I met him after work at our usual hangout for our semi-regular Thursday night drinks. This was the night his wife worked late, and my boyfriend was at the gym. He was already seated at a tall table near the bar, a half-full pint glass of dark beer in front of him. Another full glass of pale amber something sat on its own cardboard coaster.
I pulled off my coat and hung it over the back of my chair, grinning hello at him.
He smiled warmly and gestured to the other glass. "I got you a cider, assuming your taste hasn't improved any."
I winked and slid into my chair. "It must have not, since I'm still hanging out with you."
I was still in my work clothes, today a simple black scoop-neck blouse and narrow pinstriped calf-length skirt, only my 3-inch black heels hinting at sex. But with him I felt like a femme fatale. I indulged in the feeling, pulling my long hair out of its ponytail and shaking it out over my shoulders before picking up my drink.
This was the first time we'd had a chance to meet up since his wedding. I noticed that he played with his ring almost continuously, spinning it around his finger, pulling it over his knuckle and then sliding it back in place. That damn ring.
"So," I said, "how's work?" I admired how he looked in professional attire, a collared shirt and loosened tie under a soft wool sweater, over pressed trousers and brown leather shoes with sleek, modern lines. It was a stark contrast with the casual attire my mind had given him in my previous night's dream, but in its own way spoke of the same powerful masculinity.
I couldn't help imagining myself pulled across his lap, skirt pulled up to my waist to reveal the lacy garter belt that only I knew I wore. I fantasized that he'd spank my ass red, until I my pussy was dripping and I was begging him to fuck me. Then he'd let me get on my knees and suck his dick while I fingered myself until we both came.
Mentally, I shook myself and tried to pay attention as he answered my question.
"It's been busy, but actually I'm going to take some time off for the next couple of weeks. You know how much work we have to do on the house."
"It's really coming along," I said. "It looked great when I was last there."
"Yeah," he said, "and now we have the hall painted, and we've finished the trim in the living room and dining room. The exterior is the next big thing..."
I listened as he talked about paint colors and trim options, nodding and smiling. All the while I wished that I had worn a shorter or looser skirt so that I could sneak a hand into my panties and try to soothe this crazy ache. For that matter, I wished I was the sort of girl who would do such a thing.
I smiled to myself, sure that my friend would be shocked if he had any idea what I was thinking. I knew he was a passionate man, but I doubted he would even talk dirty to a woman, let alone spank her or tie her up or fuck her ass, or do any of the wicked things I had imagined. I certainly could not see his wife going along with anything like that -- not that she was a prude, but she did not seem like the type to be interested in games of domination and submission.
He spoke at length about all the home improvement projects ahead of him, and suddenly I wondered if he'd gotten here more than just a half a beer ago.
"That's not your first drink, is it?" I interrupted him.
He abruptly cut off and looked sheepish. "Not the first, no. Can you tell?"
I laughed. "I can tell, but I know you. I doubt anyone else could."
"Crap," he said, "and we haven't toasted yet."
"You're right," I said, raising my glass. "Here's to your new life with your lovely lady."
He shook his head. "We got enough of that at the wedding. How about," he continued, a sudden wicked gleam in his blue eyes, "here's to us, and what might have been."
I was surprised, but echoed his toast and took a drink. He drained his glass. I looked down at my own and realized I would need a refill soon. I usually did not drink this fast.
We were silent a moment, and then I said, "I didn't know you'd ever thought about that, Mr. Married."
"Oh, I thought about it. Don't get me wrong," he said, again playing with his ring. "I love my wife. But you know, I never have thought that there's only one person out there for each of us."
Suddenly I felt like the room was low on oxygen. I could think of nothing to say.
"Not that I'd ever do anything to hurt my wife." He leaned forward and smiled, slow and hot. "But I guarantee you, it would have been fucking amazing."
"Yeah," I managed. "Yeah, it would have."
We were silent a moment more, and then he asked, "So how are things with you and the boyfriend?"
I thought of the emptiness I had recently felt in my relationship, and I shrugged. "Honestly? Work has been really tough on both of us lately. It's been more like having a roommate than a partner. I mean," I blurted, "we haven't had sex in weeks, and I don't even miss it."
"That's not a good sign," he agreed, nodding seriously. The bartender came by with another round for each of us.