"Brian, it's Adam Lyons calling from Kennedy and Collins in New York," the voice on the phone said.

"Oh, hey... so I've been waiting to here from you... what's the deal?" Brian smiled into the phone, anxious to hear what Adam had to say.

"Uh...the deal is... there is no deal," Adam said hesitantly. "They decided to promote from within. Some 25 year old hot shot. Look... I'm really sorry."

"Uh," Brian paused... at a loss for words. "Don't worry. To tell you the truth, after weighing my options, I've decided to go with someone else." His eyes flashed to Justin sitting at the computer, not sure why he looked that way as he said those words.

"Well, then I don't feel so bad. So, hey... give me a call the next time you're in the city. I'd love to hook up again," the man finished, a smile in his voice.

Brian gritted his teeth, so tempted to say something, but savvy enough to know that it was not the time, nor the place. "Yeah... sure."

Fuck... Brian thought, as he hung up from Adam. He should've known better... he was smarter than this - he'd been played like this before, and even he'd played others before.

After the night at the awards gala when he fucked Adam, Brian was confident that he'd get the job in New York. He said that it was Brian's. He arranged that interview for Brian... but Brian should've known.

Stepping off the plane in New York, Brian was surprised to see Adam waiting for him at the arrivals gate. He shook Brian's hand, grasping his elbow lightly... leading him to the waiting company town car.

As Brian slipped into the luxurious vehicle, it was obvious to him that things were certainly different in New York. A bottle of champagne chilled and two glasses waited to be filled. Adam quickly poured the liquor into both of them, passing one to Brian.

"Isn't it a bit early to celebrate," Brian had asked, sipping the sweet champagne. "I haven't even had the interview yet."

Adam smiled at him mischievously, drinking Brian in with his eyes. His tongue flicked across his lips quickly. "Hmmm... there are other things to celebrate today," he'd said deeply, looking at Brian.

Brian only smiled, unsure of what Adam had meant. Sliding back into the leather seat, Brian admired the car, the passing scenery, the sensation of excitement building in his stomach at the thought of moving to this incredible city.

"Oh, I almost forgot..." Adam reached under the seat and presented Brian with a wrapped leather portfolio case with Kennedy and Collins embossed on it. "This is for you," he smiled, watching Brian as he pulled off the paper wrapping.

Brian tried not to let his enthusiasm show, and forced his grin to turn into a cool smile. Fuck, I am in! Brian had thought to himself, remembering to be cool... Cool as always, Brian was.

Adam had taken Brian directly to his hotel, a luxury accommodation in downtown Manhattan, close to a million restaurants and clubs. He checked Brian in, carried his suitcase upstairs, and sat down on the bed, before Brian could even remove his jacket.

Stepping into the bathroom to refresh after the flight, Brian finally let the grin break on his face. First class flight and one of the best hotels in New York? He was golden! Brian laughed quietly to himself, thoughts of Michael and Justin far from his mind. Finally. Something was going to happen to him. He was going to get noticed. And Adam only thought he was 27. Hah! Even better.

Brian dried his hands, straightened his jacket, and ran his fingers softly through his hair. He let himself have one more grin, then settled back into his cool demeanor.

He assumed he and Adam would be heading directly to the office so Brian could have a look around and get his bearings before meeting with the president of the agency. He felt a few nervous pangs through his stomach as he prepared himself mentally for the interview. But he relished the feeling. When was the last time Brian had been nervous about anything? When he hadn't had complete control of every situation? Hadn't known how things would turn out? Keep it cool... he told himself a final time.

Brian walked into the bedroom, then stopped short. There was Adam, naked, standing at the foot of the bed. His cock stood straight in the air, beckoning Brian. Hmmm... Brian thought... not what I expected to happen, but hey, what did he know? Brian was not one to turn down a situation like this... although playing the role of prey instead of predator was not one he was comfortable with.

Removing his jacket and shirt, he kicked off his shoes, then unzipped his pants, leaving him only in his white underwear. His cock stirred beneath the thin fabric as he stared at Adam's massive hard on.

"Come here, you stud," Adam said, his voice catching in his throat, watching Brian as he ran his fingers down his chest, then slowly pulled his underwear off. Brian stepped into Adam's embrace, kissing him hungrily, the excitement and nervousness he felt about the possibility of the new job mixing together to help encourage his erection.

Adam grasped Brian's cock gently, lightly stroking him, holding him in his hands as he pulled from their kiss and circled around Brian.

Hmm... Brian was so ready for a good rimming session... he smiled, readying himself as he felt Adam trail kisses down his back, still stroking Brian's cock in his hand. He was sure he knew what was coming next... Brian let his hands fall to his side, waiting to be pampered, and wanting to fuck Adam soon. The last time they were together, for their quick session at the awards gala, Adam was so ready to be fucked, and so tight... mmm... couldn't wait...

Before Brian could think twice, he felt a slight pressure in his back, which quickly turned into a push. Adam released Brian's cock and pushed him onto the bed, face first.

"Hey, watch it..." Brian started to roll over onto his back, but Adam pressed him back again, holding his hand against Brian's shoulder. Holding Brian down... forcing him onto his stomach. Brian's whole body tensed. What was going on here? What the fuck was happening? Brian couldn't figure it out at first - then... oh, fuck. He closed his eyes, his stomach turning to knots. He knew. He wasn't that stupid.

He felt Adam's other hand running down his back, nearing his ass... Brian wasn't ready for this. He didn't want to give this. He was saving this for... oh shit, don't think about *him*.

Oh God... what do I do, what do I do... Brian closed his eyes. He knew he could stop it. It wasn't as if he was being forced... well, he was, but if he said something... he might as well let the job go. How bad did he want this? Adam released his grip on Brian's shoulder as he slid a condom on his cock. Brian tried to turn again... thoughts racing in his mind... what could he say... Adam leaned his full body weight against Brian, the pressure pushing him back to the bed.

Suddenly he felt Adam's fingers pushing harshly against his hole. Brian gasped, not in pleasure, but... something else. Then Adam was upon him, fucking Brian hard. The point of no return long passed, Brian gripped the edge of the bed, the sheets bunching under his fingers... he held his breath, gritting his teeth, just holding on as Adam pounded into him. Goddammit, the pay better be good for this job, Brian thought with each thrust.

Fuck, this hurt! Brian could only think. Adam hadn't bothered to use any lube, and Brian was so tense, it just exaggerated the pain. This certainly wasn't the first time Brian had been fucked, but it was the first time in a long time... Brian knew if he wanted it, and with the right person, being fucked could be fantastic... but Brian didn't want it right now, and he didn't like losing his position of power.

Adam panted heavily over Brian's shoulder... Thank God he'd taken the time with Justin - stop thinking about him! Brian told himself over and over.

Finally Adam came, falling on top of Brian, knocking the wind from him. This wasn't what Brian had expected... or wanted. But it was too late now. Too late for mistakes.

"You are so fucking hot..." Adam licked the back of Brian's neck, pulling out of him slowly. "Can't wait to have you around all the time," he whispered in Brian's ear.

"Hmph," Brian tried to smile, rolling over onto his back, his cock neglected and starting to soften. For once in his life, Brian didn't know how to react... didn't know what to say. All he knew was that he needed to shift the position of power back to him - Adam could be his boss at work, but Brian was always the boss in bed.

Adam lay back on the bed, panting for breath... smiling as he pulled the used condom off his dick, tossing it aside. Brian rolled on top of him, straddling the man, staring down at him through his dark lashes.

"My turn," he whispered, taking one of Adam's legs and pulling it over his shoulder, then taking the other. Brian leaned in for a deep kiss, inhaling Adam's musky smell. God, he was good looking... Brian's cock started to swell again, and he slid a condom over his erection. Entering Adam forcefully, Brian drew out his fucking... making it last much longer than Adam could, Adam begging for Brian to cum, but Brian pushing in again and again until he felt the reins were back in his hands. He wouldn't make this mistake again.

After their intense session, Adam took a quick shower, and Brian followed, once he was done. Brian decided that this was it - job or no, he wasn't going to let himself get in this situation again. He wasn't going to get fucked - literally and figuratively - by this man again.

Brian followed Adam out of the hotel into the waiting car. He was silent, listening to Adam go on about New York, about the restaurants, the clubs... he acted as though Brian had never been to the big city before, when in fact Brian was very familiar with many of the hot spots in New York, having been here more than a few times in the last couple of years. Brian let him talk though... he could listen to Adam drone on if it meant his ticket to actually being part of the city. To belonging here.

Although it was after 5:00, the offices were humming with activity. Adam trolled Brian through the offices, introducing him here and there to people they encountered in the hallways and popping in office doors. He was always introduced as just "Brian Kinney" - no explanation, no comment about how he'd be right for a job, nothing. Brian let it pass. It'd been a long time since he'd been in the position of applying for a new job, and he was simply uncomfortable with the process.

Brian just followed along, nodding his head in greeting, shaking hands when offered... admiring the young faces, the eager talent, the sense of excitement he felt in the busy offices. He sat with the president for an hour or so, discussing his talents and his work experience. Brian felt confident that the position was his, and although the talk never turned to exactly what the opening was, or any details about compensation or the like, Brian was ready to tackle whatever was offered.

After, Brian and Adam met up at a local "gentlemen's club" with a group of young men from the office - all hot, all confident, all looking at Brian like they were undressing him right there. Hmmmm... so my charm is good enough for New York too, Brian smiled to himself as a particularly good looking man slid into the booth beside him, his hand resting on Brian's knee.

They partied all night, with drink and drugs, and intimate encounters. Brian brought one man back to the hotel and fucked him all night... dominating him, taking him, showing him how powerful Brian is. And Brian felt somewhat redeemed. Felt that he had the power. Almost forgot what Adam had taken -

Brian climbed off the plane, back in Pittsburgh. He knew that Justin would be waiting for him in the loft. He knew he'd have to deal with that scene again. But he was ready. He was ready to go. And Brian believed that Justin had proved at the King of Babylon contest that he was ready to go too - maybe the boy just didn't know it yet.

At least that's what Brian told himself.

So when he got the call... he knew he'd been played.

Right... Brian would call Adam again when he was in New York. No fucking way. If Brian wanted to get fucked, there were plenty of other men to do it. Younger, hotter men... maybe even blonder men, he could say... Brian shook his head to clear it.

He wondered if there even ever was a job opening. Or if Adam had simply used Brian all along. Pulled him down a path that led nowhere. Brian questioned how many times Adam had done this before.

As he hung up, Brian was determined not to say anything to anyone. He wanted to see how willing everyone was to let him go. Let the people in his life get on with their own lives. Let Justin move on. Let Michael move to Portland. Let Lindsay and Melanie raise Gus on their own.

And Brian would find his own way. Fuck... he was going to be 30 next week!

Something had to change...