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Title: It Started Off With a Kiss
Author:
Pairing: TimberNick
Rating: NC 17
Part: 1/1
Disclaimer: I make no assumptions on the sexuality of either of these men. Fiction for entertainment purposes.
Warning: Slash warning. Bigroupal warning. AU warning
Notes: The story was largely inspired by The Killers’ Mr Brightside. Granted, it was just the one lyric "it started off with a kiss, how did it end up like this.." But still ...it was what was in my head as I wrote it. So I’m giving props where props are due. The story is typical. Predictable and schmoopy. Be warned.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The room was packed with people, music blared loudly through the sound system and the bass vibrated through the walls and floor. Along the far wall of the main room, Josh had placed a long table where the food sat. At one end, there was a large punch bowl with glasses, on the floor beside it lay a large plastic tub which housed beer and coolers. In the middle of the table was the heart of the buffet, with salads, appetizers and main dishes, while at the other end were the desserts. There were at least a dozen different options of each.

Josh had gone all out for his Christmas party. He always did. They were legendary.

Nick watched a very attractive waiter push through the crowd in an attempt to make it to the kitchen to refill the platter perched on his hand. It had previously held flutes of champagne. Expensive. Delicious. Dangerous. Nick felt his stomach clench and groin tighten. His eyes roamed shamelessly to each beautiful person in the room, he was fully enjoying the view. When Nick had received his invitation to Josh’s annual Christmas party, his initial reaction was a chuckle. And a sigh. Because he knew that it would be just another opportunity for Josh to try and set him up with one of his friends. It was Josh’s favourite hobby, trying to land Nick a good man. And if that good man happened to be sexy, and rich at the same time, all the better for Nick.

Despite both Josh and Nick’s flexible and open sexuality, it had never been an option for the two of them to make a go at any type of relationship. Sexual or romantic. In addition to both men being very pushy tops, their friendship had never been pressured with the possibility of more. And that was exactly how they liked it. So if Josh couldn’t be satisfying Nick, in any sense of the word, he was determined to help Nick find someone who could. And thus his mission had been declared.

The music changed from something fast and upbeat, to something slow and sultry. Nick felt the music deep within him and as he watched couples dance together erotically on the makeshift dance floor, he silently wondered where his love was. Why he was alone when these people had managed to find someone. And what it was about him that men seemed to be happy for only a few weeks before moving on.

Nick circled around the room, watching various conversations, recognizing people he knew, both vaguely and intimately. Nothing seemed to catch his eyes, and he sighed as he found himself by the tub of alcohol. With a shrug, he reached down and grabbed a corona, using the bottle opener perched on the table beside him. Once he popped a lime wedge inside, he took a very long swig and kept walking.

After another few rounds of the room, Nick perched himself in a doorway, leaning against the wall casually. With a glance to his watch, he saw it was nearly ten thirty, still relatively early.

"Hey." A voice came from behind him. Nick turned towards the person, not recognizing them at all. The man had blue eyes, a shaved head and a cocky smirk which was unbelievably sexy. Nick hardened in his slacks and let his eyes continue their assessment of the stranger.

"H..hey."

The man smiled as he leaned in, pressing their mouths together what was a deliciously brief kiss. Nick sighed when the man pulled back. Nick watched him wipe his lower lip with the pad of his thumb, which caused for Nick’s stomach to flip and his erection to throb.

Nick’s mind was whirling. He was certain he didn’t know this stranger, but somehow the man felt it was okay to up and kiss Nick like that. Nick knew that if people were here at this party, they were sexually open and tolerant, so it wasn’t a matter of being worried about anyone seeing two men kiss, but Nick couldn’t for the life of him figure out how this man knew it would be okay to kiss him. But mostly, Nick couldn’t stop thinking about how much he wanted it again.

"Mistletoe."

"Huh?" Nick was confused.

"You’re standing under mistletoe." The man said, pointing upward.

Nick looked up. Indeed, he was standing under a sprig of mistletoe. Kind of. Actually, if they wanted to be technical about it, Nick wasn’t under it, the other man was. He was to the side of it. Nick decided to point that detail out.

"Actually, you’re standing under it."

They both looked up, and then at each other.

In response, Nick received a cocky smirk. A raised eyebrow. A low, sultry voice stating, "Huh. I guess you’re right."

It was Nick’s turn to smirk. He leaned in and pressed their mouths together as he gently cupped the back of the stranger’s head. Tilting his own head slightly, Nick nibbled softly on the man’s lower lip, eliciting a whimper and a moan. Within seconds, the kiss broke.

"Damn."

"Yeah," Nick agreed. Their bodies were still pressed together, Nick’s heart was racing.

The man pulled away, flashed Nick a smile and walked away. He was gone before Nick had even been able to take his first breath.

Ten minutes later Nick banged his head against the refrigerator door. He had searched all over for his mystery man. He was nowhere to be found. Nick feared he’d left without so much as a name. A number. Another kiss.

"You didn’t get his name?" Josh asked with a shrug.

Nick scowled, causing Josh to shrink back. "Yeah, Josh. I did. But I just thought I would try and find out who he was the hard way. By describing him to you and letting you guess who it is. Fun for both of us!" Nick shook his head before hitting it off of the fridge again. "Fuck off. No, I didn’t."

Josh held out his hands in surrender. "Jesus Nick, okay. Blue eyes. Shaved head. Suit." That described most of the guests there. It wasn't a help at all and both men were aware of that. "And you didn’t see him talking to anyone? At all tonight?"

Nick drained the last of his Corona. He reached for another that was resting on the counter, waiting for him. He couldn’t believe that the most beautiful man he'd ever seen had kissed him and he’d let him get away.

"I didn’t notice him, at all. Until he kissed me. But before that, I had no idea he was here. And then, afterwards, I couldn’t find him."

Josh frowned at the frustration and sadness in his friend’s eyes and voice. "I’m sorry Nicky. But at least you know we know him. Or his friends. So odds are, he’ll be at the next party, right?"

Nick shook his head. He wasn’t as confident as Josh. For those thirty seconds, both times, everything had felt right. He felt happy. Content. Something he’d never felt before. And now, after experiencing it and being denied more, he felt more empty than he had. Nick felt more disappointment at losing the other man. His stomach churned and his heart throbbed. He took solace in his Corona.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Six Months Later

There had been delays on the subway all afternoon. It wasn’t until Nick was in the station and surrounded by commuters on the platform that he’d realized his mistake. Where a cab would have been less hassle, he was stuck now. With hundreds of other people who were as frustrated with the situation as he was. An hour after he’d arrived, Nick finally managed to squeeze his way onto a train.

The moment the door shut, Nick looked through the window onto the platform. Standing twenty feet away was someone who caused for Nick to gasp. His stomach lurched. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

Nick was stuck.

The subway was pulling out of the station.

They were at the same subway station for at least an hour, and he hadn’t even noticed.

Nick’s heart hurt, his head throbbed.

It was him. The man from Josh’s party. The one that got away.

He’d gotten away again. Only this time he hadn’t even known Nick was there. Nick hadn’t realized it until it was too late.

The second he got home, Nick called Josh. He fought not to cry due to sheer frustration.

"Are you sure it was him?" Josh asked sympathetically.

"What do you mean was I sure?" Nick spat. "Of course I’m fucking sure."

"I’m just saying," Josh said softly. He had to proceed with caution. "You saw him for three minutes six months ago. And it was busy, you said it yourself that there were hundreds of people and you’re tired. Maybe you just thought it was him."

"It was." Nick said confidently. It was the stranger. His stranger. The man who occupied Nick’s every waking hour. And even some of his dreaming hours.

Josh bit his lip to keep from speaking what was on his mind. He had never seen Nick this obsessed with anyone before, especially not someone he’d known for less time it took to microwave popcorn. Nick had never been a believer of love at first sight, or even fate, but six months later, he was still searching for this mystery man. A man he had referred to as a potential soul mate. Against his better judgment, Josh asked the question on his mind.

"Are you sure that he was there that night, Nick? At my party?"

Nick gasped and felt anger and shock consume him. Josh didn’t believe him. Josh thought he was crazy. Or delusional. Nick didn’t know what Josh thought, and he wouldn’t find out because the second the words sunk in, he hung up the phone.

Seconds later the phone rang. Nick checked the caller ID. Chasez, Joshua.

Nick forced out a bitter laugh. He hit the call answer button and immediately hit "call end".

Again, the phone rang.

Again, Chasez, Joshua.

Nick stood up and walked out of the room. The phone stopped ringing. Nick waited an hour for his anger to subside. At least a little. Then he checked the message.

"I’m sorry, stupid question. I’m just worried about you Nicky. I want to help you, but I don’t know how. I hate seeing you like this. Call me. Even just to tell at me for being an insensitive prick. Please."

Josh still didn’t believe him. The apology was sincere, as Nick knew he was indeed sorry for hurting him, and worried about him, but he still didn’t believe him. Nick clicked on his phone to call Josh.

"Hello?" Josh said quickly. Nick could hear the relief in his voice that he was calling.

"Fuck you Jayce. Call me when you believe me. Don’t bullshit me and don’t fucking patronize me. Until then, fuck the hell off."

Nick hung up the phone. He held his breath. The phone didn’t ring again and Nick smiled. Josh was smart. He knew not to call back right away. Nick would have hit the roof if he had.

The apartment was silent. Nick’s heart hammered in his chest and the reality of the day had started to really sink in. Nick had seen him. Tonight. It had to be a sign, except Nick didn’t know what the sign was. He wasn’t sure if he was happy or furious with the turn of events. He opted for confused as he headed to the kitchen to make dinner and try and figure out what it all meant.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Three Months After That

A memo dropped onto Nick’s desk, causing for him to look up into the smiling face of his assistant. Her white blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail making her look years younger than her age of twenty four. "Christina, what do you want?"

He grinned as she stuck her tongue out at him. Although he was her boss only a few years separated the two of them in age. And not even that in maturity. In addition to their professional relationship, they also had a deep, fond friendship, which often mimicked that of a brother/sister bond.

"Well BOSS," she said sweetly. "Your meeting with Blake and Associates had been moved up."

Nick raised an eyebrow.

"They need to meet with you at two today instead of eleven tomorrow. So I've changed your conference call with Richardson and Kirkpatrick..." When Christina saw the confused expression on Nick’s face she sighed. "Richardson and Kirkpatrick? Kevin and Chris? They’re at the LA office, working on the west coast promos."

Nick nodded and gave a shrug. Christina growled and rolled her eyes.

"You had a three-thirty phone conference with them today, it’s been moved to eleven-thirty tomorrow."

Nick checked his desk calendar and nodded. "Right."

"You do know what I’m talking about, right?"

"Yes."

Christina sneered at him. "You do this to piss me off, don’t you?"

"Yes." Nick answered with a smile. "So I’m meeting with Blake today?" Nick clicked a few buttons on his laptop to pull up his recent files for Blake and Associates. Their marketing firm was handling some of the promos for one of Blake and Associates clients and until recently, things had been going rather smoothly. Slow, but smoothly.

"Well no. Not Blake. You were supposed to be meeting with Justin Timberlake. He’s the one that’s in charge on their end. Or at least he is now. Something happened with the other person and Timberlake’s been assigned to head this deal."

Nick thought for a second. He opened his e-mail to see a lot of messages from Bass, James. There were maybe four in total from a Timberlake, Justin, and those had been in the past few days. Up until lately, their contact had been solely through an assistant on the other end, James. Or Lance as Christina informed Nick he went by.

"And I’m not meeting with Timberlake?"

Christina shook her head. "There’s been some emergency. He has to leave town. Mr. Bass wasn’t very forthcoming with details. All I know is that you’ll be meeting with Brian Littrell, Justin’s associate. He will give Timberlake the information and then Timberlake will contact you upon his return. Mr. Littrell has a conference he has to attend all day tomorrow and Friday, so today is his only opportunity to meet with you. And the meeting is crucial to the account, not to mention time sensitive. So it can’t wait for Monday when Timberlake is back in the office."

Nick nodded, Christina was right on all accounts. This had to be done much sooner than later, as they were already pushing the envelope with the time they had been taking with it. "When will Timberlake be back?"

Christina checked the notepad in her hand. "Friday afternoon, early evening. You will hear from him by Saturday at the latest. We’re to go ahead as if Brian was him, so he’ll just contact you as a courtesy call. But Littrell will either fax or e-mail him the information that arises from the meeting as informational only."

Nick nodded.

"So you have an hour and a half to get ready," Christina said softly as she took a deep breath. "Do you want me to order you in some lunch?"

Nick flashed her a grateful smile and nodded. "Yes, please." He had a lot of work to do before his meeting with Brian Littrell. He was slightly disappointed that Justin Timberlake could not be there. Via e-mail, and through their assistants, they had exchanged some very interesting ideas for advertising opportunities and options for Justin’s client, which had Nick curious as to who this man was. If this account went well, Market Place Advertising would be working very closely with Blake and Associates, a company that had the power not only to put Market Place Advertising on the corporate Map, but make Nick Carter’s name very valuable.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Three Months After That

Nick fired off the last of his overdue e-mails. The markups had been sent by courier to Blake and Associates an hour earlier and if the ‘guaranteed rush" was accurate, they would be in Justin Timberlake’s hot little hands right at that moment.

Nick leaned back and yawned as he stretched. It was nearly six on Friday night, and he had Josh’s annual Christmas party to think about. The party would start at nine, Nick’s suit was hanging on the back of his door and the promise of the unknown was lingering in the air. With the time sensitivity of their latest contract, Nick was certain that he would end up heading over right from the office.

Just as his mind started to wander to the party the year before and the man who he hoped that would be there that night, a soft ‘ding’ notified him of a new e-mail message.

Timberlake, Justin
RE: The Mark Ups

Nick grinned. Either Justin would hate or love them. It was always a gamble and after three months of working exclusively for Blake and Associates, Nick had developed an interesting relationship with Justin Timberlake. Especially that despite the fact that they were constantly arguing or agreeing enthusiastically in the direction of their campaigns, the two men had still yet to meet face to face.

Nick clicked on the e-mail.

"I fucking love this. These are gold. Can’t do anything about it tonight, I’m busy. But first thing in the morning, I promise, I will get to these. You are a fucking genius."
-J

Nick smiled and began to shut down his computer. That’s what he had been waiting for. He knew that he and Justin would spend the remainder of the weekend going back and forth over details of the advertisements. He was excited about the process, the creative side of it but also the business side of it. Nick loved his job and the entire process that accompanied it, which was why he was damn good at what he did. Thankfully, Blake and Associates, and subsequently, Justin Timberlake, agreed.

The party was in full swing when Nick arrived. He had only surveyed the crowd a dozen times in as many minutes, looking for HIM. Part of him had honestly thought that his mystery man would be there again. Since the day on the subway platform months earlier, Nick had proceeded to see his mystery man rather often, considering he hadn’t seen him for six whole months between the party and that afternoon. And each time he saw him, it was more frustrating than the last. They were always so far from one another, and Nick was never able to get to him in time before he’d disapear. Nick took it to be fate playing a cruel joke on him, and he wondered if he would ever have any type of contact with him again.

Nick was slightly disappointed when he saw no sign of the other man at the party. It might have been his last hope and he was nowhere to be seen.

"He here?" Nick heard Josh whisper softly.

Sadly, Nick shook his head. "Maybe I did imagine him." They shared a long glance before Nick looked away. He sighed, not at all offended when Josh walked away to attend to other guests. There just wasn’t any more he could say.

After downing the rest of his beer, Nick sat the bottle onto a table and crossed the room to grab another. Just as he was about to take a drink, he felt goose bumps cover his arms. The mood shifted as the song changed to something fast and peppy. Nick looked around in hopes to find the cause of the mood change in the room. He nearly choked at the piercing blue eyes watching him, pinning him to the wall.

Nick forgot how to breathe. The beer in his hand was forgotten as he blindly set it on the table beside him.

It was him.

The man looked equally as surprised to see Nick. The electricity between them was explosive. Without even realizing he was moving, Nick walked across the room to stop directly in front of the stranger. He had so many questions but couldn’t find his voice to ask any.

Before he had the opportunity to do just that, the man grabbed a hold of Nick’s tie and led him down a hallway. He tried a door, relieved when it opened. It looked like a library, or a study of sorts. Nick was helpless to stop him, so he let himself be pulled into the room. He gasped as the man shut the door and pushed him against the back of it.

"A fucking kiss," the man mumbled. It was just a fucking kiss."

"I know," Nick agreed breathlessly. Their eyes met and in that second, Nick realized that this man could see everything inside of him. And Nick was surprised to see everything reflected in the stranger’s eyes. They understood each other completely. That thought excited Nick as much as it frightened him.

"I saw you so many times," the man mumbled into Nick’s throat as he inhaled his scent. "...but you never saw me. And before I could get to you, you’d be gone. Every fucking time. It killed me."

Nick nodded. Again, he understood the man’s frustration.

"Never even got your name..."

"Why not just ...ask Josh..." Nick asked as he leaned down to press their mouths together. They had been hovering over each other, and the man kept teasing him with the promise of a kiss but hadn’t delivered, and it was all Nick could do to keep from screaming in frustration. The kiss was hot, erotic, sexy, everything the kiss a year earlier hadn’t been. They fed off of each other as Nick sucked hungrily on the man’s tongue. It was better than he’d remembered, but everything he’d fantasized about for the past year. Nick couldn’t get close enough to him, couldn’t devour him like he wanted.

"Who’s Josh?"

"It’s his party," Nick answered. He moaned as the man’s hand pressed into his groin seductively.

"Didn’t know who’s party it was. I had come with someone and even he wasn’t sure exactly whose party it was. And then we went outside so my friend could sober up and have a smoke, and ...never made it back inside."

Nick’s chuckle turned into a whimper as the man stroked his erection through his slacks. "What’s your name?" Nick managed to ask before he forgot. Again. Now that he knew the reason for the man’s disappearance the year before, he could focus on the here and now.

"Justin." Justin bit on Nick’s lips playfully, licking at them apologetically. "And you’re all I’ve thought about for twelve damn months. I wasn’t even invited tonight, but I had to come. Just in case you were here. I’m so fucking glad you’re here."

Nick ripped Justin’s shirt free from his slacks and immediately began to undo his pants. There was no denying what they both wanted, and it was going to happen right there, in Josh’s study.

Their mouths met in another hungry kiss, neither man wanting to break away, but needing to do so for air. When Nick finally pulled away, he sighed. "Nick."

"Huh?"

"Nick. I’m Nick."

Justin opened his eyes and licked his red, swollen lips. "Fuck Nick. I want you so bad. Fuck me."

"Shit. Yeah." Nick answered, stepping forward towards Justin.

Justin backed up, pulling Nick by his tie. He stopped at the desk by the window and smirked at Nick. Slowly, he lowered the zipper on his pants, which were already half undone, and pulled both the pants and his briefs down.

"Right here, like this." Justin suggested.

Nick licked his own lips and nodded, eyes focused on the juncture of Justin’s legs, which was barely hidden by his dress shirt. He took Justin in a deeply erotic, nearly bruising kiss before turning him around to bend over the table.

Justin looked over his shoulder, groaning as he watched Nick undo his pants and pull them down to his knees. Nick wore no underwear underneath.

"You are so fucking hot," Justin moaned. His moan turned into a yelp as Nick sucked his fingers before inserting them into Justin’s body to stretch him.

"Open the drawer," Nick instructed Justin. With trembling hands, Justin obeyed. Inside he found condoms and lube.

"Shit," Justin moaned.

Nick smiled. He knew Josh too well.

Within minutes, Nick was pushing into Justin’s body, breaching the tight right of muscle into a scorchingly delicious heat. Justin’s nails scratched on the surface of the oak desk as he moved wantonly to accept more of Nick’s length.

Nick felt his eyes roll back into his head. He ran one hand up Justin’s spine, feeling the expensive material of his dress shirt as he bunched it into his fist. Their bodies were pressed tightly to one another and Nick could feel Justin’s ass contract with every breath.

"You okay?" Nick whimpered his question. He couldn’t catch his breath and wanted nothing more than to be able to kiss Justin. To taste those delicious lips and suck on that perfect tongue. Unfortunately, neither were in a position to make that happen, so he had to settle for biting his lip in pure ecstasy

"Fuck yeah, you feel so fucking good inside me. So big."

"So tight," Nick agreed. His free hand caressed Justin’s ass tenderly until he gave it a sharp smack. Justin whimpered and pushed back onto Nick’s cock desperately. Pleased with Justin’s reaction, Nick spanked him again.

That was all it took to make Justin beg. "Please Nick, move. Fuck me."

Nick managed to smile as he pulled out halfway. He could feel Justin relax and the moment he knew Justin wasn’t prepared for it, he pushed back in roughly.

"Shhhhh," Nick soothed Justin with a gentle stroke of his spine. The other man was extremely vocal, and as much as it was turning Nick on, as hot as he found it and wanted Justin to continue, Nick knew that people would hear the cries and someone would come to investigate. So they had to keep it quiet.

"So. Good." Justin groaned. Nick was pulling out and thrusting in at such a demanding and forceful pace, that Justin was ready to explode. He could feel the coarse hair on Nick’s thighs brushing against his own legs, the feel of Nick’s stomach pressed against his ass as he thrust in, not to mention the noise their bodies made as they slapped against each other.

The fact that Nick’s cock was stretching him far beyond anything he’d ever experienced and the head kept punching his prostate only added to the sexual experience.

Nick growled as Justin arched his back, shifting the angle. Perspiration was beading on Nick’s forehead and he swiped at his upper lip with his tongue. It wasn’t going to be much longer and all it took was a full body shiver from Justin and a resounding yelp for Nick to come. He emptied himself into the condom, thrusting with each explosion his cock made. The harder he thrust, the tighter Justin got until finally, Nick was spent.

And exhausted.

But not too much to remember that he still hadn’t gotten Justin off. He would have jerked him off, except he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do what he wanted to do next.

Nick removed the condom and threw it in the trash by the end of the table. Justin was still bent over the desk, ass in the air, breathing heavily. His asshole was red and used, a sight that caught Nick’s attention.

"Don’t worry, I’m not done." Nick promised.

Justin only whimpered. He could barely move. His eyes were closed so he missed it when Nick dropped to his knees. Before Justin could react, Nick followed his cock’s path with his tongue. Justin moaned loudly as tears formed in his still closed eyes.

"Turn around." Nick whispered as he gently nibbled on the skin of Justin’s ass. He could not understand Justin’s whimpered response. "Come on, I promise it will be worth it."

With considerable effort, Justin managed to turn around. Nick laid him back so that he was laying on the table, his legs dangled off of the edge. The sight of Justin’s erection, angry purple and leaking profusely made Nick’s mouth water. Justin was about to question his intentions when Nick bent over and swallowed erection entirely, taking him deep into his throat.

Heat flared throughout Justin’s body and as a reaction to the excruciatingly beautiful pleasure, he grabbed Nick’s hair roughly. It wasn’t until he felt Nick’s fingers push into his ass that he pulled on the blonde strands, begging silently for mercy.

Nick stroked Justin’s prostate while he sucked hungrily on his throbbing shaft. His tongue swirled around the head, lapping eagerly at the slit. His free hand stroked and massaged Justin’s balls, fingering the sensitive skin in an almost teasing fashion.

Justin’s scream echoed in the otherwise silent room, vibrating deep into Nick’s soul. Justin emptied himself into Nick’s throat, continuing to writhe uncontrollably on the desk until finally he collapsed.

When Justin woke up, Nick was already dressed and hovering over him. His shirt was tucked in, tie straight and the only proof of their sexual activities was in the tousled, pulled on hair, glazed eyes and swollen lips. Justin couldn’t help but stretch and offer Nick a sexy smile.

The air between them was slightly tense, but still sexually charged. Nick wanted Justin again. And again. And he knew that Justin wanted him again. But he knew that he would be missed and with his prolonged absence, was already pushing his luck. He watched Justin blush and slide off the desk to straighten himself up. There was an insatiable hunger in Nick’s eyes, which he could see in Justin’s as well.

"Wow." Justin whimpered as he stretched his back. He was sore but in the best possible way. He’d never felt like this after sex and wondered what it would be like when it wasn’t so desperate. When they could take their time and make it last, teasing each other until they were begging for their release. That thought awakened his groin and he closed his eyes in hopes of preventing another erection. It was too soon and they couldn’t stay in the study any longer.

Nick was about to agree when there was a knock on the door.

"Nick?"

Nick held his voice, it was Josh’s voice. He met Justin’s gaze and shrugged.

"Yeah?"

"You need to get out here. NOW." There was a note of panic in his voice, not anger which slightly relieved Nick. It meant Josh wasn’t mad. He smiled at Justin to let him know it would be okay.

"Coming." Nick kissed Justin one more time, allowing him to savour the taste of his mouth and the feel of their lips together before slipping out the door. In a last minute decision, he turned back and poked his head in the door. "Before you leave, make sure you get my number."
  Justin nodded.

The panic in Josh’s voice had been genuine. Nick’s brother had called. When he was unable to get through to Nick’s cell phone, he called Josh’s. There had been an accident. Their sister had been hurt. She was in stable condition at the hospital, but was extremely shaken up. The whole family was on their way there now. Nick didn’t hesitate to do just that. He left immediately, all thoughts of Justin flew out of his mind.

An hour later, Justin tried to find Nick. He’d been told by someone, he didn’t know who, that Nick had left. There was no explanation why. Dejected, Justin left. Josh was nowhere to be found, not that Justin knew who he was anyway.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Another two months later

At least he’d gotten a first name this time. And he found out that Justin had seen him around. Often, which was more than he’d seen Justin around. So that meant they must work somewhere relatively close to one another. After the party, when he realized that once again, he hadn’t gotten any contact information from Justin, Nick was constantly on the look out for the other man. Unfortunately, it was all for naught. He hadn’t seen or run into him since Josh’s party, two months earlier.

Rather than dwell on the missed opportunity, Nick threw himself into his work. He was busier than usual, which he gladly embraced, as it help to ease the pain from the hole in his heart. It didn’t stop him though, from often wondering what Justin thought that night when he learned that Nick had already left. Or if Justin had been relieved. Or if Justin thought of him at all.

Nick desperately hoped so.

The office was extremely busy as Nick walked down the hall to his office. There was more excitement than usual and Nick smiled at his coworkers as he passed them. His mind was already on the work he had done the night before, and how much he had to do today. Christina jumped up from her chair upon his arrival at her desk.

"Nickolas, Winston’s been phoning for you every half hour. EVERY HALF HOUR. There’s a huge bug in his ass, I suggest you either deal with him or let me do it. Your two o’clock is confirmed, you have lunch at noon with the VP Finance..."

Nick nodded as he leafed through the stack of mail that Christina had handed him.

"...And Justin Timberlake is in your office."

Nick paused. He looked up at his assistant with a look of disbelief on his face. Surely Christina had been joking. In six months of working with Justin Timberlake, despite of the amount of work they’d done together, correspondence between them, projects they had collaborated on and consultations they’d done for each other, never once had Justin Timberlake ever made an appearance.

In fact, in six months, they still had yet to meet, face to face.

In Justin’s defense, Nick had never made the effort to head over the four blocks to Blake and Associates to see the other man. It wasn’t how they worked.

Or so Nick thought.

Sometimes Lance brought over documents that were extremely time sensitive and too confidential to leave up to a courier. Brian had attended meetings, but never had Justin made an appearance. So for him to be there meant that the visit was important.

Nick hoped to God that there wasn’t a problem. A sliver of fear flashed in his eyes and he racked his brain to think of what could have happened in the past twelve hours since he’d last e-mailed the other man. Christina shook her head.

"He’s in a good mood, so it can’t be too bad," She suggested. "I think it’s a good sign. But just in case, I canceled your eleven o’clock with Richardson. He’ll fax you or e-mail you the information you needed."

Nick nodded and swallowed thickly. Christina followed in into his office so she could once again, offer Mr. Timberlake a beverage. Nick took a deep breath as he looked at Justin Timberlake’s back.

"So, Justin Timberlake. We finally meet."

The second the man turned around, Nick couldn’t help but gasp and cover his mouth with his hand. Justin’s eyes widened and his own jaw dropped. Both men had turned a pale, ghostly white and were frozen in shock.

"C..can I offer you a beverage Mr. Timberlake?" Christina said in an attempt to ease the tension in the room. She was curious as to the reason for their obvious surprise, but didn’t feel it her position to ask. At least not yet.

"Wh ..what are you doing here?" Justin managed to speak above a whisper. He was surprised at the strength in his voice. Nick was the last person he’d expected to see that day. He’d long since given up hope of finding this man a second time. Or third to be exact.

"This is my office," Nick whispered. "I ..I work here."

They were still frozen in their original spots. Neither were sure what to do or say. It was as Christina cleared her throat that Nick remembered she was there. "Christina, we’ll be fine. Thank you, that’s all." Nick dismissed her with a pleading look in his eyes. He was confused and exhilarated all at once. He wanted ..no needed, to be alone with Justin. When they were finally alone he let out a deep breath. "You ...you’re Justin Timberlake?"

Justin nodded. He couldn’t believe the fact that Nick was standing right in front of him. Looking as beautiful as ever. Even more so, if that was possible. He also couldn’t believe that Nick, his Nick was Nick Carter. The Nick Carter that he had been in contact with about fifty times a day for the past six months. Without even realizing ‘who’ he was. It was clear that Nick was grappling with the same disbelief as he.

"This whole time.." Nick said, still in shock. He approached Justin, pleased when the other man didn’t move away. On the contrary, Justin moved closer to him.

"Fuck," Justin cursed how fate had kept them apart for so long, but held them so close to one another. He now felt regret for every meeting he’d had to miss due to other work problems, or family problems back home. Had he just managed to make one meeting, come over one time to talk to Nick Carter in person, he’d have found that the man he was searching for, was in arm’s reach. Justin being this close to Nick again had him happier than he’d been for ages.

"I.." Nick didn’t know what to say. He was speechless.

"You left without good-bye." Justin accused him, feeling the pain break his heart again.

"There was a family emergency. I’m so sorry."

Justin frowned. "I’m sorry, I thought you were blowing me off."

"God, I could have kicked myself. I hated knowing that you thought I didn’t want you again." Nick licked his lips and smiled as Justin's eyes lowered to watch. There was a hunger in Justin’s gaze and Nick felt hope spark in his chest for the first time in over a year. Their mouths came together slowly in a soft kiss. It was how it all had started, it was how they seemed to communicate best.

The kiss was short and sweet, but gave through to a deeper, more erotic kiss. Nick pressed Justin against his desk. They fed from one another and gasped when Nick finally pulled away.

"Why did you come by today? You never come over here." It wasn’t that Nick minded Justin’s visit, on the contrary, he couldn’t be happier that he stopped by unannounced, but he was curious as to the turn of fate that had occurred.

Justin smiled, but he didn’t move away. Instead, he held Nick closer. Now that he had Nick again, he wasn’t going to let him go any further than necessary. "We won an award. For the Daisy Markups. It’s not big, but it’s the first award we’ve won and I wanted to congratulate you in person for everything that you’ve done, not only for us but for our clients."

Nick’s jaw dropped. It was the first award that Nick was solely responsible for and he felt pride overwhelming him. Only removing one hand from where it was holding Justin close to him, Nick flipped the intercom so that he could talk directly to Christina.

"Cancel my lunch. Cancel the two o’clock. I ‘m busy for the rest of the day."

"But .. Nick..." Christina’s voice came through the speaker. "Both are very impor.."

"Cancel my lunch and my two o’clock. Reschedule. Do what you have to do. Just do it. Please."

He heard her sigh and he flipped the switch. The conversation was finished. Smiling, he leaned in to kiss Justin, soaking up the feel and taste of him. Five minutes later the intercom buzzed. Nick knew it was his assistant.

"Yes?"

"Fine, it’s done. I got ripped another asshole over it, but your schedule is free for the rest of the day."

"Thank you Christina. I appreciate it." Nick smiled as he kissed Justin. "Good. Now that that’s dealt with, we’re leaving. We have to celebrate." Both of Nick’s hands held Justin’s head still as he ravaged his mouth hungrily. Nick whimpered as Justin’s hands grasped his ass.

"I want you," Justin moaned. This was quite possibly the last thing he’d expected when he left his office an hour earlier, but now that he had Nick back, and the opportunity for more, he was more than eager to reacquaint themselves with one another. "I want you so much, do you feel it?" He pulled away, just enough to look deep into Nick’s eyes.

Nick ground against Justin's erection. Both men shivered. "I feel it."
  With a chuckle, Justin kissed Nick’s mouth. He pulled away again and rest their foreheads together. As Justin’s thumb stroked over his lip, Nick trembled and swiped his tongue over it. The electricity between them crackled, their eyes focused intensely on each other.

"Do you feel this?" Justin asked seriously.

Nick could only nod his head. Their mouths found each other once again, pressing together in what was a sinfully delicious kiss. Both men were gasping for breath when they pulled away from each other.

There was a knock on the door. The men regretfully pulled apart and tried to recompose themselves. "Yeah?" Nick called. The door opened and Christina poked her head in slowly. Nick could see the curiosity in her eyes, pleased when she didn’t call attention to the obvious erections they both had, red, kiss swollen lips and guilty expressions on their faces.

"Warning. Winston’s on his way down. His assistant just called. He’s still in a meeting but when he’s done, he’s coming for you.

Nick sighed and rubbed his eyes with his fingers. "Good. Thanks." Turning to Justin he nodded. "Lets get out of here now."

"Now?" Justin looked at Christina who was nodding.

"Now," she suggested. "Quick."

"We’re not discussing ...that ...issue here."

Justin gave a confused smile. Before he could ask why, Nick’s hand was on his lower back and Christina had slipped back out of the office.

"You tend to get a little ...overzealous. And loud. And I don’t need Winston on my ass about conduct at work. Lets take this somewhere a little more private."

Their eyes met, causing both men to blush and Justin to nod.

"Okay."

They walked out of Nick’s office briskly. "I’ll be back tomorrow," he called.

"You owe me," Christina responded.

Nick stopped and nodded. "I do. You’re right." He waited until she smiled to let him know it was okay.

"Damn right I am."

"See you tomorrow."

And with that, they slipped down the hallway towards the elevator. They were silent on the walk to the subway. Neither man could believe that after so long, they were finally together. So many questions had been answered, yet there were so many lingering.

"So, what now?" Justin asked.

Nick stepped in closer so that no one else on the platform could hear.

"Now, we go to my place and have a repeat performance of Josh’s party. A few times. Except in my bed. And then we find out everything we can about each other until we are both able to fuck again. And then we keep doing that until tomorrow."

"Uhhh..."

"And then we repeat. As often as possible, every damn day."

"But.." Justin had to call his office. To tell Lance that he wouldn’t be returning this morning. Or afternoon. Looking into Nick’s eyes, all thoughts escaped his mind except how beautiful he was. "I’ve waited for you for so long. Wanted you since that first night."

"I know."

"My friends thought I was crazy."

"Josh thought I’d imagined you. That you weren’t real."

"You ...you’re single right? I’m not ..."

"God Justin, I haven’t even looked at anyone since you kissed me under the mistletoe that night. There hasn’t been anyone else. There won’t ever be anyone else."

Justin grinned. "God, I can’t believe I did that. I’d been watching you all night and was so fucking scared to approach you. You hadn’t really talked to anyone and seemed so preoccupied. And then, I thought about it and thought you were totally going to deck me. But then you didn’t. You kissed me and ... I’ve wanted this for so long."

Despite the crowded subway, Nick leaned forward to place his mouth at Justin’s ear. "God, me too." He didn’t need anyone overhearing their conversation. "I want to be inside of you. Inside your body. Inside your head." He paused for a moment before adding, "inside your heart."

Justin trembled and grabbed Nick’s arm to steady himself. Nick had vocalized everything he’d been thinking. "Good."

"This is us." Nick said as they pulled into his station. They were silent again on the walk from the subway to Nick’s apartment. When they stepped inside, Nick took Justin to the kitchen. He handed him a sticky pad and a pen. There was confusion in Justin’s eyes and Nick smiled. "Phone number."

Justin grinned and obliged.

"Good," Nick said pulling Justin into his arms. He hugged him tightly, enjoying the feel of their bodies in the comforting embrace. "Is there anything else we need before we..."

Justin leaned in and kissed Nick passionately. Their tongues dueled playfully, Nick tried to pull Justin in closer. They enjoyed the moment until finally they couldn’t hold off any longer.

"Take me to your bedroom."

This time, it was Nick’s turn to grin and oblige.

Finis


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