We have been emailing back and forth for months, friendly banter, and sometimes useless blah just to fill a screen. We write about our families, and our daily lives, every once in a while some gentle flirting, or innuendo.
We knew each other well at one time, together for the better part of our high school careers. We spent every available moment together. Time and real life separated us, from being "us". Neither of us forgot the other, even as our separate marriages and lives drew on. We were each other's first for many things, most involving some stage of intimacy. I can still remember everything about each of those nights.
During our emails you mention a business trip you are off to in the coming weeks. I ask the basic questions of where, when, and for what; mostly just for conversation. My new job sends me off traveling a couple times a year, so I'm always curious. When you respond back I look at my own calendar. Our schedules collide, overlapping conference dates in Orlando. My heart flutters a bit. I sit in my chair wondering if I should tell you. I always feel like a freak when I appear too eager. I slowly type a response, and hesitantly click the send button, still worried about rejection. I give you my dates and times, and where I am staying.
Even with the size of Orlando we are actually pretty close, a short Taxi ride looks like it. I research the local restaurants, something nice, not screaming romance, but quiet. I email you back and we agree. I rearranged my travel plans to add an extra night, telling my wife that the meeting plans had changed. I wanted to make sure that something with work didn't arise to foul our plans.
My heart has raced from the time we arranged to meet. My mind has skipped to the times where some part of you was naked or nearly so. When we were younger I wasn't ready, and you never found a way to open me up. I wanted to please you; sometime I was successful, oftentimes not. It wasn't until we were apart that you told me your needs and desires. I have pondered them over and over, but this is not what we are meeting for. We both agreed an early friendly dinner, platonic! That hasn't stopped my head from spinning all week though.
My meetings finish as scheduled, and I am left with time to get ready. I take a shower and my mind wanders. I end up pleasuring myself hoping that will help me shift gears. I know it's going to be tough, because all I can think about in that steaming shower are moments where you have been there with me. I spend my load and wash up, and then I turn the dial to frigid in hopes of cooling off. The trick works for now, and my mind clears. I begin to create a platonic topic list in my mind. Working through the conversations I search for ways to extend them.
I finish getting ready and look myself over in the mirror. My dress pants, shirt and tie are all freshly pressed; my shoes are shined to a tight gloss. Military school taught me well. I've gained a couple pounds over the years, but my clean cut appearance looks good. My hair is tightly buzzed, and my face clean shaven. The hotel desk calls up to tell me that my car has arrived.
My tendencies to be early haven't changed; I arrive before you and am seated at a private table. I order myself a double, hoping it will calm me down. When the drink arrives I take a long pull looking forward to the intoxicate helping. The seconds feel like minutes, I realized that I am checking my watch every 15 seconds. I tell myself repeatedly "plutonic"; however my mind is flashing back like a movie clip show through our times together. Many of the memories that are flashing before me are not plutonic.
I glance towards the entrance and I see you, I go almost entirely numb. You look absolutely amazing. You are wearing a business suit with well fitted skirt and jacket, under your jacket is a satin button-down blouse. You are wearing your hair down; its Auburn color drives me crazy. Even with the curls your hair passes just below where I imagine your nipples to be. I try to correct myself, but it's too late the mental image has generated. I stand up as you get closer, and when you reach me I just smile at you and squeeze you tight, no kiss, just a hug. I whisper "Hello." Our hug lingers a moment past plutonic and I slowly let you go. As you sit down I remark at how beautiful you look, this evening.
As the evening moves on dinner goes better than I expected. The last couple times we were together things were very awkward, this time I feel that we are getting along great. We chat about the past week and discuss each others business travels. We talk about our families, even though many of the topics had been touched on in emails. As we sit and talk I appreciate your smile and your laugh. It's not hard to remember how I became infatuated in the past. A couple of times each of us slip an innuendo into the conversation, and we smile at each other moving on. We talk about our spouses and our marriages, the ups and downs. I am surprised as the check arrives, because I feel like I'm not done. You grab the check telling me it's your turn. I search through my mind for a way to make the night a little longer. My heart nearly stops when you say to me.
"Why don't we get some beer and hang out at my hotel for a little while."
I am relieved, I always feel like I want more time with you than you want with me. Having you make this suggestion makes me feel less self conscious about my feelings, maybe I'm not alone with my memories, and thoughts.
I call the car service I'm using and have them pick us up. We stop at a convenience store and then head over to your hotel. I follow you up to your room. When we get inside I find the ice bucket and follow the signs to the ice machine. It's a couple of floors away. I call my wife for our evening chat, and promise that I'll call in the morning before I leave. When I get back to your room I hear you talking on the phone, and wait outside until you are finished. When I hear that you are through I knock lightly and walk in, closing the door behind me.