Chapter 1
“Jesus, Denny, you’re so hot.” “I’ve wanted you ever since I saw you walk into my office, Rod.” “I can’t believe you’re in my arms, naked…” “Cut!” Alex rolled to his back on the bed. Charlotte Deavers, his director, stopped the scene. “Hang on. The lighting is off. Where’s Ferdinand? Ferd! I wanted the blinds on the window to create texture in the lighting on the bed!” “Right away, boss!” Alexander Mark Richfield lay naked in a bed in the fake set designed to be his new lover’s bedroom. Beside him was a naked costar. Hunky, tattooed Dirk Jackman had been their sound tech, until… Until Charlotte caught Alex admiring the macho stud. Since Alex was married to Billy Sharpe, an LAPD police lieutenant twenty years his senior, Alex did nothing but stare at the young, tattooed hunk since he joined the crew. This new cable series, Room at the Top, was set in a law firm. He was one of the named partners; Denny Harris. Only a week ago Alex had supposedly been having an affair with their mailroom boy. Gabe Loveday was cast in that role. Gabe was the son of Oliver Loveday, a man Alex had dated while he was in UCLA’s drama school. Gabe, who was only nineteen, did nothing for Alex sexually. He was way too young, small in stature, and really pretty. Alex liked his men beefy, macho, muscular and fit… like fifty-five-year-old Lt William P Sharpe. Not only that, but the show, Room at the Top, hadn’t been nominated for any awards last year. The executive producers, Will Markham and Derek Dixon, were known for stellar shows which won many awards. Alex had been in two of them, Being Screwed, a vampire series, and The Action! Series. While the lighting was adjusted, Alex glanced at his bedmate. Dirk Jackman played a legal client seeking counsel from Alex. His character’s name was Rod Williams. The dude was very tall, had tattooed sleeves, and blue eyes. The second Alex laid eyes on him Alex was smitten. He thought the man was gorgeous. But… He’d never said a word about it to Charlotte. Charlotte was a ratings-maker. She wanted those coveted trophies. Alex wasn’t the only major star on the show. Tadzio Andressen-Nolf, a Swedish transgender actress/model had just won an academy award for a supporting role in a drama film. Costarring with him and Tadzio was Henre Ward. The stunning Frenchman not only starred in this show, he was also a model for Dangereux Cologne with Alex’s dad, Mark Antonious Richfield. To increase interest in the show, storylines began heating up all around him. Tadzio was now involved in a romance as well as Henre. Amazingly, they had Henre also dating a male character. Henre was straight, married to his dad’s former fiancée, Sharon Tice. Although… Henre had an affair with Billy last Halloween. “Okay! Better!” Charlotte indicated the light coming through the blinds, making slatted lines across the bed. Alex glanced at Dirk. He lay still on his back, staring at the open studio ceiling. A camera was perched over them, and two more were surrounding the bed. Since they were nude, it was a ‘closed set’ so very few people were allowed on it. That didn’t mean much. There were still a half dozen people in the room. Alex wondered if Dirk hated him. This was their first naked sex scene. Did he know if Dirk was straight? No. He never asked. It wasn’t up to him to ask. And did it matter? This was television. Acting. “Okay.” Charlotte returned to the cameraman and her AD. “Let’s try it again.” Alex rolled to his side and faced Dirk. Dirk mirrored him. Alex smiled sweetly at him, but didn’t get one back. Dirk had been a sound tech. Being in front of the camera was new to him. Alex could tell he was a nervous wreck. Not only had Derek and Will lured him onto the set, they got the young man naked and in bed with a man! Gulp! “Denny and Rod’s love scene, take two!” the clapperboard was held in front of the camera lens. Charlotte paused to let everyone focus and then said, “Action.”
