Chapter 4

There was a certain feeling of relaxed bliss and contentment between them as Max drove Bryn back to Hillsboro. Getting naked together with a hundred other people was bound to change the dynamic of their friendship and Max sensed that maybe Bryn was willing to reconsider her earlier rejection of the idea of them going out.

Surely he had proven his loyalty and affection toward her. Certainly enough time had passed since her divorce. Truly their age difference didn't matter. Hadn't they enough in common now – as college students and nude photograph models – to forge a bonding relationship?

"You do understand now why it was important for us to take things slow, right?" Bryn asked, pulling Max from his thoughts.

"Sure," he said, giving her an appreciative look as he drove. "You know," he said with a grin. "I couldn't help but to notice that heart-shaped freckle on your right breast."

Bryn smiled. "Thanks."

"You do realize that even in a room full of naked women, you were still the center of attention for me," he said.

"Thanks for making me feel good," Bryn said warmly.

"You amaze me," Max said. "Always have. Even when I was fourteen."

"Can you really trust a naked woman, Max?" Bryn asked playfully.

"I trust a woman who's willing to get naked in front of me," Max replied.

He pulled the car to the curb in front of Bryn's apartment building.

"Why don't you come up?" Bryn said. "I'll cook us supper."

He was delighted with the invitation and he gladly followed Bryn upstairs to her apartment. Max sat at the kitchen table admiring Bryn as she prepared a light and easy meal. She looked so beautiful and he knew he was seeing her in a whole new light now. She must have felt his eyes on her because she turned from the counter and looked at him with a knowing smile.

"I know what you're thinking," she said.

"I'm thinking it's time to stop waiting," Max replied.

"That's what I thought you were thinking!" She laughed.

Bryn placed the meal on the table and they ate in relative silence, each looking at the other with a contented understanding. When they were done with the food, Bryn cleaned up (Max dried the dishes) and then she took him by the hand and led him toward her bedroom.

"Did you ever see my childhood bedroom furniture before?" She asked with a grin.

The room was pleasantly decorated but the bed was noticeably small and the dresser and make up table adolescent in appearance. She took a seat on the bed and eyed him.

"Don't you think it's time?" She asked, lifting her hand up to pull him toward her. Her lips touched his and Max rubbed his tongue across her mouth. Bryn wasted little time in opening her mouth and she darted her tongue into his mouth and she also sucked on his bottom lip before pulling him down on top of her as she fell back on the mattress as they continued to kiss with passion and want.

It didn't take much effort or thought to get the clothes off and they lay facing each other on the bed.

"It's more fun being naked alone with you," Max quipped.

Bryn laughed through the kissing and hours later, when they were done with the love making, they lay together in contented satisfaction.

"Was it worth the wait?" She teased.

Max raised an eyebrow. "The wait is over!"

He moved into Bryn's apartment the next weekend and when the photograph from the shoot arrived in the mail Bryn had it framed and she hung it in the bathroom. Visitors would have to look close but Max and Bryn could be seen from the angle shot above, six pews back to the far right.

"Just don't invite family over," Max joked when he saw the photo hanging for the first time.

"I don't suppose they'd understand spiritual nakedness," Bryn smiled.