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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Casual sex confusion.

253 replies

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 10/10/2015 14:30

Ok. Will try to keep this as succinct as possible.

Met man around three years ago. Felt an intense chemistry between us but he was married so obviously nothing could happen. He admitted having feelings for me, things all got a bit fraught, I felt angry and guilty and consequently my behaviour became a little unhinged. I realised we were crossing a line even discussing it, so broke off all contact. I know I didn't behave well and should not have let things get even that far. I was in a terrible place at the time (not trying to excuse myself, just adding some context).

About a year ago he tried contacting me. This time I was in a much better place in terms of self esteem and was swift in shutting him down, telling him if he was still married then I would not contemplate any contact whatsoever between us.

Very recently I discovered through a mutual acquaintance that he had been separated for a while. And in a weak moment I contacted him. He seemed so pleased to hear from me - he has been living apart from his wife for a year, says he is in a good place, and the conversation quickly turned to when we met and how we felt about each other. The intense physical attraction had been mutual he said. He had "wanted me so much" but had not been prepared to engage in an extra-marital affair (as neither had I). But now he was single so was I going to come to him or would he come to me?

He was pretty quick off the mark and the first one to bring up the idea of us getting together. I at first expressed reservations: 1) That it was entirely possible that we would meet and no longer feel the same about each other, and 2) That I had been hurt and confused before and didn't want to go through the same again. That I had had romantic as well as sexual attraction to him and so was wary of having my feelings hurt.

He said he understood and that despite having been separated for a year was probably not ready to commit to anything other than "good times". I had a think about it and replied saying, "Well look, I want good times too" (I do - it's been a long time for me) "so let's just have a weekend together, see how it goes (after all we may no longer even fancy each other) and then if it looks like things are going to get too complicated at any point we always have the option to knock it on the head?"

He says yes. Of course he wants to see me so let's do that. And let's see each other as soon as possible. He is hellishly busy but will get back to me with a weekend he can do asap. I say great. Can't wait.

That was a week ago. And I've heard nothing since.

I'm not asking for advice on a plan of action. I've already decided I will not contact him. If he wants to see me he will contact me, and if he doesn't then me contacting him to ask whyyyyy won't help and will just be humiliating.

But I would like some help trying to understand. I have agreed to giving a casual relationship a try. And I really am honestly prepared to give it a try. He doesn't have to want me for a girlfriend - I just really really want to finally consummate this attraction between us (the thought is so exciting I can barely contain myself). If that's all it is then ok. I can deal. But now it seems he doesn't want to and I just don't understand. Why would any man who wanted any woman as much as he says he did me, not want to have sex?

Did I imagine this chemistry? Impossible I think - those kind of sparks can't be faked. He is lying that he felt it too? Is he just busy and taking his time making plans (in which case why isn't he more enthusiastic?) Is he worried that it will inevitably result in some kind of negative fall out? And if he has changed his mind, why doesn't he just say?

I refuse to go crawling to him for answers and so have posted here. Thank you for reading. Would appreciate all and any thoughts.

OP posts:
fishfingersinmysandwiches · 10/10/2015 20:34

But he doesn't appear to want a shag now does he? Hence the confusion.

Why ask to get together? Why tell me how hot he was for me? Why tell me what an, ahem, amazing time we will have together? Why? Why not just say, 'Yeah great to hear from you - now I'm not married it's ok for us to be in contact and have a friendship - how you doing?'

I just find his behaviour so utterly confusing. Was he lying? And if so, to what purpose? I can do sex without love. I can. But I cannot do sex without desire.

OP posts:
fishfingersinmysandwiches · 10/10/2015 20:37

Also, can I just say thanks to everyone for replying. I appreciate it. Being able to vent on here helps me not to message him and whine, 'But I thought you liiiiiiiiiiked meeeeeeee.' If I do that I will hate myself.

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 10/10/2015 20:54

Well from his point of view, he's laid the ground rules and you've created them. You're not his gf or potential gf so no need to call to keep you happy - when he has a spare slot for a shah, you'll get the call. You might think it could develop into a relationship from there but it's a terrible start.

Kimberley00001 · 10/10/2015 21:23

I could have wrote this word for word, even down to the 3 years I've known him and the non contact. Except the man I liked it later transpired he had a gf. I slept with him, he tossed me aside and I still think about him an awful lot. If you sleep with him you will develop a kind of bond, and it will feel shit if he dumps you after so don't do it !

ThisIsStillFolkGirl · 10/10/2015 21:43

Op: no one is ever too busy to make a quick phone call - absolutely no one.

Completely disagree with that. My job requires that I bring a lot of work home. My 'to do' list is ever increasing and I have 2 children. I'm frequently too busy to make a quick phone call.

Blodss · 10/10/2015 22:51

You phoned him this time. He is possibly already involved with someone else hence the not wanting a relationship. If he was really interested in you then you would have heard from him by now, work or no work. Men who want to be with you make time. Sounds like he may want just sex with you and is keeping you on the back boiler. Maybe that's all he wanted when he was married but from what you said you became very unhinged. If he had been serious about you he would have contacted you when he and his wife separated (if they truly have)

Gabilan · 10/10/2015 22:56

Why does engaging in casual sex mean I don't have respect for myself

Can't speak for Imperial but for me the issue is not so much the casual sex, but the casual sex with someone you were hoping to have more with. I get that if you haven't had any for a while, offers like this are very tempting, but they also have the potential to cause more hurt than they're worth.

As for his non contact, I can think of several reasons. If he's a decent man, it may be that he doesn't want to use you. It's also possible he's dating other women, or that he has a GF, or just that for whatever random reason he's just not that interested.

I can be very introspective and analytical. However, over the years I have learned that sometimes it's better to look at a situation and think "well that didn't work" and just move on. You may never get to the bottom of it. Or he might text you tomorrow.

brokenhearted55a · 11/10/2015 02:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SionnachDana · 11/10/2015 02:53

yeh, i agree with other posters, this has all fast forwarded to sex without so much as a date mentioned. I agree with the poster who said it would be better to say 'actually, leave it, I'm not after sex this casual'. You would be hurt by this guy. Three years of waiting.

brokenhearted55a · 11/10/2015 02:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SionnachDana · 11/10/2015 03:06

And, I've met men over the last decade where we've both known that we weren't going to end up together for ever. It didn't mean there was no respect. I think you can know in your heart that it won't be your next relationship but still enjoy each other's company and still want to treat each other with respect and affection.

SurferJet · 11/10/2015 07:28

Op: no one is ever too busy to make a quick phone call - absolutely no one.

Completely disagree with that. My job requires that I bring a lot of work home. My 'to do' list is ever increasing and I have 2 children. I'm frequently too busy too busy to make a quick phone call.

But not too busy to post on mumsnet Wink

I'm not having a dig honestly, but if you really want to get in touch with someone you will, you'll make the time. & ok, maybe a phone call isn't possible, but how long does it take to send a text?

''Thinking of you, is it ok to call you Saturday?'
That took me all of 10 seconds.

Gabilan · 11/10/2015 08:04

"Too busy" usually means "very busy and you weren't amongst my priorities". It could be that given the situation a text or call requires some thought and a fair bit of head space and he's too busy for that.

OP I think you know you'll get hurt, it's just whether you think it will be worth that hurt.

cedricsneer · 11/10/2015 08:35

I don't believe that you can have a casual sexual relationship with this man. Your posts are screaming your investment already - having sex with him is going to heighten all these feelings and you are already at the strung out stage before you have even slept together. I don't think anything any of us say is going to stop you, but I foresee heartache and would urge caution.

All your posts are "...yeah,but..." and you aren't listening. I recognise this behaviour in myself, so please don't take it harshly.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 11/10/2015 08:47

No I am listening. I'm just wilful and being pulled by the part of me that wants to press the fuck it button and do it anyway. Of course I hear what you're all saying and I know you're right.

But like Galiban said upthread, even the offer of casual sex is just so tempting. Yes, because I want to see him, but also because for one reason or another I have been celibate for the last few years and the thought of sex with someone I know makes me weak at the knees... You can see why it's tempting right?

I do really appreciate everyones input. But Broken, while I agree with the basic premise of your posts, I've got to say that some of the language you use makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm not "giving myself" to him for "free". When people use the phrase "worth more" it makes me cringe. Sex isn't something women trade in for stuff. It isn't something we "give" men in return for protection, love, financial support, or anything else. It's something to be shared equally and enjoyed. I just find the view that women should hold out for a better trade/price incredibly outdated and sexist.

OP posts:
Busyworkingmum71 · 11/10/2015 08:50

I am often too busy to make a quick phone call. Every effing day almost. If he is juggling kids and work I would think a quick phone call to a possible fuck buddy might be quite low on his agenda.

TheoriginalLEM · 11/10/2015 08:57

self respect!!! that is all

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 11/10/2015 08:59

See, and there's the rub. Because in my mind I don't want to be low on his agenda. Just sex is ok, but it needs to be just sex with a sense of urgency Grin

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 11/10/2015 09:08

op - i say this with kindness but you are full of shit.

you liked this guy but he was married. flirted but took itno further. very exciting.

now he is available you contact him and hes says great when shall we fuck.

all good so far.

but you say you are interested in more than just sex.

he backs off so you say ook just sex then

trouble is. youve alerted him to the fact that you want more so hes thinking no way jose.

you are full of shit when you say you can live with just sex. you actually hope something will develop from the just sex.

it wont.

you'll get hurt.

honestly what you need to do is find someone to fuck. a ons that you wont care if you don't see again. on your terms. just sex. get him out of your system.

he will only bring you heart ache.

fuck feminism. think self worth.

LovelyFriend · 11/10/2015 09:14

It seems to me you very much want to explore a relationship with this man. And that is in conflict with the casual sex plans.

I hope you hook up and have mind blowing sex with him soon op. But I do think you should be prepared for only getting that from him.

SionnachDana · 11/10/2015 09:15

OP, if you believe all that about sex not being something women give to men, because women want sex (I know) then go and sleep with somebody who you don't love.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 11/10/2015 09:18

TheoriginalLEM Yeah maybe. As in I may be possibly full of shit.

But ONS with randoms don't work for me. I only like sex with people I really really fancy. And if I really really fancy them then I tend to have a romantic attraction too.

I feel so frustrated. I wish I'd never contacted him again to be honest.

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 11/10/2015 09:24

i do understand

you must move on.

any distraction will do.

even knitting

SionnachDana · 11/10/2015 09:28

yupp, you have the problem I have OP, when people talk about fwb I feel Confused confused because that group of people I would want to sleep with overlaps almost completely with the group of people I'd want to 'investigate a romantic relationship' with. Almost a total overlap.

Get stuck in to something on netflix, something with 8 serieses! Law and Order. Wink

SeldomAthleticFC · 11/10/2015 09:29

Oh, fishfingers - I do feel for you. In your situation, I doubt I'd have the willpower to resist.
One thing that no one has said yet, if you haven't had a shag in years, it's likely your libido will go through the roof after a shag, especially if it's a good shag. That alone can send you completely bananas, if regular ongoing sex isn't available, never mind the emotional issues. I speak from personal experience.