Bed Double

To make some extra cash, I headed to the film studio to work as an extra. My build was similar to the lead actress, so the director called me over to be her stand-in. But it wasn’t until I signed the contract that I realized this was an adult film. The steep penalty clause left me with no choice but to agree. And what did I have to face? Nude scenes, wide-angle shots with extreme movements. And… Paul. 1 Mr. Donovan, the producer of *Whispers of the Bloom*, found me while I was lying motionless on the ground, pretending to be dead. After the director yelled ‘Cut!’, he handed me a business card. “We need a stand-in for the lead actress for one reshoot. Won’t take long—five thousand RMB. Interested?” I nodded frantically, signing the contract without hesitation, terrified that someone else might snatch this golden opportunity if I hesitated. I’d been a stand-in before. Usually, it was for falling, crashing, or getting beaten up. Compared to lying on 104-degree Fahrenheit pavement pretending to be dead all day for a measly $45, this gig sounded way better. Five thousand for a stand-in… At the time, I just figured the crew was loaded. Until Mr. Donovan led me to meet Director Reed. Director Reed circled me, eyeing me up, then nodded in satisfaction. “Take it off.” I looked at Mr. Donovan, confused. Take what off? “Laura, you signed the contract yourself—it’s all in black and white. Trying to back out now?” I’d been in such a rush earlier that I completely forgot to read the contract carefully. It clearly stated "intimacy double"—the kind where you’re completely bare. There are some lines I just won’t cross, and this was definitely one of them! “I’m so sorry, Director Reed—I really didn’t read it properly earlier. I had no idea it was this kind of situation. I can’t…” “Twenty times the breach of contract fee.” “Me? Not able to do it? Absolutely impossible!” I forced a smile. “Don’t you worry—I’ll be the best stand-in you’ve ever seen!” I’m just a regular college student, only working as an extra to make some quick cash because I’m broke. Now, instead of earning anything, I’d owe a hundred thousand? That’s practically a death sentence! It’s just an intimacy double—not actual adult content! Just close my eyes, and it’ll all be over. 2 Director Reed handed me a script. “We’re pretty tight on time, so let’s just start. This scene is primarily the lead actress’s fantasy—big movements, let loose… Don’t be nervous, Paul is an excellent actor; he’ll guide you.” Paul? Paul?! My gaze swept across everyone present, finally locking onto the man on the bed, being prepped by the makeup artist. He was looking down at the script in his hands—strong, chiseled brows, a sharp nose, slightly parted thin lips, a flawless face. My face flushed crimson, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm in my ears. I have a secret: I’m in love with Paul. I have another secret: I’ve more than once fantasized about being tangled up with Paul in my mind. 3 Director Reed brought me over to Paul’s side. By now, the makeup artist had left, and Paul was alone on the bed. He was shirtless, propped up on one elbow. Paul must be incredibly disciplined. His abs were toned and firm—not overly bulky, exactly the kind young women swoon over these days. My gaze drifted lower, to two perfectly sculpted V-cut abs, their ends tantalizingly hidden beneath a blanket. The partial covering only made it more alluring. Now it wasn’t just my face—my entire body began to feel feverish. If it weren’t for the circumstances, I might even think I was sick. “Belly’s stand-in?” “That’s right—her name is Laura.” Paul smiled at me, like a ray of sunshine breaking through a snowstorm. “I might accidentally get a bit handsy when we start shooting in a moment. I apologize in advance—if you feel uncomfortable, please say something, it’s completely fine.” A wave of warmth washed over me, and I mumbled, “Mm-hmm,” looking down. Then, as per Director Reed’s instructions, I did a quick run-through. Paul pressed me beneath him. When the face I’d imagined thousands of times in my dreams was truly inches away, I was so nervous I almost forgot to breathe. “Honey, I love you—can you trust me?” Paul gently gripped my chin, tilting my head back. I couldn’t meet his gaze, my eyes darting downward. The blanket had shifted slightly, and I realized he was only wearing boxer briefs. His legs, straighter than any woman’s, were wrapped around mine like a snake, sending goosebumps prickling over my skin. Whether it was his natural talent or he was truly immersed in the role, I could feel a burning heat radiating from his abdomen—even through three layers of fabric. “Perfect! That’s roughly it! Sarah is an innocent girl, and for her first forbidden taste, it should be this mix of shyness and anticipation.” Director Reed cut in at the right moment, then added another instruction: “It’ll be a wide shot later. Paul, just deliver your lines as usual. Laura, simply show the emotion you’re feeling right now.” “When we shoot the nude intimacy scene later, make the movements more exaggerated—otherwise, they won’t show up on camera. After the kiss, just let the blanket hang halfway off the bed…” I don’t remember anything else Director Reed said because my mind was completely blank. Although I’d prepared myself to be nude, I hadn’t expected Paul to be completely naked as well. And from what Director Reed said, there would be a kissing scene… I couldn’t tell if I was more nervous and scared or more excited. This feeling, surprisingly, mirrored the lead actress’s character. 4 The makeup artist had done my makeup to look about sixty percent like the original lead actress, Belly. Aurora was a well-respected actress in the industry. Normally, she wouldn’t need a stand-in for intimate scenes like this. But as luck would have it, Paul and Belly were cousins. They’d grown up together—acting opposite each other was fine, but getting intimate and rolling around naked in bed? That was a bridge too far for them. I slowly, hesitantly, shed my clothes under the blanket, lying flat on my back like a concubine awaiting her emperor. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Paul. A male assistant was squatting in front of him, applying prosthetic skin and tape for protection. This was standard procedure for male actors shooting explicit intimate scenes—I’d witnessed it on other sets. But after Paul was secured, it seemed… larger than other male actors I’d seen. He walked over to me, shirtless, and got into bed. Everything was ready. Director Reed gave the command: “Clear the set! Prepare to roll!”