chapter 2

Stop that, he said to himself. I mean nothing to her, but lord she makes me feels so good. "I may be heavier, or lighter. I destroyed my scale months ago frustrated by my continual weight gain..frustrated but somehow turned on by it. Oh Amanda, I am so confused."

"Why frustrated?" She gently massaged the side of his quaking distension. "What's WRONG with this, Bill? Give me one bad thing. Just one!" Amanda leaned forward daringly, kissing his lips very softly, quickly.

"Bad? This big belly, spare tire and man breasts get in the way. They jiggle when I walk. My belly hangs over my pants and I can't buckle or unbuckle my belt. I run out of breath and being this fat is probably bad for my health."

Seeing she didn't understand, he shook his head and got to his feet. "I am incredibly healthy. But enough of that. Let me show you my studio upstairs. You being an artist I think will appreciate it. And there's something I must do." As he led her through the kitchen and up the wide log and plank stairway he began telling her how he built his home and studio. "A contractor friend and I finished this place 3 years ago. All the timber was here on the property, the main logs for the cabin walls are from an old grove down by the creek. Took me two years to walk my property, find the spot with the best views and start clearing the land. It took two years after that to build it because it's so damn big."

They had reached the top of the stairway and he was more winded than he remembered being in his life. He had felt gravity's tug on his belly's underside every step he took. While the pulsing bounce of it was supremely erotic, it's tugging soon became painful. "Definitely time to shed a few pounds" he confirmed to himself. Taking her arm and making a broad gesture as if royally ushering her in, Bill continued "Virtually the entire top floor of the cabin, about 2400 sq ft., is my studio. Sorry for the mess. You'll note the large, north facing windows...as you know, perfect lighting for painting. Please look around"

"Incidentally, I would love to paint you, not only are you adorable with your hair pulled back like that and you draped in that enormous shirt of mine, it appears that small tent you're wearing also hides a fine figure, which I'd love to capture on canvas if you're willing."

Realizing he was moving way too fast he backed up. "If not that's OK too. I do need to put the finishing touches on this big painting for the Sequoia National Park Hilton. Sit up here on this modeling stool and think it over while I get things ready." He wondered about this girl. She was something different alright. It just wasn't what she said about his weight, that he couldn't believe. It was something else. He had a feeling he could fall for this one, hard.

With a sigh he left her and moving behind a screen, he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled a curious harness up and over his belly. It was his own invention, sort of a cross between a weightlifter's belt and super-elastic sports bra, gathering up and suspending his gut high and closer into his body, taking all the pressure off his lower back and transferring the weight to his shoulders. While it was painful and tight, it allowed him to stand at his easel for the endless hours required to work on his paintings. With a final tightening tug of the straps he grunted "OK, I'm all set. By the way, anything you need or want you know where it is. Just make yourself at home." And he couldn't resist a wink at her as he lumbered into her view.

"I suppose...what kind of drawing?" She asked, perching nervously. Amanda gaped at him as he stepped out. "Where did your belly go?" She blushed, hearing how stupid that sounded.

She was profoundly disappointed and her dismay showed openly. Bill saw her crestfallen look. "What? My belly? Oh, it's this harness thing I wear to help my back. Supports my gut. I guess it looks kind of strange." He moved closer to her "See. I'm all nice and tight. I meant I'd like to do a portrait of you, nude if that's OK."

"Nice and tight?" She repeated, her voice incredulous. What was nice about it. After hearing his last words, Amanda nearly jumped out of her skin. "N - nude? She squeaked. Then after a moment she looked sly. "You can only paint me if I can sketch you, Bill!" She smiled, delighted with her idea. "You say I'm pretty, and thats why you want to paint me. I have similar reasons for sketching you."

He was tempted. And curious. "Well, I guess that seems fair. I've never had an image done of me. OK, you're on. We'll see who comes closest to capturing the other person on canvas. Loser makes dinner. And nude it is."

Grinning, Amanda replied, "I hope you lose! Your cooking is wonderful!" She took a deep breath and slowly took his boxers off, then his big baggy shirt, then her bra. She sat nude, looking too thin yet still womanly.

He stripped as well unbucckling his supporting harness and stood naked before her, watching her. As she exposed more and more of her beautiful body he became more uncomfortable with the whole idea, regretting his agreement. He vainly tried to cover himself with his hands. "Ummm, I'm not sure about this, not used to this at all. My body doesn't bother you?"