Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
She nods.
“Yes, that’s right. And I don’t know that my audience cares about my true identity, to be honest. This camming stuff is about building a fantasy for the men, and as long as they have a good time, I don’t think they want to know the nitty-gritty. It’s too much real life and destroys the magic.”
I nod slowly.
“I see.”
Vanessa shrugs.
“But even without showing my face, I made almost seven figures last year, so it’s a lucrative gig.”
“How much do girls make when they show their faces?” I ask. “Just out of curiosity.”
Vanessa nods.
“That’s a good question. I talked to one of the biggest stars in our business, Kimmie GoGo, and she said she netted eight figures last year. Kimmie’s not even pretty, but the audience connects better with a performer when you put a face to the name. Otherwise, they’re just watching a headless body, which is a little weird sometimes. Why, do you think I should show my face, Gray? Obviously, I could really take things into the stratosphere if I reveal my features.”
That makes me stop short.
“No. Don’t do it.”
Vanessa throws me a look.
“Seeing that it’s my work that’s been keeping your company afloat, I don’t know how you can say that to me.”
I shake my head again.
“Trust me, Vanessa. It’s not a good idea to reveal who you really are. If you’re outed as a porn star, shit will follow you for life. You’ll never be hired, you’ll never find an apartment, and hell, guys will treat you like crap. They’ll keep you as their side piece, while marrying other women. You’ll never get a ring on your finger, much less hear wedding bells.”
“Speak for yourself,” Vanessa says disdainfully. “For your information, Kimmie GoGo is married! Her husband is very understanding, and is proud that his wife makes so much.”
I shake my head.
“Maybe on the outside, he says that. But trust me, no self-respecting alpha male will ever consent to his wife or girlfriend being a porn star. Besides, it’s not necessary. Once I get my business back on track, it won’t be necessary for you to do this.”
Vanessa shoots me another disdainful look.
“You’re getting ahead of yourself, Gray. I’m the one who rescued Thomas Builders. It’s my curvy assets that have been paying the bills.”
I nod.
“Yes, and I’m appreciative of your generosity,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “But at the moment, you’re not showing your face, and that makes all the difference. Once your pretty features are on screen, then there’s no going back. The megalodon is out, and you’ll never be able to scrub this from your past.”
“Who says I want to scrub my past?” Vanessa retorts in a flippant voice. “I’m proud of what I do! It’s part of female empowerment!”
I nod slowly.
“I know, but there is such a thing as taking female empowerment too far. Trust me, Gloria Steinem and other prominent feminists would not condone a life as a sex worker. Especially at such a young age, when you still have your life before you.”
Vanessa shakes her head.
“No, you don’t get it, Gray. They would condone my choices in life. I’m not a little girl anymore, and you can’t tell me what to do. I know what I want, and yeah, maybe going above-ground as Nessie Prince, porn star, is the next step.”
I take a deep breath. On the one hand, I adore Vanessa’s sassy, feisty nature. But on the other hand, it’s precisely that feisty stubbornness that’s driving me up the wall right now. As a result, I pull out the big guns.
“Honey, I have no problem with what you’re doing now,” I say in a slow voice. “The headless videos are fine, and again, I’m grateful for what you’ve done for me, and for Thomas Builders. But I love you, baby, and I want a future for us. I want to be proud to show you off as my girlfriend, fiancée, wife, or whatever you call it, and it’ll be easier for us as a couple if you don’t reveal your identity.”
Vanessa’s cheek flush pink as she stares at me.
“You love me?” she whispers.
I nod, blue eyes sparkling.
“Yes, I do, sweetheart,” I rasp in a low voice. “I’ve loved you for a while now, even if we only became intimate recently. But it’s more than that,” I intone. “Just give me a chance, Vanessa. Let me get my business off the ground, and we’ll have this conversation again. My instinct tells me that Thomas Builders will be thriving in a year or so, and you won’t need the money.”
The beautiful woman bites her lip.
“But I don’t need the money even now,” she says in a slow voice. “I think we’re talking about two different things, Gray. You’re talking about money, whereas for me, doing porn is about asserting my independence and freedom as a woman.”