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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:
SionnachDana · 13/10/2015 21:21

It's making me feel better! So go ahead. NOT that I had any intention of sleeping with that man until he'd proved he was worthy but I could have made an ass of myself being too keen, texting him when he already knows i'd go out with him if he asked. Some of the things people have said on this thread have hit home. like, receiving a text doesn't make you interested in somebody.

FrancesHeck · 14/10/2015 03:29

He brought up casual sex as he thought you would say no, because he isn't interested any more and didn't want to be blunt about it.

But to his surprise, you said yes, and it was nice ego boost/he still didn't want to be blunt, so he played along whilst you were discussing it, and is now avoiding getting back to you.

Alternatively, he really does just want "no strings fun" and the whole weekend you described to him sounds like strings. And, tbf, he's correct. A whole weekend is bed is less likely to be a zipless fuck, and more likely to (in your head at least) to be the start of something. You said as much "oh, we can knock it on the head if it doesn't work". It's obvious you are still holding out for more.

And you're right, that kind of intense attraction isn't usually the basis for a healthy relationship. It's a great basis for a one night stand or a fling initiated very soon after meeting (if you are in the right circumstances i.e. single), and just sometimes under those circumstances it can turn into something more. But not if you string it out for 3 years.

ThisIsStillFolkGirl · 14/10/2015 06:11

IME women don't cope well with casual sex even when they try to convince themselves they do and that it's all absolutely cool

IME people shouldn't presume to speak for everyone!

Op, I'm glad to come back to this and see you haven't contacted him.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 14/10/2015 08:22

Ok, I'm a twat. A huge twat. Last night all my fine words and resolve crumbled.

I sent a message along the lines of, "So we hooking up or what? I've no patience for all this waiting and seeing."

He replies back straight away with something jokey and playful and says, "Yes we are. Do you have a plan?"

I say when are you free? He begins to type back and then suddenly disappears offline.

He's got until midnight tonight. If he doesn't make plans with me I'm blocking him on everything and putting him out of my mind for good.

I know I've behaved stupidly and handled it badly. I'm bracing myself for the inevitable flaming. But I justified it in my head as having nothing much to lose. He wasn't going to be in my life anyway so may as well give it a last shot. I do think there's a part of him that really wants to. He's just worried it's a bad idea (which of course it is)

I can picture you all now shaking your heads in disbelief...

OP posts:
BSites · 14/10/2015 09:09

He doesn't sound totally single to me.

donajimena · 14/10/2015 09:37

No flaming from me. Hopefully you will learn something from this though.

donajimena · 14/10/2015 09:39

I don't think he is single either. He's not that keen either. He would have made that date.

SilverBirchWithout · 14/10/2015 09:51

I guess he isn't single either, that will explain all the "busy at work" stuff and not contacting. Leaving you to do the contacting is also allowing him to justify it to himself and keep a clear conscience.

patienceisvirtuous · 14/10/2015 13:24

:(

This is a clear case on not.that.into.you. Blatantly obvious for us all to see.

You shouldn't have messaged him. Really bad idea. But done now.

It won't end well, but yes, on the up side you'll learn a life lesson.

I'm not sneering by the way, been there and done stupid stuff like this in the past...

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 13:42

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brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 13:59

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BeanIontach · 14/10/2015 15:19

Yeh, that makes sense, then, later, they can tell themselves not that they used a woman who could have been a friend, but that she approached him.

And you know the score and they know you know the score, so if you do approach him, then I can SEE WHY that would leave a man's conscience clear. It's not great behaviour but it's a loop hole

BeanIontach · 14/10/2015 15:20

OH DEAR op, Sad

You'll be miserable for weeks after that one shag.

Blodss · 14/10/2015 15:27

Don't wait till midnight. He went offline in the middle of writing to you so he could get out of it. Block him now.
You have everything to lose. Self esteem, respect, pride.
Come on. How can you offer yourself for sex to this man when he clearly is not interested, not even to have sex with you let alone a date or a relationship. Its hard I know but come on here and vent instead of doing something like that again.

SilverBirchWithout · 14/10/2015 15:36

I think some men also do this to keep their consciences clear from guilt about being unfaithful to their partner. Give signals that they are interested,let the OW do the chasing, and then somehow justify it by thinking I really couldn't help myself from being tempted.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 15:59

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brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 16:02

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CheersMedea · 14/10/2015 16:02

Compare and contrast:

Ok, I'm a twat. A huge twat. Last night all my fine words and resolve crumbled.
I sent a message along the lines of, "So we hooking up or what? I've no patience for all this waiting and seeing."

and

CheersMedea Tue 13-Oct-15 11:54:48

It's highly unlikely that someone in the position of FishFingers with that intensity of attraction will have the will power to resist this lure - whether that is weakening and texting him in a drunken "what the hell moment" or responding to his lame "free tonight?" text in a few months when he's having a dry spell.

Man it's hard not saying "I told you so".

This was so obviously coming. I hope you get a shag FishFingers because you so plainly want this guy that you don't care what it costs in terms of pride, self-esteem or emotional fall out. I hope it's worth it for you.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 16:09

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CheersMedea · 14/10/2015 16:10

BTW - I am 100% not going to be critical of you (and post above wasn't sarcastic) because I completely understand if you are in the grip of an obsession, people find it hard to resist.

We know it's a bad idea. You know it's a bad idea. But there you go.

I genuinely meant that I hope you do get a shag and it's worth it! I realise it reads sarcastically but it wasn't meant like that.

CheersMedea · 14/10/2015 16:11

cross post with broken.

Yes - I realise how it sounds but it wasn't meant like that.

I really meant:

  1. I hope you at least get sex with him given the angst.
  2. I hope it's worth it given the likely fall out.

For all this, it should be awesome fireworks.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 16:18

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Blodss · 14/10/2015 16:20

It wont be worth it though. Fish will feel lower than low the next day when she doesn't hear from him and realises she really really wants to be with him.

SomeonesRealName · 14/10/2015 17:21

I was here not that long ago and I went NC with the guy. It was very hurtful as we had been friends for eight years and I saw a whole new side of him. Once he realised I was serious about NC he couldn't text me enough trying to hoover me back - but I ignored and dated other people. Now I'm dating an absolutely lovely guy who couldn't be more different. Stick with the NC OP and don't worry what this pathetic man child thinks of you he's not nearly good enough for you.

SomeonesRealName · 14/10/2015 17:21

Oh and I'm really glad I never slept with him.