Enquiring Minds
Chapter 1
Plot bunny by Carnimiriel
Article in the Enquirer - June 6, 2005
Author Brian Kinney continues to remain mysterious, a reclusive though his seventh novel, No Where Man has remained on the best seller list for a record thirty four weeks. His publishing house traditionally promotes through the talk show circuit, but in Mr. Kinney’s case he refuses to promote any of his novels. “If the public doesn’t want to read what I write, well fuck ‘em” is a direct quote from Mr. Kinney on one of his rare interviews.
The handsome Brian Kinney lives on his estate with his young son and his son’s mother. Keeping with his reclusive persona, Mr. Kinney never discusses this relationship though it has been rumored that it is a relationship of convenience. The one thing we do know is that Mr. Kinney refuses to allow any males on the estate. One has to question the reason for this. The Enquirer will continue to investigate and report back.
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Justin had been sitting in a coffee shop when the man at the table next to him dropped his copy of the Enquirer in the garbage bin nearby. At the same time, one of Justin’s watchers walked into the coffee shop. In a move so smooth that it gave the appearance of being well practiced, Justin took the paper out of the can, opened it and pretended to be reading, shielding his face from anyone curious enough to scan the small shop.
Because the paper had been the Enquirer, Justin knew that his watcher would never suspect it was him behind the scandal sheet. After all, Justin Taylor, heir to the Taylor billions would hardly be reading the Enquirer. Justin’s father, Craig Taylor had lately been having Justin followed and watched. He was determined to make sure that his son didn’t follow the unsavory gay lifestyle of his brother Andrew. Justin had never been the same since returning to Pittsburgh from the summer at Andrew’s cottage in the Lake District.
Justin was determined to be his own man, who ever or what ever that was going to be. He knew his father meant well or at least that the man thought he was doing the best for his son. But Justin couldn’t live a lie. He was gay and he was out and proud no matter what his father might think. The sad part of this morning’s charade, was that Justin had overheard his father negotiating with a group that specialized in ‘turning’ gays straight. There was no way that Justin was going to go through whatever crap they planned to do to him. He needed to find a place to hide out for a few months until his mother could pound some sense into his father’s head.
What Justin found ironic in all this foolishness, was that his Uncle Andrew, gay man that he was, was responsible for the family fortune increase. It had more than tripled under Andrew’s direction. A fact that Craig Taylor conveniently forgot and never mentioned. And Andrew had majored in Fine Arts and only minored in Business Administration. Justin himself had followed Andrew’s choice of studies in University. He had counted on his father not noticing what he chose as his major and minor. He had gambled and won that part of the last four years. But graduation day had rolled around and the commission he’d done for the city fathers had been unveiled and reported in the same week. Needless to say, Justin’s name was mud as far as his father was concerned at the moment.
Justin could see two of the watchers talking outside of the coffee shop. They looked agitated. He kind of felt bad for them; he knew his father would have their heads if he could when he discovered Justin was missing. A picture in the paper caught Justin’s attention. It was a badly blurred photo of Brian Kinney, the author who was in Justin’s opinion one of the best gay themed novelists ever to publish. He read the article. He’d love to meet this guy. Even the badly taken picture couldn’t hide how hot the man was.
The two watchers headed down the street. Justin wasn’t stupid enough to think that they were the only ones. This firm that his father had hired was the best there was and a lot of money was at stake. Justin came into the balance of his inheritance from his grandmother in three months. The shares his father had been voting in his behalf would now be his and he and his Uncle Andrew would then control the voting stock of the company. His father wasn’t liking that much.
Justin moved over to one of the computers that had become free. He needed to contact his friend Daphne.
First he opened up a new email account under a fictitious name. He knew that if these guys were good, they would be monitoring his email as well as Daphne’s.
kaitydid@hotmail.com
daffyduck@kinnetic.com
Subject: long lost cousins turning up
Hey Daphne - it’s been years I know - Mom said you were trying to get a hold of me. Sorry I didn’t write sooner, but you know, places to go, people to see. She said you might have a few ideas for a job for me. I’m running low on cash and damned if I’m going to ask mom for any. In fact, if you have any ideas for me to spend a couple of months away from mommy dearest and the hot city of New York, I’d really appreciate it. I’ll probably be in town soon. We could meet somewhere. I know your mom is still mad at me so why don’t we meet where we used to go when we were kids. You know that place by the river - I’ll be there for a day or so and then I’m moving on, job or no job.
Love ya bunches cousin dearest
Kaity
Justin sent the message to his friend Dorian who would in turn send it to Daphne via an untraceable route that would look innocent enough. He’d worded the email in a code that he and Daphne had developed when they were barely out of the toddler stage. They had learned early the advantage of keeping Justin’s parents in the dark about what they were up to.
A group of kids were getting ready to leave the coffee shop. Justin stood up and pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up over his hair. He slouched along with the rest of the kids and left with them. Anyone watching would think that they were together. Not caring what the kids thought, he traveled down the street until they came to a bus stop. A cross town bus was pulling up and Justin hopped on with a wave of his hand as if saying goodbye to the others. He went to the back of the bus and slouched in his seat letting the bus take him as far away from the city center as it could.
Justin unlocked the door to the dingy apartment in the building called the New Yorker. He and Daphne had kept the apartment for years without any of their families being aware of it. They both used it as a safe haven when it became too much to deal with being the children of rich and autocratic parents. Daphne would be here eventually. Justin knew that. It was only a matter of time before she managed to elude her own watchers, who combined with Justin’s, made her life hell.
He woke up shaking. He was being followed in his dream and the followers were getting closer and closer. He could see hazel eyes, flecked with gold and green staring out at him from the darkness and he knew that if he could only reach those eyes and the person behind them, he’d be safe.
“Justin, are you okay?” Daphne had been lying beside him on the small bed. He hadn’t even awakened when she came in. That fact in itself made him shake, what if it had been his watchers.
“Geeze Daphne, you trying to scare me to death?” Justin answered covering the fear he was feeling.
“That was my plan.” She smirked. “You have no idea how hard it was to get away from those assholes this evening. But I did it with my handy bag of tricks.” She pointed to her oversized purse that Justin knew held a myriad of persona changes. They were both good at disguising themselves when it was needed.
“We should join the fucking CIA” Justin said bitterly. “We already have the disguise part down.”
“Justin, about the disguise thing, do you remember when you were Kaity for a week when my mother was pushing for me to make friends?”
Justin thought back to the time when he’d dressed in drag for an entire week of Mid Term Vacation. He posed as Daphne’s best friend from school. It was enough to get her parents off her back for years. She’d always say she was going to Kaity’s house or that they would be spending the week in New York together. There was always a reason why they never met the girl again. It was enough that they had met her once and liked her. Daphne’s parents weren’t the swiftest of the flock of sheep that made up the employees of Justin’s family’s company.
“When I got your email I remembered that. My friend Melanie has this really cool job. She’s the lawyer for a man named Brian Kinney. I don’t know whether you know him or not, but he’s an author.”
“I’ve heard of him.”
“Anyway, she’s pretty much one of the few people he trusts. He never and I do mean never, allows any men on his estate. The entire estate is run by women.”
“So?”
“So, they are looking for an art teacher for his son Gus. Seems the kid has some talent and Brian Kinney wants him to develop the talent. He wants someone with an extensive education who can also do home schooling for the boy. Mr. Kinney isn’t comfortable sending Gus off to school yet.”
“And this is important to me how?”
“Kaity can get the job. I’ll ask Mel for a big favor and get her to hire you. You can give her all of your references and stuff after we fix them up. Mel will take my word for the fact that you can be trusted. We’re tight.”
“Daphne are you out of your mind? I can’t do drag for weeks on end. Someone is going to notice.”
“Your hair is long enough. I can give you a perm. You can keep it blond, that way you don’t have to worry about dying it at inopportune times. You already know how to use makeup. And ……. Daphne produced a bag that had been beside the bed. “I have clothes that will look awesome on you.”
“Daphne, I’m going to look like a fool.”
“No you won’t, you already are pretty femmy, you can just let them think you’re a dyke. You know kind of a masculine girl.”
“Very funny Daphne.”
“Do you have any other ideas?”
“No” Justin looked at his friend. “That’s a lot to ask of a lawyer even if she is your friend. I doubt she’ll go along with it.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve already set it up.” Daphne looked pleased with herself. “In fact, Melanie will be picking you up in the estate car in….” she checked her watch. “In about two hours.”
“Fuck, I don’t believe this.” Justin got out of bed not caring that he only had on his underwear. It wasn’t like Daphne hadn’t seen it before.
“Justin, it’s the only thing I could think of. You have to be able to stay out of your Dad’s way until you turn twenty five. It’s only three months and it’s not like you can’t do the job.”
“But Daphne, I not only have to go back into the closet, something I swore I’d never do. But I also have to become a girl.”
Daphne giggled. “You make a cute girl Justin. Maybe a tad butch, but that’s okay too. Even your voice is delicious if it was a girl. Kind of husky and sexy.”
“Thank you for sharing your fantasies with me Daphne.” Justin smirked. “I hope you at least bought me some decent looking clothes. I’m damned if I’m going to be a badly dressed girl.”
“Go wash your hair. I’ll get the stuff ready to perm it and maybe give you a cute cut. Oh and don’t forget to shave your legs and under your arms. It’s a good thing you aren’t the hairy chested type of guy.”
“Daphne, I just know this is going to end in a disaster.” Justin was shaking his head as he headed into the bathroom to do as Daphne had requested.
By the time Melanie Marcus had arrived at the apartment. She was greeted at the door with a hug and a kiss from Daphne. “You look wonderful as usual girl.” Melanie said as she stood back and held Daphne at arms length. “Too bad you don’t like girls.”
“I like girls, but I like cock better.” Daphne responded. She looked over and almost started to laugh when she saw the flush of red on Justin’s face. “Meet my friend Kaity Taylor.”
Justin stood up(;) he looked over at Melanie and smiled, all the while hoping his lipstick was on properly. “Hi Melanie, I’m sorry Daphne felt she had to beg for a job for me. But I just have to get away for a few months.”
“Boy trouble?” Melanie asked.
“In a way.” Justin didn’t want to lie too much. “Daphne said that this was a tutoring position.”
“Yes, Gus is showing considerable talent as an artist. He just turned six. I know it’s young, but his father decided that he should have some instruction for a few months as well as preschool studies to prepare him for entering school in the fall.”
“Six is old to be starting school.”
“It is, but he’s been home schooled this year. I think Mr. Kinney wants a new face around Gus and someone else to teach him to make sure that what he did learn was correct.”
“Well I did graduate from PIFA. I majored in Fine Arts and minored in Business Administration and I like kids.” Justin smiled again. His feet were killing him in the shoes Daphne had chosen.
“You sound perfect Kaity.” Mel looked at Daphne. “We have to go. I promised I’d be back from the city by six this evening.”
“Where are we going?” Justin asked. “I mean Daphne never did say where this job was.”
“Mr. Kinney’s estate is rather secluded. I hope you won’t mind. It’s deep in the mountains.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter as long as there’s electricity.”
“There really isn’t anything missing. We have satellite television, DSL internet, phone service, we even have a swimming pool.”
“I don’t swim.” Justin said. “Water phobia.” He knew he’d never pass as a girl in a bathing suit. He wasn’t even going to try that one. He picked up the bag he and Daphne had packed earlier. “Are we close to any town? I’m not sure that I packed everything and I know I haven’t packed enough clothing for three months.”
“There’s a small village not far from the estate. It sells a lot of stuff in the General Store. You can buy panties and things there and casual clothes. Nothing too fancy.”
“Sounds good to me. Will I be expected to wear a uniform or anything?” Visions of the play Jane Eyre were running through Justin’s head.
“I don’t think so.” Melanie laughed. “Lindsay doesn’t wear a uniform.” She blushed. “Lindsay is the housekeeper and my girlfriend.”
“Oh” was all Justin could say. He wasn’t exactly sure about the etiquette of discovering someone is gay. “Interesting” he added.
“I just wanted you to know in case you thought Lindsay was maybe single.” She stared pointedly at Justin.
Justin looked at Daphne who was trying her best not to break into laughter. “Uh, I like cock.” He said without thinking. Then realizing that was hardly what a ‘good girl’ would say, smiled. “Sorry, that just slipped out.”
Melanie laughed, pleased that the good looking blond wasn’t going to put the moves on Lindsay. “I’m sorry Kaity, but there isn’t any cock within six miles. Mr. Kinney is uber gay and Gus is too young.”
“No stable boy?” Justin joked.
“No males of any kind on the estate. I swear there isn’t even a tom cat. I’m not sure what, but something pretty bad happened years ago to Mr. Kinney. He doesn’t trust men and he refuses to let any get close to him. If you ask me he’s broken hearted.”
“Or he just hates men.” Justin’s voice was droll.
The two women laughed. “I don’t think that’s it. I know for a fact he comes into town at least once a month and spends it fucking himself exhausted.” Melanie revealed. “I once heard him talking about what he planned to do. He was calling an old friend from Pittsburgh who I gather he meets when he comes to town.”
“So I can be sure to keep my virginity then.” Justin said with a laugh.
“Well, at least you won’t have to worry about Mr. Kinney.” Melanie replied. “Get your stuff; we really need to leave now. I have two more stops and then it’s a long drive back to the estate.”
“Kaity, you call me if you need anything.” Daphne said. “Should I give anyone any messages?”
“No Daphne, I really do need this time on my own.” Justin said. “Thanks for everything.” He kissed his friend and gave her a hug.
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Somewhere deep in the mountains of Pennsylvania, in a house that could only be described as a mansion, Brian Kinney was attempting to reason with his son. “Gus, Melanie has found a nice lady to teach you art. Her name is Kaity and she’s blonde and cute, just like mommy was.”
“Daddy, I don’t want another mommy. I want to have a man teacher. I hate all these ladies.”
“Kaity isn’t another mommy; she’s just someone who will be your friend. I agreed to let you go to the village school in the fall. Now you need to make sure that you have all the necessary skills to help you fit in.”
“Daddy, I don’t care. I’m not going to like this Kaity; you can just call Melanie and tell her to turn the car around. I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER LADY NEAR ME.” Gus shouted and then turned and ran down the corridor to his room.
Brian winced when the door slammed shut. “Now that went well.” He muttered under his breath as he headed for his office slamming that door much in the same way as his son had done. He walked to the windows that formed the wall behind his desk and looked out on the carefully manicured gardens. How long had it been since his son had run through the grass and laughed and played he wondered.
His fingers idly played with the leather of the bracelet he wore, it was an unconscious gesture and one he did often when he was troubled about something. It was as if he sought the comfort of the man who had given him the bracelet many years ago. The man who had broken his heart and almost broken him when he had killed himself so long ago. Oh the doctors had explained that the disease was what had killed Drew and not the gunshot wound. It was the disease that had caused his beautiful Drew to take his own life and try and take Brian’s as well. Luckily for Brian, Drew had a terrible aim and the wound that had seared his flesh healed while the unseen wound of the broken heart had festered. Could you die from a broken heart? It was something Brian often wondered. He might have died. He might have given up except for Gus. Gus kept him alive by needing him and loving him. Gus, the one sacrifice that Drew had made that brought joy into Brian’s life each day.
And Gus, Gus was too young to understand why his father refused to allow any men near him. He was too young to know the aching heart that beat within his father’s chest and to know the loneliness that haunted his eyes. And Drew, Drew still lived in Brian’s novels and in his mind and imagination as he wrote story after story of haunted love affairs between men. Churning out best seller after bestseller though each story was really one. The story of the doomed love affair between an older man and his young protégée in alternate universe after alternate universe. Each one different yet the same. Each one ending happily ever after which as Brian knew was a crock of shit because life sure as fuck wasn’t like that. There was no happily ever after at least not for a couple of fags.
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“Your voice is beautiful.” Melanie said after she and Justin had been driving for awhile.
“Thanks, are you hitting on me?” Justin asked.
“No” Melanie laughed. “I’ve just always been attracted to girls with more resonance to their voices than the usual simpering giggle that I get most of the time.”
“Thanks, I think.” Justin said. He looked out the window. “This place is in the middle of no where isn’t it?”
Melanie laughed. “It seems like it is alright. You’ll like the nursery and the school rooms. Mr. Kinney has everything in them you could possibly want.”
“In this day and age, Gus sleeps in a nursery?”
“The house is very old. It was designed for the children to be as far away from their parents as possible.”
“Sucks to be the kid.” Justin said with feeling. “Isn’t he kind of young to be that much away from his father?”
“I suppose, but since that’s all he’s ever known, he really doesn’t mind. He certainly has never said anything. And Mr. Kinney has always had someone looking after Gus.”
“What happened to Mrs. Kinney?”
“Oh, there was never a Mrs. Kinney. Mr. Kinney is gay, I think I mentioned that. Gus is the son of a very good friend of his and Mr. Kinney, but Gus’ mom died in childbirth, so they’ve always been together.
“Even I know that good friend or not, the good friend had to be a woman. So Mr. Kinney had a bit of a ‘slip’ did he.” Justin smiled. He knew a number of guys who professed to be hetero when in fact they were as gay as a spring day in May.
“No, Mr. Kinney donated his sperm to his friend.” Melanie glared at Justin, she didn’t like anything bad to be thought of her boss.
“Sorry” Justin murmured. This was getting more and more interesting. He’d stopped checking for cars following them hours ago, and he was finally relaxing for the first time in days.
“In fact, I think Mr. Kinney would donate the sperm to Lindsay, my partner and I if we decide to have children.”
“Interesting, I think I’ll just get pregnant the old fashioned way.” Justin said. Like that would ever happen he thought.
“That’s easy for you to say Kaity, but Lindsay and I don’t have that option.” Melanie smiled at her new friend. She looked ahead. “See those tall iron gates in that fence, that’s the Kinney estate.”
Justin looked, they had been driving beside a high fence fashioned from stone for quite some time. The gates were impressive and oppressive at the same time. Because once he drove through them there was no turning back. He’d be stuck there living like a female for three months. The gates were making him nervous, but he was going to do this. He really needed to get away from his father and all his paid watchers. The man was never going to understand that he was an artist and not a businessman and had no interest in being a businessman other than looking after his own business which wasn’t doing so bad thank you very much.
“It’s a tad intimidating.” Justin unconsciously ducked when they went through the gate.
“Only at first.” Melanie said with a smile. “I rather like the idea that once inside; you are safe from the rest of the world. I kind of thought you might like that as well.”
“Actually it is rather appealing.” Justin admitted. He adjusted the shirt that he was wearing. “Do I look okay; we’ve been driving a long time.” He had on a white dress shirt of his that he’d left untucked and Capri pants with ballet slippers. He looked like a slightly masculine young girl. Justin was thankful his beard was virtually non existent. The drive had been a long one.
“You look fine. I’m glad you decided to dress casually. We almost always do. Though once in awhile Mr. Kinney has us all eat with him and we like to dress up on those nights.”
“I’ll have your bags taken up to your room. I’m sure that Mr. Kinney would like to see you first before you meet Gus.” Melanie parked the car in front of a broad front entrance.
Justin thought the place looked down right spooky, but he got out of the car remembering to take his bag with him. He’d always carried a large mail satchel kind of bag, now he just had to remember to refer to it as a purse. It was great for carrying sketching equipment among other things. He thought of the lipstick and gloss that was in the bag now and tried not to wince.
“Maybe I should go to my room and freshen up first.” Justin began. He was getting nervous about meeting Mr. Kinney and carrying off this farce.
“I don’t think so Kaity, Mr. Kinney is very strict about people coming into his house. I’m sure he’ll want to meet you.” The two of them walked in through the double doors that stood an imposing eight feet high. Justin couldn’t imagine why anyone would need a door that high unless Mr. Kinney was some kind of giant.
“Melanie you’re back and I see you’ve brought Gus’ new tutor.” Justin turned startled at the sound of the voice. The man coming down the winding staircase was unbelievably handsome. Justin’s knees felt weak and he could feel the stirrings of lust in his cock. Thank gawd he had let his shirt hang loose over his capris. “You must be Kaity Taylor, I’m Brian Kinney, Gus’ dad.” Brian held out his hand to shake.
Resisting the urge to wipe his hand on his pants, Justin shook hands with his handsome employer. “Hi, yes I’m Kaity Taylor.” He had hesitated just a bit over the Kaity, he’d have to get used to it. When their hands touched, Justin could feel a spark of pleasure surge through his body. He could tell by the flush on the older man’s face, as well as the confusion, that he’d felt it too.
“Miss Taylor, come into my study, I’d like to get to know you before I introduce you to Gus.” Brian nodded his head in the general direction of a wide hall lined with doors and began walking; Justin hurried to catch up with him.
When they were seated in Brian’s study, Brian turned to Justin and asked. “Do you have any of your work with you? I’d like to see what kind of an artist you are?” He knew that his new employee must have brought some kind of credentials with her. Brian was still shaken from the reaction of his body to the touch of this young girl’s hand. Something like this had never happened to him before with a member of the opposite sex.
“Sure” Justin was nervous as he opened his ‘purse’ and pulled out a sketchbook. He was hoping that there wasn’t anything too weird in it. He wasn’t sure how this Brian Kinney would react. He had one book full of male nudes. Justin prayed this wasn’t the one as he handed the book to Brian. “I didn’t have a lot of notice to pack. I grabbed a couple of sketchbooks, but left pretty much everything else at home.” He added as an explanation.
Brian sat back in his leather chair. He turned it so that the light from the window would fall across the pages of the sketchbook as he turned them. Justin knew that the man had the one with the nudes when his eye brows raised and his mouth turned slightly into a smile, almost invisible but still there. “Interesting choice of subject matter Miss Taylor.” Brian’s voice was an amused drawl.
“Sorry, I have another book if you’d rather something less X rated. And you can call me Jay if you want.”
“Jay?” Brian asked without turning, he was still looking at the sketches.
“Yes, it’s my nickname.” Justin said. It would be a lot easier than answering to Kaity.”
“No problem Jay.” Brian continued to turn the pages. “These are pretty good. You have an eye for the male body.”
“Let’s just say the male body is one of my favorite hobbies.” Justin said with a wide grin. “But I’ll be very good for the next three months. I understand that there aren’t any guys who live here.”
“Just me and Gus.
“Well Gus is a bit young for me. I kind of like older men, more your age.”
“I’m gay.” Brian said abruptly.
“So I heard.” Justin answered. “That’s too bad for me. But it’s only three months I’m sure I can survive.”
“How old are you?” Brian asked.
“I’m twenty four, why?”
“You look younger.”
“I know, someday I’ll be glad of that I suppose, but right now it sucks to be carded when I want to go to a club.”
Brian laughed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been carded. You come from New York, maybe I’ve been to some of the clubs you’ve gone to.”
“I don’t think so.” Justin said. He probably had been to the same clubs, luckily not at the same time that Justin had been there. Justin would have remembered this guy that was for sure.
Hazel eyes looked hard at Justin, thinking that something was off but not sure what. He looked back at the sketchbook. This young woman definitely had talent. “Is there any particular reason why you want to sequester yourself away from New York and all the things you can do there for three months?” Brian asked.
Deciding to answer honestly, because this whole farce of hiding who he was, was much against his nature, Justin said. “It’s a long story, but basically, my father has the idea that I should be part of the family business, devote my time 24/7 to meetings and learning to run the place and never touch another pencil again unless it’s one to write notes with.” He sighed and Brian could see that this person was very unhappy about this state of affairs. “I’m an artist, I’m a damn good artist. I have money in my own name that my father can’t control and on my twenty fifth birthday I come into the majority of the stock in our family companies. My father wants to be sure that I’m in his thrall when this happens. He’s even gone so far as to have me watched. I don’t know whether he thought I was just going to vanish or what - but I guess I did just that.” Justin looked at Brian and grinned.
“My friend Daphne, who I’ve known forever, introduced me to Melanie who offered me this job. So to answer your question, being sequestered out here is going to be just fine as far as I’m concerned. I turn twenty-five a week before the contract ends. I’ll meet with my father and his advisers when I get back from here, but I’ll have a lawyer with me when I do.”
“It sounds like you have things all planned out. I can give you the names of a couple of lawyers who specialize in this kind of thing.” Brian offered.
“Thanks, that would be great.” Justin laughed. “I know I’m blond, but I’m really not the dumb blond stereotype. I did graduate from PIFA with honors and that included the odd business course. I minored in business administration.”
Brian was mesmerized by the full lips and sapphire blue eyes of the curly haired blond woman who sat in front of him. Her voice sent chills up and down his spine and it was driving him crazy having this reaction to a woman. He’d never even had this kind of reaction with Gus’ mother and she’d been one of his closest women friends. Christ, he thought, I have to get out of here before I start ravishing this woman. I think I’ve gone nuts.
“Mr. Kinney?” Justin said, his voice soft. The man was kind of spaced out. Maybe he was having some kind of seizure or something.
“Uh, oh, sorry, I was thinking.” Brian stammered feeling like a tongue-tied high school boy confronting a girl for the first time. “I’ll call Gus down, you should meet him.”
“Is Gus up in the nursery?” Justin asked.
“Yes, I can reach him on the intercom.” Brian reached for the devise on his desk.
“Mr. Kinney, I’d rather meet Gus on his own turf so to speak. I think we’d start off better that way.” Justin smiled and Brian’s resolve began to melt as his eyes once again fastened on the strawberry lips. He wondered if the tasted as sweet as they looked.
“Sure,” Brian agreed. “He’s on the second floor at the end of the hall, first door by the window. It’s the schoolroom and Gus’ playroom. His bedroom is the next door and yours will be beside that. Your room and Gus’ adjoin though you each have separate bathrooms and you have your own sitting room as well.”
“I’ll find him.” Justin stood up. He bent over to pick up his bag he’d left on the floor beside his chair. Brian’s eyes fixed on the perfectly shaped ass that was now showing. Justin stood and turned to smile at Brian. “Do you want me to report to you daily on Gus’ progress?” he asked.
“No, Jay, I’ll stop in every now and then and see what the two of you are up to.” Brian hoped the young girl would get the fuck out of his study before his hard cock exploded. He definitely needed to get to one of his favorite hangouts and find a trick or ten, and soon.
Justin, who had the vision of an artist, had noticed Brian’s discomfort. He was grinning widely inside. This just might prove to be the best three months of his life, driving the high and mighty Brian Kinney crazy.
Walking slowly and carefully up the winding staircase, Justin was conscious of Brian’s eyes on his ass. He concentrated on walking like Daphne and was glad that he’d spent so much time with her. People think dressing in drag was all that you had to do to change genders, but there was a lot more too it. The least of which was walking like a woman.
Justin found the door to Gus’ room. He could hear the boy inside talking and he wondered who was in there with him. Justin knocked on the door. “Gus, it’s Jay, can I come in.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“I thought your name was Kaity.”
“It is, but I like Jay better.”
There was silence for a moment. “I guess you can come in.”
Justin opened the door and peeked inside. “Hey nice room.” He said as he walked in.
“It’s okay.” Gus looked at him. “Are you sure you’re a girl?”
“That’s what they say these days.” Justin said not wanting to lie to the boy.
“Where’s your dress?” Gus was skeptical
“In my suitcase. I thought wearing pants would be more comfortable on the long drive.” Justin smiled at Gus. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“If I don’t ask questions, I don’t find out anything. Nobody tells kids stuff.” Gus smiled back at Justin. “I don’t care if you’re a boy pretending to be a girl. But daddy will be really mad. He doesn’t like boys.”
“He likes you.”
“That’s ‘cause he has to. I’m his kid.”
“Well, let’s just pretend that I’m a girl. It’ll be our little secret.”
“Cool, but why do we have to?”
“’Cause your daddy doesn’t like boys.”
“Right, I forgot.” Gus grinned. “Okay.” Gus walked over and took Justin’s hand. “Come and sit down here.” He took him over to a window seat built into the room.
“Hey, we can see forever from this spot.”
“Yeah, isn’t it great. It’s like being in a castle. Someday a Prince is going to come and rescue me.” He looked at Justin. “Are you hiding out from bad guys? Is that why you have a disguise, like in Sister Act?” he was referring to a movie.
“Something like that.” Justin admitted. “Why do you want a Prince to rescue you?”
“Cause then I can be a regular little boy and go places like to the zoo and to museums and play with other kids and stuff. It’s very boring here.” He giggled. “Having a tutor who is a boy disguised as a girl is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened in my whole life.”
“We can’t talk about that remember. You never know who is listening.” Justin looked around for the intercom.
“Don’t worry, I unplugged the monitor. I do it all the time just to see how long it takes for someone to notice that I’m here all by myself.”
Justin felt kind of sad for this precocious little boy. He was relieved that he wouldn’t have to live a lie with at least one of the Kinney household. “Do you want to show me your room and then where I’m going to sleep?” Justin asked.
“Come with me. My room is right next-door. “ Gus stood up and led Justin to a door. “It’s a nice room, but kind of scary at night.” He opened the door and walked in. Justin followed him.
“It’s a big room.” Justin observed. The room was full of old fashioned furniture and nothing a child Gus’ age would appreciate. He looked at Gus, “You know what, I think we should ask your daddy if we can redecorate this room. Make it more fun and less like the Adams family.”
Gus laughed at that. “That’s exactly what this room is like. It’s like Wednesday’s room.”
“I hope Morticia isn’t lurking.” Justin said. He fell onto the bed in giggles, Gus soon joined him. The two of them lay on the bed looking at the ceiling. “You know this is a kind of interesting ceiling. Look at all that fancy molding around the edges. We could make the ceiling look like the sky. Do you want a night sky or a day sky?”
Gus looked up and thought for a moment. “I kind of like a night sky.” He smiled. “We could make night sky walls too.”
“Do you want stars and the moon?”
“And night clouds and three kitties and a two trees and a rocket ship.”
“And some planets, we need some planets.”
“And a little boy and two daddies.” He thought for a moment. “Could we have a mommy angel too?”
“Oh definitely. I mean what night sky would be complete without a mommy angel.” He looked at Gus. “Why two daddies?”
“My daddy needs a husband. He really likes boys even if he says he doesn’t. He’s gay, Lindsay said so to Melanie. I asked him what it meant and daddy said it meant that he is attracted to men and not to women. Are you gay too?” Gus asked hopefully.
“Yes, I’m gay, but remember, it’s our secret.” Justin said.
“So you could be my other daddy?”
“Not too likely Gus. Your daddy thinks I’m a girl remember and if he knew I was a boy then he’d boot my butt out of here.”
“I forgot.” Gus looked sad. “That’s okay, I can pretend you’re my other daddy.” His face lit up. My daddy is gone a lot. It’ll be nice having another daddy here.”
“Even if I wear a dress?” Justin said.
“You don’t have to wear a dress when my daddy is gone.”
“What about Melanie and Lindsay?”
“They won’t know ‘cause we won’t tell them.” Gus looked satisfied. “I’m going to ask daddy if you and me can fix up my room.”
“We’ll both ask him.” Justin said. “I think you need some new furniture too, something a little more modern.”
“And a desk and bookcases and a computer.”
“Well you have all that in the nursery.”
“I hate the nursery, it’s sooooo babyish.” Gus wailed.
“We could make the other room into a sitting room for you. And change its name to Gus’ sitting room. We could make it more like something a grown up boy would like.”
“Hmmmm, you’re making some big plans there Sunshine for someone who just arrived.” Brian drawled from the open door of Gus’ room.
“DADDY” Gus squealed. “Come and lie on the bed with us and look up at the ceiling.”
Brian smiled at his son, but did as he was told. The three of them stared up at the ceiling. “What am I looking at” Brian asked.
“Me and Jay are going to make my room have a night sky, with stars and a moon and clouds and a mommy angel and everything.” Gus answered, “Can’t you just see it? Use your imagination daddy.”
Brian pondered the ceiling for a few minutes. “I can see it alright Gus. Are you sure that Jay is up for all of that?”
“You called Jay Sunshine before.” Gus said. “I like it. And yes Jay can make my room beautiful and not scary any more.”
“I can do it Mr. Kinney if it’s alright with you.” Justin answered. Brian’s thigh was near his head. He could feel the heat radiating off the man.
“You and Gus can do what you want with his room.”
“Well then Mr. Kinney, while we’re at it. Gus would like the other room to be made more into a study or sitting room for him. And maybe update his furniture so it isn’t quite so gothic. He feels intimidated in here and uncomfortable.”
“You and Gus didn’t take long to bond.” Brian said with a smirk. “I mean it’s barely thirty minutes and already the two of you are redoing the house. Should I be worried about the rest of the place? I did mention that I was gay and not too likely to get married to the tutor. This isn’t some gothic romance story unfolding.”
“Well, Gus mentioned it as well.” Justin smirked. “I’m not in the running to be Mrs. Kinney if that’s what you’re worried about. Gus gave him a little pinch on the arm and Justin laughed. “Brat” he said and turned to Gus to tickle him.
“Has Gus shown you your room yet?” Brian asked.
“No, we haven’t gotten past designing his room.” Justin said. Gus moved so that his head was on Justin’s tummy.
“Daddy, we were decorating in our imaginations.”
“I’ll leave the two of you to finish then. You can order what you want on line Jay; I’ll give you my credit card.” Brian kissed Gus on the forehead and stood up. He felt like kissing Jay as well but restrained himself. He was definitely losing his mind. He couldn’t believe he’d offered his credit card to the young girl and worse yet, he couldn’t believe he was willing to do almost anything to make her happy. It must have been her sunshine smile. And damn, why did he have to call her that. Just because he was thinking it, didn’t mean he had to say the world out loud. Trust Gus to notice. “Oh and Jay, dinner is at seven. Gus eats earlier.”
“Who eats with Gus?” Justin asked.
“I eat by myself or sometimes I eat in the kitchen with Lindsay.” Gus said
“Well, Mr. Kinney, I think I’ll be eating with Gus each day.”
“But I want you downstairs for dinner.” Brian wasn’t used to people saying no to him.
“Then you should invite your son to join us as well.” Justin said. He combed his fingers through Gus’ hair, so much like his fathers.
“Very well, Gus you can have dinner downstairs tonight. Please behave yourself.” Brian left the room.
Justin lay on the bed with Gus for a few more minutes after Brian left. Gus giggled and Justin asked. “What’s so funny Mr. Gus?”
“Daddy, he really likes you.” Gus giggled again. “He is sooooo confused.” Gus found this extremely funny and began to laugh out loud. “If I knew you were a boy, why doesn’t daddy?”
“Because your daddy would never imagine anyone going against his orders.” Justin sighed. “I’m probably crazy to do it and I just know I’m going to be sorry.”
“Are the men very bad who you are hiding from? Are they gangsters?”
“No, they aren’t that bad. They just think I should do something I don’t want to do and they are using every kind of pressure you can imagine to make me do what they want. In three months I’ll be twenty five and they won’t be able to pressure me. Well they will, but not as much.”
“We could have a birthday party.” Gus suggested. “Yes we could, but I don’t think we will.” Justin smiled at his new young friend. “Why don’t you show me my room Mr. Gus.”
“It’s a nice room. It’s got lots of windows in it.” Gus moved off of Justin and the bed. “Come on, I think Lindsay put your suitcases in the room.”
Justin followed Gus into the room adjoining the young boys. He was surprised at the size and the beauty of the room. The entire north wall was a bank of windows. The light was incredible. This was a room made for an artist. “This is beautiful.” Justin said. The bed was set off in an alcove and a closet was built in at the end of the room. He opened the door to see banks of drawers and places to hang things.
“It was going to be my mother’s room. But she died when I was born.” Gus looked sad. “My mother was an artist.”
“Is it okay if I use her room?” Justin asked the little boy.
“Yes it’s okay. You make me feel happy inside. I think you do the same to daddy to.”
“Ahh, Mr. Gus, I know you want your daddy to have a husband, but you can’t make stuff like that happen. If it’s going to be then it’s going to be.”
“I know Jay, but I wish it would happen.” Gus ran over to a door. “Look you have a giant bathtub. I just have a little one, but his one is really cool.”
Justin walked over and looked into the bathroom. A large claw footed tub stood prominently on one side of the room. It looked large enough for two and definitely deep enough to soak and relax. “Nice tub.” He agreed.
“I like to have my bath in it. I can play boats.” Gus looked at the tub with longing.
“Feel free to use it.” Justin said. “But only if I can borrow your boats.”
“Sure, we can share them.” Gus agreed.
“We have a couple of hours before dinner. Do you want to show me around? We can start lessons tomorrow.”
“Okay” Gus took Justin’s hand. “We need to stop in the kitchen. I’m hungry. I don’t want to starve to death.”
“I’m hungry too.” Justin agreed. “Do you think we’ll get fed?”
“Miss Julie likes me. She always gives me snacks.”
“Let’s hope she likes me too.”
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Brian looked out of the window in his study. Gus and Jay were walking hand in hand across the lawn. He knew Gus would be taking his tutor to the summer house. It was one of Gus’ favorite spots to hide out away from the house and one of the first places they looked for him when he couldn’t be found. It was rather surprising watching his son talking animatedly to the blond who was walking with him. Gus was usually so reticent and he had never let any of his other care givers go to the summer house with him. There was something special about Jay Taylor. Something that apparently both Kinney men felt for the young girl.
It was obvious that he couldn’t stay here. Brian picked up the phone and dialed his old school friend in New York. “Hey Mikey.” He began.
“Brian, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you until next month.” Michael sat back in his office chair and put the comic he was reading down on the desk. He was the owner of a chain of comic book stores, but always found the time to read the latest issues of his favorites.
“I know I told you I was staying on the estate for awhile, but I need to see my publisher tomorrow. Are you up for a night on the town?”
“Always am.” Michael agreed.
“I’ll be at my town house by noon. Give me a call anytime after that and we’ll meet up. Maybe go somewhere for a bite of dinner. You can catch me up on the latest faggy gossip.”
“I’ll call ma. I need an update first.” Michael joked.
“Later Mikey.” Brian said as he hung up the phone. Yes he needed to get away from this blond female before he did something he’d regret.
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