Exposure (Closed for SinfulGypsyChild)

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Ryan sat at the bar, half a beer in front of him, thinking, I finally did it.

He’d gone out to celebrate finally owning his photography studio free and clear. He had a lighting assistant and people who he contracted out for hair and makeup when it was needed, who’d joined him, but things were starting to wind down. He was feeling tipsy, but not too bad. (Though it could sneak up on him sometimes. He was a bit of a lightweight, and he was two shots of whiskey and a beer and half into his night.) He’d finish his beer and either walk home or call a cab.

It’d taken him a long time to get his studio established. Word of mouth had netted him wedding gigs, senior photos, and the occasional boudoir session.

While he was always professional, he like the boudoir sessions. Ryan had a thing for photographing nude or nearly nude women. Especially in public. He had a few models he worked with, again he was professional with them, but he was getting more out of it than expanding his portfolio. Occasionally he’d have a girlfriend who was into it, or at least willing to try. Not at the moment, though. He’d been working so hard to get to owning his place that he hadn’t had much time recently.

But now that he was done with that… He ran a hand through his short, cropped black hair and looked at himself in the bar behind the mirror. He was a good looking guy. A handsome face with a solid jawline, blue eyes. He was lean, lightly muscled. His fashion sense was jeans and t-shirts with a flannel over it in the colder months, but that was pretty common in Vermont. Attracting women had never been a huge problem. He used to be really awkward, but now could be downright charming at times.

Finishing his beer and stood to leave. That’s when he saw her.

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

After only five years, her marriage was over. The images of her husband and his flavor of the month flashed in her mind, still fresh. She could still hear the moans and gasps as he railed into her, unaware that his wife stood watching. Without a word, Kenzie had turned and walked back down the stairs and out the door. Somehow, she had wound up at a bar across town, slowly nursing an Old Fashioned. Kenzie kicked herself for ever even believing that Josh could change. He had promised her after graduation that things would be different and he was serious about them. Foolishly, she believed his lies and caved into herself when he had proposed. The dream she had for them would always be just that..a dream.

She had at least made a name for herself, working hard all through college at internships, learning all that she could from those opportunities. By the time she graduated, Kenzie had enough experience to give herself a good jumpstart in the working world. Her passion was design, but more on a house model scale. She loved finding century pieces and historical homes at auctions. Seeing the potential to bring a beautiful home back to its glorious heyday was just something she loved. To be where she was had taken hard work, and determination. It wasn't easy being a woman, even less so in the kind of work she did.

Kenzie had earned the respect and loyalty of her mentors and the other men and women she worked with. Her crew loved her and they loved working with her. It could be fun sometimes, and scary. But it was always an adventure. She had built up her repertoire and at twenty-nine, was her own boss and was partners with a good friend of hers who had also helped her build her own personal business. Of course Josh would fight her every step of the divorce, no doubt countersuing for some ridiculous claim or part of her business or financial attributes. With a heavy sigh, Kenzie threw back the rest of the drink..she had to go home at some point and face the inevitable. She stood and slipped a twenty under her glass, getting the bartenders attention before turning to leave.

Kenzie saw him immediately at the other end of the bar and her heart stopped for just a second as she realized who it was. He was coming her way, and had noticed her as well. "Ryan?Is that really you? Oh my god, look at you, all grown up." Kenzie flashed him a wide smile, and absently ran her fingers through her shoulder length dark hair, suddenly a bit self conscious.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

It didn't matter since Ryan had last seen Kenzie that he had his own business. Or that he was no longer the skinny little virgin who pined for her. He'd become a lot more sure of himself. Confident. Even charming. But seeing Kenzie there and it was freshman year all over again.

His mouth went dry. His palms started to sweat. His face flushed. His mind was a complete blank. The only word he could force out between his lips was "Kenzie."

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

As her old friend came fully into view, Kenzie was instantly thrown back a decade. The first thoughts to register were old football games and pep rallies when she and Ryan were close friends. He was the sweetest boy she knew then. They were with one another constantly, in school or around the city. She remembered how she would flirt with him, always in earnest. Kenzie had very much wanted to be with Ryan in high school, but he never seemed to realize that. She had tried a couple of times their senior year to just be honest with him about her feelings, and he had all but laughed at her over the thought of it being some joke. The burn had been immediate, but slow fading and she chose to end the friendship altogether.

After graduation, they somehow wound up at the same college, but to Kenzie, Ryan was invisible. Josh had come along from the start and swept her up and suddenly they were separated by a social status. She had never fit in with that group though. The only reason Kenzie stayed with him was because of the sex, and his familys social standing with society. It was that, that got her the internships for her college resume. After that ended, Kenzie lost track of a lot of people, Ryan being one of them. And until tonight, she hadn't even thought of him, much less wondered if he was still in the city.

He was most definitely a grown up now, and, Kenzie notes, a very handsome one. His hair, although shorter than it used to be, was still thick and entirely black. His eyes had hardened, respectively, but still gorgeously blue. Same hard jaw and delectable mouth. Ryan had filled out nicely and she took a moment to appreciate how attractive her old friend was. His laidback appearance was stylishly sexy. He seemed just as stunned to see her, as his words failed him and he stared blankly for a brief moment. She was beginning to think he had forgotten who she was when he finally said her name.

Kenzie smiled and ran a hand through her hair again, suddenly very aware about the way she looked. Her slender frame hadn't changed much over the years, although the light construction she did during remodels had improved her muscle tone and build. Her dark hair was roused from her having combed through it with her fingers so much and her honey brown eyes were tired and if one paid enough attention, could tell she had cried at some point that evening. "Wow..just..wow. You look amazing. How are you?" Kenzie was glad for the sudden distraction, anything that delayed the inevitable.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

"Kenzie."

Again, that was the only word Ryan's brain seemed to know, but finally, things started moving again.

"Kenzie, oh my god!"

He came up to her, and before he knew what he was doing, he hugged her. Then he wasn't sure what to do next and felt like he held it too long. He pulled back and looked at her.

"Wow. I... I..."

He took a deep breath.

"I'm so happy I ran into you. You look great. Wow. Can I buy you a drink and we can catch up? Just... wow."

Then Ryan noticed the slight redness around her eyes.

"Is everything okay?"

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

The hug surprised her, but it felt good. Ryan was warm and smelled amazing. When he pulled away, Kenzie longed for just a few more seconds. It seemed that his words had come back full force and he went on for a minute or two, offering to buy her another drink. What the hell.., she thought, and opened her mouth to reply when he hit her with another question. He always had been one to notice the small things, despite her bright smile and welcoming demeanor.

Honestly...that depends on your definition of okay. But I don't want to get into it. Let's have that drink. It's been so long, I want to hear what you've been up to. And how have you been in the city all this time and I've not realized it?"

Kenzie took her seat back, and motioned for Ryan to sit with her. She would not spend however much time they had talking about how her husband couldn't keep his dick in his pants, or that she dreaded going home to face him. How could she?

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Ryan started planning on circling back to what had her upset, but maybe that could come after some conversation and a few more drinks.

"Well, me, after we kinda...yeah, I got really into photography, made that my major. After graduation, I did some traveling got some great pictures. Came back about five years ago. Using my portfolio, I started getting business locally. This morning I paid off my business loan on my studio. It's small, but it's mine. I've even got a website."

Their next round of drinks arrived as Ryan was pulling up the webpage on his phone. He slid it over to Kenzie. There was a little slid bar that led to galleries of some of the pictures he'd taken. Baby, Senior Photos, Graduation, Wedding, Family, Misc, and at the very bottom were the links for Nudes and Boudoir with an 18+ label next to it.

Ryan hadn't really thought about it when he handed it to her, but he was suddenly feeling self-conscious about all the risqué photos he'd taken of so many women. Some of the images were relatively tame: housewives in men's shirts looking at the camera with come-hither eyes or nude women backlit, so just their silhouette showed. There were other more erotic pictures, that if not for being overexposed or in black and white, might have been considered porn.

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

Kenzie listened as he told her about his venture into the real world, and smiled when he mentioned his payoff. He spoke with passion and she knew that he was doing something he loved. Ryan pulled up his site, and offered his phone for her to see. His work was beautiful, and she got lost in the many display pictures he had posted. When the page bottomed though, there was another URL, with an age warning and for a moment Kenzi thought it was a porn advertisement until she realized it was more of his work. The pictures were...very racey. Some more than others, although the angles were amazing and the Ryan managed to bring out the best in all the photos. It was definitely worth being shown and a major accomplishment as a whole. She slid the phone back to him amd cleared ber throat.

"Well, I didn't do so bad for myself ither. Thanks to all my intern experiences in college, it wasnt hard for me to find a job after graduation. I started with interior design..but I've moved on to bigger things since then. I buy and renovate historical homes and century pieces. I've traveled a little bit for different homes, but I have a small office here in the city."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

"That's great. You were always so smart and talented. I'd think about you a lot and hope that you were doing well."

A lot... that's true, but I didn't have to say it like that.

Ryan drained his drink and said, "So, I'm just gonna ask, one more time, and if you don't want to say anything, you don't have to, okay? Do you want to talk about why you were crying? You know I'm here to be a shoulder to cry on if you need it. I can even buy you another drink if that helps."

Ryan waved down the bartender, ready to buy Kenzie another drink and listen to what she had to say.

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

Kenzie had never thought of herself as talented. But she appreciated his compliment. She felt a pang of guilt as Ryan confessed to thinking of her. It wasnt that Kenzi had never thought about him..of course she had. But her life had always been so busy and crowded..sometimes it was hard to think of herself, much less someone she hadn't seen in years.

It was getting late..she knew it was, and normally she would make an excuse to leave..but tonight, why did she have to? It wasn't like Josh was waiting up for her. Kenzi started to speak, but Ryan beat her to it. He was offering to talk about her what upset her, and the look on his face was genuine and suggested that she could fall completely apart right there if need he. When he signaled the bartender, Kenzi nodded as he waited for her response. Within minutes, they're drinks were refreshed and she sighed heavily as she took a sip.

"I caught my husband with another woman. In our house. In our bed. Amd he has no idea that I know. In fact, he's probably wondering where I am right now. I bet if I bothered to check my phone, I'd have a few texts and probably a couple of missed phone calls. But then again I could be wrong. Either way, I don't care. And so I'm just killing time here until I realize that I have no choice but to go home and confront him."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Ryan put his arm around her.

"Oh, Kenz. I'm so sorry."

Ryan half wanted to ask if she had married Josh, and half didn't want to know. If it was Josh she had married, and Josh who had cheated on her, then maybe Ryan could have done something in college to stop this. He didn't like Josh from the start, but he'd kept his mouth shut because he seemed to make Kenzie happy. And if there was one thing in this world Ryan had wanted, still wanted, it was for Kenzie to be happy.

"Do you have to go home? What would you do when you got there? Partly it's my fault, but you're kinda drunk right now? Do you have a friend in town? Someone you could stay with? I mean, maybe you could say one of your girlfriends just had a bad break up, and you need to support her." Ryan was also a little drunk. Otherwise, he wouldn't have continued, "Hell, if you really wanted to fuck with his head, your friend could have caught her husband cheating on her. Send that message and say, 'What kind of absolute asshole would do such a thing? I'm so glad I can trust you.'"

Ryan started laughing.

"Sorry. I'm sorry. That's... that's the alcohol talking. Forget I said that."

He took a deep breath.

"But seriously, would it help or hurt the situation to go home tonight?"

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

They hadn't spoken or seen one another in years, but that didn't stop her from losing the little self control that remained when she felt Ryan slip an arm around her. If anything, it was what broke the dam. It had been ages since Josh had even shown compassion towards her. The sex wasn't even all that great anymore. For a long time, Kenzi thought it was her, but now she realized, it had not.

A soft chuckle escaped at his mention of the infidelity and she glanced over at him, quickly wiping away the tears that had spilled into her cheeks. Kenzi cleared her throat and took a long swallow of her drink and let the warmth of the liqour spread through her. It calmed her nerves and made her mind even more fuzzy than it already was. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, she didn't know...but for that moment it was what it was.

"I wish it were that simple. But Josh knows my circle of friends. They're all flamboyantly gay..the few women I am actually friends with are single, and too hard to be broken up over a man leaving them. I don't owe him anything anymore. I'm not even sure I want to go home anyhow. The thought of being near him right now just..makes me sick..besides, my present company is much more pleasant."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Would you want to come to my place?

Shit!

Only then did Ryan realize how much like a proposition what he'd just said sounded like. He needed to backtrack fast. They were drunk. She was vulnerable. It wouldn't have been right. Besides, if something like that did happen, he'd want to have a clear memory of it.

I can sleep on the couch. You take the bed. Then in the morning, maybe when we are slightly soberere...soberrrer—more sober we...you can decide what to do next.

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

"Oh..oh no. I would never ask you to go out of your way like that. No..I'm..I'm okay. I mean, maybe I shouldn't drive..but I can just get a room or something somewhere. I might ask you to stay with me while I wait for an Uber...if you wouldn't mind."

Kenzie hoped that between the lighting in the bar and how flushed she already was from the alcohol, that Ryan couldn't see the heat creeping up her neck into her face. His mention of going to his place had sent her mind spinning for a moment, but then she realized that he was being genuine in his offer. She couldn't ask that of him..they were practically strangers to one another now. At least in her eyes. She didn't know this Ryan.

He seemed sincere, and had been nothing but sweet since they sat down..but Kenzi didn't feel it was a good idea to rekindle a friendship this way. He was right in the fact that they were both drunk. Him a bit more so, he had never been able to handle much, but given the way she felt right now, it was entirely plausible that they would wind up in bed together. That wasn't how this needed to go. Ryan was a good person and he didn't deserve to be caught up in the storm that was her life right now.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Shit!

Ryan had hoped he'd recovered enough that didn't sound like he was trying to sleep with her, but apparently he failed.

"Yeah, I can sit with you until a ride gets here. I really wasn't trying..." Ryan let out a sigh. "I swear since college, I've gotten better with the talking thing. But, yeah, whatever makes you feel comfortable. Book your room, call an uber, I'll see you off and then probably walk home."

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

Kenzi giggled as she caught a glimpse of a younger Ryan..she had always thought he was cute when he fumbled, that much had thankfully, not changed. She realized now that he thought that she was under the impression that he was just trying to bag her because they had been drinking. Kenzi smiled and placed a hand on his arm, slipping from her seat.

"Ryan..it's okay. I know..that you would never take advantage of me, or any woman for that matter. I didn't mean to cause the confusion. But we are a little drunk..and I am a little vulnerable. It isn't you that I don't trust, it's me. I'm hurt and angry. I'm confused and I..I dont even really know how to feel right now. And I know..if I go home with you, well..I just don't trust myself that much right now. But I would very much like it if you shared the Uber with me, and then the driver can just take you home once I'm dropped off. It's already paid for and I'll tip him extra to take you."

She slid her hand to his and laced her fingers with Ryans. Nothing had changed about him. He may have grown up and built his life, but Ryan was still the same underneath it all. Slightly awkward, but sweet. Still a little shy when it came to her though. She was glad that she had seen him tonight. For sure a blast from the past, but very much a welcome one.

"Come on..it's getting loud in here..the fresh air will be good. For both of us."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

She doesn't trust herself...with me? Fuck.

It was good news only a decade too late. Then Ryan's mind ran away with the image of sharing the back of a car. Fumbling hands, mashed lips, bodies sliding against each other, a driver doing their best to keep their eyes on the road. They'd get to her place, he'd follow her inside. Clothes scattered on the floor in a trail to her bedroom. And then...

Ryan took a deep breath. "Yeah, some air would be a good idea. Let me just pay up for our drinks. I'll meet you by the door."

He used the as an excuse to turn away from her and make a subtle adjustment for comfort's sake. He followed her out into the night air. It may have been chilly, but between the alcohol and the arousal, he felt like he could make the air steam around him.

Then a thought occurred to him. He'd know where she lived. He could show up tomorrow morning and...

...and nothing. Kenzie's cheating bastard husband would be there.

Help her movie out? Help HIM move out?

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

Kenzie nodded and stepped away from the bar. There was an area by the door that was clear and she made her way to it. She quickly pulled out her phone and paid for an Uber while Ryan was still at the bar. She hadn't been entirely honest about the car, but she had felt bad about him walking. It was far too cold. With a quick glance, she saw that Josh had indeed called her twice, but no voicemail or texts.

Ryan joined her just then and they made their way out the door. The outside temperature was quite the contrast to the warmth within the building they just left, but it felt good. Despite the late hour, the city was still busy. It was bright and noisy, but her attention was on Ryan. "Hey, I just..wanted to say thank you. For listening. And for the drink. It was all..very sweet of you, considering we haven't seen one another in years."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

"What are good friends you've lost touch with for a decade for?"

He let out a nervous laugh.

"But seriously, I glad I ran into you. I just wish you were having a better day."

When the car arrived, they got in. There was no passionate make-out session in the back seat. He mostly felt like there were just a lot of awkward silences. It's hard to carry on the type of conversation he wanted to have with her when there was a stranger in the car.

When they arrived at her house, he stepped out of the car and came around to her side. He took one of his business cards out and wrote his personal cell number on the back.

"You need anything, just call me." He smiled awkwardly before it faltered. "Can you promise to text me after whatever is going to happen happens? I want to make sure you're safe. Okay?"

Then he froze. How were they supposed to part? Handshake, hug, goodnight kiss?

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

She hadn't meant for the ride home to be so quiet..she just didn't know how people carried on conversations this close to complete strangers. Although Kenzi did keep stealing glances at Ryan during the trip. It took all of twenty minutes to get her there, and when the driver pulled into the driveway, Ryan was quick to spring out of the car to open her door. The simple gesture made Kenzi smile..it had been a long time since someone had done that for her.

As they stood outside the car, Ryan quickly wrote his number down on a card and slipped it into her hand, all but making her promise to call him if things got hairy. She nodded and smiled, chuckling softly. "You know, you really grew up to be an amazing person Ryan. Thank you. Really. I love that you haven't let the world make you hard." With that, she leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips, biting her own as she pulled away. "I will definitely call you..once I figure out what's happening. I promise..we can do dinner."

With that, Kenzi stepped away and knocked on the drivers window. She slipped him a bill and pointed at Ryan, and then waved goodnight to her old friend as she turned to head inside. All the lights were in the front of the house were on, but his truck was gone. It was just as well. She didn't care. All she wanted was a hot shower and some comfy clothes...possibly sleep, if she could ever get her mind to stop.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Ryan watched Kenzi leave. He worried. On the drive home, he kept staring at his phone, waiting for a call, a text, anything that would let him know she was okay. He got home.

Checked his phone.

Took a quick shower.

Checked his phone.

Brushed his teeth.

Checked his phone.

Lay in bed.

Checked his phone.

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

The shower was quick, but heavenly, and sobered her up a bit. She slipped into an old tee and a pair of sweats and made her way into the kitchen. She had left her phone in her bag, and she reached for it..and Ryans card. After adding him as a contact, she sent a quick message.

**Hey, so sorry, I had to have a shower. I'm okay though, just very drained. Loved seeing you tonight though..maybe we can get together again soon.**

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

When his phone screen lit up, Ryan grabbed it quickly, nearly knocking it off his bedside table.

**Coffee. Tomorrow morning? I think we'll both probably need it.**

He hit send, his heart in his throat. Was he too eager? He hadn't been eager enough a decade ago.

 

[SinfulGypsyChild]

Her phone chimed almost immediately after she sent her message. Kenzi smiled and tapped out a reply quickly. She had decided that her office and her crew could do without her tomorrow. She needed a break from things and spending time with Ryan seemed like a perfect escape.

**Sure. Sounds good. I'm free all day tomorrow...if you don't already have plans..**

Being that it was a weekend day, she was almost positive that his work wouldn't be a problem. But..what if he was seeing someone? No. He wouldn't have offered her his bed if he wasn't single. Kenzi shook her head and made her way into the living room. She settled herself on the oversized couch and found an old black and white on television. Her head was starting to hurt and her eyes were heavy. The last thing she remembered was her phone chiming again..

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

**I was planning on taking an old friend out to coffee **

Ryan waited for his phone to chime one more time. But it didn't, and his eyes were having trouble staying open.

**Text me in the morning what time you want to leave.**

With that, he went to sleep to dream about his head between Kenzi's thighs.