Love’s Long Journey
Chapter 10
Brian unlocked the door to his suite and closed the door behind him. Immediately he began removing his clothes and moved along toward the bathroom. He turned on the hot water and let the steam build up before entering the shower. Reaching in, he adjusted the temperature then stepped into the enclosure to let the steam envelope him like a warm comforting blanket. He stood under the spray and let the heat of the water invade his body. It washed away all the tension he had endured during the day and as it fell away, he grabbed his favorite scented soap and slowly moved it over his body, languishing in the velvety feel of the soap mixed with heat. He rinsed off and stepped out to wrap a towel around his waist. Toweling himself dry he headed for the closet and pulled out his favorite silk sport coat and paired it with a cashmere sweater. He glanced at his wristwatch and realized he still has some time and walked over to the window and gazed out at the darkening cityscape; the night lights twinkled, highlighting the city below. For what must have felt like the millionth time he hoped he was making the right decision; that Justin hadn’t given up on him. As he walked up to the entrance, he hesitated a moment to let his eyes adjust to the stark contrast of the dark night and the brightly lit gallery. He looked around and took in the throng of New York ‘s art society as the milled around sipping glasses of champagne. Many were focused more on the who’s who of the art world and who to be seen with, than the subject of the art show. He recalled being dragged to a few shows with Christian and complaining how pretentious most of these people were. Once he got there though he ignored the crowds of people moving about and actually enjoyed looking at the various works of art and the different media each one used. He was often able to find a piece he liked well enough to purchase and had slowly built a small collection of his own. As he took a few steps into the gallery it was as if he was expected, the sea of patrons standing in front of a single, large, oversized canvas parted and his breath caught in his throat as the life-sized image of himself sitting atop Emperor, his chocolate brown stallion stared back at him. The flow of hushed whispers spread through the crowd as they all turned to see the live subject of the painting standing before them, a look of surprise and pride reflected in his hazel colored eyes. He moved a few steps closer to the wall where the canvas was mounted, his expression was one of awe as his eyes swept over the painting. Justin had painted them against the backdrop of lush green rolling hills just as the morning sun broke through the sky spreading its fiery rays over the landscape. He had managed to capture the regal and proud stance of the stallion and the way the gentle breeze caught his mane to sweep it over his strong but graceful neck. Shadows and light emphasized the powerful musculature of the horse’s body and let the viewer see every detail of the strength that the animal possessed. What astonished him the most was the way Justin had painted him. The casual way in which the arms lay crossed at the wrist as he rested them on the saddle horn. He noticed the slight tilt of his hat, and how his long, lean body, as he sat astride the broad back of the animal, accentuated his muscular thighs. It was as if you were to touch the picture you would feel the warm and breathing body. As he looked at the eyes he could see the flecks of gold glittering amongst the sea of green as the sun’s reflection highlighted them. He noticed the way Justin had also been able to see his pride, the sadness he tried to hide and that had shone in his eyes as well. What he saw most in the painting itself was the love the artist felt for the man. He stood mesmerized before the painting, his eyes glistened with pride and his heart filled with love. He had not realized a silence had descended over the crowd of gallery goers, as they watched the approach of the blond artist who slowly came up behind the man in the painting and gently laid a hand at the small of his back. Whispers rippled through the crowd and a spark of electricity crackled in the air as they watched the two men…something special was about to unfold before their very eyes. Brian’s heart beat rapidly and his stomach fluttered. He sensed more than felt Justin as he came up behind him. He tensed for a moment as the blond touched him, but he breathed in deeply feeling the soothing warmth of his hand emanate from his being and he leaned into the man’s touch. Justin was about to pull his hand back when he felt Brian relax. When he first noticed him walk into the gallery he wanted to race over and embrace him because he understood the significance of his being there. Then a shadow of doubt flashed through his mind as he thought that maybe he was only there to tell him that they were never going to be. Justin had been speaking with a group of art patrons when he heard a flurry of whispers spread throughout the room. He looked up just as the crowd standing in front the painting he titled Beauty and the Beast pulled back as if they were heralding royalty. He nervously watched as Brian gazed at the picture and held his breath in anticipation, hoping that the man could see all the love he felt for him in every brush stroke he imparted on the canvas. He excused himself and moved away from the group and inched his way closer to Brian, but still remaining unnoticed in the shadows. He watched as the hazel eyes sparkled with unshed tears and the unspoken words he had been waiting to hear washed over the brunet’s features. Justin had his answer. Brian slowly turned around to face the man he was ready to give his heart to, his emotions written clearly on his face. It was as if everything was moving in slow motion. He placed his hand on nape of Justin’s neck and let his fingers thread through the silkiness of his hair and gently pulled the smaller man towards him as he leaned over and kissed him tenderly; lips brushing against each other softly. Justin closed his eyes and melted into the kiss, his hands wrapping around Brian’s waist to pull them closer together. Passions rose and he moved to deepen the kiss oblivious to the crowd of people who had gathered to watch the drama unfold. It was Brian who was the first to remember where they were and he pulled away and leaned his forehead against Justin’s as each of them took a shuddering breath trying to regain their composure. The blond blushed slightly as he noticed they were the focus of the gallery, but at this point he didn’t care. The man who had constantly been in his thoughts since the day they met was finally ready to give him what he’d been waiting for. Holding Justin firmly about the waist Brian looked deeply into shimmering pools of blue wanting him to see in his own eyes what he felt in his heart, then he raised a hand and softly caressed his cheek. “Justin I…..” Brian paused. Justin raised his finger and placed it against Brian’s lips to stop the flow of words. He knew how difficult it was for him to say the words and for now he didn’t need to hear them. He knew how Brian felt and that was enough. There would be enough time for him to say it later; a whole lifetime. “I love you too, Brian,” he whispered. Brian nodded his head, grateful that Justin understood how difficult all this was for him, but he felt that it was important that he hear him speak the words. It was his way of declaring his commitment to him; it was letting him know he was ready to start a new chapter in his life and he wanted it to be with him. He gently took hold of Justin’s hand and smiled, “I love you, Justin Taylor,” he said softly, the words falling from his lips naturally then he brushed a kiss against his lips. He was touched as he noticed how much saying the words meant to Justin. Cheers and applause shattered the silence that pervaded the entire gallery as they watched what was happening. It seemed the two men had forgotten they were standing amidst a crowd of people who had assembled for another reason and they felt the heat color their faces. Justin found a secluded spot and pulled Brian aside and kissed him with all the passion that had been building within him. Love doesn’t come easily for some, but he would settle for nothing less. Brian was who he wanted and it was well worth the wait because Justin knew deep in his soul he had his love…always and forever. As Brian whispered his declaration, lights in the gallery flickered for a moment and the crowd let out a gasp. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips and he finally felt at peace. He knew the flicker was Christian giving them his blessing. Love’s long journey finally led him to Justin.