by Ivy Jordan
“Print ads? Oh. Well, you gotta do what you gotta do to survive,” she threw out the pity tone once again.
What did Jackie Lemay know about survival? She’d gotten every part I’d auditioned for, and with her family’s money, she’d never have to settle for a shit print ad job to survive.
“I have a few things lined up,” I smirked. “The ad is a favor for a friend,” I said, no longer feeling the boast in my voice. “What are you doing?” I hated to ask, but social etiquette dictated I must.
Her smile widened and she shuddered, as if the excitement within her was too much to contain. I regretted asking already. Fuck social etiquette.
“I’m taking off to Tahiti to film the lead in Scorching Rays of Beauty,” she said with more pride in her voice than I’d ever felt in my life.
That was a closed audition, only available to an elite crowd, most of whom were already-famous Hollywood actors. How the hell did she get that call?
I knew I was smiling; I could feel my cheeks aching from the plastered fake enthusiasm, but I was dying inside. My part, it was the lead, but not with a well-known director, and I was certain no established actors would be in the cast. I was jealous. I hated that feeling, but there it was, in full form, so large it blocked my sunshine, and most definitely killed my relaxation.
“That’s great. Good for you,” I mustered without spewing on her perfectly painted pink toenails as I spoke.
“You can say you knew me back when,” she giggled.
My phone rang as she hovered over me awkwardly, waiting for me to offer her more praise. No way. Not happening.
I reached into my bag, quickly fumbled for my phone, and prayed it was the casting agents calling me with good news.
My lips curled into a wide smile as I stared at my phone screen. Josh.
“Excuse me. I have to take this,” I said to Jackie, turning my back on her and sliding my thumb across the answer button.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Emily. It’s Josh,” a deeply masculine voice spoke on the other end of my phone.
“Hey, Josh,” I said, knowing I hadn’t done a very good job at containing my excitement from my tone.
“Are you busy?” he asked.
“No. Actually, I’m on the beach with about thirty thousand other people,” I laughed.
“Are you wearing that little red bikini?” he gasped.
“Nope. I only wear that for you,” I teased.
I was getting hot, just playfully flirting with him over the phone. My God, why does this man get me so giddy?
“I like that,” he growled in a deep, sexy tone.
“I won’t keep you from the sun,” he said, making my heart instantly ache at the thought of him rushing off so soon.
“Do you like haunted houses?” he asked quickly.
“Yes,” I lied. I was terrified of haunted houses.
“Great. Would you like to check out the Zombie Apocalypse in the Woods with me Saturday night?” he asked.
My skin tingled at the shyness in his voice. He was nervous? This hot, sexy man was nervous about asking me out? It gave me a strange confidence I’d never remembered feeling before. I loved every second of it, and never wanted it to stop.
“I would love to,” I said, so giddy my voice squeaked as I spoke.
“Text me your address and I’ll pick you up at seven? They have a food truck court set up, unless you’d like something a bit more civilized,” he chuckled.
“No. I love food trucks,” I replied.
“Great. I’ll see you Saturday, Emily,” he said softly.
“I can’t wait,” I responded, and then ended the call.
I fell back into the sand, feeling a new kind of wonderful. It didn’t matter if the casting agents called today or not. It didn’t matter if they called at all.
Tamara about burst an artery when she found out I was going out with Josh. “Wow. So, there really was chemistry between you two,” she gushed. “Be careful, though. You don’t want any bad chemistry between you if things don’t work out,” she warned, quickly changing back to her professional mode.
“I will,” I said. I couldn’t imagine what could go wrong. Josh was perfect. Well, almost perfect. The only thing I didn’t care for was the modeling. I didn’t want to date someone in the same industry as me. It was too hard, and if we both had down times at the same time, who’d pay the bills?
That’s why I wanted to make it big, or at least get a break into the serious films before I started a relationship. Josh was just too irresistible to deny. It would be fun. Just fun.
The doorbell rang, and I rushed from my room to the front door. Tamara was already in front of me, pushing her way to reach the door before I could. She flung it open to Josh: beautiful, sexy Josh.
“Hey,” I said, gliding in front of Tamara as she smirked at my date.
He wore a tight t-shirt, almost tight enough to see the ripples in his abs. It didn’t matter that they didn’t show; I had my imagination, and it had been working overtime ever since our shoot.
“You ready to go?” he asked, smiling briefly at Tamara.
Lisa rose up from the couch to see the man I’d been bragging out. “Holy shit, you’re hot,” she growled from under her blanket.
I giggled as I gripped his arm. Wow, his arm was so hard and strong. “Let’s go,” I rushed him out of the door.
“Good to meet you,” he said politely to Lisa, and then nodded at Tamara before closing the door behind him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you,” I said, feeling rude about rushing him from my chaotic house.
“It’s okay. I share a room with fifteen guys, so I get the chaos thing,” he said.
Fifteen guys? Oh, no. This wasn’t going to work. Fun, Emily, just fun. It doesn’t matter.
I smiled politely and held onto his arm as he walked me to his car. It was a shiny red sports car; not what I expected from a barely working model that lived with fifteen guys.
“This is nice,” I said, sliding into the passenger seat as he opened the door for me.
“Thanks,” he said with a smile.
We drove to the haunted house with the top down, making it difficult to talk. I didn’t really mind. I wasn’t sure what to say to him. I was still nervous.
“You pick the truck,” he said, holding my hand tightly in his as we strolled through the food truck court.
“Just one?” I asked.
He laughed. “Pick as many as you like.”
“Wonton tacos from the Amasion Asian, and cheddar jalapeno tots from Big Marty’s,” I decided.
“Perfect. I love a woman that knows what she wants,” Josh said, leading me to the first truck.
“I love a man that knows how to give it to me,” I flirted.
His eyes widened and his smile smeared across his face. “I’m that man,” he professed with warm confidence.
Josh ordered the food from both trucks and grabbed us each a beer from the beer garden. “Here okay?” he asked, clearing off a table that’d been abandoned and left uncleaned.
“Yes,” I agreed, immediately helping him clear the trash. “So. You live with fifteen guys?” I asked, unable to fight my curiosity.
Maybe that’s how he afforded such a fancy car. Rent would have to be dirt cheap splitting it that many ways.
He laughed. “Yeah. When I’m working,” he explained.
I was still lost. “Where do you live when you’re not working?” I feared the answer was at home in his mother’s basement.
“I have a house on the beach, not far from here, actually,” he said.
“Okay. I’m lost,” I admitted.
He laughed and took a long sip of his beer.
“When I’m at work, it’s for a twenty-four-hour shift,” he explained, still not helping me understand.
“You model for twenty-four-hour shifts?” I ask.
“Oh, no. I’m sorry. I model on the side; that’s not my real job. I work at the firehouse,” he chuck
led at my confusion.
“You’re really a firefighter?” I gasped as my clit jumped against my silk panties.
“Yes. I’m really a firefighter,” he said, not without a hint of pride.
I knew this man could be real trouble to my plan of staying single until I made it big. The only thing I could find wrong with him was that he was a struggling model, and now that was ripped away from me. I was left with nothing to hold me back.
He was extremely interested in my career, or lack thereof. I’d never had a man take such an interest in my life. It felt good.
I told Josh about my family in Indiana, and how I’d grown up on a farm. He’d been in California his entire life, and found it amazing that I survived in a world without a beach, year-round sunshine, or iced cappuccinos on every corner.
The Zombie Apocalypse in the Woods was frightening. Josh held onto me, keeping me close to his side once he realized how terrified I was. “We didn’t have to do this,” he apologized.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” I said, right before screaming into his ear in fear.
I jumped into his strong arms, shaking like a little kid after a zombie got too close for comfort. I hated how real they looked, and how they just appeared from out of nowhere in the dark woods.
Josh laughed so hard his chest bounced me as he held me in his arms. At first, I didn’t find it as amusing as he did. But, his arms made me feel safe, allowing me to laugh at my ridiculousness with him.
We made it to the end of the path, allowing my heart to calm as the light from beyond the woods appeared. Josh didn’t put me down when we exited the woods, but instead carried me to the car.
My arms wrapped loosely around his neck as I stared into his beautiful blue eyes. “I must say, this is a first for me,” he laughed.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Scaring the hell out of a date,” he said softly, staring at me with concern.
“I loved every minute of it,” I lied.
He chuckled. “No, you didn’t.”
His laughter was contagious, pulling me into the hysterical fit of amusement over my attempt at such a monumental lie.
His chest lifted me upward as he took a deep breath and sighed to calm down from his laughter. I could feel his heartbeat speed up, and suddenly, the moment was very quiet and calm. It was as if the entire world disappeared while Josh’s lips pressed against mine.
His tongue slid delicately across my lips, parting them as I let out a soft sigh of delight. Wow, this man makes me so hot.
Suddenly, our tongues were entangled, slowly gliding around each other. My grip tightened around his neck, and his arms flexed as they positioned me comfortably enough to melt into him. I did. I melted.
“I’ve had a great time,” he said , his voice soft as our mouths separated.
“Me too,” I agreed.
He set me down on my feet beside the car. He opened the passenger door and held my hand to help me inside. I watched as he walked around the car, every muscle, every curve, soaking it all into my memory for later that night when I dreamed about him.
The ride home was quiet. His hand gripped mine until we pulled up in front of my house. I hated for the night to end, but I knew he’d told me he had to work early in the morning, and it was already close to midnight. He opened the door for me, helped me from the car, and walked me to my door. I’d never experienced a man like that before. He was a gentleman.
“Can I call you again?” he asked.
Please!
“Yes,” I said, holding back my excitement.
He leaned in, kissing me softly on the cheek, and then walked back towards his car. I wanted more. I wanted so much more.
Chapter Three
“Can you be at the studio today at three?” Tamara asked.
“Yes,” I agreed quickly.
I watched Tamara grip her petite hands around the over-sized coffee mug and take a long sip. Her eyes were locked onto mine with a strange look of concern.
“Have you seen Josh anymore?” she asked cautiously.
I hadn’t. Not since our date, but I knew he had gone on a twenty-four-hour shift right after. He did text, at least a couple times a day. “No. We’ve talked,” I admitted.
“So, just the one date?” she asked.
I nodded, unsure of where she was going. A thick glob of anxiety sat in my gut, slowly rising to my chest as I waited for her to elaborate.
“Well, this may be an awkward day,” she chuckled nervously.
“Why?”
She took another long sip of her coffee, and then carefully placed the mug on the counter. “The pictures are a bit steamier,” she said.
I’d left a streak of excitement in the crotch of the bikini bottoms during the first shoot. I couldn’t imagine how it could get any steamier than that.
“I understand if it’s too awkward and you don’t want to do it,” she said quickly.
I could note the hint of irritation in her voice. Why wouldn’t I want to do it?
“I told you I could keep our private life separate from the shoot. I wouldn’t let you down,” I pleaded.
“It’s just, well… you’ll be nude in the shoot,” she said, quickly clearing her throat.
“Nude?” I asked, shocked, excited… mortified.
“Yes. Of course, the pictures will be tastefully edited not to include any private parts in the finals,” she said quickly.
The final prints were the least of my worries. Nude? With Josh?
“Emily, I get it if this is something you can’t do. I’ll call another model for the shoot,” Tamara said.
Another model? Another nude model wrapped in Josh’s arms? “No. I can do it,” I snapped.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
I nodded. The glob in my gut rose through my chest and rested at the bottom of my throat. I couldn’t speak. I smiled, trying my best to show confidence in my agreement.
“Okay. I’ll see ya at three,” she said, grabbing her bag and heading out the door.
Oh my God! What had I agreed to? This was horrible, and strangely delicious all at the same time.
My morning, and most of my afternoon, was spent grooming. I showered, shaved, and lathered in scented lotions. This wasn’t exactly how I pictured my first time naked with Josh, but I couldn’t let Tamara down, and I needed the money. Mostly, I couldn’t imagine another woman in Josh’s bare arms. No way!
I stood in the mirror, naked and judgmental.
My phone rang, pulling me out of the stress-filled trance I was in. I looked at the screen; a number not saved in my contacts appeared. The casting agents? I had given up on them calling; it’d been over a week and I hadn’t even received a rejection. “Hello?” I answered.
“Is this Emily Warren?” the stale voice asked on the other end of the phone.
“Yes. This is Emily Warren,” I agreed.
“This is Lola Fernading with Isola Productions. You auditioned for the part of Lucinda for our upcoming movie, Til Death Do Us Part. The casting agents spoke very highly of you, and have decided you’d be perfect for the part. Are you still available?” she asked.
I was bursting with excitement as I gripped my phone so tightly in my hand it hurt.
“Yes. Of course,” I agreed quickly.
“Great. You’ll need to be in our studio tomorrow morning at nine to go over the details of your schedule,” she said quickly.
“Yes. I’ll be there. Thank you,” I said before the woman hung up.
I was in a movie! I was the lead!
I let out a squeal of excitement after hanging up the phone. I forgot all about the nudity, and the anxiety I would experience in a couple hours. I was on cloud nine.
After dressing into a thin sundress, and lathering another coat of lotion on my skin, I headed to Tamara’s studio, hoping to get there way before Josh.
“I got the part,” I announced to my roommate and my friend as I arrived.
Tamara’s eyes widened and
her smile tore across her face at the news. “That is amazing!” she exclaimed, gripping my shoulders tightly, and pulling me in for an embrace.
“What’s your schedule?” she asked.
“I don’t know yet. I find out tomorrow. I believe it is a local production, so I shouldn’t be traveling anywhere,” I said, easing her worries about losing her model.
“Just keep me informed if you can’t do this anymore. I understand if you can’t, or even just don’t want to,” she said.
I knew if it weren’t for Josh, I’d probably let her find a replacement.
“Since you’re here early, why don’t you go ahead and let Marcus get you prepped,” she suggested.
Her head motioned towards the tall, flamboyant blond man who’d done my makeup before. Ugh!
“Okay,” I hesitated, lingering at the table filled with croissants and gourmet jellies.
“Go ahead, if you want to be bloated for your scene,” Tamara laughed as she caught me eyeing the food.
“I’ll wait,” I replied with a grin.
Marcus ushered me into a private dressing room where he quickly asked me to strip out of my clothes. I’d never done a nude scene before, but I had promised to be okay with a sex scene in the movie. In my movie!
I slid my shoulder straps from my skin and slowly let the dress fall to the floor around my ankles. My nipples instantly hardened at the cool air-conditioned room, making me feel even more self-conscious. Marcus didn’t show any expression as he stared at my body with intent. “Okay, how’s your downstairs?” he asked.
“Wh-what?” I stammered.
“Have you shaved? Do you have any unsightly birthmarks or bumps?” he asked with an exhausted tone.
“That won’t be shown,” I stated firmly.
“Yes. Well aware of the shoot layout for the day. You will, however, be nude, all the way nude. If you have anything you would like me to hide, I suggest you show me now,” he said with a smirk.
“I am fine,” I said, slipping out of my panties.
I’d never felt so uncomfortable as Marcus knelt down with his face in my crotch. “Turn,” he ordered.
I did.
“You went to the beach, didn’t you?” he asked, rising to his feet once again.
