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I know this story will seem implausible and stereotypical, but it actually did happen. I may embellish here-and-there to make for better reading, but it's largely a true account.
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I will readily admit that I may not be the most typical guy around when it comes to my sexuality. I'm happily married to a terrific lady who understands me and appreciates my quirks. I see myself as ninety-percent straight, with a ten-percent tendency to be "open-minded". I had experiences when I was younger with in playing with an older couple that would sometimes involve man-to-man interaction. I found it strange at first, but enjoyed it in the context of harmless fun. After I was married, I never interacted with any other women, but did have rare opportunities for same-sex play with reasonable men, looking only for casual fun. My wife is aware of my occasional "other interests", and allows me that freedom as long as I kept her informed, and played safely. Believe me; I fully appreciate how lucky I am.
I'm now in my early forties, and still look pretty good. I keep in shape, eat well, exercise and do all the things necessary for a healthy lifestyle. My wife does the same, and we still enjoy each other as much physically as we do emotionally. The rare indulgence with other men has dwindled to nothing in the last seven years, and I've been fine with that, as it has never been central to my sexual needs. The brief encounter I'm about to describe sticks in my mind primarily because it came as a surprise, and not something I was actively seeking. I've read similar fictional accounts before, and that may have added to the enjoyment...perhaps thinking of a fantasy-come-true.
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I had checked-in to a downtown Chicago hotel for a week-long stay while I took care of important accounts for my employer. It was a nice place, recently remodeled, with a full list of amenities. I took advantage of the small fitness center one evening, needing to get my cardio done, since jogging around an unfamiliar city didn't really appeal to me. Several people shuffled in-and-out while I was there, but one gentleman had been using the free-weight area. I was getting ready to leave, when he asked if I could spot him on the bench press. I'm nicely toned, but no body builder, and his physique seemed the same...so I knew I could handle whatever he was likely to do. We shared mindless chit-chat; I learned he had already been in town one week, and had two more to go, missed his wife and kid...all the usual stuff. I told him my schedule, how my wife spent more money while I was gone...again, just the typical bullshit. He was a nice enough guy, decent looking, in good shape, maybe about thirty-five...and I honestly never thought twice about him. We finished the exercise, he thanked me for my help, and I went back to my room.
The next day, I saw him in the breakfast room, we nodded, I grabbed a bagel, and left for my appointment. The day at work was long and tedious. After I got back, and had dinner, I just needed to relax. I grabbed my gym stuff, and headed to the fitness center. I did a few exercises, but wasn't really in the mood, so I grabbed a towel and made use of the steam room. It was about 11pm, and not many people around, so the steam room was empty. About five minutes later, the gentleman I'd helped yesterday came in and took the bench across from me. I paid little attention, as I could barely make-out who it was through the steam.
"Hey, man...you must have had a long day, too." The man said, nonchalantly.
"Oh...yeah...went a bit longer than I wanted it to." I replied. "Name is Mark, by the way."
"I know what you mean. Mine is Ben," he said, leaning to shake my hand as his towel came undone and revealed his nude body. "Oh...sorry about that." He stammered, sitting back and tossing the loose towel over his lap.
"Not a problem...I'm not bothered by it." I answered honestly. "Most guys just sit on the towel anyway...I usually do." Frankly, I was glad I hadn't this time around. Ben turned out to be more appealing when his toned frame was in view, and his equipment was pretty nice as well. I appreciate men who take time to keep things neat, and he seemed to spend more effort than most; with trimmed pubic hair and a shaved scrotum. It looked good on him, and I noticed a twitch in my crotch that hadn't happened in years around another guy.
"I figured it was cool...just didn't want to be too casual." He said with a short chuckle.
"You'll find it remarkably difficult to offend me." I offered, after shaking his hand and leaning back on the bench.
"Good to know, I guess." Ben said, without a thought. "You know if any good places to go at night around here? It gets kind of boring in the hotel every night."
"I don't do much bar-hopping, or anything like that...my wife would kill me if I picked-up a "date" while on the road." I answered in complete sincerity. "Hell...it's Chicago...probably a million places. I'm sure the concierge could give you some tips."
Ben laughed before speaking. "I know...and my wife would do the same. Probably best not to tempt fate and just stay in the hotel with the adult movie channel. It's only three weeks...not three months." He finished with nervous laughter, as though afraid of having been too blunt.
"We've all been there, my friend. Lots of ways to relieve that kind of stress, if you put your mind to it. My mind's been straying that way too...and I've only got one week to kill." I said in a friendly and understanding tone. "Need to get going and do this shit all over again tomorrow. Hope to see you again." I said, standing up and heading for the door.
"Hope so, man. It's been nice to talk to someone about something other than work, for a change." Ben replied, as I left the steam room.
Holy shit...my mind was making-up all kinds of unrealistic scenarios involving a guy who was just talking crap. I knew I had to get out of there before I embarrassed myself and made what was sure to be an unwelcome offer. I was a little surprised he blurted-out being horned...but hardly a rare thing for guys on the road...and he seemed the type who might sit around with his buddies and say that kind of thing.
