The next day, it was pretty busy in the store. Kurt loved days like this, when he had to rush between clearing a line at the cash desk, and helping customers find books they were looking for on the floor. It was always so satisfying when someone who came in looking for just one book would eventually stagger to the cash desk with an armful. 

When ringing them up, he loved getting into discussions about their choices. Many books on his personal reading lists came from this. 

"I dont know if youd be interested, but we are holding a book club meeting here in a couple weeks on Death Comes To Pemberly.” Kurt finished bagging a big stack of mysteries for an older lady, and passed it to her. 

Her blue eyes perked up with interest. "P.D. James, right? Ive read other books of hers, but not that one."

Kurt nodded. "Its a bit of a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, and I found her tone fit the characters really well. If you want to come out that night, theres a sign up sheet on the bulletin board."

As the lady walked the direction he had waved, Kurt looked around. No one was heading towards the cash desk, so he went to check on the guy who had been in the graphic novels area for a while. 

"Can I help you find anything?" Kurt asked, automatically straightening some books close by that werent shelved properly. 

The customer was probably around twenty years old, and looked like a college student. His jeans were baggy, and so was his hoodie. "Um, yeah... Some one told me about this book about a plague that kills all the men so there are only hot chicks everywhere and this one guy left..."

Kurt nodded and turned to the shelf, finding the Brian K. Vaughan graphic novel, and passing it over to him. "Heres the first book in the series, and we have the rest in stock. They are totally addictive." Hed read them all, and while all the hot girls with guns hadnt done much for him, the story had more than enough plot twists and clever dialogue to hook Kurt.

He could see why the premise would appeal to a young, horny straight guy, but the thought of being the last man on earth made him shudder. It would be pretty lonely for a gay man. 

His customer was smiling happily, and then Kurt caught him glancing over where Mandy was wiping down a cafe table, her hips swaying with the movement. Her long curls were in a messy bun today, and her little sundress stopped mid-thigh, showing lots of tanned, toned leg.

Smirking a little to himself, Kurt left the customer. When Tina had hired the peppy blond for the café, Kurt had noticed within a few weeks that a lot more young guys were lingering around the store during her shifts. She was pretty oblivious to it, just being as cheerful and friendly with them as she was with all the customers. 

Being short-staffed, he started booking her into some shifts in his area. Although she wasnt a big reader, she quickly learned where everything was and would turn to coworkers or the store computer if questions came up she couldnt answer. Now, months later, she easily worked in both the cafe and bookstore, and frequently handled the closing shift. 

Things had quieted down a little in the store. Kurt walked over to Mandy. "Im going to grab a sandwich and take a break in the office. Are you OK on your own for a bit?" 

Mandy gave him a quick smile, "Yes, Ill be fine." 

---

Sinking down onto the big sofa, Kurt dug in hungrily to his BLT. It had been ages since his last break. Playing around on his phone, he put some music on, relaxing to a playlist of his current favorites. 

After finishing the sandwich, he stacked the throw pillows against the arm of the sofa and reclined back, extending his legs along the length, as he sipped his latte slowly. His thoughts drifted, considering if he should make a feature table of books that would appeal to Mandys hovering admirers. Fill it up with how to get the girl books, and the rest of the table with books on confidence, how to dress and James Bond novels for inspiration. 

There was a soft knock on the office door, and then it opened. Kurt expected it to be Mandy, telling him it was getting busy again. But it was Blaine. 

He hadnt seen him since the last time theyd been in this office together, and memories of those moments flashed back into Kurts mind. Their eyes were locked on each other, Kurt noticing how big and dark Blaines looked, drawing him in. 

Before Kurt could say anything, Blaine had dropped his knapsack on the floor and moved over to the couch. Leaning down, he captured Kurts lips, the kiss immediately deep and hungry. Kurt moaned, his hand coming up to push into Blaines hair, dragging him even closer. 

Without breaking contact, Blaine clambered onto the couch, straddling Kurts legs with his own. His arms were braced against the back and the arm of the sofa, as he kissed along Kurts jaw. 

"Oh, that feels so good..." Kurt moaned, his hands moving to his back to urge him closer. 

Blaine was doing a magical combination of lightly biting, licking and sucking along the edge of Kurts ear. He had never thought of his ears as particularly sensitive before this, but Blaines mouth was amazing. He practically had Kurt panting. 

Kurts body arched up slightly at the thought of his incredible mouth on other places. Even more sensitive places. 

Lowering his body, Blaine let out a groan by Kurts ear as they came into full contact, their chests, legs, and hips pressed closely together.

Kurt loved feeling the weight of Blaine over him. Nuzzling his face into the collar of Blaines shirt, he inhaled that light scent hed come to associate with him, and kissed along the skin of his neck, tugging on it with his teeth, and hearing Blaines moan in response. 

A loud sound nearby made Blaine jump, and he lifted his head, looking around. 

Kurt smiled, and pushed at Blaines shoulder until he rolled towards the back of the sofa, allowing Kurt to sit up. "Its just my cellphone alarm. My break is up." He grabbed the phone and silenced the beeping. 

Swinging into a sitting position beside Kurt, Blaine reached for his hand. "Shit. I came back here to talk to you, but when I saw you... I got a bit distracted."

Leaning over, Kurt gave him a light kiss. "You were very distracting for me too. But I agree that we need to talk. Im off when Mandy is done her dinner break. Want to come over to my place then?"

Blaine nodded, standing up and picking up Kurts dirty dishes. "Sounds good. Ill eat dinner and be able to finish the cafe cleaning by then."

Back on the floor, Mandy gave Kurt a long, knowing look, her eyes taking in his mussed up appearance. Winking at him, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door on the arm of one of her guys. Kurt doubted she ever had to pay for her own dinner or drinks. 

The next hour went so slowly. Kurt helped the customers, but his eyes were constantly flicking over to Blaine. Watching as he swept and cleared away the dishes. His eyes tracing along the lines of his body in blue jeans and a grey hoodie. Unlike Mandys admirer, Blaines clothes were fitted instead of baggy. And Kurt had caught enough glimpses of Blaine, in just a towel after showering, to know how good he looked under those clothes. 

And soon, they were going to be back in the apartment. Alone. 

Just to talk. Right, talk.

Kurt turned away from watching Blaine, trying to distract himself from the thoughts of what they could do later. He wondered what Blaine wanted to talk about. Was it just about them, and the kissing? Kurt wanted to talk about that too. Or did Blaine have something else in mind? Something about the investigation or his family?

Kurt played with the possibilities as he rang up a few purchases. 

There was still about thirty minutes before Mandy would be back, so Kurt thought he might as well start on his seduction feature table. See what books he had in stock for it. 

By the time Mandy got back, he had a table cleared and was starting to fill it with books on the topic. His arms were loaded with titles like The Mystery Method. How to Get Beautiful Women Into Bed, The Art of Seduction, and The Way of the Superior Man: A Spiritual Guide to Mastering the Challenge of Women, Work and Sexual Desire. 

She walked over to him, scanning over the titles with a laugh. "Have you changed teams, Kurt?" She picked up the top book from his stack, flipping through it with a chuckle. 

Kurt put the pile on the edge of the table. "Hardly. I figure I might as well give a helping hand to my straight bros though." He explained the idea behind the table, and she was amused by it. 

"Mind if I work on this tonight? I might have an idea or two." 

There was a definite twinkle in her eye, and Kurt granted her permission to do whatever she wanted with the table. He looked forward to seeing what she would come up with. 

---

Kurt opened the fridge door, taking a minute for a few deep breaths before taking out a couple Strongbow ciders. The whole drive here and walking up the stairs with Blaine, the tension between them had been palpable. Theyd hardly been able to talk, everything coming out stilted, so Kurt had just turned up the radio for the short drive. 

Blaine was already sitting on the sofa, so Kurt handed him a bottle and sat down on the armchair.

"Um...so... There are a few things Id like to talk about, if thats ok with you." Blaine was fiddling with the label on the bottle, looking a little awkward. 

Nodding encouragingly, Kurt took a throw pillow from the floor, playing with the fringe. "Sure, ask me anything." 

Blaine gave him a long look. "The night at my place, you and Tina mentioned that Voldemort guy, and it sounded like he was pretty awful to you. Do you feel OK telling me more about that?"

Taking a long sip of his cider, Kurt thought of how to answer. Blaine sure wasnt easing into this talk!

Letting out a deep breath, Kurt met Blaines eyes. "It really all started at McKinley. I was getting bullied on a daily basis by a bunch of the jocks, and one guy in particular. Things got so bad; I just couldnt handle it anymore. Dalton Academy has a no tolerance policy for bullying, so it seemed like a good solution, even though it was hard for my dad to cover the tuition."

Blaine nodded, not wanting to interrupt. He could tell how hard this was for Kurt to talk about. 

Kurts eyes flicked down then, and it was several long moments before he lifted them back to Blaines. "Dalton was good. I got along well with the classes, the guys were friendly, and I joined their singing group. Voldemort," Kurts mouth twisted as he said the name, "was in that group, and he was really nice to me right from the start. When he confessed to me that he was gay, I was so excited to have my feelings returned."

"So, when did it change?" Blaine asked. 

Looking over at the wall, Kurt sorted through memories of that painful time. He had pushed away from thinking about it, all these years. It was high time he unpacked it all, looked at it all with adult eyes, far away from that painful time of his life. 

"When we were together, alone, he was usually nice to me, acting the boyfriend part. But he was in the closet, so when we were with other people, he treated me like a casual friend usually. But sometimes, hed be talking with his friends, close enough that he knew I could hear, and they would talk about me. And the cruelest, most biting things would come from him. He knew what would hurt the worst. Later, alone, he would just shrug, saying he had to say things like that so no one would suspect about us." Kurt sighed, finishing off the drink. 

Blaine just shook his head. "So, you went from months of intense bullying to being in an emotionally abusive relationship?"

Kurt grimaced. "Yeah. And looking back on it, I dont even think he was gay. I think he saw that I had a crush on him, and he wanted to play around with my emotions. We were never that physical. He said we should take it slow after all Id been through at McKinley, but it was never more than cuddling and a few quick kisses."

"You mentioned he made you feel stupid and put you down for not being from a rich family." Blaine got up, and quickly fetched two more drinks for them. 

Kurt took a long pull from his new drink. It actually felt good to be able to discuss this old stuff, get it off his chest, knowing he had a caring listener. 

"Yeah, and there were some really smart and wealthy guys there. I already felt intimidated by them, without my supposed boyfriend bringing attention to how different I was. Making me feel like Id never fit into their world. And after a few months, I went back to McKinley. I would rather deal with the crap there, then all that he put me through." Kurt looked down, playing again with the fringe. 

Blaine put down his drink. "Kurt, come over here."

Kurts gaze met Blaines, trying to read his expression. There was no sign of pity. Just of caring and acceptance. 

Moving over to the sofa, Kurt sat down and Blaine quickly pulled him into a tight hug. "Youve been giving me lots of hugs for the last couple months, Kurt. Let me give you some back, OK?"

Nodding against Blaines shirt, Kurt allowed himself to relax into Blaines embrace. Let the tightness in his chest unwind as Blaine rubbed his back in steady up and down strokes. 

Tina was also great for hugs when either of them were having a hard day, but it was different having Blaines strong arms wrapped around him. More of a feeling of being safe, maybe. It just felt good. 

Eventually, Blaine pulled back, sitting up straighter on the couch. "So, Kurt, was all that part of the reason you said you didnt want to date me? Because I reminded you of Dalton students?"

Kurt looked up at Blaine, and nodded. He sighed. "And thats the other thing we need to talk about, Blaine. Were obviously attracted to each other but..." He couldnt think of the right words to finish the sentence. 

"But what, Kurt? You know I find you so gorgeous, so smart, and so talented. Ive been interested in you from the start." Blaine took Kurts hand, stroking his thumb along Kurts gently. 

Kurt looked into Blaines eyes, really thinking about it. Why couldnt he just ...

Sighing, Kurt pulled his hand out of Blaines grasp. "Im worried about getting involved with you, and then what? Sooner or later, your life is going to be affected by the investigation, Blaine."

Blaine kicked off his shoes and shifted on the sofa to put his feet on the coffee table. He slouched down on the sofa and sipped his drink for a few minutes, thinking. 

Looking over at Kurt, he said in a calm voice, "Well, lets look at the possible outcomes. Least likely is that they somehow find a way to charge me with something and I end up in prison. I havent done anything, so I dont think it is a real possibility. But I can understand that you dont want to have a boyfriend in prison." Blaine gave Kurt a half-smile. 

Kurt returned the small smile. "Conjugal visits could be fun." He gave a little shrug. 

Blaine gave Kurt a fond look, and then his expression sobered. "More likely is that somebody in the company was doing some fraud and will do time for it. I dont think the investigation would be this big or take this long if there was no fraud. If its only a few people and hasnt been going on too long, the company will probably suffer a bit, but will eventually rebuild and survive."

Kurt nodded, sipping his drink while he listened. 

"But if they find it was on a larger scale and went on a long time, the company is doomed."

Resting a hand on Blaines shoulder, Kurt gave time for him to talk it out. 

Blaine sighed, and patted Kurts hand an acknowledgement. "So, I will either be in prison, out of a job, or back at my old job." 

"But once the investigation is over, no matter what happens with the company, you will have your old apartment back, your bank accounts back." Kurt pointed out. 

Blaine shrugged, not seeming that excited about that. "So, you think Ill just go back to my old world and never see you again? It wont happen, Kurt."

Kurt shook his head slowly. "I just dont see it working, if things got serious with us, and you were back there. Are you really going to want me hanging out as your date at your parents fancy parties? Everyone will notice Im not in the latest designer clothes and will think Im some gold digger or something. And youll want to fly off to Monaco for the weekend and I wont be able to afford it. And Im not the type who could be comfortable having you pay for things." 

Blaine chuckled. "Now, are we going to fight about imaginary problems of a possible future? And what if you got a mutt from the rescue society? Would he get along with all the purebreds?"

Kurt glared at Blaine. "Its more like Id feel like the mutt among the purebreds. Maybe its just a sour aftertaste from my Dalton experience, but its not something I want to do again."

Needing a break, Blaine got up off the couch, stretching, and then gathered up the bottles to take to the kitchen. He rinsed then with a little water and put them in the recycle bin. 

Sighing, he sat down again. "Kurt, all I can say is Im happier living in my crappy apartment, working low paying jobs, than I would ever imagine I could be in these circumstances. Im making money playing music several times a week. I am around incredible people every day, like Tom, Mandy, Tina and you. I didnt know any of you a few months ago. Its amazing, really."

Kurt looked at Blaine, really looked at him. His hair was touching his shoulders now, long messy curls. He was wearing simple jeans and a hoodie from a secondhand store. He was a bit tanned from all the time he spent outside busking. His beard was trimmed, but definitely more than a scruff. His eyes were that incredible green-hazel, framed with dark lashes and dark angular brows. 

Kurt nodded; thinking about how much Blaine had changed in the last few months. Hed taken a crisis and survived. Thrived. Even just now, hed cleaned up and recycled like it was second nature to him. 

Underneath his old fancy exterior, there was always this caring, wonderful man. He had never been anything like Hunter. Never would be. And that core person had adapted and grown so much in these months. Grown into someone Kurt already cared about a lot. 

Shifting closer, Kurt looked directly into Blaines eyes. "Youve been through a lot, and you are handling it. Still getting up every day, working hard, never complaining. I think youre incredible too, Blaine."

Leaning towards him, Kurt brushed his lips lightly over Blaines. And then he pushed him back against the arm of the sofa, grabbing his head with both hands and kissed Blaine. Really kissed him. The way hed been thinking about doing it every night for weeks. Deep, devouring kisses. 

Blaine was frozen for a few seconds of shock, and then his hands came up to Kurts back, pressing his body closer, kissing him back just as intensely.

Within a couple minutes, Blaine was flat on the sofa with Kurt sprawled on top of him. Kurt unzipped the hoodie, and helped Blaine wiggle out of it. He was wearing a thin tee that left his neck totally available for Kurt to explore. 

Blaine moaned as Kurt kissed down his neck, arching his hips to press closer against him. Kurt pushed his hips downwards, gasping as he felt Blaine so hard against him. Blaine was undoing the buttons of Kurts shirt, and impatiently, Kurt sat up a little to pull it off, leaving him in an untucked undershirt. 

Blaine stilled again, breathing heavy, when he felt Kurts hand cupping him. His pale, long fingered hand tracing over Blaines hardness. The sight made Blaine groan. 

"Is this OK?" Kurts whisper was a little hoarse. 

Lifting his hips slightly, Blaine pressed up against Kurts hand. "Oh, yes..."

Kurt was quick to undo the button and ease down his zipper. His fingers traced over Blaines underwear. "Mmmmm... You feel so hot and hard. So thick." 

Between that light teasing touch and Kurts sexy whispers into his ear, Blaine felt even more turned on. He reached to touch Kurt, to run his hands under the waistband of his jeans. 

"No, Blaine, you can touch me later." Kurt shifted so he was on his side, lying along Blaine. "Let me just touch you now."

Biting his lip, Blaine nodded. How could something as simple as those light touches be so fucking hot? But it was Kurt. He only had to touch Blaines arm to make his breath hitch in his throat. 

Easing his underwear down slowly, teasingly, Kurt wrapped his hand around Blaines thick cock. Stroking slowly, he let his palm drag over the sensitive head, and smiled when Blaine gasped. 

"Hold on a sec," Kurt moved away, opening the drawer in the table next to the sofa. He opened a small container and put a dollop of lube into his hand before settling back into his previous position. 

Blaine laughed. "You keep lube in the living room?"

Kurt gave him a light kiss. "Ive been single for ages, so sometimes the only variety I get is different locations in my apartment."

Blaine would have made another comment, but Kurts slick hand was moving in a perfect rhythm over him. Combined with Kurt kissing and biting along his neck and shoulder, Blaine could only close his eyes, panting and groaning in pleasure. 

"You look so fucking sexy like this, Blaine." Kurts raspy whisper was accompanied with a bite to the skin behind Blaines ear. 

"Oh, fuck... Kurt... "Blaine gasped, moaning when he couldnt hold back anymore, surrendering to the waves of pleasure that overtook his body. Kurt pressed closer, grinding his erection against Blaines hip as he kept stroking, loving seeing the pleasure on Blaines face. 

Grabbing some tissues, Kurt cleaned Blaine up, and leaned over to give him a light kiss. 

Smiling, Blaine lazily rolled onto his side. "That was so good, Kurt. Now let me make it good for you." He ran his hand down Kurts arm.

Kurt shook his head. "Next time, OK? Lets just say I had a strong reaction to watching you just now."

Blaine raised his eyebrows. "Really? Well, at least you are at home, not in the office."

"No kidding. Plus, we better stop making out at work. I cant control myself around you, obviously, and I dont want our coworkers catching us in flagrante delicto." 

Blaine nodded, and pushed at Kurts arm playfully. "Get up and change. You need to drive me home. Unless you want me to sleep over and youll do it in the morning." 

Kurt reluctantly got up. Grabbing clean clothes, he went into the bathroom to clean up. It had been a tempting thought to have Blaine stay over, but it was a bit too much, too soon. Especially after everything they had talked about tonight. He needed time to think and digest it all. 

Back in the living room, he slipped on his shoes. "We should totally stop and get ice cream cones on the way to your place. Theres a place with fifty flavors near here."

"Oh yeah... That sounds perfect." Blaine hopped up, and gave Kurt a kiss just because he was allowed to now. 

---
*** I own nothing.

A/N: 

***'Death Comes to Pemberly' by PD James.

*** ‘Y: The Last Man' by Brian K. Vaughan

*** All the seduction books are real. I haven't read any of them. ;)