It was one of the biggest deals my firm had ever closed. We'd been working on this project for well over a year, putting in hundreds of hours trying to get the largest consulting contract we'd ever had, one that would keep the ten consultants in my firm busy for almost three years.
Even with all the other clients to deal with and, of course, trying to run a consulting business, I'd been virtually been living in Santa Fe for the past year as we completed a pilot project leading up to the big one. While there are worse places one could spend one's time than Santa Fe, my schedule had taken its toll on my 50 year-old body. I was ragged around the edges to say the least but, all in all, it was going to be worth it. Since my wife had died three years ago, I had poured everything into work, probably to keep from having to think about my personal situation. And I have to admit that while the professional part of my life was thriving, other parts were suffering somewhat. I'd pretty much abandoned my friends back home because of all the travel and I didn't have that many close relatives to have much of a relationship with. So, I had my work.
One of the things that suffered this whole time was my sex life. Carol and I had been married for fifteen years and our sex seemed as new and adventurous to us at the end as it did in the beginning. Once she died, however, in an auto crash, my libido seemed to die at the same time. I pride myself in keeping in shape and a widowed man, fairly young and vigorous, seemed to draw women, so I had a few affairs along the way, mostly one time events, but in all of them, I seemed to be play-acting. I felt almost disembodied, like I was watching someone else have sex. Sure, most of the women were good, some even outstanding, and all of them were attractive. But, while this in the only place I can admit this, where I can shield my identity, sometimes I even had trouble performing. And often, when I did, as I said, it felt like going through the motions.
After clinching the consulting job, I decided to stay over in Santa Fe to enjoy some of the things that I didn't take the time to enjoy over the last few months. It really is a lovely city, with terrific restaurants, interesting architecture, and a thriving art community.
After a night of celebrating our win, all of my colleagues flew back to our home office to get to work. We'd rented two condos for the people traveling into Santa Fe and we were going to keep them over the next few years so I had a place to stay and hang out while I enjoyed the city.
So, I slept late, or at least late for me - 8 AM, and then sauntered down to the little outdoor café to have breakfast. After consuming a decadent plate of huevos rancheros, I sat back to read the paper, have another cup of coffee and watch the people go by. For a guy that had been keyed up for the last few months, this mini-vacation was starting off well. I was almost in a reverie when the calm was broken when I heard a shout, "Bill Carpenter, you old rascal."
I turned and saw an old friend of mine approaching. He was someone used to be a neighbor and our families had gotten fairly close, but over the last few years, since they'd moved, we had only kept in touch with the occasional phone call or letter.
I stood and extended my hand, "Art, what a pleasure to see you here. How are you? It's been years since I've seen you."
He smiled, "It was in 2003, the year we moved. That's almost five years. I was so sorry to hear about Linda. We didn't hear about it until a week or so after it happened and we were devastated. She was such a great lady."
"Sit down for a bit, Art. Yeah, she was and I appreciate the note from you and Jean. She was a special lady and I miss her every day. So, how's the construction business? Still building huge shopping malls?"
"Yeah, still grinding away. That's the reason I'm out here. We're going to bid on project on the edge of town. We have so much going on I'm not sure we even want it, to tell you the truth," he said with a laugh.
"I know you Art. You'll do it. So, how are the kids? God, it's been ages. What are they doing now? As I remember Robert was into sports in a big way and Kim was into music. So is Robert the star quarterback and Kim a concert pianist by now?"
Again, Art laughed, "we do need to catch up. Robert is in the 11th grade and, in fact, he is the quarterback on his high school football team. And Kim is 19, and is going to be going to Duke this fall. As a matter of fact, she's out here with me. She loves to travel and she has a couple of weeks off. I have an idea. Why don't we get together for dinner tonight? She'd love to see you and it will be good for us all to catch up. Deal?"
We shook hands and agreed to meet in the lobby bar at 7 for a drink and to figure out where we would have dinner.
Even though there was no conscious reason I did it, that evening, before going out, I spent extra time in grooming and dressing. After my shower, I stood before the mirror before getting dressed. "Not bad for an old man," I mused as I looked at my naked body. I am 6 feet tall and weigh the same thing I did in college, 175. Even though the skin was a tad looser than it was when I was younger, I was still in good shape, with broad shoulders and a flat stomach, and I have to admit, buttocks that were still firm for my age. I noted a few gray hairs among those that covered my torso and groin but for the most part, they were dark brown. I noted my cock in the mirror and reached down to hold it.
"I haven't given you enough exercise in the last few years, have I old boy?" I said with a smile. "Maybe we can change that at some point."
I stroked it a couple of times and was pleased to feel the tension building and I noted how the skin pulled back over the head. I turned vainly to see my cock standing out a bit from my body and I knew that with a little more manipulation, I could have it rising and becoming rigid. So, that's what I did. I leaned over and let some saliva dribble from my lips dropping to the head. I moved it around and felt the length of my cock becoming engorged with blood and my balls tightening. I reached down to feel the sac holding them and I rolled them around in my hand. With the other hand I moved the lubricant over the head and down the shaft. I turned to look it the mirror and I was pleased to note that my cock was now fully erect and it curved, almost like a banana, but from base to tip, I estimated it to be in the 7" range.
"Guess I'd better get moving, boy," I said smilingly. "I might be able to give you some more attention later but now I'm running late."
The truth of the matter is that I had always enjoyed being sexually excited and I didn't want to lose that feeling too quickly. Even though the last few years had not been the greatest sexually, I still loved to be conscious of my cock. By conscious I mean feeling it move in my trousers as I walked for example, or when I'm sitting, looking down to see it outlined against my leg. I don't necessarily mean that I walked around with a hard dick, but I did like it when I thought about sex and was aware of my cock - when I could feel the head swelling for example and the sac tightening as my balls swelled. I liked it when I saw an attractive woman and felt my cock twitch, wanting to escape my trousers and come into contact with flesh. I hadn't had that feeling enough in the last few years. That's something I would have to work on.
I went down to the lobby and spotted Art nursing a drink. "Did Kim decide she has something better to do than have dinner with two old guys? Smart girl."
Art laughs, "no, as usual she's just running late. She remembers you very well and is looking forward to seeing you."
I ordered a drink and Art and chatted for a bit before he signaled across the lobby. I turned and saw Kim or someone I assumed was Kim coming towards the table. This couldn't be the same girl I knew a few years ago. This young lady was stunningly beautiful. She was dressed simply but very attractively and she needed no makeup. She was probably 5'7", slim, with dark brown hair, blue eyes and a flawless complexion. Needless to say from that description before she even got to the table, this was a very striking girl.
She reached out her hand, "Mr. Carpenter, it is so nice to see you."
I leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Kim, it's great to see you too. Your father didn't tell me that you would be the prettiest girl in Santa Fe."
She blushed, "that is so nice of you to say, Mr. Carpenter. I don't believe you've changed a bit since the last time I saw you. That must have been when I was 13 or 14. I still remember you hanging out with my dad and helping me with my homework. Do you remember the treehouse you helped me build? My dad is a big time contractor and you had to be the one that taught me how to drive a nail. I bet that treehouse is still standing."
"Sure I remember Kim, and by the way, call me Bill. And I also remember babysitting for you when you were a kid. You were the biggest tomboy I'd ever seen. I can remember you coming over dressed in your jeans, wanting to go hiking, or play football, or build something. But most of all, I remember that when you got through with all that, you'd come in a play the most beautiful music on the piano. Do you still play Kim?"
She smiled, revealing beautiful white teeth, "yeah, didn't Dad tell you? I got a music scholarship to Duke. I start in the fall and I'm so excited."
"I can't wait to catch up on what all of you have been doing the last few years. Let's go to dinner and talk."
The concierge referred us to one of the terrific restaurants in the area that serves southwestern cuisine. During dinner, we had a great time talking about being neighbors and close friends over the years. They were a great family and I regretted not keeping in touch as much as I should have.
As we'd ordered coffee and dessert I asked Kim what she'd planned to do over the next few days in Santa Fe.
"Other than sleep, you mean? I do intend to catch up on that. But, I also want to see some of the area; I've never really spent any time out here. And I want to do some shopping of course. And maybe go to some of the museums and galleries they have in the area also. So, how about you? What are you going to be doing the next few days?"
"Other than shopping, pretty much the same thing. I've spent a lot of time in the Southwest, but most of it has been on business so this time, I want to get in some sightseeing. Otherwise, I want to try some good restaurants, maybe have a massage or two, lie by the pool and read, and also go to some galleries and museums. They have some great ones in the area."
"That sounds great. Maybe I'll see you at the pool. I intend to get a little sun and also catch up on reading things I want to read for a change instead of things I have to read for class."