by Ada Frost
"She's pretty good at her job. I have no complaints. You need to give her a fair shot.”
I could only shake my head; the man was insane. “She was here less than a week before she was shacked up with my old man. Give it a few more months and she will be coming in snivelling because my father has filed for divorce. Trust me, eighteen months is a long commitment for Steve. I cannot take any woman seriously associated with him.” I sneered.
"Doesn't mean she has to leave. He's hardly here, and...” He glanced out at the studio. “I can't see anyone in there being stupid enough to fall for his out of date charms.”
“It isn't his charms they're after. A fat wallet and prestige is all they want.”
“Okay, Mr Sceptical, I beg to differ. Not all women are that way. You’ve just had a bad run is all.”
“You’re right. If I could have a hundred women employed in this company with the integrity and business savvy as Lexi or Bonny, I would happily take them all. They have dreams and ambition and are willing to work to make it happen, not rely on someone else to provide it for them. Women who believe Steve Stone can make their dreams come true are pointless and not worth my time.” I raised a brow at him; we'd argued before about my dad and his influence in this business. I’d stopped the old man from attending any of the casting sessions. He'd fucked more of the prospects than I could count, making them unemployable. The majority younger than me, his own son. I tried to have anything tainted by Steve as far away from here as possible. Scarlet excluded. I didn't dislike her; I just didn't trust her or her love for my dad. Not when she had tried countless times to suck my dick. She had yet to reach her twenty first birthday and my father was ready to pull his pension.
“Wow, Abby, really ruffled your feathers.” Samuel chuckled from across my desk. I realised too late that I had spaced out on him, and the smug fucking grin said he thought he knew me better than I was letting on. “Look, I personally think she is going to be great. She wasn’t fazed by what we do.” He waved his hand toward the glass partitioning my office from the studio. “It was obvious Lexi hadn’t informed her she would be working in the porn industry. She was literally dropped in at the deep end. You have to admire how calmly she responded.”
“Calm? Are you kidding me? She was a total hellcat; she had claws and wasn’t afraid to use them,” I argued, straightening the papers on my desk. I grabbed a wipe out of the draw to clean my keyboard.
“Because you were being a dick. She was reacting to you. Does that not tell you something?”
“Yes, she has zero respect for authority.”
Samuel barked out a raucous laugh. “Authority?”
“I’m her boss, damn it. Or her prospective boss. She didn’t make a good impression at all, her attitude was bad.”
“You were being a total twat to her. I knew it and she knew and she fought back. You were pissy because I dropped the interview in your lap without warning and you took it out on her. Lacey is reliable and isn’t going to recommend someone who will reflect badly on her, that’s why I gave Abby a shot. And I love it because she isn’t going to take your shit and we need that around here. Someone who isn’t going to go running from the office for spilling coffee on your desk.”
“It was tea, and she didn’t go running from the office.”
“You made the poor woman cry, and she quit that same day,” Samuel retorted, referring to my previous secretary. The woman was a bag of nerves, and would go bright red when I demisted the partitioning glass from my office to the studio.
“That has nothing to do with this.” I hurled back at him.
“You’re being purposely obtuse, Lawson.” He stood and headed over to watch the action in the studio. He slid his hands into his pockets and glanced out at his workforce. “Bryan and Helen are not a good pairing, it needs changing.” I agreed with his observation. “Have Dec’s results returned yet?” he asked distractedly.
“Tomorrow.”
“The guy is using again, I’m sure of it.”
“He isn’t here today. Rayne is partnered with Jake I believe. Actually, I prefer their pairing. He’s rough and knows how to create a hard core scene. Plus, he’s massive compared to her. He makes her seem so small and dainty, when we both know she’s more than capable of knocking him on his arse but it looks good on camera.” I glanced through the glass and sure enough Rayne was fuck buddies with Jake today.
“I told Declan not to bother coming in until his results were back.”
“You’re that certain?” I asked.
“Yup. The fucking idiot. His dick is as limp as a fucking noodle; the fluffer had lock jaw trying to get him hard and he uses Viagra way more often. He also has an annoying tendency to get too rough with Ray. He knows her limits and the guy treats her like a fucking rag doll.”
“She likes it hardcore.”
“Well, what does it tell you when she called time on their session?”
“When was this?”
“You were having a video conference with Mr Qiáo. It was the last time they were in a shoot together. One of the grips came to my office and said the team was having concerns. I sat in for a while with the director and it was obvious Declan was not on this planet. Ray wasn’t enjoying it and we called a halt and talked to her. Tad, had a word with him but in the end I stopped filming, made him get dressed and told him to fuck off home until his results came in. I warned him that if there is even a trace of drugs in his system he needs to take his cock elsewhere.”
“You’re going to fire him?” I asked, surprised.
“Why is this a surprise to you?”
“I’m not shocked at his dismissal; I’m surprised because you leave the disposal of employees to me. I agree he needs firing; I’ve never liked the dickhead. I wish we could do it now, but the legal hassle would be bullshit without proof. I’m shocked you are doing the dirty work though.” I joined him, watching our empire.
“Fucker.”
I smirked, and we watched in silence.
“Can I at least sit in when you dismiss him?”
“You’re a sadistic twat, you know that, right?” He chuckled.
“Pretty much. I wanted to kick the bastard out last time he was using. It isn’t safe for any of them in there when someone is shitfaced.”
Silence fell over us again, but not awkwardly. There was no need to fill it with pointless ramblings. We were both in agreement that the safety of the actors and actresses was paramount. And in return, the majority of them respected us for it.
“Give Abby a chance, Lawson. I’m sick of the sappy weeping willows the agency keeps sending us.”
I jerked my chin in a nod. I knew he was right, but there was one big problem with that plan. My life was structured and organised. It didn’t have a vacancy for chaos and Miss Warner was precisely that. A prickle of unease settled in my gut, because while my head was screaming at me she was all wrong, my dick was far too interested in her.
Samuel made his way back to his office and I headed for the main foyer to ask Scarlet about the paperwork I’d requested for a meeting this afternoon. When I opened the door my calmer mood disintegrated when I saw my father sitting in Scarlet’s chair staring at her arse as she bent over her desk in a purposely provocative manner.
“Why are you here?” My tone was lethal. I hated when Steve came to the office unannounced, which lately was getting to be more frequent.
“You didn’t get your manners from me, did ya kid?”
“I can be thankful for the small graces in life, I suppose,” I retorted. “Scarlet, I need the contract outlines for my two o’clock.”
She smiled as she handed me a neat pile of papers.
As I turned to head back into my office, my dad stood to follow me. I stopped and made it clear with my body language he wouldn’t be going with me.
“What?”
“I wanted to talk to you about a new idea.” He said and made a move to pass me.
“Not interested.”
“You
need to hear it. I know it will make a shitload of money,” he urged. I could hear the desperation in his voice.
“Not. Interested.” I punctuated each word slowly.
“Steve…” Scarlet’s small voice faded, because dad had turned his intimidating glare on her. When I was growing up, he always exuded such power and authority. Now I just found him a pathetic individual.
“I suggest you leave my building before security needs to eject you. Our conversation is over.” I ended our chat by slamming the door in his face. The less I saw of the man the better. Today was not going the way I had planned.
It was official. I was once again employed. A giddy feeling exploded inside of me as I sat waiting in the main reception area of Stone Industries clutching my bag. I had arrived early. I’d timed my walk here, taking it easy so I didn’t arrive out of breath and flushed. I’d been tempted to call to Lacey’s house to try and talk about her being a porn star, but I had a feeling she needed time to collect her thoughts. When I walked through the main lobby doors downstairs, I had expected to be held there until someone verified my details, but the security guard was all ready and equipped with a keycard and security clearance for me. I felt very MI5 with my little card and codes for the elevator.
Scarlet hadn’t even arrived yet. It was tempting to go through to where my office was, but I thought that was far too presumptive, so I decided to wait and twiddle my thumbs, nervously.
“I seriously hope the loos don’t have glass walls,” I muttered to myself when I noted all the non-white walls were glass. Everywhere was so clean and sterile. There were numerous framed awards on the wall so I stood and headed over to them to kill time.
They were arranged in chronological order Best Director. Best Male Performer. Best Cinematography, parody. Best Double Penetration Scene. What an award to win. There were numerous other awards on the wall, but that one stood out. A smirk danced on my lips, and I couldn’t suppress the snort of laughter.
“May I ask what is so amusing, Miss Warner?”
I spun around at the sudden interruption, pressing my hand against my beating heart. “Jeez, you scared me,” I gasped, before smiling at him. My new, ridiculously handsome boss stood staring at me with his head cocked to one side like I was some equation he was trying to figure out. He was wearing a black suit, dark blue shirt and blue tie today. He held a briefcase in one hand and a gym bag in the other.
“I was just looking at the awards you’ve won,” I said with a grin. He stared at me a moment longer before his eyes drifted to the wall.
“They were amusing to you?”
Why did this guy have to make everything sound so accusatory?
“No. Well, yes.” When he cocked one of those dark eyebrows at my stammering, my cheeks heated, which in turn annoyed me. “I'm new to this side of porn. I wasn’t aware there were awards and such, particularly for double penetration, but I can see why it’s award worthy. Can’t be easy taking two peckers in your poop hole. Congratulations on that.” I purposely set out to annoy him. My goal was achieved when his perfectly straight jaw flexed.
“So you’re familiar with the other side of porn. I’m pleased to know you’re educated enough to know that dp is not limited to a cock in the mouth and pussy. So you watch it?”
I refused to shirk back, and if I could have stopped the blood flowing to my cheeks, I would have. Instead I settled for a nonchalant shrug. “I think very few people don’t watch it.”
“You’re early,” he stated, making a show of glancing at his watch.
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Better than being late, don’t you think?” I smiled again, noting the barely concealed anger beneath the surface. Mr Stone did not like a question being answered by a question. He had expected me to be late. Well, Mr Stone, from now on I will arrive early just to be a pain in your award winning arse.
“Wait here until Scarlet arrives and she can show you to your office. I’m going down to the gym.”
“Ooh, you have a gym.”
“For staff only.”
“I am staff. Hence my standing here waiting to start work.” I blinked at him innocently, enjoying the tightness of his features. He was so easily vexed.
“I need you to stay here and wait for Scarlet.” He walked around me, and as he turned to head down a corridor, I called out to him.
“Sure you don’t want me to spot you?”
“No, Miss Warner, I am quite capable, thank you. Stay there.”
“Yes, sir.”
He paused, looking directly at me. His brows knitted together. His fists tightened around the handles of his briefcase and holdall. When he walked away, I couldn’t help the grin gracing my lips.
I wasted a little more time looking out of the panoramic window at the city beneath us and then turned back to the wall and looked over the awards again. “I’m sure there should be an award for biggest pain in the arse.”
“He wins each year, but he doesn’t like to brag,” a humoured voice sounded from behind me. I jumped but didn’t turn around.
“Do you usually talk to yourself?” Sam asked, coming to stand beside me, a handsome smirk on those perfect lips. His hair was stylishly messy, and he had short beard growth, which on some would look scruffy but on him looked nothing but sexy.
“I get into less arguments that way.”
His deep chuckle warmed me, and I finally started to relax.
“I take it you’re standing out here because you’re waiting for the tour of this erotic playground?” He waggled his eyebrows, grinning lasciviously at me.
“I’ve been ordered to stay here and wait for Scarlet.”
“Ah, Lawson is in the building I take it?”
I nodded in response.
“Right,” he muttered, before walking around me. He wasn’t as smartly dressed, or perfectly groomed as Lawson, but his casual smartness fit his personality perfectly. His black collared shirt was rolled up at the sleeves and unbuttoned at the neck. He had on black trousers, which fit perfectly around his arse.
“Well, Lawson clearly forgot Scarlet is out until lunch. So unless you want to stand here for four hours, I suggest you follow me, and I will be your tour guide.” He continued walking and turned the corner Lawson had gone down a short while ago.
My brain caught onto his words a moment or two later, and I scurried after him, thankful I hadn’t attempted to wear heels again. Today I was sporting my flat black ballet pumps. They were cheap but comfortable. I wore the same suit as yesterday but chose a lemon blouse. I’d even suffered through a cold shower last night so that I could wash my hair and it would be dry today. I still had to tie it back, because without electricity I couldn’t use my straighteners and without them, I looked like a stunt double for Edward Scissorhands minus the freaky scissor fingers. Although, if Lawson continued to be an arse, those would be useful to stick up his award winning —
“So through there is Lawson’s office, as you know. You can access your office from the main reception. I just wanted to show you around here first.”
“This is where Lacey brought me yesterday before my interview.”
“Well, this is the changing area for all the performers. He opened a door, motioning for me to enter. I glanced around the room noting how posh it all looked. Again, it was all white, white walls, doors, and tiled floors. There were numerous vanity stations all lined with different cleansing and makeup products. There were rows of doors, which I assumed were the changing rooms. I made a note to investigate later.
“Down there at the end through that door.” He pointed. “Those are the showers and toilets.”
I nodded.
“Shall we?”
I followed him out again into the main area where Lacey had left me yesterday. It was a smaller lobby than the front reception. “This is usually where the actors hang out before and after a shoot” He then showed me a small dining area. It was set up a little like a canteen, and he informed me all the food was complime
ntary and inclusive of our wages. The coffee machine was self-service. He even cheekily added how he liked his coffee, just in case I was inclined to bring him one. There was a fridge with a glass door stocked with water, energy drinks, and other beverages that he said I was welcome to take advantage of.
We headed down a long corridor, past a large door with an illuminated sign above it.
“That’s the studio,” he informed me. “In here is me.” He motioned for me to go ahead of him before following me into his office. Sam placed his satchel on his desk and opened another door. “You can get back to the main lobby through there.”
Sam’s office was similar to Lawson’s. But there was no glass, and no see through window into the room of sex. The walls were decorated in a similar tone, greys and blacks. Sam had a solid walnut desk with a huge black leather chair behind it. It looked so comfortable you could sleep in it. He had photographs on the bookshelf behind his desk, and I was dying to go nosey at them.
“Ready to see more?” he asked, smiling warmly at me. I grinned back and nodded.
He pointed out more rooms and explained what they were used for, before taking the stairs down a level. He explained there was a laundry room on this floor where all the props and anything that wasn’t disposable was washed. We approached double oak doors, and he pressed his hands against the wood, opening both doors together. That’s when I heard the deep grunting and noise of something making impact. The room had a strong earthy smell to it, of heat and sweat. This was the only room with carpet, a grey short twist. As the room came into full view, it became obvious we’d entered a gym.
“You’re free to use the gym, but it must be on your own time. Your card will give you access to the building twenty-four seven. The showers and changing rooms are through the door on the far wall.”
“Sure,” I said. The idea I could use a warm shower was more enticing than anything. We turned a corner past a few vending machines, and that’s when I spotted the cause of the noise. I sucked in a breath with the delicious sight before me. Uptight Lawson was dressed in grey track pants and a blue vest. Sweat darkened the material down his spine as he swung punch after punch at the bag in front of him. His feet constantly moved in light agile skips.