Simmer

"You know I had a crush on you in high school."
"You did not."
"I did too. That's what makes this friendship kinda cool."
"Boy, you were with everybody! And not once did you make a move on me?"
He hit me with the lip twist. "Not once?"
"OK maybe once."
"Yeah I remember tasting those..."
"Stop it now!"
"We should have gone further."
"I didn't stop you."
"You didn't encourage me either."
I had to laugh at that. "You know, it's funny. I've thought about that night many times over the years."
"Word? So why'd you try to play like it never happened just now?" he said and laughed.
"I don't know. Just embarrassed I guess."
"Well things worked out the way they were suppose to. We both ended up with great spouses and beautiful children."
"Tru dat."
"You know I'm always here for you right?"
"Yeah, of course. You know I feel the same way."
"I just wanted to be sure you knew."
"I am. It's not something I thought needed to be said. We just know it."
"Yeah."
"So when is she coming back?"
"Night after next."
"And how are you coping?"
"The same way you are. Staying up late, looking at porn, the usual. What time is he getting home?"
"Not sure. Hopefully some time before 11pm, if I'm lucky. He leaves out tomorrow morning for the weekend."
"It's like that every night?"
"At least 4 out of 5 nights a week."
"Damn. We're in the same boat."
"Yep. We could be having this conversation in person."
"I'm saying. What you got going on tomorrow night?"
"More of the same."
"Want to get up for dinner?"
"Absolutely. Dinner and drinks. It's Friday anyway."
"I'm with that. Harold & Belle's?"
"Hmm, how about the Yardhouse at LA Live?"
"Never been there. Is it good?"
"It ain't bad. It's a fun place to people watch. We can sit back and talk shit."
"I'm in. What time?"
"Can you make it there by 6? Try to sneak in some happy hour prices."
"Yeah I'll meet you there."
"OK."
"After dinner, feel free to come by the house and kick it for awhile."
"I might just do that."
"Just bring a set of comfy clothes, so you can relax."
"Is that cool? I mean, would he mind me just lounging around the crib like that?"
"You like family, like my brother."
"I ain't your brother. Can't be."
"Well not literally, but you know. What you mean you can't be?"
"A brother doesn't feel for his sister the way I feel for you."
"What?"
"Look...and don't take this the wrong way...but if we weren't married, tomorrow night's dinner would be a date."
"Boy, please. You're so sweet. I'm really flattered."
"Flatter me by spending tomorrow night with me."
"I...I don't know what to say."
"Say yes."
"Just like that? We've both got too much to lose! Not to mention jeopardizing a long friendship."
"We've got something to build on. An opportunity to comfort each other. I know you get lonely cause I know I do."
"I do, but what about our spouses? They would never forgive us."
"They won't have to. We are clear that we aren't starting a relationship. We aren't falling in love. We are comforting one another."
"Spend the night where? This certainly can't go down in either of our houses. And what about our kids?"
"Can you make arrangements for yours? I know I got grandma set to go with mine."
"I'm scared. This all feels rushed, and we are moving fast."
"Remember how we got all caught up that one night?"
"In high school?"
"Yeah. Somehow I ended up in your bedroom. And your parents were home but somehow we ended up in your bedroom with the door closed. It was late too. They probably thought I'd left."
"I think they did. The house was completely dark and quiet."
"And you and I sat back watching movies. What did we watch that night?"
"CB4. Silly shit"
"Funny shit. Anyway, I remember my hands being on the hunt for your titties. I was going to see them that night."
"Oh shit, you had a plan!"
"Yep and it was well executed. Before I knew it, I was sucking and licking on your nipples with your legs wrapped around my waist. They were so sweet."
"Stop!"
"You were in it too, that's why you over there giggling."
"But then everything got salted on when the hallway light came on."
"Yeah cause then we knew the parents wasn't asleep. Luckily, it was just a bathroom run."
"And I got your ass out that house soon as it felt safe."
"Yeah, you were jittery than a muthafucka after that."
"Hmm."
"So what you say about tomorrow night?"
"I say...I say...I'm in. You'll make all the plans."
"Yeah, I'll take care of it. See you at the Yardhouse at 6."
"OK. Call me if anything changes."
"I'll only call to confirm. Just in case you have a change of heart."
"Thanks. And...yeah, thanks."
"See you tomorrow."
"Good night."

Dinner couldn't have gone better if I'd imagined it first. As always, he kept me in stitches and the bottle of champagne we finished made everything feel at ease and right. After dinner was magical, and I could not tell if it was because I anticipated it or because I was so nervous. Or because I so desperately needed this. Our hotel suite was comfortable, but not lavish - perfect for what we needed. He put me in the shower and scrubbed my body from head to toe. I tried not to notice how big his dick was - I was slightly intimidated. How would my husband not know I slept with another man? Ice, I guess...

I tried to play shy, but he wouldn't let me for too long. We kissed each other passionately in the shower, trying not to slip. Eventually, we found ourselves crouched down on the shower floor, the water raining down on top of our heads. I had to chant to myself It's only comfort, it's only comfort though my heart was trying to convince me this was love. He lifted me on top of him and I was surprised at how strong he was. I gasped as he entered me - I had to stretch to take him in and it took my breath away. He made me ride him, fitting himself deeper inside me the moister I got. It was almost more than I could handle. We climaxed together, and then took our act into the bedroom.

My mind was reeling about our affair as he kissed every single stitch of my body. I hadn't been this attended to for a long time. On our final lap, he gave all of himself to me, for me, and I collapsed from complete ecstasy and exhaustion.

I awakened to the sound of a rolling cart entering the room. He had ordered room service. I smiled, but I felt ashamed of myself, wondering what this man I had known for years must think of me now. I was afraid to make eye contact with him, feeling that his eyes would show me how differently I appeared to him now. He came close to me after he tipped the guy from room service.

"You alright?"

"I guess. Feeling guilty."

He sighed. "I know. I guess how we feel is part of the deal."

"You too?"

"Of course."

"Do you think differently of me?"

"Do you think differently of me?"

I finally looked up at him. We both laughed.

"I guess we would have to."

"Yeah. I can now confirm that you really are a freak!"

I play slapped him. "So now what?"

"Now, let's take it one day at a time. Go back home to our spouses and kids, and do what we've been doing. And when we need each other, we know where to find one another."

"How long can this last?"

"Hopefully not long. Cause then that means we are finally getting some quality time at home."

"That's real."

He leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Shall we break bread?"

"Yes. You wore me out and I need my energy back."

"Yeah I'm surprised you can walk this morning."

"I'm surprised you can do anything this morning."

Sometimes a friend is there for a reason, a season, or a lifetime...