*For Rich*
* * * * *
Yes, I can remember everything about that weekend I told him. After several years, that one weekend we spent together in each others arms will be forever carved in my memory.
Rich and I spent a weekend together about four years ago. Our tryst, which turned out to be a two day affair, was the result of many months of continuous flirting back and forth until the heat rose enough to lead us to one incredible sexual liaison.
I worked in a hospital in the role of a nurse manager of a women’s health unit and Rich headed the project to redesign our area. We spent many hours together formulating and finalizing plans to reorganize and refurbish my area. Both married, we kept our relationship low key, but always managed to do lots of flirting back and forth. Rich was tall, with blonde curly hair and an incredible pair of blue eyes. In fact he was known for his blue eyes. Well toned from all the work he did, he was definitely easy on the eyes. He was one of the most popular sights at the hospital, for most all the ladies.
We had been working closely together for about 6 months and the relationship we shared, while we made every attempt to keep it professional, was definitely heating up. One evening, after a horrible day working with a decorator we both did not like, we both decided to share a drink at the local tavern out on the “hook”.
The tavern sits on the beach out midway on a land mass called the “hook.” It’s frequented by all kinds of people from the locals to the out-of-towners who come to the shore to enjoy the benefits of the summer. The place was packed, so we got our drinks and headed out to sit on the beach. The night was warm and the breeze from the ocean was balmy and slight. In fact the heat of the day could still be felt in the sand beneath our feet.
We shared many prior conversations about our families, jobs, and interests, so this conversation only picked up where we had left off many times before. We had been there for a bit and I decided to call home and let my husband know I would be late. I called and told him I was still at the hospital and would be very late due to some problems with a change in the decorators plans. He knew I was working against some major deadlines, so he never questioned me. However, when I got off the phone, Rich asked me why I had lied to my husband.
“I’m not sure quite honestly. I really have no idea how long we might be here, so it seemed easier to explain the lateness of my arrival home that way.” This was my only explanation.
Rich looked at me, and said, “How late do you think we ought to be here?”
Jokingly I said to him, “As long as it takes me to finally seduce you.”
My attempt at a quick flirtation resulted in Rich asking me, “Do you want me to be seduced?”
I suddenly felt like the game we had been playing for so long had finally come to a decision. I did want him. I wanted him bad. I could no longer hide my real feelings behind silly flirtatious remarks. But being honest would take me up a road that could be dangerous.
Before I could answer, Rich said, “Look I know how you feel about me. We have worked together practically everyday for the last 6 months on this project. I can feel something growing between us too. But the truth is, I am married and so are you. I am not willing to give that up, and I know you aren’t either. I know how crazy you are about your husband. I also don’t want to jeopardize our working relationship for a few minutes of passion. We have to keep feelings in check.”
He was right, and I needed to hear it. But looking in those blue eyes was hard to do without thinking I would like to try a few minutes of passion with him.
“You are right. I feel silly now.” I admitted.
Rich grabbed my hand, and said to me, “Look I want you too, but the timing is not right.”
We sat quiet for quite some time, finishing our drinks. The night ended and we parted ways, both in agreement we had to put any sexual feelings aside.
In the following weeks after our conversation, neither one of us addressed the issue again. The project and all the tiny details, as well as the stumbling blocks kept us focused on work, and not on each other.
When it was time to meet with the Interior decorator to finalize our huge order with various companies for furniture, we both had to take a trip to New York City to meet her in her office. When we got to her office, we were informed that the meetings were moved to a two day time period due to some of the furniture reps being delayed. This would necessitate a night spent in the city. The decorator was kind enough to put up in a nearby exclusive hotel, sparing no costs. A quick call home to our spouses to inform them of our delay, and we were off to the first of many meetings.
By the end of the first day, and after many meetings, we were both anxious to get to our hotel. We soon discovered we had adjoining rooms. We both admitted later to having the same initial feelings that adjoining rooms would be the perfect way to get to each other. Unpacking and getting settled, we decided to meet for dinner. Dinner was spent discussing the issues of the day and what we faced in the am. Afterwards, we decided to hit the spa to unwind a bit more.