Man of the Year (12 page)

I smile modestly.

“Your movie, Collared, has basically dominated the nominations this year,” Kylie says. “You and Amber Blaze have such chemistry and you guys pulled off a scene that’s been nominated for Best Boy/Girl, Best Bondage, Best Female-Friendly, Scene of the Year and Movie of the Year. It also scored you and Amber noms for Man of the Year and Woman of the Year. How did you guys pull off a bondage scene that managed to have enough passion to also score that Female-Friendly nomination?”

“That’s a weird one, isn’t it?” I chuckle. Bondage movies almost never get the Female-Friendly nomination because they’re not passionate and romantic, they’re usually rough and hardcore. “I think it was one of those things where Amber and I know each other really well and we always have a good time when we work together, so we just went for it,” I reply.

The real reason the scene was so great was because I was thinking of Lola the whole time. I did that shoot right at the height of the Eva Satana drama. I’d just done a really violent scene with Savannah Slade/Stacey, Eva’s personal sub, and I was way psyched to be doing something normal again, something where I had some semblance of control. I was fucking Amber really hard and rough, the way I know she likes it, but then my mind sort of turned her into Lola and I slowed down and went all passionate and sensual. The scene took a whole different turn and, even though she was tied up, it was kind of gentle and romantic, the way I wanted to do it if I ever had Lola. Our director was pissed because we didn’t follow what was on the list for the day, but then they cut the movie to focus on the passion aspect and it was a huge hit.

“So, you’ve got scenes nominated all across the board tonight,” Jade says, “but which one was the hottest to shoot?”

“I’d have to say the one with Amber for Collared,” I reply. “It was one of the hottest scenes I’ve done, but I think the anal scene with Kayla Grey was pretty great too. The DP with Lexi Jaxxxon is up there on the list though. I don’t really do DP scenes very often, but that one with Lexi was totally crazy.”

Lola unconsciously squeezes my hand and I know I need to cut back on the double penetration talk. This kind of thing used to make her blush, but now I think it makes her kind of nervous. It freaks her out to think about the things I’ve done with some of these girls because they’re pretty extreme. Lola was a virgin just a few months ago and I’m sitting here talking about how fun it was to fuck a girl in the ass while some other dude was balls-deep in her pussy. I can see why she’d be a little uncomfortable with that.

“So, the question on everybody’s mind,” Kylie smiles, “why did you decide to retire?”

I smile and shrug. It does seem to be the question on everybody’s mind and I’ve been asked it about 6,000 times in the past few weeks leading up to the awards.

“I think I just reached a point in my life where I was done. I still love this business and some of the most fun I’ve had was with the awesome people I’ve met through the industry, but it was time to call it quits. I wanted to pull a George Costanza and go out on a high note.”

Kylie and Jade laugh and Lola smiles.

“What can I say? I fell in love,” I shrug. “I know it sounds totally corny but my heart belongs to her and I seriously can’t even consider having sex with anybody else.”

“Aw! So you left for her?” Jade sighs and looks at Lola.

“Apparently so,” Lola giggles.

“I left for me, because there’s no way I could be with anybody but her,” I grin and kiss Lola’s temple.

“Lucky girl!” Kylie smiles at her. “You took him away from us!” she adds with a playful little pout.

“Yeah, you’ve got James Langdon all to yourself now,” Jade chimes in.

Lola laughs and gives them a big smile as she nods.

“And have you guys been together long or is this a new thing for you?” Kylie asks.

“We grew up together,” I explain. “The relationship part is new but we’ve been friends for, like, a zillion years.

“I knew him before all the dick slinging, back when he was just a smart-ass little kid,” Lola smiles.

I laugh and put my arm around her, pulling her into me. “You want to talk smart-ass kids?” I say. “This one here was about as smart-ass as they get. Gave me shit for everything my entire life, but I fuckin’ love her for it.”

That makes her smile big time and Jade and Kylie gives us that “aw” look that says they think it’s sweet.

“Well, thanks for stopping by to chat with us,” Jade smiles. “Have an awesome time tonight and good luck with your award—even though you totally don’t need luck because you have that shit in the bag, man!”

I laugh and the girls move back in to air-kiss me again. I’m happy to see them being equally warm with Lola. Both of them hug her and they seem genuinely happy for us, which is cool.

“All done,” I smile at her when we’re on our way into the show.

“That was ok, right?” she asks with sweet, slightly frightened eyes.

“That was wonderful, babe,” I reply.

“You don’t think I sounded vapid or anything?” she worries. “I mean, that one girl was doing that baby voice and I worried that I sounded like that too.”

“You didn’t sound anything like that,” I snicker. “You sound like fuckin’ Michelle Obama compared to these chicks. To be fair, you’re about a zillion times smarter than every single person here, so it’s not hard for you to sound all mature and intelligent.”

She smiles widely and I kiss her forehead as we enter the big show.

James holds my hand as we’re guided into the expansive ballroom. It’s set up like the Golden Globes with tables everywhere, though these are rectangular tables instead of round ones. We get to our table, occupied mostly by the Sin Cinema gang, and we’re placed on the front corner near a pathway to the stage. I’m no expert, but I’d say that means the odds are pretty good for James to be making a few trips to the podium tonight.

There are guys with cameras everywhere and I feel like Angelina Jolie sitting at the table with my Brad Pitt and turning all kinds of heads. I’m beginning to realize what an A-lister James is in the X-rated world.

I’m happy because my seat is right next to Chad, with Alejandro at his other side, and he toasts me when the waiters bring around more champagne.

“To your first award show,” he smiles.

I clink my glass with his and take a sip, feeling like a princess.
This isn’t so bad, right?
Maybe my mounting fears were unfounded and this is going to be like some Hollywood soiree.

Everyone chats excitedly as we wait for the show to start. Across from me is James’ redheaded co-star in Collared, Amber Blaze, and her girlfriend, a beautiful Asian girl named Kimberly who is a “civilian” like me. Next to her is the infamous Ethan Dane, who gives me a flirty smile. He’s there with his recent co-star, a tattooed brunette whose name escapes me at the moment. Just down the table is Lexi Jaxxxon, who looks like a slutty version of Gabrielle Union. She’s here with some beefy blonde guy who I’ve seen in a couple clips on the internet, but whose name I can’t remember. Beside them is Tara Morgan, who is giggling with Kayla Grey like they’re having the best time in the world. I notice Tara check James out more than once and, when I meet her eyes, she gives me a scowl.
Fuck you, Tara! Which one of us is wearing his ring, hmm?

At the far end of the table, Rick is seated with the young, perky blonde he’s screwing these days.
Such a fucking sleaze!
I wouldn’t be surprised if he convinced her that fucking him was the best way to break into the industry.
Yuck!
Rick doesn’t look at me, mostly because he knows I hate him, but he does glance at James a few times. Thankfully, James completely ignores him, not wanting to let the sight of his former employer put a damper on his elation tonight.

Finally, the lights go out and the show starts. A familiar, foul-mouthed comedian is co-hosting the show with last year’s Best New Girl award winner, Tori Michaels. They open with a bit about how everybody in the room has slept together, except for him, and how he can’t get the starlets to go for him. It’s surprisingly funny, even though Tori could learn to deliver her lines like a normal person and not like she’s constantly on the verge of orgasm.

They announce the first category, Best Solo Masturbation. Suddenly, I don’t feel like Angelina Jolie anymore. Clips play on the big screens adorning the stage of various girls I recognize from last night’s party. One is using a small vibrator, one a huge dildo, another just her fingers.
We’re not in Kansas anymore!

Tori opens the envelope and announces the winner, a petite brunette whom they just showed riding a Sybian sex machine to a screaming climax. I hardly pay attention to her speech, trying to process what I’ve just walked into, but I hear bits and pieces of sentences, including “this girl right here” and “best tongue ever” being thrown around as the two girls hug and lustfully kiss each other.
And that's just the first acceptance speech!

“Welcome to the Adult Video Awards,” Chad whispers in my ear as he raises his glass to me.

“I get the feeling I'm going to need more champagne,” I giggle to him.

“Just wait until they get to the hardcore categories,” he teases. “I might have to reach over and cover your delicate eyes.”

I laugh and he puts his arm around me to pat my shoulder.

“You ok so far?” James turns to ask me when they show the clips for Best Girl/Girl.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I nod, downplaying any shred of uneasiness in my posture. He’s comfortable here. I need to get comfortable too.

“Cool,” he smiles broadly. “They’re gonna bring more food later on, so have anything you want,” he motions to the plates in front of us.

I’ve hardly even picked at the array of bite-sized items, but I decide to try the shrimp. I take a bite and notice Tara Morgan staring at me. She grabs a shrimp and puts it in her mouth, pulling it in and out to mimic a blowjob. She gives me a wink and a bitchy smirk as she flicks her tongue over the shrimp and then eats it.

I turn away from her, not wanting to engage her. I see what she’s trying to do. She’s trying to rattle me by drawing my attention to her Best Oral Sex nomination, which happens to be for a scene starring my fiancé.

I take a big swig of champagne and then return my attention to the stage. James turns and gives me a smile, oblivious to Tara’s ridiculous display, and I smile back and kiss him seductively to rub it in her face.

Our hosts do some silly banter involving a bunch of double entendres for oral sex before they turn to the screens to watch the clips. Oh boy, it's the Best Oral - Cunnilingus category, which is one of James’ many nominations.
Yippie
.

The first clip is of a girl who ordered a peach martini while I was sitting by Chad last night. She’s going down on a beautiful Latina chick I believe is named Angelina. My stomach tightens in anticipation as I watch the next clip, starring some pretty blonde girl with her face buried in the crotch of some other pretty blonde girl. I hold my breath, but thankfully the next clip is of none other than Ethan Dane apparently pleasing the hell out of Jadin Stone, who’s writhing and moaning on a bed.

I can’t help but glance over at him, attempting subtlety, but I find him staring right back at me. I flinch a little and he gives me a knowing grin before I avert my eyes.

One clip left. This is it.

I cringe inwardly when I see the clip of Kayla Grey sitting on the edge of a swimming pool while James passionately devours her. Chad taps my shoulder, mercifully taking my attention away.

“It’s ok,” he whispers. “The girls always win these awards. Guys hardly ever win it. It was a surprise that James and Ethan were even nominated.”

I smile and he pats my back. He can tell that this is going to be rough for me, but I’m pulling off a Daniel Day Lewis caliber performance to not give it away to James.
This is his big night, girl. Don’t spoil it!

“And the winner is … Runaway, Kayla Grey and James Langdon for Sin Cinema and Pure Passion Films!” Tori announces.

I sharply draw in a breath and my chest burns a little bit as James smiles broadly and kisses my cheek before making his way to the stage.
Yes, this is definitely going to be a bumpy night.

“Wow! Thank you guys so much!” he beams as he holds the trophy. “Um, Kayla, obviously I’d like to thank you,” he says, spotting her at her table. “Thanks to the whole crew at Pure Passion and to everybody who worked on the movie. It was a lot of fun and, um, it’s totally rad that you guys voted for us!”

The crowd applauds and I take a deep breath and clap along with them.

Put on a happy face, Lola. Your man just won a trophy for going down on some other girl, but you’ve got to let it slide.

James disappears from the stage for a few minutes, presumably for one of those mini press conferences that go on after a person wins, and then he comes back to the table, where everyone congratulates him. He places a soft kiss on my lips and for some reason I nearly wince.
Not so sweet when you’ve seen where those lips have been
, I think to myself.

“So cool!” he whispers to me. “I seriously can’t believe they gave this one to me.”

“Yeah, Chad was saying that guys hardly ever win it.”
But, lucky you, you took it home tonight while I sat here and watched the clip of your award-winning performance.

“I know, totally!” he smiles broadly. “Fuckin’ crazy, right?”

“Yeah, for sure,” I say, forcing my lips into a smile.

He sighs, looks at me adoringly and kisses my softly again before turning back to the stage as they get ready for the Best Oral - Fellatio award.

Tara fucking Morgan!
It’s the first goddamned clip. Tara Morgan. On her knees. Deepthroating my fiancé.

“How’s the champagne?” Chad whispers in my ear, very obviously trying to distract me from the graphic clip. Tara’s slurping sounds echo out from the speakers and it’s hard to shut them out.

I smile at him, feeling touched that he would offer a helping hand during this outrageously uncomfortable moment.