Friends with Benefits

by Amy Brent

  “Just go in knowing that there will be a lot of gossip about him. It’s always like that with celebrities. Trust your gut more than anything else, okay?” Viv asked as I promised her that I would. She told me that she’d be here the coming weekend and to free up as much time for her as I could. I assured her that I would and laughed as she asked what Lance’s full name was. His porn name was Lance Jameson, which seemed like a normal name to me, when his real name was Jacobs.

  I sent him a message and told him that I’d be there for dinner. Lance told me that he had some good news to celebrate when I arrived and promised me that he was cooking tonight. I laughed as I hung up and sat in bed, wondering what the news might be. Would it help me to feel better about the future?

  I showered in time to let my curls dry naturally and did my makeup a little darker than normal. I was reminded of Viv’s winged liner phase when I spoke to her and attempted that with some gel liner that I had tucked away. After a few wipes, it looked pretty good and I left the powder foundation on that I’d done first. I slipped a long, loose black skirt on and added a pale purple burnout t-shirt over a black camisole. Slipping my feet into some comfortable sandals, I grabbed my purse and walked out to the car to head over to his house.

  I knocked on the door and it swung open, revealing a smiling Lance. He pulled me inside and hugged me as I slipped my hands up his chest and around his neck. “What are you so happy for?”

  CHAPTER 19

  Lance

  I looked into her face as the words threatened to bubble out of me. I’d gotten a call from my agent and heard that I was wanted for a movie by a successful director. I could leave the porn business and start acting in other genres if all went well. I couldn’t believe that it happened today, of all the days. “Leila…I got a movie offer today. A normal, crazy, Hollywood movie that isn’t like anything else I’ve ever worked on.”

  “What?” She asked as her eyes lit up and she moved to hug me tighter. “How?”

  “I don’t know the details yet. I got a call from an agent and accepted it and I’m meeting Allen tomorrow to sign some stuff. I can leave my contracts for this, since they wouldn’t hold me back. I can’t believe it.” I cupped her head and leaned down to kiss her softly, looking forward to this new life. Our lips locked, and she pulled me closer as our tongues moved together. Leila was addicting and if all went well, she was going to be my wife.

  I pushed her against the wall, looking forward to a life with just one woman in my bed. I knew that there would be love scenes in other movies, but it would be simulated. It would be fake, and I couldn’t wait, because I only wanted Leila now.

  She leaned her head up as I pulled away to catch my breath, angling for another kiss. I gave in and then pulled away to stroke her hair back with one hand. “Are you happy?”

  “Yeah. Surprised. I have been thinking about us all day, Lance.” I saw the worry in her eyes and kissed her softly. “I want this with you and I didn’t know how I could deal with the other women.”

  “That’s nothing to me. It’s work that paid for this house and everything that I have. It’s money to help my mom out when she needs it and I have saved smart. I could only make one movie and probably be fine. It doesn’t matter. I just want to take care of you.” I stared at her, wanting Leila to see how much I meant these words. She nodded, and I reached down to take her hand and lead her to the kitchen. I was baking the lasagna that I grew up with and she looked around at the mess with a broad smile on her face. “Lasagna. Family recipe with some sourdough garlic bread and a salad that I whipped up.” I smiled down at her. “I got champagne to make a toast.”

  “Perfect,” Leila told me as she kissed me again and asked what she could help with. I pulled out the salad and she tossed it with some dressing as I pulled the bread out of the second oven. We both heard her phone chime from her purse on the counter and she glanced over slowly. “I have to check it. It might be work.” I handed her a towel and Leila wiped her hands as she approached the purse with a nervous look on her face. She pressed on the screen a few times and let out a sigh before looking at me. “Terra got her house. They accepted the offer. It’s in Malibu.”

  “Thank fuck,” I breathed out as she raised an eyebrow at me. “I know that you two get along, but I am not her biggest fan. I’ll miss her the least out of all the people that I’ve met over the years. I know that it’s easy for you to focus on the…physical aspect of the job, but I’m not. I don’t get along with a lot of people in any business that I do.”

  “I know. I am trying to move past that.” Leila smiled at me and set the phone down. “Do you mind if I call her and let her know quickly? I know that she’s excited.”

  “Not at all, Leila.” I watched as she grabbed the phone again and walked to the back balcony, sliding open the screen door to stand outside. I was happy for Terra for her new home and I thought that she was a smart woman with her money. I’d just grown tired of her advances over the years. I watched for a moment as Leila dialed a number and smiled as she greeted Terra, telling her the good news. I could hear her voice all the way in here and I started to chop the bread into pieces for us. The oven beeped, and I took out the pan, setting it on top of the stove as I glanced back to the door. She was leaning on the railing and I frowned as I watched her look out over the ocean. I walked out to see if she was okay and closed the screen behind me as Leila turned around. “You okay?”

  “She cares more about the rumor that her favorite guy in her business is going into mainstream acting. It seems that everyone is outraged over it, Lance. I couldn’t even speak to tell her that I was here with you. I couldn’t tell her that we’re involved.” I saw the pain in Leila’s eyes and stepped forward to slide my hands up her hips as her eyes widened. “How will I ever tell anyone?”

  “Leila, it is one-sided. I don’t feel anywhere near the same way.” I pressed my mouth to hers and she seemed to fight me for a moment before her lips parted for me. We kissed for several moments before she pulled away from me, panting as she pressed her hands to my chest.

  “I am so overwhelmed, Lance. I wish I’d known from the start.” She stared at me and I met her eyes with a warm gaze of my own. There was a lot that I wanted to say right now, and I hoped that my eyes conveyed my feelings. I didn’t have the guts to say it and Leila’s face seemed to light up with understanding.

  “We can take it slow, Leila. I’m fine with that…I just need to be with you.” I leaned down to kiss her hard and she moaned against my mouth. We kissed for a few minutes before going in to plate the food and sitting outside to eat. I popped open the bottle and poured some champagne as she watched with a smile. “Here’s to a new future.” I kept it simple as I lifted the glass and we clinked them together.

  “You want this? Without me, I mean?” Leila asked as I grinned at her, seeing how it made her blush.

  “I’ve been considering leaving for a while. It stopped being exciting a while ago and I realized how much I wanted to settle down after I met you. This happened just when it needed to.” I winced as she reacted to my words and reached out to touch her hand. “I didn’t mean it that way. I was young when I started and there were parties and stuff going on constantly. It was fun, and I wasn’t the same man that I am today.”

  “I suppose I’ve never been a partier. I’ve always been sort of a homebody. Is that a problem?” Leila asked as I squeezed her hand.

  “No. I’m the same way anymore. This is a perfect night to me, assuming that you’ll stay here with me.” I met her eyes as she blushed and sipped her champagne. “I could do this all the time after a busy work day. I also want to take you out and spoil you the way that you deserve, but this is great to me.” I looked over the ocean as the sun started to set and took it all in. “This has been my dream for years and it’s even better that you’re here with me. Hell, you handed me my dream.”

  “Let me remind you that you paid me generously for it. After this new sale, I might be able to look for a small home for m
yself.” Leila glanced out to look at the sunset as an idea hit me like a train.

  “Or you could date me for a while and if things go as well as I expect, just move in here with me. There’s no chance that I’ll lose this house and I know that I like you a lot.” Leila stared at me in shock as I offered her my crooked grin that got me anything I needed. “It’s just a suggestion.”

  “I…I don’t know what to say. This is great but it’s moving so fast. I am still dealing with everything that I learned about you and just trying to keep this realistic in my head.” She picked off a piece of the bread and chewed it slowly.

  “I understand. I feel the same way, but I feel more about you than I have for anyone. Ever.” I stared at her and she met my eyes.

  “I want to go day-by-day, Lance. Is that okay?” I nodded as she smiled gratefully and leaned back in her chair.

  We took the dishes inside and I enjoyed loading the dishwasher with her as we chatted. It was natural, and I didn’t feel the doubt that she sometimes conveyed to me before I led her to the couch and found a movie. We drank our third glass of champagne as she giggled and snuggled against me. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “It was no problem. I’m glad that you enjoyed it.” I kissed her hair as she lifted her face to mine, meeting my lips in a tender kiss. Leila was perfect, and I lost myself in her lips and tongue. The kiss deepened as she moved over my lap, slipping her legs beside me as I lifted her skirt and stroked her legs. I moaned when I discovered that she was wearing a tiny thong underneath her skirt. “This is hot as hell.”

  “I wanted it to be,” Leila whispered against me before our lips met again. We kissed hungrily in between ripping our clothes off and she looked down at me as she straddled me once again. “I want you bare again.”

  “Yes, baby. Take me.” I urged her as she impaled herself over me, taking my cock all the way into her soaking pussy. This was fast for us and I grunted her name as she wrapped tightly around me.

  CHAPTER 20

  Leila

  I met with Lynn to discuss the potential sale while Lance met with his agent. I had a sense of hope with everything that happened the night before and I glanced at her across the table as I sipped my iced tea. I was telling her the next steps to take as well as who to contact, slipping a sheet across the table that had all the names and numbers that she’d need. It was a list that I compiled of the best people to work with in the area that I worked hard on and she just shoved it into her purse.

  I looked at her in disbelief. Lynn smiled at me, assuring me that she knew a lot of people in the business and I simply nodded. I told her that I’d keep in touch as I heard news and she grabbed her phone as it rang. Lynn answered it, talking once again about Lance and the rumors that he was leaving as I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

  I pretended to get a text and told her that I needed to rush off, waving as she gave me a distracted look. I grabbed my purse and left the restaurant, noticing the looks that were being tossed her way. She loved the public places. I wondered how many women were upset about his possible change in career and rage flooded me. I went to my car and sat inside for a moment before pulling up Google and typing in his name. I knew that it was going to kill me to know but I had to have the numbers in front of me.

  Lance had been in the industry for ten years, becoming successful quickly. I knew that it was his looks that made him so popular at first, but I also knew the size of his cock. I knew it very well and I read further to see the list of his films. Lance was in so many and I wasn’t an idiot. I knew that there were group sex scenes in porn films and that the numbers of women could be in the hundreds or even thousands. I had to assume that he slept with a lot of other women in his personal time as well. I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I took all this in.

  I was in love with Lance. I tried to prevent it from happening, but I fell fast, and I fell hard. I knew that I wanted this to work out, but his past was just so involved, and I closed my eyes for a moment.

  I jumped as my phone chimed and pressed a hand to my heart. I checked for a message and noticed that Lance was trying to get a hold of me. I read his text to see that a contract was signed for the new film and possibly more, ending the contract with the porn industry. He asked me to go out to dinner with him as I kept crying, shaking too much to send anything back.

  Lance was perfect in every way except for his past. He was the guy that I’d been dreaming of and never thought that I would have a shot with. He was so hot and had a giant heart, as well as a cock that women loved. It was famous. I was certain that it was mine now, but I couldn’t help but doubt everything right now. I heard the chime again and looked down to see him asking if I was okay. I found the words to tell him that I was headed home from working and that I’d love to go to dinner. I’d go take a shower and do anything I could to look presentable. I needed to give this a shot and give up my insecurities.

  I needed Lance.

  I started the car and pulled out of the parking spot to go home. I needed some time alone to sort this out and I pressed the gas pedal down to get home faster. I was still crying, though softer. I figured that I just had to work this out of my system. Lance didn’t have to know my every thought on the matter. I could keep some things to myself.

  I took a small nap and then a long shower. All the words that I read online still played through my mind, but I still tried to see ahead to the future. Wasn’t that what everyone told you to do when it came to life? Put the past behind you and just move on. His past was really a past now that he had a new acting job and while I’d get a little jealous of any women that he worked with from here on, I knew that it was all simulated.

  I ran my fingers through my hair as it dried and stared into the mirror. I looked stressed out and I thickened the layer of makeup tonight to hide the circles under my eyes before powdering my face. I did a Fall look with some eyeshadow, wanting to play more since moving here and seeing how put together all the women were. It was far more casual in Carlsbad and I smiled when I was finished with the complete look. I slicked over my lips with some tinted matte gloss and went to look at my closet. After a long time deciding, I pulled out my favorite jeans and a burgundy blouse. I wrapped a black scarf around my neck and slipped on my favorite boots before I made my way to the living room.

  There was a knock at the door and I took a slow breath before going to answer it. I opened the door, seeing Lance dressed up tonight as he smiled brilliantly at me.

  He was so gorgeous and my heart split into pieces as I thought about everything.

  “Ready to go, beautiful?” Lance asked me before he pressed his lips to mine, making me melt into a puddle inside.

  “I am.” I grabbed my purse and we made our way to his car before heading into the downtown part of LA. I watched as we drove through the big buildings to Newport Beach. I hadn’t been this way too much and I grinned as he drove down a street that was parallel to the beach before pulling into a parking lot. There was nothing about this place that made it a dive and I gasped as I turned to look at him. “This is amazing.” There was a stunning view of the ocean and soon the sunset and he smiled at me as he turned the engine off.

  “There might be some pap here tonight with the announcement and all. I kind of figured I could go all in and just get this out of the way, if that’s okay with you. Otherwise, we can go back to the house and order in. I just want you happy.” The look on his face was so sincere and I pressed my lips together before kissing him. I couldn’t help it and he held me steady as I tried to crawl into his lap.

  “Am I dressed all right for this place?” I asked him as I looked into his beautiful eyes. Lance was wearing black slacks and a dark blue button-up shirt, and he smiled and nodded.

  “You look beautiful tonight.” Lance assured me before he kissed me again softly.

  “Let’s go here then.” I felt my heart rate pick up as Lance opened his door and pressed his hands down his shirt. He looked so good tonight and I ran a hand through my loose curl
s before he reached the door. Lance opened it and took my hand as we made our way to the front of the restaurant and I winced as I heard voices surrounding us.

  “Lance!! How do you feel about your career change?” One voice yelled as another asked the same question in different terms. Lance answered positively, still holding onto me as the next question was about what I was to him. He paused and turned to face the crowd as I widened my eyes at him.

  “She’s an important part of my life and so much of the reason I wanted to make some changes to it.” He kept it simple, beaming at me through the entire statement. He cut it short after that, assuring them that everything was good in his life before staff opened the door for us. Lance led me in and someone grabbed menus to lead us to a table in the corner, tucked beside a fireplace with a view of the water. “They’ll be digging on you now. Your name might get out to the media. Is that okay?” Lance looked serious as he questioned me, and I nodded. I feared the backlash, but I wanted to try with him.

  We enjoyed dinner, talking about the movie and his large roll in it. It featured one of the most gorgeous women in Hollywood, but she was married with five kids. I knew that it was silly to worry about that when I was still feeling the sting of his porn career, but I would always have doubt from my past.

  We stayed late, enjoying the sunset and the food and wine before Lance took me outside and back to the car. The media was gone now, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I mentally prepared myself for the following day. He took me to his house, where we made love all night inside of his room. Lance told me that he loved me that night and I held on tight as I whispered the words back.