“Can I ask a personal question?” Will asked. “Do you get sexual pleasure from filming a scene or is it just…work?” I kicked him under the table. “Fuck!”
“Erm…yeah, I get sexual pleasure,” Reid replied, watching cautiously as Will’s head disappeared under the table to survey the damage. “But personally, I focus more on what’s going to look good for viewers.”
“Oh, thank God,” Will said, blowing out a breath as he reappeared. “A least one of us will know.”
I faked a smile. “Can I ask you what your preference is in terms of scenes?”
“I’m a gay man but I’ve done scenes with women,” he replied. “Have you decided what this will be?”
“Not exactly, no,” I replied. “I guess I need to ask more questions…erm…what are your…limits?”
“Isn’t this project about safe sex, consent, positive body image and a realistic view of sex?”
“Yes.” I leant forward. “That’s right.”
“Then I’m guessing we’re not going for extreme sex. I’m not shy. I’ve been involved in hardcore scenes. I’ve been strangled to the point of orgasm and flogged by a man dressed as a pig. I’ve had a needle inserted into my nipple while I fucked a vicar…on an altar.” Will cleared his throat. “So, after saying all that. I think I’m good here.”
“Right,” Will replied, looking at me, his eyebrow raised up to WTF mode. “Any further questions, Skye?”
“Yes. Hold on. Let me think.”
“Skye.”
“Hold on.” I raised a finger.
“Skye.”
“I’m thinking,” I replied sharply as Will sighed in frustration.
“Can I offer help with the thought process?” Will asked.
“Go ahead.”
“Do we need to…will we need to…see his penis?” Will mumbled against my ear.
I narrowed my eyes. “If we were interviewing a doctor would we want him to perform an operation?”
“I think that would be a great idea, yes.”
I would have offered some scathing remark or rolled my eyes at him if it wasn’t for my need to suppress a smile.
“How far do you want to go with this?” I replied, faking annoyance. “Penis viewing and then an ejaculation speed test?”
“I’ll get the speed camera.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Sharp and quick like it wouldn’t leave my mouth fast enough. “Don’t be so Will, Will.”
“So, what’s your…party trick?” he asked.
“Ignore him,” I said, smiling at Reid. He looked slightly alarmed and Matt was now holding his head in his hands.
“There must be something. Astounding rebound time? An interesting position that’s your trademark?”
“Piledriver,” Reid muttered.
“Perfect,” Will replied.
“That’s hardly romance personified,” I whispered through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know.” Will shrugged. “He could kiss them after?”
“Do you have any questions for us?” I rushed out, ready to wrap this up before Reid sprinted out of the room.
“I’m not sure,” he replied. “In all honesty, I’m starting to feel bit freaked out by what I’m involved in.”
I hid my smile behind my hand. “We’ll get there. I can assure you this will be professional and…classy.”
“Don’t we need to discuss payment?” Will asked as my smile faded. I hadn’t even thought about what would be considered an acceptable fee.
“I’m happy to do this for free,” Reid said as he stood.
“What? No,” I replied. He waved me off.
“I’ve been lucky enough to get support from the clinic.” He dropped his head briefly before meeting my eyes. “Dr Chris helped me accept that my sexuality wasn’t a burden to be pushed aside but a part of me that should be embraced.” I nodded slowly and fought the urge to think of Elliott. Like I always did. “I thank him for my life because if he hadn’t guided me as a teen, I really believe I wouldn’t be here now.”
I gasped and covered my face with my hands. The words hit me hard like a punch to the chest then poured over me like a balm, warming me. Soothing. I let it happen. I knew this was a quick reminder as to why I was doing this, what this meant and who this was for. Will pulled me close to him and put his arm around my shoulders. He knew, of course he did. I heard him whisper against my ear, telling me I was fine, that this was meant to be.
“You’re the one,” he said to Reid, still holding me against him. “You’re hired. Chosen. You’re in luck to fuck!” I slapped him on the back as he laughed. “Whatever the words are for this. Thank you. Just, thanks.”
Will saw Matt and Reid out, explaining to them both about Elliott and how he’d been the driving force behind the project. Reid said he was in with both feet, even more so now that he knew the story behind it.
When Will returned, he immediately pulled me into him, stroking my head and listening to my emotional ramblings until I was all cried out.
“I was doubting myself, but hearing him talk about the centre–”
“I know, Skye. I know.”
“He could have done what Elliott did. We could have lost someone else, but he got help.”
“He did,” He soothed. “You’re right.” A knock pulled us apart. Matt smiled and Will stepped back, losing contact, contact I need so much.
“Sorry to…interrupt,” Matt said. “Reid asked me to offer you a suggestion about the scene.”
I wiped my eyes. “What is it?”
“Reid’s partner, James, used to do porn work years ago but he’s now a freelance photographer who shoots a lot of gay images for trendy magazines. Reid talked to him about the project before he came today and he’s fairly sure that he’d be in agreement for them to film a scene together.”
“He would?” I said, wiping my nose with my sleeve. “Why would he do that?”
“James contracted HIV about seven years ago and feels passionately about the message of safe sex. He really likes what you’re trying to do here, Skye. I think this is a great option for you. It can remove barriers about HIV in the porn industry. Fuck, it can remove barriers full stop. You can promote healthy and consensual sex, a couple living life after an HIV diagnoses and show a happy, committed, real-life gay couple.”
Will nodded his head and started to clap. “Boom,” he said. “I do believe that Matt…just dropped the mic.”
13
Skye
“You’ve got a hairball the size of a football down here.”
“Well, if you get it out in one piece, I’ll let you keep it for Sunday practice,” I replied, eyes fixated on Will who was currently crouching on all fours under the sink in the back of Vanity Fur.
“You’re so funny,” he mumbled as he started hitting a pipe with a spanner.