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Relationships

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:
Orangeisthenewbanana · 14/10/2015 17:27

Oh dear Sad

Ah well, as other posters have said, we've all given in to temptation in the past. Hope whatever happens that you get some closure OP.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/10/2015 17:29

Block him now.

You'll never have the resolve to do it if you don't have it now. He's not single, and he's not interested. It must sting, but you're letting yourself sit around and think about him...you fire yourself up, using all your willpower to not contact him because you don't need to anyway, and then it fades and you contact him. And really, he was on your mind all the time.

Take it into your own hands and delete him now. That way, you'll never know that he didn't message you back, and if he messages you next year because he misses the ego massage, you won't see that either. You only need to build up the willpower to do this one thing, rather than constantly needing it to resist him.

The sex will never be worth it because you'll know that he didn't really want it, and he'll be leaving as soon as he can get away.

Your head needs to be strong now because your heart isn't. Fake it 'til you make it and move on. Don't wait for him to make the decision for you.

ThisIsStillFolkGirl · 14/10/2015 18:07

Well I'm glad I wasted my time then.

spidergurl · 14/10/2015 18:16

"Well I'm glad I wasted my time then"

What a horrible thing to say

ThisIsStillFolkGirl · 14/10/2015 18:57

It was a stupid thing to do. Some people are their own worst enemy.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gabilan · 14/10/2015 19:15

You can offer people advice but there is no obligation to take it. I do think the OP should ask herself why she pressed the self destruct button though.

Handywoman · 14/10/2015 19:17

Ohhhh Fish! I get it.... Maybe you needed to do it. But you are punishing yourself.....

Can you get one of your mates to come and confiscate your phone and take you out to the pub?

Please delete his number and do everything in your power to distract yourself. Everything.

spidergurl · 14/10/2015 19:27

That doesn't mean you need to make her feel guilty Folk. How you spend your time is up to you. Advice should be given with the generosity of knowing it may be ignored.

ThisIsStillFolkGirl · 14/10/2015 19:52

You're right, of course, spidergurl. And it was given like that. And there's no obligation to take anyone's advice.

But it doesn't alter the fact that the op I her own worst enemy in this matter.

What's the point in asking for advice if it's going to make absolutely no difference to how you proceed?

It's up to her though.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 14/10/2015 20:23

I really do appreciate everyones advice. And I can also understand how frustrating it can be watching what you know is almost certainly a car crash. I've done it on here before myself - shaking my head at the screen wondering why posters are making the choices they are.

He's been in touch. We've had a far more open and honest conversation about where we are with it all. There were reasons for his reticence that have been addressed. I said I won't spend another day waiting for you to make plans - we either shit or get off the pot right now. He knew I meant it and has locked down a date. It's going to happen. I know it's a bad decision but this is just something I need to do.

I believe after our conversation that he does want to see me very much too. And that he absolutely is single.

OP posts:
brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 20:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blodss · 14/10/2015 21:13

But is it a proper date where he will take you out and get to know who you really are and you him.....which is what you want

or

is it a arrangement to just have sex which is ultimately not what you want.

FrancesHeck · 14/10/2015 21:17

"Either shit or get off the pot".

Boak.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/10/2015 21:34

If we're going with cheesy phrases.... it's your funeral.

It's no skin off anyone here's nose if you meet him or not. We're just trying to stop you making a mistake that many of us have made, and getting hurt.

Think about it. It's your decision, but if you can save yourself the pain... Everyone thinks they are the exception, but nobody is. That's why we all say the same thing, despite none of us knowing each other or you.

It's your mistake, though. Make it, if you need to.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 21:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DisillusionedGoat · 14/10/2015 21:55

'Think about it. It's your decision, but if you can save yourself the pain... Everyone thinks they are the exception, but nobody is.'

lavenderhoney · 14/10/2015 21:59

you clearly like the bloke so offering yourself up to a casual sex arrangement is madness unless you actually want to get fucked over with your eyes wide open - plus he will think less of you if he is v busy - he won't want someone who he invests in - and they could be out shagging. You established high morals and boundaries when he was married so why bin them now he is single?

You could write and say you have given it some thought, and much as you like him, the idea of just good times, eg an occasional bunk up when you cab both fit it in- doesn't work for you. Wish him luck and ignore him.

And date other men. This one is way too busy, with work, DC,divorce.. He hasn't time for your life and your issues. He just wants a nice dinner and a shag. Be the one that didn't go for it:) you're worth more, aren't you? If you don't think so, sure as hell he won't either.

Gabilan · 14/10/2015 22:00

Cba to reread the whole thead but I thought the OP lived too far from this guy for short dates to be practical?

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 14/10/2015 22:10

We're going to spend the weekend together. We're going to go out to eat and go walking and just spend some time together catching up and see how it goes. We haven't seen each other in a long time. The spark could have gone and then there'll be a whole new situation to deal with. He's made plans for stuff we're going to do.

OP posts:
Diamondsmiles · 14/10/2015 22:24

Hope it goes well and you don't get your fingers burnt.

lavenderhoney · 14/10/2015 22:28

Weekend together? Well, all the courting sounds nice, and I assume dinner and drinks is a cert.

If you want a relationship with this man, who had already told you he doesn't want a relationship, I suggest you have a nice time ( seeing as you won't not see him) and leave after dinner, after having made arrangements to meet for coffee at 11 the next day. And turn your phone OFF. No getting pissed and shagging. Huge mistake.

You have to play the long game. For your own sanity. This is your first date! Who has a weekend away for their first date? What?

Handywoman · 14/10/2015 22:30

Well whatever happens, I hope the, um, experience Blush lives up to expectations.

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