She pushed the door back open as Scott came in, carrying two boxes the size of sunglass cases, and the paperwork I’d need to complete. Then she moved to one of the bedside tables and pulled the cabinet door open, revealing the box of condoms and bottles of lube inside.
“And since we’re talking about safety,” she pulled a condom from of the box, “I’m letting you know that protection is mandatory in this scene, and we have a zero-tolerance policy on that.”
She placed the condom on top of the end table, and her focus zeroed in on me.
“You put this on—not her—when you’re ready, or if one of us tells you to. If either of you removes it before we think it’s safe, the scene is over. Neither of you will be paid because we won’t be able to use the footage.”
“Also, keep in mind,” Scott said, “I’ll let anyone I’ve worked with know you’re not a safe performer.”
Meaning he’d blacklist whoever violated their policy, and given how connected he was, it’d be a career killer.
“Got it?” Nina said.
“Yes, ma’am,” I answered instantly.
It seemed like Madison was struggling. Not with the rules, but with the whole concept of what she’d come here to do. She had her lips pressed together and nodded quickly, but her eyes were glued to the foil packet resting on the table. She stared at it like she expected it to sprout legs and run away at any moment.
What was she doing here?
I didn’t know much about her. The whole time she was with Jack, she’d only stayed over at the house a few times. I’d never heard any stories about her. She seemed so straight-and-narrow. Boring.
Fuck—did she even like sex?
I wasn’t excited about having a partner who’d just lie there. Not to mention, it’d make me look bad.
Nina shut the cabinet door with a quiet click. “Good. So, condoms and lube are here,” she pointed to the other end table, “and toys are in there, if you’re interested. We’ve got stuff for girls and boys.”
She gave me a little wink, and I had no idea how to interpret it. Was she implying I’d need help getting hard, or help getting Madison off? Doubtful, lady, I wanted to say, but I clenched my jaw to hold it in.
“As I told Madison,” Nina said, “we’ve got multiple cameras in here, so as long as you stay in front of the white lines, you’ll be in the shot.”
She motioned toward the thin strip of white tape that was on the carpet in front of the tripod. My gaze went from that to the TV screen on the wall. There was even a camera mounted to the ceiling, positioned directly over the bed.
“You don’t even have to use the bed,” Scott added. “It’s up to you two and the scene. We’ll help you out on positioning so nothing’s blocking our shot, and make sure we get the best angles.”
“So, one other thing to keep in mind.” Nina took in a deep breath and smiled, and her expression filled with pride. “Petal Productions is female-owned, and our brand is pleasure for all. We don’t cater to the straight male gaze, and we treat our actors equally, with equal screen-time and pay. We also have a rule for everything we produce.” She paused for effect. “Every orgasm is real.”
It was warm under the studio lights, and a bead of sweat rolled down my spine. As if I didn’t have enough pressure on me already. I was confident I could give a girl a good time, but I’d been with enough to know orgasms weren’t a sure thing for some, and there were a few where it was near impossible.
I watched the rapid rise and fall of Madison’s chest, and all the anxiety she displayed, I felt inside me. Suddenly, I was grateful to have the cabinet full of toys as a backup plan.
Because who would want to watch porn where the girl didn’t come?
Whatever she’d been thinking about, it was decided. Madison’s throat bobbed with a swallow. She set her hand on a hip and peered over at me with a smug smile. “Sounds great.”
There was fire in her eyes, lighting a challenge flame. She thought I couldn’t do it.
I matched her smile and then some. “Yeah, I agree.”
“It’s okay to embellish, to perform,” Nina said, “but fake moans are a turn-off, and the last thing we want is people turning off our videos.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “Her moans will be real.”
Madison laughed as if I’d just embarrassed myself, and then choked it back out of politeness.
It caused Nina and Scott to exchange a look with each other. Maybe they were wondering what the fuck our deal was. The room went awkwardly silent, and I knew I had to do something before they changed their minds about auditioning us.