Phone Sex
She did not hear from him for a few weeks, and she began to think that it probably really was over. He had moved on and she would settle back into her comfortable life. The thrill was gone now. She had enjoyed some exciting encounters with him, and she could recall them any time she wanted. She had videos and photographs to help her remember. Perhaps she could use these mementos to spice up her relations with her husband on occasion. She had come to be pretty much satisfied with the situation, though she did sometimes miss the thrills.
Then, suddenly one evening, he texted: "R U alone?"
She texted back rather promptly: "Yes. He's out of town," she added gratuitously. She briefly wondered whether her young lover was
in
town!
Her phone rang.
She was pleased, but a little dismayed too. She really did think their relationship should be over. Intellectually—maturely—she knew it should be over. Emotionally, she was more equivocal. Maybe, she suddenly began to think, a little distance between them might let them keep the coals burning without risk of it flaming out of control. They could flirt by phone, maybe keep some options open for the future. Maybe they could still— All this flashed through her anxious mind before she hit the answer button.
"Hello."
"Hi," he said.
She thought briefly before responding, but no good responses occurred to her. She decided just to let him talk and see where it went.
"Hi," she said back, softly, a hint of sensuality on her breath.
There was a brief silence, then he spoke. "I miss you," he confided, a little plaintively.
She held her breath awhile and waited. He waited her out.
"How are things at school?" she asked, just trying to keep the conversation going, if maybe in a new direction.
"Fine." He sounded a bit peeved, or at least disappointed with her response. There was a long pause. They were both thinking hard about what to say.
"Meet any nice girls yet?" she asked, failing to conceal her mixed feelings on the matter.
"None that interest me," he replied, somewhat encouraged. She was reassured and yet felt a bit guilty. She knew he needed to get on with his life and to find someone his own age. She also thought that she could not sustain their relationship long-term without damaging her marriage. Still, the temptation to push just a little further was powerful. She struggled to say the right things.
"You need to move on," she forced herself to say.
It stung, but he deflected it. "I will. I promise."
"Good," she said insincerely. She was saying the right things, but hearing his voice evoked strong memories of sexual excitement and pleasure. She was feeling aroused despite her efforts to repress it.
Again, there was silence. She stared at the wall and waited, hoping to find the words.
Finally, "It's kinda late," she said bravely, as if she wanted to get off the phone. She did not—not really.
"I know," he replied noncommittally.
Silence, again, but for his breathing. She could hear it quite distinctly, as if he were very near indeed.
"I have to get up early," she persisted, sounding sleepy. The intimacy of talking with her as she was falling asleep provoked him. He felt the provocation in his groin and began to touch himself.
"Are you in bed?" he asked, his voice becoming husky.
"Yes," she responded in the same tone.
"What are you wearing?"
Uh oh
. "Um, pajamas," she answered in the soft, intimate tones of the night.
