Word got around that I was clean, courteous, moderately experienced, and I was willing to accept instruction. My dance card was full after that.
I kept my "must have list" firmly in mind. Almost everyone was eliminated from contention after a few of dates. Each year, a handful made it past three dates and ended up in my bed, but the spark wasn't there and it would fizzle out. I found dozens of quality friends and a handful of astonishingly good lovers, but I never found love.
Four years passed. I was promoted to managing partner and I'd mostly given up on the dating scene. I had a couple of regular lovers, including Ashley and Veronica, but we were only friends with benefits.
Out of the blue, I got a call from Katie's younger sister Claire. She said that she was coming to Miami on business and asked if she should extend her stay by one night so that we could have dinner. Claire was a year younger than Katie, but was taller, more athletic, and a smidge more attractive. Growing up, Katie and Claire had competed over everything and were fierce rivals. Claire almost always won, which was tough on Katie. Claire was now a corporate attorney living in Atlanta. She'd had a series of long term boyfriends, but never married. I had not seen her in years.
I picked her up at her hotel and took her to my favorite restaurant. She wore a little black dress that set me on fire. To my surprise, she flirted shamelessly. I gave it back as good as I got. We had an absolute blast, laughing and talking about life. Halfway through the meal she said, "This is the best date I've had in years. I'm feeling great. Want to go back to my hotel room and fuck? It has been months and I need it."
I called for the check and we went straight to her room. We fucked nearly continuously for twenty four hours. I'd gained a lot of experience and I'd improved as a lover. I used it all on Claire. I rang her bell over and over and over. I felt like Superman. At the end, a desperately exhausted Claire pushed me out of the door of her room with a kiss. She said, "That was the best sex I've ever had. You are a hell of a man. Katie is a fucking fool."
As I crawled into bed, I thought about what how amazing it had been. I felt that night was the masterwork which promoted me from a journeyman lover to master.
Yet, I was still lonely.