The Price of Fame

by Terry O'Reilly

  Les came out of the kitchen, took his boyfriend in his arms, and kissed him. "I've got something to show you."

  "I've seen it before, but I never get tired of looking at it,"

  Russ responded as he rubbed Les's groin.

  Les pushed back against the pressure but laughed and said, "I appreciate that but that's not what I want to show you."

  "Aw, are you sure?" Russ said, increasing the pressure and reaching for the zipper tab. "I got some ideas of what I'd like to do with it after I've seen it."

  Les chuckled again and said, "You can do whatever you want with it later, you horny bastard, but right now I want to show you what Sid sent me today."

  Russ feigned petulance. "Oh, all right, meanie. I hardly saw you for five months while you were on location filming, and now that you're home for awhile I can't get enough of you. Does that make me a bad boy?"

  Les kissed him again. "No, but it does make you a bit of a sex addict. But it's a habit I don't want you to kick. I promise you can have all you want of me after we watch the trailers of the movie I got special delivery from the studio."

  "Oh wow!" Russ exclaimed.

  "Yeah. The promotions start next week and these will be on TV, the Internet, and in the theaters as previews," Les said, hardly able to contain his excitement. "Come on sit down. We'll watch them, and then I'll finish making supper."

  Russ settled himself on the couch while Les put the disk into the DVD player.

  "You ready?" Les asked, sitting next to Russ and feeling a little nervous at the prospect of seeing himself.

  "You bet."

  Les pressed the play button and the music started. A sailing ship of the 1800's was seen plowing through the waves of a rough sea. The narrator said, "Paragon Pictures and Joel Anderson Productions proudly present Survival, the epic story of men against the sea, starring Jason Connelly and Nolan Blake."

  Brief extracts from the movie focusing on the two famous actors were played. "And introducing your stars of the future---Tiffany Goldwin." On screen Tiffany appeared in period dress standing on the deck of the ship. "And Les Bannister." Les was shown standing on the prow of the ship above the figurehead, shirtless, the wind in his hair, waves crashing around him.

  The workouts with Guy had really been worth the cost.

  Les's body was packed with dense muscle. Les knew he had been looking good as a result of his exercise routine, but seeing himself on the screen made the reality of his hot, improved body hit him.

  Russ ran his hand over Les's chest as he watched the scene. "And just think," he said, "all that on the screen is mine, all mine. Right here." He bent his head and kissed Les's nipple through his shirt.

  Les leaned down and kissed the crown of Russ's head.

  "Yes sir, it is, my man, all yours now and forever."

  Other scenes from the film followed, including one of Tiffany and Les kissing passionately. Les looked at Russ. He just chuckled and ruffled Les's hair.

  When the trailer was done, Les said, "Well, what do you think?"

  "You look great! I didn't think I'd go for the electrolysis thing. I was hoping what that Orin guy told you about it not being necessary would stick, but," he said as he ran his hand under Les's tank top and over his now smooth abs to his chest, "you really do look great. Although, I do miss the furry you."

  The mention of Orin made Les wince internally, but he managed to brush the memory aside and laugh. "Thanks, but I mean, what about the film, the acting? I know how you feel about my body."

  "Oh, sorry. Can you blame me though? I'm the boyfriend of a famous, sexy actor."

  "Well, maybe next week after the promos come out. Right now no one knows me from a hole in the wall. But tell me honestly, how do you think I did?"

  "You were wonderful." Les must have looked skeptical to him, because Russ added, "No, really." Then he followed up with, "It looks so different on the screen than when I saw you doing it at the studio. Now there's the music and your voice on the soundtrack instead of on that big echoey soundstage."

  "Yeah," Les said. "That scene of me by the figurehead was shot against a green screen with huge fans and guys spraying water from hoses. It felt so phony then, but now," he pointed at the TV, "it looks so real."

  Les hesitated again. "And the scene with Tiffany? They didn't put much of it on the trailer...but?"

  "Am I jealous?" Russ asked, smiling.

  Les looked sheepish.

  "Hell, no. I know you were only acting. You told me you were thinking of me to help make it look more sincere."

  "It was a little intimidating to be making out with fifty people standing around watching."

  "Let's watch it again," Russ said.

  They watched the trailer for about an hour, playing it over and over. Les related more of his experiences while the movie was being made. Russ occasionally added his comments from the times he had been in the studio to watch the filming. Les had hired him as his accountant and financial advisor, and was therefore able to get passes for him to be on the set.

  The phone rang. Russ got up to answer it. "Hello?"

  He paused for a minute.

  "No, I'm Russ." There was a pause. "No, you have the right number." Russ looked over at Les. "He's here. Just a minute."

  Russ shrugged his shoulders when Les mouthed, "Who is it?" and held out the phone.

  "Hello, this is Les."

  "Hello, Les, Jacob Frederickson here. I'm head of publicity for Paragon. I'd like you to come by the studio tomorrow and discuss the schedule for your promotional tour."

  "Sure, Mr. Frederickson, what time?" Les asked, winking at Russ.

  "Would ten o'clock work for you?"

  "Sure. I'll be there. Thanks."

  "Uh...Les?" Who was that that answered the phone?"

  "Oh, that was my partner, Russ," Les said innocently.

  There was a slight pause, which was broken with, "Okay. Well I'll see you tomorrow then."

  "Right, ten o'clock," Les replied.

  He hung up and explained to Russ who it was and what he wanted, then added, "Do you think you can take some time off from work? I'd love to have you with me on the tour."

  "Oh my God! I'd love it."

  Les smiled, came towards his boyfriend, took him in his arms, kissed him, and said, "This is just unbelievable. I keep thinking the bubble will burst at any minute. How can it get any better?" He kissed Russ once more, feeling full of happy anticipation. "I can't wait for the opening. Can you believe it!? I'm a co-star in a major motion picture complete with a red carpet premiere. We need to get ourselves some tuxes. We can afford them, can't we, financial manager?" Les laughed, knowing they could well afford them with the money he was getting for the movie.

  "You bet we can. Freddy Perkins you've come a long way from Newton, Iowa---a long way."

  Les kissed Russ again. He had made it!

  * * * *

  "Thanks for coming in," Jacob Frederickson said.

  Les entered the office, shook hands with the exec, and took the offered seat.

  "No problem," Les said. "I'm excited to hear what you've got planned for me."

  "We're going to do our best to give you a lot of exposure before the opening of the film. We think you're going to be a big hit."

  "Thank you very much, sir. This has been a dream come true."

  Frederickson smiled at him. "You'll be going to New York over the weekend. Next week we want you to talk up the movie on the morning news shows and late night talk shows. We'd also like you to be seen at all the major clubs and restaurants."

  "That sounds wonderful. Russ will be so excited," Les said.

  "Russ?" Frederickson responded. "Oh yes. He's the young man I talked with on the phone, and you've had passes to the set issued to him as well. He was listed on the clearance sheet as your financial advisor?"

  "Yes, he's my accountant and financial advisor. I've never had this much money to deal with before and I thought it would be a good idea to get some advice."

&nbs
p; "That's a wise plan. However, you don't see many actors inviting their financial advisors to the set."

  "Well, no, I guess you don't," Les said with a chuckle.

  "Actually Russ is more than just my money man; he's my partner."

  "As in business?"

  Les smiled. "No, as in life," he said, feeling a surge of happiness.

  "Ah, I see."

  Les picked up on something in the way the studio exec spoke. "Is there a problem?" he asked.

  "No, no, I don't have a problem with you having a partner personally, but the studio is investing a lot in you, promoting you as the next American heartthrob. That's not going to sell if America has any inkling you're gay and have a male partner."

  Les thought for a moment, then said, "But there are lots of actors who have girlfriends or are married. They still do all right at the box office, don't they?"

  "Where are you from again?" Frederickson asked in a kindly way. "Yes, they do all right because the women and girls that fall in love with them know there's always a chance they'll break off their love affairs or get divorced. So, they can maintain their absurd fantasies that there's hope for them. If the guy is gay, however, they figure it's a lost cause and don't invest in the illusion."

  Les thought some more. "What about the guy in that sitcom? He's openly gay, has a partner, and they had a kid by a surrogate. He plays a womanizer in the series on TV. The show's doing really well. He's even a big star on Broadway."

  "Apples and oranges. They're not selling him as America's current infatuation. The show's a comedy. That's a whole different ballgame. Women don't watch it to see their fantasy lover; they watch to be entertained. As for the musical stage...everyone expects most of the actors to be gay."

  "So basically you're saying Russ can't go with me?"

  "No, he can't."

  Les's heart sank and it must have showed on his face.

  "I'm sorry, Les. So many people on the crew have seen him hanging around the soundstage. If he travels with you as well, they may put two and two together. The crew probably wouldn't care but you can't expect them not to talk. The press has a nasty way of rooting out a bit of gossip like this. We can't take the chance on losing our investment in you."

  Les shook his head sadly. He thought of Russ back at the apartment. He had been so excited about the way things were going---now this.

  "Just to be on the safe side I think it might be a good idea to get you a beard."

  "A beard?" Les said, confused. "I had all my chest hair zapped off so I'd fit the image. Now you want me to grow a beard, and what does that have to do with putting me out there as America's squeaky-clean sweetheart?"

  Frederickson laughed. "Newton, Iowa was it? A beard is what we call a girlfriend for a gay guy so the public doesn't catch on. In your case I think promoting an affair between you and Tiffany would make for a great cover. You had those hot love scenes in the film; so it's a natural. In fact," Frederickson said as if just getting a brilliant idea, "we'll combine her promo tour with yours. You can go to New York together, be seen together. We'll let the fans figure it out."

  * * * *

  "So, they're sending you to New York with Tiffany?" Russ asked, his voice deflated.

  Les walked over and pulled Russ into a hug.

  "I'm sorry, Russ. I don't like it anymore than you do. But they feel if you come with me, someone may figure out you're my partner. If they realize I'm gay and it gets out...well, it'll kill the box office. So they want Tiffany to go on tour with me and make like we might have a thing for each other."

  "Will she know she's just playing a game for the press?"

  "I don't really know," Les said with a sigh. "I'm so new to all of this. I'm sorry. I hate being pushed back in the closet. That's why I left Newton. More than that, I hate disappointing you after all you've done for me."

  "Hey, you want fame; you gotta be willing to pay for it. It comes with a price, right? I'm good with it, so don't worry, okay?"

  "What did I ever do to deserve someone like you?" Les asked, hugging Russ even tighter.

  "Well, if you really want to make me feel appreciated, I know what you can do."

  Russ broke their embrace and led Les toward the bedroom by the hand. Once there, Russ turned to his lover and kissed him deeply. Les felt that combination of love and sexual arousal that was the core of his affection for his partner. He returned the kiss with a passion.

  "Behind these doors we can still be who we are and no one will be the wiser," Russ said.

  Russ peeled off Les's shirt over his head before removing his own. Stepping back into the embrace, he pressed his chest against Les's, kissing him once more and grinding his burgeoning package into Les's rapidly responding organ.

  Reaching between them, without breaking the kiss, Russ undid Les's belt, unbuttoned his pants, and unzipped the fly.

  Remaining lip to lip, Russ pushed khakis and briefs down over Les's hips and buttocks, returning his hands back to Les's ass to massage the inviting mounds of flesh.

  Les groaned as waves of pleasure surged through his body. He pressed his hard cock more firmly against Russ's.

  Without taking his hands from Les's ass, Russ slowly sank to his knees and began to lick, kiss, and suck his way down Les's body. Russ squeezed one of Les's sensitive nipples while biting and sucking the other. This pushed Les's reaction from excitement to ecstasy as he forced his hard-on into the groove between Russ's pecs. He grabbed the sides of his lover's head and as Russ continued his oral assault of Les's nipples, he began to rub his cock through the thick hair between the muscular mounds of Russ's chest.

  A few minutes later Les moaned, "I'm gonna cum."

  Russ responded by sucking harder on the erected nub, clutching Les's solid ass, and thrusting his chest firmly against the member that strained to release its load of man seed.

  Pushed beyond the point of conscious control, Les spewed his semen onto Russ's brawny, hair-covered torso, crying out his name and declaring his love as he did so.

  Russ got up and pressed his cum-soaked trunk against Les's. Then, after exchanging many deep and tender kisses, he pushed Les back on the bed. He took off Les's shoes and socks and then stripped off the man's khakis and briefs. Standing, Russ took off his own pants and boxers. He retrieved a fist full of Les's fluids from his chest and lubricated his own hard cock.

  Raising Les's legs to his shoulders, Russ smiled down on Les as he entered Les's body.

  Les felt the rigid tool slide in its full length into his ass chute and contact his prostate. Waves of electric exhilaration rushed through his body. Russ began a rhythmic pumping, pushing Les from one level of excitement to the next until Les shot a second load onto his own chest and abdomen without even touching his cock. Russ soon stiffened, moaned, and Les could feel the organ within him pulse as Russ's man juice filled his body and his love filled his soul.

  Russ lay down on top of Les. The remnants of Les's ejaculations pressed between them. They kissed as they rolled on their sides, not breaking the embrace.

  "We should shower," Russ said softly.

  "No," Les replied, "I'm not ready to be separated from you. We're going to be soon enough."

  Russ looked deeply into Les's eyes.

  "I want to hold you like this forever," Les said.

  "Then maybe for just a little longer," Russ added, kissing him.

  They didn't take that shower until morning.

  * * * *

  Kyle Wilson, anchor of Morning Across America, looked into the camera and said, "Today we have with us two of Hollywood's rising stars: Tiffany Goldwin and Les Bannister. They're here to tell us about their soon to be released motion picture, Survival."

  "Good morning, Les, Tiffany. Welcome to Morning Across America."

  "Thank you, Kyle," the two young actors replied in unison.

  "So, tell me. Your first motion picture, first promotional tour, how does that feel?"

  "Incredible," Tiffany said. "I've dreamed of an acting career al
l my life. Sometimes it's hard to believe it's really happening."

  "And you, Les?" the news anchor prompted.

  "I feel the same as Tif," Les answered, reaching out and taking his co-star's hand. "This really is a dream come true."

  "Tell me a little about the picture and the roles you play,"

  Kyle said.

  "Well," Les began. "I play the part of Noah Barnes. He's a seaman on this ship bound for America, and Tiffany..." He looked to her to continue.

  "I have the role of Anna Worthington. She's the daughter of a wealthy English nobleman who has been deeded land in the colonies. She's on her way to join him there."

  Les took up the narrative. "We meet on the voyage and kind of fall in love." He chuckled.

  "Well, more than kind of," Tiffany added, also laughing and smiling at Les.

  "Yeah, more than kind of." Les squeezed Tiffany's hand and went on. "Then this storm comes up and well...the boat sinks, I rescue her and we wind up on this tropical island with the ship's captain and first mate. That's where the title Survival comes in."

  "Those roles were played by Jason Connelly and Nolan Blake. What was it like for you two newcomers to work with the likes of two distinguished, award winning actors?" Kyle asked.

  Both Tiffany and Les expressed the awe and privilege they felt in having the opportunity of working with the two movie stars.

  "The really remarkable thing for me was that they treated us like professionals, not the wet-behind-the-ears novices that we were," Tiffany said, looking from Kyle to Les.

  Les nodded his agreement.

  "Well, Nolan was on the show yesterday," Kyle said. "He had nothing but good things to say about the two of you."

  Les smiled again. "That's good to hear."

  "I was lucky enough to see a pre-screening of the movie,"

  Kyle went on. "I have to say the two of you were...well, since no other word describes it better...hot. Here, let's take a look."

  Les and Tiffany hadn't seen the full picture, wouldn't until premiere night. Except for the trailer Sid had sent Les, this was his first time seeing one of the intimate scenes between the two.