Hailey massaged my sore arms and was speaking in a soft voice.
"I'll make it better" she said with tenderness.
My latest defeat to Hailey in swimming was damaging my ego beyond repair.
"Am I that much of a wimp?" I silently asked myself.
Hailey was gazing at me with a serious expression but I was too embarrassed to look her in the eye.
"You know Jason, if you can get past this superiority crap that's cluttering up your head, we can have a terrific relationship." She intimated in a sincere voice.
"I'm stronger, faster and way more physically fit." She stated with her usual authority.
Hailey's comment hit me like a ton of bricks and I looked at her with wonder. Not only did she possess a rock hard physique but she was brainy and perceptive.
The events of the past year suddenly came into focus and I recalled the first time I met her.
Ted, my friend and business partner, was moving file boxes into his basement with my help. I was invited to his folks' fiftieth wedding anniversary party and reluctant to attend. He had been after me since my divorce was final to meet his cousin Hailey and the party was the perfect setting, according to him.
"What do you have to lose? He asked in a tone of voice that sounded like a guarantee.
"She's hot and she's single." He said with authority.
"Talk to her. Get acquainted." He declared.
After my recent divorce from a twenty marriage, I was hesitant to date anyone. But, curiosity always got the best of me and I grudgingly agreed.
"Remember. Chat her up. Appear to be interested in her and for chrissakes don't talk about your divorce or ex. No sob stories!" He demanded.
Who are you? Dr Ruth?" I questioned with a lot of skepticism.
"Who the hell is Dr Ruth?" He exclaimed with frustration.
The anniversary dinner was held at the Poplars restaurant. A little formal for my taste but my seat assignment was directly across from Hailey. Slim and attractive, Hailey had oodles of sex appeal. Next to her, I felt like an out of shape middle age slug.
Hailey's Italian heritage was evident by her olive color complexion and intense brown eyes. She had the temperament to match and I found her "no bullshit" attitude refreshing.
As Hailey peppered me with questions, I spent a lot of time looking at her features. Because it was late winter, she was tastefully attired in a turtleneck, slacks and sweater. Eventually, I would be surprised by the type of body that lay hidden beneath her outfit.
But, initially, it was Hailey's personality that attracted me. Like a moth to the flame, I was drawn to her. In her mid thirties, she had impressive inner strength and self confidence.
By the time the dessert course arrived, I was positive I wanted to see Hailey and shyly asked for her cell phone number. Although she seemed a little apprehensive, I poured on with unrelenting fervor what little charm I had left at this late stage of my life.
As we parted for the evening, Hailey gave me her cell phone number and said it was alright to call her. While not the most positive response, it was better than "no thanks, have a nice life."
I barely slept that night thinking about Hailey. However, I was perplexed that someone of her obvious quality would date a man fifteen years her senior.
In my line of work, I had met many and varied women but Hailey had captured my imagination like no other. The compelling desire that I had to get to know her better consumed me.
The next day I felt like some love struck teenager when I called Hailey. My mouth was dry and I was somewhat tongue tied. I felt foolish.
We agreed to meet for a date the following week and I spent every morning trying to whip my flabby body into shape. A daunting task considering I had exercised little in the last two years.
With some effort, I stuffed myself into slacks and a dressy looking shirt. The date went much better than I expected and although my attraction far exceeded Hailey's interest in me, it was the start of casual relationship.
With my busy schedule, opportunities for dating were restrictive at best. Sometimes our evenings were limited to dinner and a few drinks.
One particular Saturday, I was meeting Hailey for dinner at a local Bistro and was shocked when she walked into the lobby.
Hailey was wearing a sleeveless top that accentuated her muscular upper body. With her dark olive complexion, her muscles had a "cut' or defined appearance.
Hailey saw the expression on my face and gave me a wicked, "can't touch this" smile. When my gaze fixed on her arms, I silently whistled thru my teeth. The girl had very impressive guns.
All through dinner I tried to unobtrusively look at Hailey's physique but she knew the effect it was having on me.
"I see you like my muscles." She stated seductively and casually flexed her arms. With her biceps popping up and down, my tongue was literally hanging out of my mouth.
My lust for fit muscular women went all the back to puberty and it hadn't dissipated one iota. The sight of Hailey's hard body ignited my long dormant desire.
"Tell me you love my muscles." She demanded.
"I love...ah...your muscles." I stuttered.
I swear it sounded as though Hailey was purring from my response. My silence for the rest of dinner was a clear indication that I was intimidated by her.
In the restaurant parking lot, Hailey demanded that I give her the car keys. With her ripped and hard bod, I was in no position to argue.
"Why? I inquired innocently.
"So I can drive your hot car." She stated firmly.
All I could do was gape at her with a dumb expression on my face. The only "hot" thing I possessed was a black BMW.
We were stopped at a red light and I was gawking at Hailey. She clearly belonged in this type of vehicle; a thoroughbred behind the wheel of a thoroughbred automobile.
After our date, I was unable to think about anything except for Hailey's impressive physique. My erection was straining against my shorts and I masturbated until my penis erupted like a fountain.
The next time I saw Hailey, it was readily apparent that she would be the alpha person in our relationship. Except for a customary after date hug, our relationship was strictly platonic.
In a way it was a relief. I had spent twenty five years with the same person and I experienced a genuine fear of contact with someone of the opposite sex.
However, with no physical contact in more than four years, I was both anxious and fearful.
"Will she laugh at me" I asked myself over and over.
But a strange thing happened, as we got to know one another, Hailey's demeanor softened considerably. In reality, with her good looks, she got hit on a lot. Her initial hard boiled attitude was a defense mechanism.
We had been dating for about three months when unexpectedly our relationship became more than platonic. It was a warm Saturday night and we were having an after dinner drink at the Sports Lounge. Hailey was wearing a tank top and tight blue jeans that accented her body perfectly.
From out of the blue, her comment caught me off guard.
"Do you think I'm sexy?" She asked with a wicked smile.
"Well, er, ah, yes." I stated but not very convincingly.
"I know you like my muscles but do I have sex appeal?" she asked with direct frankness.
