The Price of Fame

by Terry O'Reilly

  "Thank you, Mr. Bartlett," Les said, feeling proud and a little embarrassed at the praise.

  "Please call me Orin," the man said, smiling at Les across his desk. "We'll still want to do a screen test before we make our final decision, but I don't mind telling you, you look like a natural for the part: handsome, powerful, intense, not to mention sexy as hell."

  Les's smile deepened as did his embarrassment.

  "Would you mind taking off your shirt?"

  "Uh...no," Les said.

  It seemed everyone was interested in him taking off his shirt. Les recalled Sid's request at their initial meeting and Skylar's asking him to do the same at the shoot.

  "The part calls for the character to be shirtless a good portion of the time, and you can understand that we'd be interested in making sure the body that's going to be flashed across the movie screens of the world will command the response we want."

  "If this is about the electrolysis...Sid already talked to me about that," Les said as he got up, pulling his long-sleeved turtleneck over his head. "I haven't scheduled it yet, though. I was hoping that maybe I wouldn't have..."

  Orin didn't seem to be paying attention. He had gotten up from his desk and walked over to the man now standing half naked in front of him. He slowly walked around behind Les. Les could almost feel Orin's eyes examining him from head to toe.

  "I'm not sure electrolysis will be necessary," Orin said in a quiet voice.

  The next thing Les felt was hands softly brushing his shoulders and sliding down his arms, lips lightly caressing his neck, and then a body pressing against him. He shuddered and stiffened. What alarmed him most was that he felt his cock respond to the man's touch.

  Orin ran his hand around to Les's hair-covered abs. "No, I don't think we need to disturb this treasure with electrolysis," he said in the same sensual tone he'd used earlier.

  Les closed his eyes, feeling his arousal and apprehension growing. He thought of Russ, so supportive, even helping with some of the expenses of launching his career. He was at home anxiously waiting Les's return with the news on whether or not he got the part.

  Les stepped forward out of Orin's reach, turned to the man and said, "Uh, look, I'm flattered that you find me attractive but I have someone in my life right now, and..." Les involuntarily looked down at Orin's crotch and saw the man's cock tenting his slacks.

  Orin smiled. "I understand," he said in a silky voice. "I admire a man with principles." He ran a hand over the bulge in his pants.

  "Thank you," Les said, relieved he hadn't offended the man who could make or break his first offer for a role. "It's just that I'm..."

  "No need to explain," Orin said, adjusting his cock and walking back around his desk to sit down. "I think we're done for today." This time his voice was more distant, cold. "We'll be in touch."

  Les awkwardly put on his shirt and left the office.

  * * * *

  "Did you get the part?" Russ asked as Les came into their apartment. After he didn't respond, Russ added, "What's wrong?"

  Les walked past Russ, who followed him to the kitchen.

  Les opened the refrigerator and took out a beer. He held it up.

  Russ nodded, his face showing concern. Les got another can out of the fridge. He handed one to his boyfriend and sat down at the breakfast bar.

  "Okay, so tell me...what's going on?" Russ pressed, sitting next to Les and laying a hand on his forearm.

  "The casting director---well assistant casting director--- wanted me to have sex with him," Les said dully before taking a swig of beer.

  "Oh," Russ said softly.

  Les turned to look at him. "I didn't. I told him I had a boyfriend. Well, I didn't say that. I said I had someone special in my life."

  Russ squeezed his arm and smiled.

  "He didn't say as much, but he probably won't recommend me to the producer, director, whoever makes the final choice."

  Les's cell rang.

  "Hello?"

  "What happened?" It was Sid's voice. "When I sent you to Bartlett it was a done deal. He called just now and said he wasn't sure you were right for the part. What's going on?"

  Les let out a big sigh. "He came on to me."

  "Damn it," came the reply. "What did you do?"

  "I told him I had someone in my life right now. He seemed okay with that, but I guess I don't get the part, right?"

  Sid ignored the question at first. "I hate it when Orin plays these games." Then he said, "No, it doesn't mean you didn't get the part. He doesn't make the final decision, but his opinion helps. Are you opposed to giving him a little of what he wants?"

  Les sighed again. "I hate to think I'm getting a role because of sex. I want to make it on the merits of my acting ability."

  This time the sigh came from Sid's end. "Look. You have the talent. And once you're established here, this shit won't be part of the game. But for now, it is. There probably isn't one major star, male or female, that hasn't done a favor or two for someone that helped them along the way."

  "What do you think I should do, Sid?" Les asked, looking at Russ, who was watching the conversation intently.

  "I could call Orin back. Tell him...um...tell him you'd like to discuss your career a bit more thoroughly. He'll know what I'm talking about. I'll make an appointment and you can go see him again. Orin'll probably be satisfied with givin' you a blowjob. I don't think he'll expect any reciprocation. You able to stomach that?"

  Les thought back to just how the assistant casting director had come on to him: the light stroking, the caresses, pressing his body against him. He was pretty sure there was more than a blowjob in Bartlett's plan.

  When Les didn't respond right away, Sid said, "Keep in mind that it will be kept discreet. That's the way it's played. No one here wants people on the outside to know that what they think happens on the casting couch, really does. And when you're a big star no one will ever know it happened unless you tell someone. Your lady friend won't ever have to know about it."

  Once again Les looked at Russ. Sid was evidently waiting for Les to answer. When he didn't, Sid said, "I'll give you some time to think it over, and if it's too big a price to pay, well...we'll just try again some other way."

  "Thanks," Les said. "I'll get back to you."

  They said their goodbyes and hung up. Les took another drink of his beer.

  "Tell me what he said," Russ urged.

  "Basically he said if I want this part I have to give Bartlett what he wants."

  Les looked into his partner's eyes. "I can't do that to you."

  What came out of Russ's mouth caught Les completely off guard.

  "Yes, you can. Do it."

  "What?"

  "I said 'do it.' Look, Freddy...I mean Les. You do what you have to do. We love each other; that's what really counts. I know whatever you do with this guy won't mean squat. You're on the brink of a great career. I'd feel awful if I were the reason you didn't get your big break."

  "I don't know," Les said, feeling confused, torn between his desire to have an acting career in film, his sense of morality, and loyalty to the man he loved. "I don't want to do anything that would hurt you."

  "It won't. I know we're solid. It's not like you're denying I exist or doing it behind my back."

  Les still hesitated.

  Russ got up, pulled Les to his feet, and embraced him. He kissed him deeply and with loving passion. "Nothing will change between us. Just promise you'll save the last dance for me."

  "If you're sure?" Les said haltingly.

  "I'm sure," Russ said, kissing Les again. He picked up Les's cell, handed it to him, and said, "Call Sid. Then I'm gonna take you in the bedroom and make love to you so you'll know what a treasure you have in me. So, no matter what Bartlett wants, you got it better here at home."

  "Okay," Les said uncertainly, taking the phone and scrolling through his address book. As it began ringing at the other end, Les pulled Russ close, kissed his ear, and whispered, "That last dance wil
l always be yours."

  * * * *

  Smiling broadly, Orin came out of his office and walked to where Les was sitting waiting for him.

  "Ah, Les. So good to see you again. Glad you came by to work out those details we didn't get to yesterday," Orin said, taking Les's right hand in his and covering it with his left, giving it a firm squeeze. "Come on into the office."

  "Sarah," he said, addressing his secretary, "hold my calls and give us some privacy."

  "Yes, Mr. Bartlett," Sarah responded, smiling at Les.

  Les wondered just how much Sarah understood about what went on in Bartlett's office when those instructions were given.

  Orin put an arm around Les's shoulders and led him into the next room, closing the door behind them. The assistant casting director turned to Les, took Les's chin in his hands, looked into Les's eyes, and said tenderly, "I've wanted to do this ever since I first saw those DVDs Sid sent over." Then he kissed Les full on the lips, his tongue immediately darting into Les's mouth.

  Although caught off guard, Les didn't resist. So much for this being a quick blowjob, he thought.

  Taking a deep breath and feeling his body respond to the stimulation more intensely than he had anticipated, Les put his arms around Orin and surrendered to his growing arousal.

  Orin broke the kiss, leaned back and, still holding Les's eyes with his, said, "There, that's not so bad is it?"

  Les shook his head and, putting a hand behind the slightly shorter man's head, surprised himself by pulling Orin back into another kiss.

  Orin's hands moved to Les's waist and pulled the T-shirt out of the trousers. Slipping his hands underneath, Orin pulled the shirt over Les's head, dropping it on the floor. Then he stepped back and let his eyes wander over the man's exposed flesh.

  "Magnificent," he said as his eyes once more met Les's.

  "Uh...thank you," Les said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

  Orin leaned forward and swirled one of Les's nipples with his tongue, then latched on to the erecting nub and sucked like a nursing child.

  Les's cock was directly wired to his nipples and responded fully to the assault. He put his hands on Orin's ass, pulled him close, and pressed their swelling members against each other. The euphoria of sexual excitement began to overtake him. Somewhere in the back of Les's mind he thought of Russ. You do what you have to do, he had said. The image faded as Orin traversed the valley of dark hair between Les's muscular pecs to consume the other teat. Les suppressed the moan that fought to escape his lips, aware that just beyond the door in back of him was another room with someone in it who might hear every sound. He ran his hands over Orin's back, then buried his face in the thick salt-and-pepper hair before placing a kiss on the top of Orin's head.

  Orin raised his face and their lips locked once more, tongues dancing within the caverns of their mouths. Orin stepped back and, taking Les by the hand, led him to the couch across the room. Orin sat and leaned back spreading his legs, indicating Les should stand before him.

  "Show me," Orin ordered as he started massaging his cock. Les could see the swelling organ was straining against the fabric of the man's expensive gabardine slacks.

  Les began by running his hands over his chest and down his rippled abs as Orin looked on, slowly licking his lips. Les kicked off his shoes, then unbuckled his belt, and pushed his khakis to the floor. He stepped out of them and kicked them to the side. He reached down and stripped off each of his white socks and stood in his Jockeys, his hands hanging at his side looking down on Orin.

  Orin shuddered, sat up, and pulled Les to him, burying his face in the mound made by Les's cock, trapped in the cotton fabric of his briefs. He mouthed the swollen organ for some time before pulling the underwear down and swallowing the throbbing dick to the base, all the while kneading Les's firm, full buttocks.

  Orin let out a strangled moan. "Oh God," he said over and over as he mouthed and sucked Les's engorged man-tool.

  Once again Les ran his hands over Orin's head, enjoying the feel of the man's hair through his fingers and Orin's mouth on his dick. For Les, sex had always been closely associated with feelings of affection. He tried not to let any emotions remotely resembling those overtake him. But he couldn't deny he was completely enjoying the experience of sex with this man.

  Russ, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, he thought.

  Orin stopped just before Les came. "No," Orin said, getting to his feet. "I want this to last for a while."

  Les breathed out as Orin kissed him again. He was taken aback by the realization that he, as well as Orin, wanted this to go on.

  Les pushed Orin back and undressed him. Orin's body was toned but not athletic, smooth, with a dense patch of black hair at the base of his cock that was thick and uncut, oozing pre-cum from the puckered foreskin that covered the head. Les reached down and massaged the pulsing organ and cupped the round, full ball sac. Then he knelt and took Orin's hard dick into his mouth, slowly pushing the foreskin back, exposing the glistening dick head. He took his time, experiencing the feel, taste, and smell of it---still amazed at his total enjoyment of the experience.

  When Les had nearly brought Orin to orgasm the man pulled away, got to his feet once more, put his arms around Les, and said, "I want you to fuck me. Will you? I'm sure I can make it worthwhile for you." Orin kissed him.

  Les got the implication of the man's words. He thought of Russ once again. He had suspected Orin wanted more than a quick suck off. Les told himself on the way to Orin's office that anal sex would be too big a price to pay. He vowed if it came to that, he would refuse. He would guard and save that for him and Russ alone. Now confronted with the reality that his career could be hanging in the balance, and spurred on by his own overheated lust, however, he gave in to Orin's request.

  Les nodded his acceptance, then returned Orin's kiss.

  Orin smiled, turned, and knelt on the couch, his head on the backrest, his ass in the air. Les stepped forward and ran his hands over the soft, smooth flesh, tracing the crevice with a finger. Orin pushed back to increase the pressure.

  Spreading Orin's ass cheeks, Les spit on his thumb and began to probe the puckered hole. Then he knelt and continued his exploration with lips and tongue.

  "Oh yeah, baby," Orin groaned and pressed his ass against Les's lingual assault. "Daddy needs your big, hard dick inside him. Fuck me, Les baby, fuck me!"

  Les stood, slapped Orin's ass with his rigid cock, and slid it up and down the ass crack. Closing his mind to thoughts of his partner at home waiting for him, he pressed the tip of his prick against Orin's hole. So urgent was Les's need to unite with this man that all thought of safety fled.

  "Wait! Condom, desk drawer," Orin rasped out.

  Les hadn't used a rubber for so long. With Russ there had been no need. His lack of rationality in this circumstance bothered him.

  These thoughts, however, were pushed aside. He went to the desk, and found condoms and lube. He returned to Orin.

  Now enshrouded in latex he pressed his cock against the opening to Orin's body once more. The head of his dick slipped in. He slowly inserted the rest. When fully inside, his pubic bush pressing against Orin's smooth ass muscles, Les stopped. He let thoughts of sexual excitement push aside any feelings of emotion---feelings he must reserve only for Russ---so that all that remained was the physical union of his body with Orin's. He owed Russ that at least. Les slowly began an undulating rhythm that gradually increased in speed and intensity. He could tell by Orin's groans of pleasure he was hitting the man's sweet spot.

  Finally the stimulation pushed Les past the point of control. He felt the waves of exquisite pleasure sweep over his body as his cum filled the condom.

  Spent, Les ran his hands over Orin's back, consciously blocking his feelings of remorse. He slipped out. Orin turned over.

  "Squeeze my balls," Orin said. It almost sounded like another order.

  Les did as requested.

  Orin pumped his thick cock.

  "Harder! Harder
! Crush my nuts!" Orin demanded.

  Les obeyed.

  Orin growled and then roared as he shot ropes of creamy white semen onto his chest and stomach. When he was done, he shuddered and licked his lips. He stood and gave Les a peck on the cheek, then slapped Les's ass.

  "Get rid of the rubber and get dressed," Orin said perfunctorily. "I've got an appointment in ten minutes."

  Dismissed, feelings of confusion setting in, Les began doing as he was told. Orin walked toward his office bathroom to clean up. He said over his shoulder, "I'll send Sid the contract for that film you want to do. He'll go over the details with you."

  Les nodded, too numbed by his swirling emotions to respond.

  Orin stopped at the door. "By the way," he said, smiling and looking back at Les, "I told Joel yesterday you'd be great for the part. We start filming in two weeks so you can quit your day job, whatever that is. But thanks for today anyway. You're a good fuck."

  He blew Les a kiss and closed the door to the john behind him.

  Dazed, Les made his way to the studio parking lot. He didn't remember going past the secretary in Orin's outer office.

  He vaguely recalled seeing a young man waiting there and thinking he was probably the next item on Orin's menu for the day. Now he sat in his car, his head on the steering wheel, tears running down his face.

  Les heard Russ's words echo once more. You do what you have to do.

  Les cried out in his head. The truth is you didn't have to!

  You're nothing but a fucking slut. You sold yourself to Bartlett for nothing; he'd already recommended you for the part.

  But the feeling that bothered him most was that he had enjoyed it.

  Oh, Russ, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry.

  Then he banged the dashboard with his fist.

  "Damn it! Damn it!" he cried out in anguish.

  * * * *

  "I'm home," Russ called out.