I, Porn Star(30)

I need to be careful with my answer. “I…yes, but I’m not exactly sure what it’s going to be just yet.”

The smile leaves her eyes. “Is there a problem I need to know about, Lucky?” She cuts to the point.#p#分页标题#e#

My grip tightens on my backpack and I decide to come clean. “The place I was staying at was kinda…raided.”

Her mouth purses. “Drugs?”

I shake my head quickly, although I can’t exactly stop her from forming her own opinion. My motel address is scribbled down on one of her clipboards. She knows in which part of town I live. Or lived. “No, some other…vermin problem. Anyway, I didn’t have time to find a new place because I had to come here.” The half-lie slips out easier than expected.

She spears me with an incisive look. “We won’t be done here for another couple of hours. You know that, don’t you? That means you won’t be able to start looking for a place to stay until almost midnight.”

I nod. “I’ll be fine,” I say. The dull thudding of my heart states otherwise.

Fionnella turns away without responding, and I don’t know whether my answer is satisfactory or not. Still in my gown, we head to Wendy’s station. “Put your stuff over there.” She points to the area behind her desk. “I’ll go and see if Todd is ready.”

But she doesn’t head to Todd’s area. She leaves the room for five minutes and when she returns her smile is back.

She inspects the lingerie on the table for a minute before she picks up a moss green ensemble. “This one first.”

To my surprise it’s a simple lace-trimmed half Teddy and French knickers set. Considering the nature of what I agreed to, I was expecting the pieces to be much saucier than this. With a touch of relief, I retreat to the curtained off area and slip the garment on, taking care to avoid messing up my hair. The silk feels warm and soft against my skin, and I let my fingers drift over it for a stolen second before I emerge.

“Great, we got your size right.” She reaches for her clipboard and ticks a box, then cocks her head toward Todd’s area. As we head over, the lights dim and I notice the three staged areas for the first time.

One area is set up to resemble a window of a suite or bedroom. A posh velvet chaise longue is set against roped off, expensive curtains. The setting is classy and flawless, but it’s clear the spotlight is on the chaise.

The other two areas follow the same design—one’s a bed with sexily rumpled sheets, and the other the mirrored vanity of a black and gold bathroom.

Todd looks up from the piece of equipment in his hand and points to the chaise. “We’ll start there.”

Nerves attack me as I walk toward it. “What…what do you need me to do?”

“Just recline on it. Try not to exaggerate your poses. And look directly into the camera.”

I recite the steps and nod. “Okay.”

I climb onto the dais and walk to the chaise. The spotlight trained on the stage is warm but not uncomfortably so. I sit, place my hands on the seat and scoot back on the smooth velvet. It feels so natural to lie sideways and tuck my feet beneath me, so that’s what I do. Taking care not to ruffle my hair too much, I tuck it over my shoulders and recline into the corner.

The first flash blinds me and I wince. “Sorry.”

“It’s cool, but try not to shut your eyes.”

I take a breath and stare into the lens. Todd snaps several shots, taking a step closer with each one. After five minutes, he swaps cameras. This one doesn’t need a flash, so I relax a little.

Staring into the lens, I’m suddenly reminded of another camera in another room down the hall and my first audition when I had to perform. Something stirs inside me—hot and urgent. I try not to fidget; the memory grows stronger.

Convince me that you’re worth fucking. Convince me you’re worth dying for.#p#分页标题#e#

The mechanical voice is so clear in my head, it feels like I’m back in that room again, giving myself over to commands that tap into fantasies I didn’t know I harbored until I was challenged.

“Let’s try another pose.”

I slowly sit upright, my mind still in another room, and move to the middle of the seat. I plant both feet on the floor and bring my knees together. Hands on either side of me, I slowly lower my head until my nose is pointed to the floor and waterfalls of hair gently brush my cheek. As I lift my gaze and stare into the camera another voice, another room, slides into my mind frame.

Tell me, Elly, do I look like a freak to you?

It’ll be our little secret…

Come here, Elly.