I was not feeling happy that evening as I rode the train home. I was returning from a two-day business trip and had decided to take the train and not a plane because I wanted to prolong the time before I arrived home. My boyfriend and I were going through a rocky patch and the night before I left we had a nasty argument that wasnât resolved by the time we went to bed. A silent, resentful breakfast the morning after didnât help things either. The business trip was routine and uneventful and I had too much time to brood about my relationship problems. Now all I had to look forward to was either my partnerâs stony silence or another ugly argument.
One of the reasons for the fight was sex â I wanted more variety, he was happy with what we had. Donât get me wrong, I love him very much, but sometimes I canât help but wonder if this is all there is. Robert is a sensitive, thoughtful lover and he likes to please me. Most of the time that is wonderful but sometimes I want to be taken roughly and used and heâs just not into that. Also, I want it more often than he does. After three years together I had learned to appreciate his finer qualities but I had also learned that my own desires were not being fully satisfied. One time I made the mistake of subtly suggesting to Robert that we invite a man of our acquaintance to a threesome. Well, the ensuing fight was so horrible that I never dared suggest it again. Other tentative approaches to introduce some more variety was met with a tock response of,
âBut itâs already so good. Why do we have to change?â
I couldnât seem to make him understand that trying something different didnât mean that what we had bow wasnât enjoyable. I suppose I could have tried harder but I didnât want to hurt his feelings.
Thinking about my problems, I must have unconsciously sighed because the man sitting opposite me looked up sharply. I smiled as if to reassure him and tried to take my mind off my problems and onto other things. I was sharing a four-person compartment with three men - two of whom seemed to be engrossed in their newspapers while the third stared dreamily out the window.
I sighed again and fidgeted, eliciting another glare from the man opposite me. I stifled an impulse to stick my tongue out at him. The man next to him (the one who was staring out the window) glanced up and, catching my expression, gave me a slight smile of commiseration. I was the last person to enter this compartment so he mustâve encountered Mr. Fussy before me.
I decided that it would be best to get out of here for a while so I got up and made my way to the dining car, hoping that the bar was still open. The dining car was empty but fortunately the bar was still open. Easing myself onto a barstool, I tried to decide what to order. A movement caught my eye and I looked over to my right to see one of the men from my compartment sit down a seat away from me. It was the one who had smiled at me. We exchanged another smile and I looked away. I wasnât here to pick up men. During my three years with Robert I hadnât strayed once, though I had been tempted several times. I once went as far as sharing a few passionate kisses with a man I met in a bar, but I felt so guilty about it that I never went back to that bar again.
The bartender was waiting for my order so I ordered a Vodka and Orange. I was opening my purse to pay when the man next to me leaned over and said,
âPlease, let this be my treat.â
I must have looked doubtful because he gave me a very charming smile and added,
âThink of it as a small reward for putting up with that boring old fart in our compartment for so many hours.â
I couldnât help but laugh and replied,
âOkay, but only if the next one is on me.â
He smiled that devastating smile again and extended his hand for me to shake.
âItâs a deal. My name is Greg Edwards and Iâm very pleased to meet you.â
I smiled at him â what a charmer! I took his hand and felt a slight thrill as his hand engulfed mine in a firm, but not painful grip.
âPleased to meet you too. My name is Olivia Bennet.â âDo you mind if I join you Olivia?â Greg asked. âThis trip has been boring beyond description and Iâm desperate for some interesting conversation.â
I laughed and replied, âSure.â
As he moved over I took the opportunity to get a good look at him. He was about 6.2â and was powerfully built. He had black hair and gorgeous brown eyes with long thick eyelashes. I couldnât understand how I had earlier failed to notice what a hunk he was. My boyfriend problems mustâve pre-occupied me more than I realised.
He told the bartender to make it two and when our drinks arrived we clinked glasses, and smiled at each other. We fell easily into conversation and exchanged the usual information â careers, hobbies, friends, interests, etc. After about half an hour and second round of drinks, he suggested we move over to a booth where it was more comfortable. I was by no means drunk, but I had a nice buzz going on. That and my lingering anger at Robert made me abandon my usual caution and I readily agreed. I slid into the booth first and to my surprise, Greg slid in next to me and not opposite as I expected.
âYou donât mind. Do you?â he asked, flashing me a roguish grin.
I opened my mouth to say that in fact I did mind, but what came out of my mouth was,
âNot at all. Make yourself comfortable.â
Well, he took my word for it because he draped his arm behind me over the backrest and moved in close. I was acutely aware of his hard, muscular body and I could feel the heat emanating from him. My breathing quickened and my heart was pounding so hard in my chest I was sure he would hear it. He turned to his left and signaled to the bartender for another round of drinks. I tried to pay for mine but he gently but firmly pushed my hand away and said,
âThe least I can do is pay for the drinks when youâre providing such charming and witty company.â
I swear, I blushed and giggled like a schoolgirl. No man had made me giggle in years.
Of course, by now I knew that he wanted more than just conversation, but I also knew that I was ready to give more. I had denied myself for three years and tonight that was going to stop. My pleasure was going to come first and this attractive, handsome man was just what I needed.
He moved closer to me until he was pressed up against me. I shifted position so that I was leaning against him and then I placed my left hand on his thigh. His thigh was as firm and muscular as I thought it would be and I couldnât help but squeeze his leg. I heard his breath catch in his throat and his arm slid around me until he was caressing my arm with his right hand.