I met him on a sunny afternoon in Manhattan's Herald Square. Young (mid 20s), muscular and attractive I found myself instantly drawn to him. He had dark hair and eyes and looked to be Iranian. He'd noticed the novel I'd carried (Stewardship of the Earth: a Resident's Guide) and mumbled something about 'wacko environmentalist'. I turned and challenged him immediately. After 40 years of dealing with numerous self-assured cocky know-it-alls I knew how to handle them expertly.
"Excuse me?"
Thus began two hours of debate, which continued as we migrated to the nearby coffee shop and then again to his apartment nearby (for dinner). We discussed economics; we rehashed philosophy and politics. He was quick witted which covered for the inherent weaknesses in his viewpoints. I felt I had a good chance of actually turning his opinion on a number of important issues.
By dinner we were ready to call 'truce' and as he poured me a glass of red wine I relaxed, letting the tension slip out of me. Arguing prompts the flight or fight response pretty intensely within me and it felt good to let my guard down. Dinner was a simple affair: pasta with a light vodka sauce and fresh bread. He cooked as well as he argued and I was satiated. Another glass of wine was poured and then another.
Eventually I lost track of the wine refills, but never his persistent gaze. I realized, probably a bit too late that he was into me. Right about then was when he asked me point blank if I'd like to fuck him.
There are those moments where everything moves in slow motion and you feel yourself watching yourself in a detached fashion. This was one of those moments and I watched helplessly as my mouth betrayed me and consented.