Michael. "How's it going with him and Justin?"
Michael smiled. "They're great. I think Brian wants to move there to be with his man. I can't believe how much he's changed in the last few years."
"I think it's great that they're still going strong, even with Justin in New York."
"… And they said it wouldn't last." Michael smiled, knowing he was among the 'they,' but glad that he had changed as well. Michael would certainly miss Brian if he moved away, but he understood having to follow your heart. Michael had done it for David, although that didn't work out. Despite any initial misgivings about Justin's relationship with Brian, Michael could see that the love they had for each other was pulling them together again. In fact, they never really were 'apart'.
Guests arrived to the Novotny-Bruckner household. Debbie and Carl arrived with containers full of food. Emmett and Cal brought all of the ingredients for Cosmopolitans.
Lindsay flew in, leaving Mel at home in Toronto with the kids. Mel told her that the party was an adult thing anyway and it'd be hard to enjoy it with the kids tagging along. 'Send everyone my love.' Mel said. 'Even Brian?' Lindsay asked. Mel begrudgingly said, 'Tell him he's not as much of an asshole as he used to be.'
Ted and Blake arrived with some non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice. Cynthia came to the party, too, along with a couple of other gals from Kinnetik. Jennifer and Tucker were there, too.
Brian thought he was coming over for a quiet dinner at the Novotny-Bruckner household, but as he parked the 'Vette on the street he could see all of the familiar cars of his friends.
"Damn it, Mikey." Brian knew how his best buddy liked to throw surprise parties. It was too late to run, although he considered it. Must endure this for Mikey's sake. Besides, he had something he wanted to tell everyone.
Brian rang the bell and Michael answered it with a shit eating grin on his face. Brian gave him his famous wary eyed look and said "I'm on to you, asshole."
Michael tried to play innocent. "What?"
Brian blew past him through the doorway saying, "Let's get this over with."
"SURPRISE!" Everyone jumped up and yelled. Brian graciously circulated the room and received birthday wishes from everyone there. Ben made sure Brian had a glass of scotch, for which he was grateful. Although he was surrounded by his friends, he somehow felt alone, like he had no ally there. He realized that he missed the strength he drew from Justin.
There was a knock at the door. Michael answered it. As if to answer Brian's wishes, Justin walked in - straight up to Brian. They hugged and kissed their hellos. Brian was pleasantly surprised that Justin made the trip. Justin turned and greeted each of the other party guests. After that he never left Brian's side, for which his boyfriend was very appreciative. Brian had the man he loved with him and nothing else mattered.
Justin knew about the party from an e-mail from Michael. They'd exchange e-mails every now and then dreaming up storylines for Rage. Justin had brought some drawings for another issue that he and Michael had discussed. Justin did not, however, tell Michael he was coming to the party because Michael was unintentionally bad at keeping secrets. Like the time they knew Brian had cancer and they weren't going to tell Brian they knew. Michael inadvertently started crying when he was with Brian and then the truth came out.
Lindsay got everyone's attention and held up a glass. "Everyone! I'd like to propose a toast to Brian. He's been a good friend, good father and supporter, in one way or another, of everyone here. Happy 35th birthday, Brian!"
There was a cheer from the crowd and everyone toasted the guest of honor. Justin gave him a kiss.
Brian stood up and spoke. "Thank you all. I appreciate the good wishes. I want to take this opportunity to make a little announcement. Kinnetik is going to open an office in New York City." The group reacted. "I'll be overseeing both offices, but, within the next few months, probably this summer, I'll be moving to New York."
Everyone was congratulatory at the announcement. Michael figured this was the way Brian was heading and he was happy for his best friend. Debbie and Carl were thrilled at Brian's success. Jennifer was happy that Brian and Justin could finally be in the same city again.
The time came for opening gifts. Brian mostly received gag gifts about old age, etc. Then Justin handed him a small narrow box. Brian opened it and inside was a rope style bracelet of bronze and gold.
Justin said, "It represents you and me and how our lives intertwine. You are bronze – the bronze god, and I'm gold for my gold hair. A fellow artist makes jewelry, so I asked him to do this especially for us. I have a matching one." He put Brian's on his right wrist and then Justin pulled his from his own pocket. Brian put it on his partner's right wrist.
"These are beautiful, Justin. Thank you." Brian kissed him. Then he half whispered "Weren't they expensive?" He was concerned Justin went overboard on the gift.
Justin shook his head. "Within the last month I put four pieces in a new gallery, one of which already sold. Plus, I sold the last two of the three pieces that I had in the other gallery. Things have been picking up. Besides, Dave, the artist who did these, traded his work for a portrait I painted for him. I just paid for his materials."
Everyone congratulated Justin on his success and admired the bracelets. Brian couldn't stop looking at the bracelet and then smiling back at Justin.
When they got to the loft, Justin told him that since they were going to be going with each other exclusively he thought the bracelets would have some meaning. Brian appreciated the gift and fully rewarded Justin with the rest of the evening's activities.