Man of Mystery – 14
“So was he really cool?” Molly asked. She was sitting cross-legged on Gus’ bed. “Is he really badly scarred, like the guy from Phantom of the Opera?”
“Yes, he has some bad scars, but I think the worst for him is that he can’t dance.” Gus looked sad. “It was his whole life, and if I could do anything in this world for him, I’d help him dance again.”
“Maybe we could help him somehow,” Molly said, looking thoughtful. “I have that book of spells we found.”
“No way Molly, I don’t want you fooling with that stuff,” Gus shuddered. “I have my own plans for helping him dance and it doesn’t involve witchcraft.”
“But Gus, what if this stuff works?” Molly crawled up the bed and snuggled close to her friend. “Why shouldn’t we try it?”
“Molly, no,” Gus said as he put his arm around her. “I bet if you ask Seiji, he’ll say the same thing. You can’t mess with this kind of thing and come away unscathed. You’d think after what you went through in the swimming pool and with your brother, you’d leave well enough alone.”
“Yeah. Justin was really pissed when your dad told him about the pool thingy,” Molly shivered and snuggled closer. “It was the worst feeling in the world being held down by something invisible. That’s why I think I should study the book and maybe learn how to protect myself.”
“No,” Gus stated forcibly but leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Is Justin okay now? Dad said he was pretty shaken up by what happened to him; not to mention what happened to you.”
“He’s okay, but he won’t let me go back to the house. I can’t even go and get more clothes and we’re going to see mom soon. I can’t go to France dressed like this.” She waved her hand down over her body.
“You look okay to me,” Gus said.
“You’re gay, what do you know?” Molly harrumphed.
“Maybe you haven’t noticed, but many of the world’s best fashion designers are gay.”
“It still sucks. I hate this shirt, it’s like years old.”
“You don’t own anything that’s years old,” Gus laughed. “Hey, we can go to the mall and do some shopping tomorrow.”
“Justin says he’s coming with me because he thinks my taste in clothing sucks.”
“He did not say that,” Gus grinned at her. “Tell me what he really said.”
“He said that I dressed like a high school girl and since I was close to finishing with that part of my life, he’d make sure I was dressed for my age, whatever that means.”
“Wow, no kidding,” Gus squealed.
“You sound like a girl,” Molly laughed. “Yeah, he said that. Seiji was with me and he couldn’t stop laughing. Justin was soooooo serious.”
“He’s your brother, and he worries about you.” Gus threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. “Now be a good girl and get into your own bed. It’s time to go to sleep and I want to chat with Paul for a bit.”
“Gus, can I sleep with you?” she asked, suddenly serious. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“Your room is right next door.” He looked at her closely and could see that she was afraid, no doubt because of her earlier experience. “Okay, but I’m talking to Paul now, so find something to keep yourself busy or go to sleep. I’ll keep the noise to a minimum.”
“Thanks Gus.” Molly slid under the duvet she’d been lying on. “I’ll behave.”
“Don’t even go there,.” Gus laughed and turned to the computer.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Brian laughed at the indignant look on Justin’s face. “I don’t care what you like. Molly needs her older brother alive. I can’t guarantee you’ll be that way if I can’t watch you. So it’s your choice. Stay here and I stay here or we both go to your place.”
“So you’re going to stare at me 24/7?” Justin laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“No, I’m not going to stare at you.”
“You said you were going to watch me.”
“It’s a figure of speech,” Brian sighed and ran the fingers of his left hand through his hair making it stand on end. “Why are you fighting me on this? You know what happened to Molly, you know what happened to you. I told you Emmett and I. Did you think I was just making it all up? Fuck, that was the worst couple of days in our lives.” He turned around, walked a couple of steps and then turned back to Justin. “Will you for fuck sake just humor me for tonight?”
Justin strolled over to the bathroom, “I’m going to take a piss, are you going to watch that too?”
“No,” Brian sighed and threw himself down on an armchair, his legs over one arm, his back resting on the other. “Are you done yet?” he asked his voice raised.
“I hope you don’t mind if I wash my hands.” Justin flushed the toilet and headed for the sink. “This is getting old fast, Brian, in fact its already old.”
“It’s for your own good.”
“That’s what they all say when they’re screwing you in the ear.”
“You have a strange sex life. I prefer to screw the old fashioned way,” Brian laughed. “We can have a fun family night.”
“We tried that, it didn’t work.”
“It’s working, we’re having fun aren’t we?” Brian laughed. He put his arm around Justin and squeezed. “Molly and Gus are happy so why can’t we be happy?”
“Happy?” Justin rolled his eyes. “For Christ sake Brian, this isn’t some fucking novel. We slay the dragons or in this case we unspook the spooks and then we all live happily ever after. There’s a bit more too it than that or haven’t you noticed?”
“I’ve noticed more than you think.” Brian tilted Justin’s face up so that he could look directly in the blond’s eyes, “Tonight you’re staying with me; I’ve decided.”
Justin burst out laughing, spluttering in Brian’s face. “You are too funny,” he said looking over his shoulder. “I’m going back to my hotel,” he continued to laugh. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Tell Molly sweet dreams.” Justin was out the door before Brian realized what had happened.
“FUCK!” Brian yelled and threw a cushion across the room. “Fucking stubborn son of a bitch,” he said out loud, lowering his tone only slightly.
“I could have told you that giving Justin orders wouldn’t work,” Gus said. He stood inside the room clad only in PJ bottoms. “He took orders for too many years to take them now.” Gus put his hand on his father’s arm. “Dad, if you really like him, you’re going to have to show him. All this dancing around just isn’t working. Not to mention it’s getting on my nerves. Molly and I talked about it and we think you need to do something to keep Justin close. We both think something bad is trying to get him and it’s scaring us both.”
“Gus, are you worried about it getting you?” Brian looked hard at his son.
“Not really, I don’t really believe in that shit. Believing in it gives it strength. I guess I just grew up with too many grade B movies. Shit like this doesn’t really scare me.”
“Well it scares me,” Brian said, shaking his head. “Where’s Molly?”
“She’s sleeping, she didn’t want to sleep alone so she’s in my bed.” Gus walked over to his father and kissed his cheek. “You might as well go and find Justin, you know you want to.”
“I don’t want to leave you and Molly alone.” Brian was torn. “I’ll call Mikey”
“Uncle Mikey isn’t going to make any difference. We have a great security system. Dad, it’s okay. If there was anything wrong, Molly would know. She knew about the pool, she just didn’t listen to her feelings. Tonight she’s not worried. Believe me, I’ve always listened to Molly’s hunches. She’s good at knowing stuff.”
“Then why does she want to sleep in your bed?”
“Because I make her feel safe. It’s a girl thing,” Gus shrugged. “We’ve slept together lots over the years. That’s how I knew I was gay. I mean what thirteen- year old boy gets into bed with a hot looking girl and his only concern is who is taking the warm covers. I was in the middle of puberty for crap sake and Molly was hot at 13 and I didn’t even notice other than what her hair style was each day.”
Brian laughed, “Good point, Son.” He ruffled the boy’s hair making him flinch, but grin.
“Take your cell. You can check the security system with it and I’ll turn the cameras on in the foyer and my room. Nothing can get in any other way; you’ve seen to that.” Gus actually felt safe inside the top floor of the building his father owned. And thanks to wireless technology, he could look in on them via the web.
“I love you Gus,” Brian said. It was something he tried to say daily, and had ever since his son has been born. He didn’t want him growing up feeling unwanted and unloved… ever. It was a life lesson he’d learned from his own childhood; a place and time where he’d never heard those three words.
“Love you too, Dad.” Gus waved and headed back to his bedroom.
Brian checked to make sure that the cameras were working, then watched his son get into bed and turn off the light. He could see Molly’s form move toward Gus in her sleep, cuddling close. He checked the foyer camera and for good measure turned on all of the cameras in the apartment. It couldn’t hurt.
He walked out the door and into Justin who was lounging against the wall. “It’s about time. What took you so long?” Justin winked at him. “I’ll buy you a drink at the hotel bar before we turn in.”
Brian shook his head. “Wouldn’t it be safer if we stayed here. Molly and Gus are in there alone.”
“It might be safe. I mean I’m sure you have this place as secure as Fort Knox. But I was afraid you might be noisy when I was fucking you. The hotel is much better for that. It won’t traumatize the children.”
“Did I mention I was a top?” Brian asked, his voice amused. He linked arms with Justin and stepped into the waiting elevator. “Because if I didn’t tell you, I’m telling you now.”
“Well, are you in for the ride of your life,” Justin said before punching the elevator button for the parking garage. “You’re never too old to learn new tricks.”
“We’ll see,” Brian laughed as the door closed.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Jenny, the kids are coming. I talked to the caretaker at Justin’s Villa.” Aubrey sank into the warmth of the heavy duvet that Jennifer was lying on.
“I knew they would,” Jennifer said as she rolled over and smiled at her lover. “I was counting on it.”
“Why here?” Aubrey asked. “Wouldn’t it have been better on their home turf?”
“This is Justin’s home turf. He never felt at home where he spent his childhood. Look at all he’s done since he bought his Villa Rosa, you can see that France is where he feels at home.”
“And Molly?”
“Molly doesn’t know where her home is. She’s been confused about things for a long time. I tried to keep her at Twin Oaks as much as I could and she spent a lot of time with her friend, Gus Kinney.” Jennifer smiled at him again. “I really think that they need to get to know their father on his home turf. They’ll be able to see how amazing you are as an artist and as a man.” She looked around the bedroom that had been her refuge on the few occasions she’d managed to slip from Craig’s clutches. “Look at the pictures of the children. The photographs will tell them how much they’re loved. There’s no mistaking that, and they aren’t fools. After all, you are their father.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips, gently at first and then with more urgency. “I never tire of you Jenny. You make me feel seventeen whenever I’m near you.”
“Are you telling me you aren’t seventeen?” she laughed. “How disillusioning, and here I thought you were ageless.” This time she pulled him in for a kiss. It was nice to feel fully alive.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The two drove back to Justin’s hotel in silence. It wasn’t uncomfortable; it just wasn’t necessary to talk. When Justin handed over the keys to the valet, he slipped a finger in Brian’s belt effectively tethering them together as they walked into the hotel.
Amused at the absurdity of it, Brian smiled a crooked smile and let him lead the way to his room. When they reached Justin’s floor, he said, “I thought you were going to buy me a drink.”
“I have a mini bar,” Justin said, his voice serious. “I have a serious need here Brian, stop talking.”
“A tad forward aren’t you, Boyo?” Brian took the key card from Justin’s hand and opened the door.
“Very gentlemanly,” Justin acknowledged the gesture of the open door. As he walked through he turned and once again took Brian by the belt to pull him inside. This time he leaned up and began to slowly kiss Brian under the chin, nuzzling and adding small kisses on his neck, under his ears, at the pulse spot; never lingering long and giving just tiny kisses that sent shivers through them both. The lights were off in the room, so only the glow of the night time city added any kind of illumination.
Justin’s steady assault on any bits of exposed flesh had both of them breathing heavily as passion built and demanded release. Brian was so mesmerized by the slow and steady assault on his body that he didn’t notice they had been moving to the bedroom until the back of his legs hit the bed.
“Jus…” he began
“Don’t talk,” Justin murmured as he eased Brian down on the bed. Tai chi was good for more than just meditation; it strengthened muscles and allowed someone of Justin’s stature to control larger objects. Not that Brian would be pleased to know he was an object. Dextrous fingers removed clothing, so smoothly that only the coolness of the night air told Brian he was naked.
“You are a witch,” Brian breathed the words through swollen lips. As a consummate top, he’d never really been the one to be seduced. Not sure if he was willing to give up control to another person, he decided to reserve judgement and see how things developed.
Justin’s hands were everywhere. He massaged and kneaded stiff muscles. He caressed hot skin, fingertips fluttered over Brian’s lips, and combed through the silk of his chest hair. Teeth scraped tenderly around pouty nipples and over the purpled glans of his cock. Justin breathed in the musky scent of clean sweat and hot pubes that was uniquely Brian savouring each breath.
This wasn’t fucking, it wasn’t just sex, it was one man making love to another. The realization of that fact hit Brian hard. His hands tried to push Justin away but instead found themselves caressing the smaller, hardened body and silently encouraging the blond’s ministrations. He knew he’d record these moments in his mind to replay time and time again over the rest of his life. For surely nothing would ever come close to imitating this perfection.
When the snick of the tube of lube was heard loud in the night, Brian willingly parted his legs for the cool gel to be applied. Justin’s eyes were dark with passion, holding Brian’s gaze as he rolled a condom over his cock. A cock the size of which even Brian was impressed with. He experienced a moment of hesitation for he knew it would hurt, for hadn’t he deflowered enough virgins in his life and experienced second hand their pain of their first anal penetration?
“Shhhhhh, it will be alright,” Justin assured him, reading the small bit of fear in Brian’s eyes. “I’ll always treat you right Cookie.” Using the name that would make him forget for a moment what was happening and bring a smile to his face.
With sure and well-practiced movements, Justin settled the head of his latex covered cock at Brian’s entrance. He pushed inside slowly, while at the same time he whispered words that were incomprehensible to Brian, but for some reason relaxed him completely so that rather than feeling the pain of intrusion he felt on overwhelming need for more. He whimpered and moved against the smaller man, his body demanding the assault that was to come; and it did, only it wasn’t an assault, it was more of a gentle rocking that built up an intensity of an orgasm that Brian had never before experienced. His whole body contracted as waves of pleasure flooded through his anus as well as his cock. It seemed to go on forever as he rode the waves on an unknown high with Justin’s eyes still locked with his. Hands found each other and fingers entwined and Brian could feel the heat of Justin’s jism as it left the other man’s body and filled the condom. Slowly the thrusting stopped. Justin, on his knees continued to look into Brian’s eyes as if asking permission for more, and he received it, a slight nod of the other man’s head and Justin sank onto Brian’s chest, sighing with pleasure as he was wrapped tightly in his arms.
No one said anything for a few seconds. “Not bad,” Brian finally drawled. “You do have some witchy powers though Boyo, I know I wasn’t that relaxed naturally.”
“I don’t think I do,” Justin answered, but he thought back over all the various times he’d fucked others. Brian was right; they’d never felt any pain, only enjoyment. Was he unconsciously making sure that they were able to have a pain-free fuck?
Brian moved so he was up on one elbow looking down at Justin. “Your turn now,” he whispered. His voice was filled with seduction and so were his eyes.
Justin smiled up at him, “I don’t bottom.”
“Neither do I,” Brian said softly. “But apparently there’s a first time for everything. He slowly moved closer so that his lips were a fraction of an inch away from Justin’s swollen ones. “I don’t know if what we did was laced with magic, or if it was magical in itself, after all we’re guys.”
“No kidding,” Justin breathed back trying for levity as he didn’t want to think that the amazing lovemaking had been anything but real. “Make love to me Brian.” The words were so soft they were almost unheard, but both men heard them deep in their heart.
“I think I’m going to do just that,” he whispered, amazed that he meant each and every word.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Gus looked around when he woke up, and found that Molly wasn’t in bed. He lay back down thinking she’d gone to her own room. He rather liked having someone in his bed, although Paul was his person of choice. Taking a chance he reached for his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart. “Hey,” he murmured sleepily into the phone when it was picked up.
“I was just thinking about you,” Paul said with a smile. “Something brings you to my mind every morning.”
Gus laughed. “Hey that same something makes me think of you. Gawd, I love being a guy. Things are so handy.”
“You’re very happy this morning,” Paul said with a laugh.
“Molly slept with me last night. It was almost as good as having you in my bed, well except she’s soft where you’re hard.”
“I hope that you behaved yourself,” Paul chuckled. “And that you haven’t turned to the dark side.”
“No, I’m all yours,” Gus sighed. “I asked dad about going to New York University. He said as long as I get my degree, it was fine with him.”
“I told you that you’re too young to commit yourself to me.” Paul couldn’t believe that Gus still wanted him. “Besides, your university years are supposed to be fun. You can’t have fun with a cripple at home.”
“Probably not, but since I don’t know any cripples that’s not important. You do know, Paul, that your argument is weak?”
“And you don’t listen,” Paul sighed. “Are you always this stubborn?”
“No sometimes I’m even more so,” Gus smiled up at the ceiling.
“I miss you,” Paul admitted. “I shouldn’t tell you that; I’m afraid it will make you even more overconfident.”
“I miss you too. Why don’t you come here and visit. I have to finish school but you can do your work here just as well as in New York.”
“I’m sure your father would love to have your adult boyfriend staying with you while his son attends high school. Not a chance Gus.”
“So you are my boyfriend,” Gus laughed. “I knew it.”
“Babe, we’ve barely met. It was a figure of speech.”
“You do love me, you soooooo love me.”
“Freak,” Paul laughed. “I like you and you’re a boy and a friend.”
Gus giggled, sounding younger than he liked to admit to. “I am aren’t I. Look I just wanted to say good morning. I’m going to check on Molly, she seems to have left me.”
“You check on your friend.” Paul hesitated, “Gus I definitely am in like with you.”
“Me too,” Gus said and disconnected. He jumped out of bed and padded to Molly’s room. He looked in but she’d never slept in her bed. He wasn’t worried, his father had a state of the art security system. Nothing could get in or out for that matter.
“Molly,” he called out, but there was no answer. He looked through all the rooms in the apartment but there was no sign of her. Desperate he headed to the computer room where he could view the monitors. He began to scan each camera in turn, Molly was nowhere in the apartment. On an impulse he checked the roof top garden camera, although he was sure she couldn’t get outside without setting of the alarm. On the roof, Molly dressed in a pair of his old sweats was slowly moving to an inner rhythm as she worked her way through some tai chi forms. He recognized part the wild horse mane and watched as the white crane spread its wings. She was unbelievably graceful and he knew she was using the exercise as a form of meditation and focus to allow herself to become more aware of any inner powers she might have. They had discussed this very thing the night before.
He turned off the monitor and headed for the roof gardens. The alarm was still on and he turned it off, puzzled as to how in hell she could have gotten out. He didn’t want to disturb her meditation so instead joined in and worked his own way through the sets he preferred. Molly was doing the Yang sets, they were easier and more for a beginner. He preferred the more difficult Chen style, the sets were familiar and somehow comforting, but then he’d always found tai chi grounded him.
Molly knew when Gus arrived and she appreciated that he had let her finish out her routine without interruption. When she was done, she sat on the edge of a raised pot that was holding a tree of some kind and watched him. He was amazing in his artistry and she realized that he was close to being a master himself. Seiji had never said anything and neither had Gus.
“You’re damn good,” she said with a smile, handing him her towel when he finished,
“Thanks,” Gus replied, sitting down beside her. “Can you explain how you got out here on the roof?”
“No actually I can’t. I woke up over there.” She pointed to the chaise where a fleece blanket lay folded. “It was such a nice morning I figured I might as well do some tai chi, I knew you’d find me eventually.”
“Were you hurt?” he asked, looking at her closely. “Did you feel the black cloud thing?”
“No I’m not hurt and no I didn’t feel Craig’s evil.” She shrugged. “Maybe I was sleep walking.”
“Yeah, right; it seems to be hereditary.” Referring to Justin’s trip to the basement while he slept.
“It isn’t the same. I wasn’t in danger.” She shook her head to loosen her hair and then laid it on his shoulder. “I’m hungry.”
“Wiggle your nose and get us something to eat. You’re the witch,” Gus snapped; he was worried that Molly was fooling around with something she shouldn’t. That maybe she was a bit too interested in the Book of Shadows that she’d found.
“Asshole,” she said punching him on the shoulder. “If I were a witch you’d be a fucking toad right now.”
“Well maybe we aren’t spelling it right. Maybe it starts with a ‘B’,” he replied rubbing his shoulder and glaring at Molly.
The two friends glared at each other until the whole absurdity of the situation was realized and they both collapsed in laughter. Gus stood up and pulled Molly to her feet. “Why don’t we go to the diner before school? I could use a nice grease- laden breakfast. Besides, we only have dad’s cereal here and it’s made with twigs and nuts, and tastes like shit.”
“Yum grease,” Molly smacked her lips. “I’m going to have blueberry pancakes with lots of butter and syrup.” Arm in arm they headed for the stairs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Hey, Uncle Mikey,” Gus said when he and Molly walked in the diner. The two kids slipped into the booth he was sitting in.
“It’s barely seven o’clock; did you two wet the bed?” Michael joked.
“How did you know?” Molly’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I guess it takes a bed wetter to know one.” She looked pointedly at her watch.
“Witch with a ‘B’,” Gus whispered loudly to Michael who laughed and then laughed even louder at Molly’s red face.
“Hey there boys and girl,” Emmett said as he walked in. “I feel the need for waffles piled high with strawberries and whipped cream. I had the best sex ever last night. It makes one right hungry.” He pushed into the booth beside Michael and beamed at the two kids across from him. “And how was your night?” he asked everyone.
“Molly and I didn’t do anything special,” Gus said.
“I did inventory last night,” Michael muttered. He sat back while the waiter poured more coffee for him and offered it to the rest of them.
Breakfast orders were given. “It’s almost like a party,” Emmett beamed. “We should play games.”
“Give it a break Emmett,” Michael groaned. “It’s too early for your ideas.”
“Hey Dad, Justin, over here.” Gus stood up and waved. “It’s a party Em,” he grinned.
“Boys, Molly,” Brian drawled as he and Justin passed them to sit in the booth behind. “Fancy meeting all of you here.” He turned to Justin, “I told you we should have breakfast at your hotel.”
Justin pushed him into the booth and sat down beside him so that they could face their friends. “All we need now is Seiji.”
“And Paul,” Gus piped up.
“And Paul.” Though Justin thought that would never happen, but what the heck, Gus could dream.
“You mentioned my name,” Seiji grinned and sat down next to Molly. “Hey Moll,” he said and kissed her cheek.
“I did my sets like you told me to and it worked. I feel like I’m more in control with my body and my abilities,” she whispered to him. Everyone else was talking so no one noticed their exchange.
“It does work,” he smiled. Everyone’s breakfast was delivered and Seiji ordered a bowl of granola and yogurt with fruit. It was his favorite breakfast, especially since he’d discovered that the cook made his own granola.
Justin whispered to Brian, “Do you mind if we go somewhere else?”
“Not in the least.” He stood up. “It’s been a slice guys, but we just remembered an urgent appointment.”
Justin slid out of his seat and joined Brian. “Molly, make sure you aren’t late for school.”
“Yes Dad,” she quipped. “It’s not like it’s is going to disappear. I told you it’s just a formality till the end of the year.”
“Good, so it won’t hurt you to be there.” Justin looked at Gus who read his look and nodded. Molly would be safer at school.
“Later boys,” Brian drawled. “And you too Molly.”
“Later Mr. K,” Molly grinned at him. “You and Justin make a great couple.” She was just being annoying. She was well aware that both men shied away from relationships.
Much to Molly and everyone else’s surprise. Brian replied, “We do, don’t we.” He kissed Justin’s red cheek before taking his hand and walking him out the door.
“What was that all about?” Michael asked the group. “Brian was supposed to meet me here for breakfast.”
“Hmmm, I guess they had a good night too,” Emmett smiled knowingly. “I recognize the well-fucked look, don’t you?”
“I prefer not to think of my dad and Justin actually doing it , Gus shuddered.
“Yeah, they have a platonic relationship,” Molly added tongue in cheek. She looked at Gus who looked back at her and together they shouted, “NOT!”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“You do know that the gang is going to do nothing but talk about us now,?” Brian said. He held the door open for Justin to get in.
“I figured,” Justin shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. We can go to the big house if you want. The fridge is full, I can cook you breakfast.”
“Sounds fine.” Brian pulled out of the parking spot and began to drive. “I’ll use the extra computer there while you work. I have some stuff to do for The Company and I don’t want to bother with my laptop.”
“It’s only breakfast Brian, it isn’t moving in together.”
“Did I mention that I wasn’t leaving you alone in that house?” Brian smiled and put his hand on Justin’s leg. “Don’t bother arguing Boyo, I have spoken,” he leered and continued to drive.
Justin rode along in silence not sure he liked having someone with him every moment of the day, but also not sure he didn’t. “Fine do what you want, but it will be boring.” Justin shrugged. “I’m leaving for my home in France soon, so I’ll be out of your hair quickly.”
Brian said nothing, but he knew he’d better find out more about Justin’s plans for France, because there wasn’t a chance that Justin and Molly were going to be there without him and The Company to watch their asses.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Molly, would you hurry up?” Justin said knocking on the dressing room door. “You’ve been in there forever.”
“I have not,” Molly said and walked out to show off her latest choice of clothing.
“No,” Justin said and sat back on the chair someone had finally brought him.
“Justin, why not?” Molly turned around in front of the full-length mirror.
“Hmmm, the white belly shirt is one thing, but wearing it with a black bra and a skirt that would double as a belt… NO.”
“Justin you’ve said no to everything,” she pouted. She wasn’t actually planning on buying these things, but since he’d insisted on coming along like she a two- year old, Molly thought he might as well get played and she did him well. She had no intention of buying much of a wardrobe; after all they were going to France soon and the clothes there were to die for. She planned on spending lots of her mother’s money in Paris.
“Molly,” he sighed and rubbed his temples. “I have a bitch of a headache and you aren’t helping. “We’ve been to a dozen stores and you haven’t picked out anything. We leave tomorrow.”
“I’ll buy stuff there,” she said. “Besides, why can’t I just get my stuff at the house?”
“Because I don’t want you to go to the house. I’m not going there either.”
“You went there with Brian. You made him breakfast.” She turned and flounced back into the dressing room. “You didn’t even care about getting my stuff so you can damn well wait while I pick out something to wear.”
“I don’t like your attitude Molly. That place is dangerous and you know it. It damn near killed you.”
“I lived there just fine when you weren’t home,” she said not caring who heard her arguing. “You aren’t the boss of me Justin. You’re only my brother not my keeper.”
“Now, now kids, don’t fight,” Brian drawled. He put his arm around Justin and gave him a quick hug.
“What are you doing here?” Justin asked. He looked around almost expecting the rest of the crew to be there as well.
“Well, you have two choices; either I’ve been following you or coincidently I also shop in the junior miss department.”
“Hey Mr. K, will you get my brother to leave me alone?” Molly whined. “He won’t let me buy clothes that are in style. He wants me to dress like my mother.”
“Now that’s not very nice Boyo, with a fine young girl like Molly,” Brian grinned.
Justin elbowed him in the stomach, none too gently. “Fuck off Brian,” he hissed. “That’s it Molly, get dressed, you’ll just have to make do with whatever you took to the Kinney’s. I don’t give a shit if you go bare assed, I’m not putting up with this one more minute.”
Molly grinned at Brian and returned to the dressing room to put her jeans and tee shirt back on.
“That’s the attitude Boyo,” Brian drawled while he clapped Justin on the back. “Of course it won’t get you far with the teenage crowd, but you go for it.”
“Oh and you can do better?” Justin glared at him.
“Actually I can.” He patted Justin on the head and turned to the clothing racks. “Molly would look good in this, and this.” Brian chose three different outfits and then headed for the change room. “Molly Honey, I found something that’ll look great on you. Would you do me a favor and give them try?” he asked.
“Sure Mr. K,” Molly said opening the door to accept the clothes Brian had in his hands. “Wow, this stuff looks great. Where did you find it?”
“Oh, I can find a lot of things.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Your brother and I will be waiting for the fashion show.”
He found the chair Justin had been sitting in and sat down. Justin walked by and Brian grabbed his wrist pulling him down on his lap. “Time to be a good boy and wait for your sister,” Brian whispered.
“I can’t believe this,” Justin hissed back.
Soon Molly was out of the change room and modeling the first outfit Brian had picked. It was apparent his taste and Molly’s were similar. She looked tastefully stylish.
“I love this,” she said turning around as if she was on a runway.”
“Great we’ll take that one.” Brian smiled as he held a struggling Justin on his knee. “You’ll have to excuse your brother, he seems to be having some kind of fit.”
Molly choked back a laugh before heading back to try on another of Brian’s choices.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Molly was in her room at the Kinney residence, Gus was on the phone to Paul and Justin was sulking in the kitchen watching Brian mix up a batch of iced tea.
Reluctantly,Justin finally blurted out, “Thanks.”
Brian turned to him “Thanks? For making iced tea?”
“No for dealing with Molly. Do you know how long I spent in that fucking mall?”
“Every painful minute Boyo. Why do you think I finally intervened?”
Justin shot him a look that should have withered Brian. “Right,” he said and sighed. “It’s going to be tough on you having to entertain yourself when we head to France.”
Brian didn’t answer, but just smiled mysteriously. His ticket was already booked.
“Don’t even consider it Brian,” Justin said as he correctly interpreted the look. “Nice is my home territory, as much as New York is. I won’t need a watcher. My place is calm, serene and best of all walled and private.”
“How lovely for you. Your very own jail.” Brian poured him a glass of the newly made tea. “I hope the guards are hawt.”
“You know that you’re really annoying Cookie,” Justin sipped his tea with narrowed eyes. “I have a caretaker who’s been with me since I bought the place. Which by the way I did while I was still at the university. The software market pays remarkably well.”
Brian already knew all of this; his investigation of the blond had turned up that information and more;, much more. “I’m happy for you Boyo.”
“I’m sure you already know this,” Justin glared at him. “Molly and I will be perfectly safe. It’s not like I’m in unfamiliar territory.”
“So you say.” Brian sat down beside him at the counter. “And how often did you go to Aubrey Thomas’ place in Vence? I mean it’s not that far from your little hideaway.”
“Why would I have gone there?” Justin asked. “I didn’t know the fucking man existed before the last couple of weeks.”
“I don’t know, sixth sense, ESP, or perhaps familial attraction?”
Justin rolled his eyes. “Fuck off, Cookie.”
Brian didn’t wince at the endearment. He knew Justin used it only when he was trying to get to him. It worked, but not in the way Justin intended. Each time the blond said Cookie, in the soft drawling way he had of pronouncing the word, he felt a rush of heat flow from his belly to his groin. He’d never be able to eat the damn things again without thinking of them as an aphrodisiac.