Like so many other relationships, or affairs, it started off innocently. Little did I know then how my life would change?
I've worked with Sara's husband Robert for the past 3 years. We were both hired about the same time when the company had only been in business a couple of years but was growing quickly. We work in different departments and met each other at HR during our company indoctrination seminar. We were the same age, and even though we had very similar interests, our lives had traveled in different directions. He and Sara had married shortly after they graduated college but wanted to hold off having kids until they settled in their careers.
Robert has always been motivated toward success in his career. He was promoted quickly at his last company which folded after being in business for 78 years. He was starting over here but he brought with him that same desire and motivation and has quickly moved up the corporate ladder in the time he's been here, but he's done that working late hours every day and traveling wherever his manager asks him to go. Me on the other hand have enjoyed being single when my first marriage didn't last two years. After my divorce was finalized I decided to make a fresh new start. I moved to the other end of the state with only the things I could load in the back of my car. I worked odd jobs until I landed this gig which I stumbled upon. So my motivation is quite different than Robert's but with all of his proposals and correspondence coming through my department we have worked closely together since day one.
My days off I would spend trolling the local gym a few times a week looking for a lady who might need a spot at the weight bench. What I found out is that while I was trolling, in six months, I was also working out and had toned my body to the point that some of the women who showed up regularly were taking notice, which left no shortage of dates for a Saturday night. Robert on the other hand looked as if he hadn't spent much time in a gym. He was short, as far as men's standards probably only about 5' 8" or 5' 9". I wouldn't say he was frail, but, he needed to spend more time outside of his office doing some sort of physical activity. I on the other hand towered over him with my 6' 4" frame bringing in at 210 lbs. The gym was paying more benefits than just finding a gym bunny for Saturday night. I wasn't chiseled yet, but I was feeling really good about myself. I kept myself well groomed and overheard a few of ladies pointing and whispering when I was around. All fed my ego and it made me want to continue.
I met Sara at the company Christmas party our second year working there. Robert introduced her to me and she was a cookie cutter executive wife, with long blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a remarkable figure. The red dress she wore fit her tight body well, showing her curves off remarkably, but she also picked a dress that didn't make her look trampy. She was definitely easy on the eyes and a cut above the rest of the wives and girlfriends at the party.
The company had record breaking profits that year and they decided to celebrate with an open bar, catered food and it allowed people to let their hair down and mingle. The DJ kept people on the dance floor, but there was this one little group that hung together in the corner. Robert was a part of this group. It was comprised of a dozen or so, and it was the "Up and Comers" as they were called by many of us pawns in the company. This was the group that everyone knew would be running this company within the next 10 years or so, and while Robert was schmoozing with his group, it left Sara sitting alone with me and Nancy at the table. Nancy was my plus one in our on again off again relationship. With memories of my divorce still fresh in my mind I was in no way shape or form ready for another long term commitment.
Nancy and I had just come back from the dance floor when I extended my hand and asked Sara to dance. She looked relieved to not have to sit a moment longer at our table alone, and smiled as she placed her hand in mine. I led her out and the song playing was upbeat and allowed us to dance, but it wasn't long before the song ended and the tempo changed dramatically with the next song. It was a slow dance, and I told her I was sorry for dragging her out there for just such a short time but she quickly replied that she didn't mind as long as my date wouldn't get jealous. I wrapped my hand around her waist and reassured her that there was nothing special between me and Nancy and it was ok.
"But what about Robert?" I asked her.
She let the palm of her hand rest on my lower back and only replied, "He won't even notice, and even if he did he wouldn't care"
I turned her on the dance floor so I could see the group with Robert and sure enough he was oblivious as to what was going on around him. He actually had his back to the rest of the room including the dance floor.
As much as I would have enjoyed bringing Sara in closer, I kept plenty of daylight between her and me maintaining as much political correctness in dancing with a man's wife at a company function. I will admit I was still enjoying the sweet scent of her perfume as we swayed slowly back and forth.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you. Robert is always talking about you." Sara told me. "It was his idea we all sat together tonight."
"The pleasure is all mine Sara. Robert talks about you a lot as well." It wasn't true; he barely spoke of his wife. He was easy to talk to and very personable but aside from office banter about sports or a new beer to try, he never really talked about Sara. The picture on his desk was of the two of them together enjoying a weekend in the mountains but she was still a mystery.
The song ended and I lightly kept my hand on her lower back when we walked back to our table. Nancy gave me a look that most men know. She was ticked off about Sara and me dancing slowly. I played it off and paid her no mind.
"Do you guys have any plans for the weekend?" Sara asked making small talk and trying to make light of the given situation.
"Nothing. Mark doesn't seem to call me much on the weekends" Nancy quipped.
I smiled and didn't even entertain Nancy's reply.
"Not really much going on this weekend. But I'm sure something will come up. It normally does."
Nancy shifted around in her seat obviously perturbed about my non-cavalier attitude.
"What about you and Robert?" I asked Sara.
"Nothing. Weekends are rather boring actually. Robert seems to always bring work home with him."
"He's doing incredibly well here. He'll be running the place before too long" I tried to assure Sara, but she looked completely unimpressed.
'I just know that we have put off a lot in our lives to move forward in our careers, and when the company Robert worked for went under, it just seems like we started all over in our own lives so he could start over here." Sara explained.
"Well I can assure you his work is paying off. Look at him now, he's with all the movers and shakers of the company. And I will say, I don't think all the notoriety is going to his head either. He will still go out after work with us guys for a drink. It's nice to know he hasn't forgotten us"
"Speak for yourself about being forgotten." Sara said perturbed. "There are times when I feel he doesn't even remember who I am."
"I'm sure he knows exactly who the gorgeous lady is in the red dress. He's one lucky guy."
"I won't bore you with drama. But just suffice to say there are certain things that are neglected because of work. And I've probably said way too much as it is. I think the wine is causing me to speak out of turn and I'm sorry Mark for saying anything."
"Don't fret Sara, and think nothing of it. We are supposed to be having a good time and that's exactly what we are going to do." I stood up and took Sara by the hand and led her to the dance floor again.
We continued to dance one song after another, when finally another slow song came through the speakers. I looked at Sara, and her eyes were pleading not to stop. This time I pulled her in just a little closer, but not close enough to cause any problems if Robert or anyone else were to see us dancing together.
I allowed my hand to move from her lower back to her side, and then back again, gently rubbing the sides of my friend's wife. I swear I could hear her whimper softly and that did it. I could feel the blood rushing through my body to my groin.
"
Hideo Nomo, Duca, Encarnacion
" My mind raced trying to figure out the starting lineup of the 2004 Dodgers, anything to take my mind off what was going on. The last thing I need is to pop wood here on the dance floor. I can't pull her in close to hide it and I can't walk off the floor! Fear must have been what was needed to curtail junior from making an unwanted appearance.
We finished the dance which also happens to be the last dance of the night, and I gave her a hug right before we walked off the floor. She thanked me and told me how much she appreciated the evening.
When we got back to our table Nancy was gone. My phone was blinking and when I looked I had a text from Nancy. "I hope you enjoyed your night with your boss's wife!! I took a cab home!!"
"Seems that Nancy has left." I speak aloud.
