Copyright ©, 2003: All characters, events, and text in this story are purely fictional, and are created by and the sole property of the author. All rights reserved.
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Two years ago, I celebrated my fortieth birthday alone. My husband, John, and I divorced after sixteen years. He claimed that I had become too dull, and he needed to explore new horizons. That same fall, my son joined my daughter in college, leaving me with plenty of time on my hands. Primarily as a reaction to my husband dumping me, I determined to re-capture my self-esteem. Through dieting and working out three mornings a week at the fitness center, my figure returned to a trim size 8, which is fine for my 5'9" frame. To show off my hard-earned femininity, I revamped my wardrobe with brighter colors and stylish garments, and changed my hairstyle and makeup. My strategy worked, and now I feel good about getting appreciative stares from men, and jealous glances from my women friends. Even my youth-oriented children complimented their mother on not letting her sexiness fade away.
But my physical appearance and vitality did not entirely satisfy my appetite for more fun and stimulation. I decided to go for a Master's in Art and enrolled in daytime courses at the local state college While I am at least fifteen years older than most of my classmates, they soon accepted me as part of the academic community, often inviting me to join them in after-class socializing. Through the association with lively and imaginative young people, I found myself blossoming with new ideas and fresh attitudes. This is particularly true in my passion for the visual arts. In hindsight, however, perhaps some of my passion for the arts really was an attraction to one of the teachers.
Drake Cameron, the department head, is in his early thirties, and is the quintessential tall, dark, and handsome male. I had to admit that I sometimes fantasized that he was making love to me when I was masturbating in bed at night. I was thrilled when he selected me as one of four students for his Honors course. He told Tony, Curt, Helen, and me that we would be studying the nude female figure. Because of the nature of the course, the classes were held in the afternoons in his loft studio. It was exciting to work on sketching in a real studio, naturally illuminated by skylights, and rich in aromas of turpentine, oil paints, and canvas. To add to the Bohemian feeling of the class, we students took turns bringing a jug of cheap wine to share. However, I think that all four of us students would admit that the most exciting part of the course was to work with a live, nude female model.
Caroline, the model, was a full-time college student majoring in modern dance. From her dance training and performing, she was lithe, graceful, and very much at ease with displaying herself entirely naked to the class. For eight weeks, we four students tried to capture Caroline's expressive and sensual poses with charcoal sketches. We gradually got better with Drake's encouragement and instruction in the nuances of the female figure as a form of art and beauty.
I particularly enjoyed the class critique period, when Drake would show each student's drawing, with Caroline standing next to the sheet of paper. He would lead us in making constructive comments, and suggestions for improvement. Sometimes, when one of us made a particularly thoughtful statement, or showed a unique drawing, Drake would have Caroline give that student a kiss as a reward. The first time that Drake directed Caroline to reward my comment, I was embarrassed to kiss a nude woman, but her appealing eyes and lusty smile overcame my inhibitions. It was soon the norm for the six of us to engage in spontaneous hugs of enjoyment and encouragement with each other. I felt younger and sexier when these younger, handsome men with interesting minds hugged me. Things took a sudden, and interesting turn, however, on the ninth session.
"It seems that Caroline was practicing some kind of dance leap," Drake announced as we gathered at his studio. "She fell down and broke her ankle. She's going to be all right, but as of now, she has a cast and is on crutches. My problem is that I can't find another model to fill in. Any suggestions other than calling off the rest of the classes?"
Curt, the most out-spoken in the class, looked directly at me.
"Well, there is one possibility," he said. "As all of you no doubt have noticed, we do have one student with a very fine figure. How about it, Joann? I know that it comes completely out of the blue, but for the sake of the class, would you agree to pose for us today?"
I blushed and stammered my objections. Tony and Helen began to actively encourage me. In spite of vigorously shaking my head, I imagined myself posing nude in front of these people. They were now my friends and co-workers, and I somehow felt that I could risk taking off my clothes for them. It was Helen, the other female student, who finally pushed me over.
"Please agree, Joann," she said. "I would volunteer, but we need a really fine figure to study, not a plump sack like me."
"OK. I'll do it," I said. "But someone has to get me a glass of wine first. And don't comment on the goose bumps; I'm going to be scared to death."
Everyone cheered, and Drake handed me a glass of Chablis from the jug that was provided for this session. He looked at me, smiling encouragement.
"Thank you very much for doing this, Joann. You're taking a big step toward your full satisfaction as an artist and a woman."
As I went behind the screen in the front corner of the room to undress, I looked over my shoulders.
"I'm not going to wear my glasses," I announced. "That way, I can't see who is looking at me."
After disrobing, I timidly walked out to the view of the class. It was an ambivalent feeling having three men and a woman staring at my nude body. Part of me felt self-conscious, that this was all wrong. The other part of me wanted me to show off and be naughty. My confidence perked up when I heard Helen's voice.
"Oh, honey, look what we have been missing! I declare that Caroline has nothing on you. Joann, you are positively a mature Aphrodite."
