Simply Complicated (31 page)

“I believe that families should spend time together. My wife is a jewel and should be treated as such. I make Lynn go on vacations and take time out for herself. Every Sunday is her day to do whatever she wants. I feel that’s the least I can do since she takes care of our children.

“I hate that your husband doesn’t appreciate you all the time. I know it’s not easy being a mother and a wife, especially when you have to work outside of the home. Some men just don’t get it.

“I have always wanted to take care of you from the moment we first met. One of the reasons I worked hard then was so I could treat you right. I wanted to marry you and have a family with you. Did you know that?” he asked while smiling.

“You never said anything to me but I always hoped you wanted to marry me. When you left and we lost contact with each other I was so hurt. Many times I wondered what might have come of us.

“I’m not sure if I told you, but you were the first man I ever loved. When we met my sophomore year in college I had gone through a lot. My father had just died a few years earlier and I felt that my world was falling apart all around me. I busted my ass to get into college and there were so many times when I wanted to give up.

“And then you came into my life and made me so happy. I was very naïve at the time and didn’t know what love felt like until I met you. Do you remember that little apartment I had near campus?” she laughed at the memory.

“Yes I remember. We spent a great deal of time there. I was so amazed with how you had managed to go to college, live in your own apartment, work, and still get good grades. That was one of the many things about you that I loved—your hard work. You were very mature for a sophomore.

“I normally didn’t mess with women in undergrad but there was something different and appealing about you. You made me break all the rules. You know what attracted me the most about you?” he asked, smiling.

“What?”

“Your naiveté; you were so innocent to me. You were different from all of the women I ever dated before and after you. As much as I love Lynn, there are some traits that you possessed then that I wish she had now.

“And after talking to you over the past few months, I can tell you are still that naïve, sweet person you were twenty years ago. I also loved your strength. You never used the fact that your parents were not alive as an excuse not to be successful.

“You are bad and I mean that in a good way. You have a lot to be proud of and I hope you share your story with your children so they can know how wonderful their mother is. As for your husband, I don’t know what his problem is,” he said, only half joking.

“Don’t be too hard on him. He’s a good man. He just doesn’t fully understand how hard I have worked to get to where I am. You were there with me as I experienced everything; that’s why you understand.

“Besides, it took you twenty years to figure it out! Let’s see...he and I have been married fifteen years so maybe he will get it in another five,” she teased.

“See, that’s what I’m talking about. You always knew how to make me laugh. Wow! I can’t believe we’re here together again. It has been a long time since I smiled this much in one day. It feels good having you back. You are back, right?” he asked hoping for a yes.

Kristie laughed, “Well, it depends on what you’re talking about!”

“You know what I’m talking about. Are you back in my life?” he asked sincerely.

“There’s no need to ask that. Of course I’m back. We will be friends forever,” she said, pretending as if she were clueless about what he was really asking.

“Well, I hope we never stopped being friends but I suppose I’ll take that for now,” he replied, not sure if she caught his hint.

“That’s what you’re talking about, right? You and I being good friends?” she asked, trying to sound innocent.

Ted decided to not leave any doubts, “I must be honest, Kristie. Being here with you has brought back feelings I haven’t felt in a long time. I have never thought about stepping outside of my marriage before now.

“Seeing you and touching you has made me realize that I want you in my life in a capacity other than just a friend. I know that’s not something you probably want to hear right now but I had to say it,” he said, laying his hand on top of hers.

“Wow Ted, I don’t know what to say. I must admit being here with you does feel good and it has brought back so many fond memories. But I’m not sure if that is a good idea. I’m afraid of falling too deeply in love with you. You and I are a dangerous combination and you know that. Whenever I am with you I don’t know how to take it slow.

“You have always had that effect on me, baby, and you know it. I’m not sure why after all these years we were brought back together and I am scared to find out.

“We have only been back in each other’s lives for three months and already I think about you more than I should. I sometimes find myself dazed thinking about how wonderful it would have been if we followed our hearts when we first met.

“I remember when we were together how I would get lost in your love, in your touch. I know if we went down that road again I would get lost and I’m afraid I may not come back,” she explained sadly as she rubbed his hand.

“You’re probably right, sweetheart, but I cannot help how I feel. You have awakened something in me that has been dormant for a long time. I thought my life was complete but now I realize that something was missing. You were missing—my soul mate and one true love.

“I fully understand everything you’ve said and I can respect that. I hope I didn’t scare you away. Let’s just say that time will tell why we were brought back together,” he said, sounding disappointed.

“Don’t sound like that. I’m still here. Who said we can’t keep in touch? I’m not going anywhere. We need to make sure that no matter what happens, we will continue to stay in touch with each other at least weekly. How does that sound?” she asked, hoping he would agree.

“You don’t have to ask me that. You know I want to stay in touch with you. Consider me a friend for a lifetime. There is nothing you can do to get me to leave this time,” he laughed, trying to change the mood of the conversation.

“Okay, I’m going to hold you to that!”

Ted and Kristie finished their lunch and went their separate ways. He returned to his office and she went home. She could not stop thinking about what he said to her at lunch. Ted was the man she gave her virginity to. She wanted so desperately to say yes to his proposition but she was terrified of what might happen next.

Kristie and Ted kept their word. They spoke on the telephone at least three times a week. Each time they shared more of themselves and their feelings. He started smiling more at work and at home. He was feeling like a new man.

His wife noticed his upbeat demeanor and one day asked him about it. He explained that a case he had been working on was finally coming together. Not having a reason to doubt him, she congratulated him for things working out.

Ted started finding himself wanting to be with Kristie more and more. His every thought was of her and the love he realized he still had for her. The idea of not having her was driving him crazy. He wanted to discuss her decision to not turn their relationship into more than a friendship but he also wanted to respect her wishes.

Two months had passed since their lunch date. Kristie wanted to see him again but knew it would probably lead to something sexual. She had been having extremely explicit dreams of the two of them being intimate again. One dream seemed so real that when she awoke, she had had an orgasm.

She reached over to her husband Donald and tried to get him to have sex with her. She began rubbing him gently to get him aroused. When she felt him get excited she tried to get him to turn over and have sex with her. Instead, he woke up and told her that he was tired and then kissed her on the forehead and went back to sleep.

Her sexual frustration was growing. This had become a regular routine in their bedroom. He only wanted sex when
he
was ready. Whenever she approached him he would always say he was tired or not in the mood.

There were many nights when she had to please herself. This also frustrated her. She could remember how wonderful the sex was when she and Ted were together. He did everything in his power to please her. It didn’t matter when she wanted it; Ted knew exactly what to do to turn her on and give her an orgasm. She was starting to regret telling him no.

One afternoon he called her to schedule another lunch date.

“Hey beautiful, I miss you. When am I going to see you again?” asked Ted.

“Hey sweetheart—how can you miss me when I talk to you nearly every day?” she said while laughing.

“Talking to you does make me feel good but seeing you makes me feel great. You know I find you intoxicating. I don’t know why you’re playing with me. So back to my initial question, when am I going to see you again, baby?” he asked.

“When do you want to see me?” she asked, playing with him.

“I want to see you now if I had my way. But I’ll let you plan it. My schedule is a little more flexible than yours so when you tell me you’re free, I’ll be there,” he said.

“I will have some free time this Saturday. This is supposed to be my day to have time to myself. How is that for you?” she asked.

“This Saturday sounds great. How many hours will I have with you? The last time was too short and I was hoping that maybe we could go somewhere more private,” he offered, hoping she would agree.

“Well I have the entire day to myself after 10:00 a.m. Where do you want to meet that’s so private?” she asked with great anticipation.

“I’ll be free around 11:00 a.m. My firm has a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel on East Delaware. We put our out-of-town clients there whenever they’re in Chicago for a meeting at my office. We can meet there for lunch in the restaurant and then go to the suite to talk privately. I promise I’ll be a good boy. So what do you say?” he begged enthusiastically.

“I don’t know, Ted. The two of us in a room together sounds like a recipe for trouble. But I admit it will be great to have someplace more private to talk,” she paused, considering the idea. “I’ll feel underdressed at that fancy restaurant in jeans, since of course I can’t get dressed up in the middle of the afternoon. My husband would have plenty of questions then!” she laughed.

Ted had another suggestion, “How about ordering room service for lunch and have them bring it to the suite?”

She agreed that sounded reasonable.

“Okay—sounds like a plan. I’ll see you in two days. I can’t wait!” he said enthusiastically.

“I cannot wait to see you. Until then, take care,” she said.

Ted was so excited. He could not wait to see her again. Since their first meeting she unknowingly had changed his life.

When it was time for them to meet on Saturday, Kristie was a little nervous. After the dream she had of the two of them making love she was starting to have second thoughts about meeting him at the hotel.

She trusted him wholeheartedly and since they agreed to remain platonic she decided to keep their lunch date. On her way to the hotel he called and gave her the suite number so she wouldn’t have to stop at the front desk.