This is my second story about a widowed man. I'm currently working on a longer one about another widow to complete the trilogy. This story is also my second romance to contain sex scenes.
Although you could argue that this is a cuckold story as it involves a married woman sleeping with another man with her husband's consent, I prefer to think of it as a love story. I hope you agree.
Please note this work is copyrighted, and I do not give permission for any part of it to be used elsewhere. I think that the stealing of work to monetize from this website, which is given freely by authors, is abhorrent. Β©Corny1974
A Problem for Maria
I noticed her straight away. It was a long time since a lady caught my eye like that. After five years of widowhood, I had never started looking again. Don't get me wrong; I noticed if an attractive lady served me at the bank, but I didn't feel attracted. This lady was different. She was tall, slim, and blonde, yet had a large chest that seemed out of place on her otherwise willowy frame. Almost like they had been placed there accidentally; maybe she had bought them, I mused.
She was the complete opposite of my late wife. Ann was short, petite, with masses of wild, curly dark hair. I smiled when I thought of her. It took me years to be able to smile and remember the good times. For a long time, I couldn't think of her without that lump in my throat and the anger that she was no longer here, and yet I was. So, I closed off my emotions; I didn't think of her. I am so ashamed of that and always will be. She deserved better, so much better.
Eventually, I snapped, and all that grief came out. My therapist said that it had to and that Ann would know that it was because I loved her so much that I had postponed my grief. The man who had stoically stood at her funeral dry-eyed and seemingly unfazed at her loss is long gone. When I say goodnight to her picture, I hope she would be pleased about the gallons of tears I eventually shed for her. That she somehow knows how much she was truly loved.
I realised that I had closed my heart off to others, however. Grief embarrasses people, and my own grief finally came when others had moved on a little. They could not be there for me. I was too late for that particular pity party.
So, now, after five years, this lady caught me unawares. I watched her move around the room, smiling and being social, but there was an unease there. I could sense it. She was putting on an act--I know all about that. Suddenly, Guy Lombard took her by the elbow and steered her in my direction.
"I'd like to introduce you to my wife -- Maria."
I smiled as I took her hand. There was a spark, a connection. She looked at me, shocked. She had felt it, too.
"Mike here is the man who could take our little company to bigger and greater heights if and when he decides to invest," Guy looked at me and tried to hide the desperation in his voice. We both knew my investment would save his company, not expand it. On paper, it was a good deal, and I could certainly afford the risk, but there was something holding me back--something I didn't trust about Mr Lombard.
Mrs Lombard, however, was a different matter. She smiled nervously as Guy disappeared into the crowd.
"My husband appears to have abandoned me -- again. He does that a lot at these functions."
"Well, I don't know anyone, so please feel free to join me," I gestured to the spare seat at my table."
"He's trying to impress you, you know. He thinks if you can see how popular he is with the movers and shakers, you will be more inclined to invest with him."
I laughed; I liked a straight talker. "Should you be telling me his secrets, Maria?"
"You're a sensible man, Mike. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. I can see that nothing fools you."
"I notice things," I said quietly as I poured her some wine. "I notice that you are not happy to be here. You are trying to hide it, but I can see it."
She stared long and hard at me as I passed her the wine. That intense stare did something to me; I started to harden in my trousers. That hadn't happened for a while; apart from occasional bouts of self-pleasure in the shower, my libido had been on hiatus since I lost my Ann.
One look from her, and I was thinking thoughts that had lay dormant for a long time. I felt ashamed--this was another man's wife. I was a man of integrity; this wasn't the sort of man I was. Yet, I couldn't help but respond to her stare. I shifted in my seat, praying she wouldn't notice my discomfort.
She flinched, and I followed her gaze. Guy was joking with a couple of younger ladies. I noticed the sadness in her eyes, and I took her hand.
"Does he always flirt with the ladies?" I asked gently.
"Oh, he does more than flirt, Mike. Much more. Those two are just the latest in a long line. He's not subtle about it either; he's quite blatant. My friends don't even bother telling me when they see him out with his latest conquest. I used to complain, but Guy does not take criticism well. I've learnt it is better to pretend not to notice."
I suddenly had all her attention. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be speaking to you like this. Guy wouldn't like it. I don't know what's come over me. Too much wine on an empty stomach, perhaps? You are very easy to talk to, you know. I feel like you are listening to me. It's nice. I like it."
I smile at her and realise that I am still holding her hand. She was so lovely and so sad, and I wanted to take that sadness away. I suddenly had the urge to make her smile. I needed her to smile, and I needed her to smile at me. It is a long time since I have yearned to make a woman smile.
Guy ambled back then. "Maria, I hope you have been keeping Mike entertained. Mike, if you want to dance, I am sure that either Jennifer or Emily over there would be happy to dance with you."
"It's a long time since I danced Guy. Not since my wife was alive, anyway. I am sure that I'm a bit rusty. Perhaps you would allow me to dance with Maria instead; we could continue our conversation?"
If Guy was surprised, he hid it well. I knew he would not refuse my request; he needed to keep me on his side.
"Of course, my wife doesn't usually dance with anyone but me, but I think we can make an exception, just this once."
I led a shocked Maria onto the dance floor.
"He didn't like that, not that he could show it," she whispered in my ear. Her hot breath was sensuous on my neck, and I held her even tighter. Her breasts crushed against my chest; I knew then that they were real.
"You are enjoying yourself," she smiled, "I can tell." I tried to angle my erection away from her, but she pressed herself against me even more. "Is it true that you haven't danced since your wife died?"
"I haven't done much other than work and travel. I have been trying to escape my reality for a long time. I have finally made peace with it. I've accepted it but will always hate that she is gone."
"So, no dating? You must have loved her very much."
"I did, I do, I always will, but now I'm in love with a memory."
"It must be lovely to be loved like that. Your wife was a fortunate lady."
"I'm sure that Guy feels the same way about you," I stated, not really believing a word of it.
"Guy loves himself more than anyone else. I'm just another of his commodities, something else to add to his collection. Everyone thinks I'm his trophy wife, a gold digger, but he had nothing when we got together. He'd sell me tomorrow if he thought it would save his company."
"Maria, do you trust me?"
She eyed me briefly before saying, "Yes, I think I do. We've only just met, but I like you. You a straight arrow."
It was my turn to whisper in her ear then, "How would you like a little revenge on Guy? Give him a taste of his own medicine."
"I'm not having an affair with you, Mike."
"No, I'm not asking you to. I wouldn't be so disrespectful, but we could let Guy think we were. We could also see just how important you really are to him."
"I'm too old to play these games, Mike, but it sounds fun."
So, that's how the plan came about.
I had my secretary make an appointment with Guy the next day. It was all smiles as I was led into his office. It was obvious that he thought I was ready to sign on the dotted line. The truth was that I had decided to invest with him. It was money I could afford to lose; it would strengthen his business. It was also money that I was prepared to risk, if I could have a little fun at his expense.
"So, Mike, this is a pleasant surprise. I trust that you have had time to look over our figures. I am sure that you are suitably impressed."
"Actually, Guy, I am impressed. I'm almost ready to sign, but not quite."
"Well, is there anything else I can show you? A different presentation, perhaps?"
"No, there's only one thing you can do for me--one thing I want--your wife."
"You what?" Guy bellowed before he thought about what he was risking.
"Well, I had a lovely time last night chatting with Maria. She intimated that you were not above having some extra-marital fun at times. I'm merely asking that you allow your lovely wife the same courtesy with me. She is quite beautiful; you are a fortunate man. I have not been so lucky; my lovely wife is no longer with us. All I ask is for a weekend with Maria, and I will happily sign the contract on Monday morning. My solicitor is already sorting the paperwork."
Guy stared out of the window for a long time. "It is true, Mike, that I have not always been faithful to Maria over the years. However, I highly valued her loyalty to me. It is a big price you are asking me to pay."
"Is it a price worth paying, though, Guy?"