Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Imgivinguponyou · 14/10/2015 22:48

Well I hope it actually comes off and he doesn't back out as from the way you have presented it, it sounds like you have railroaded him into it.

patienceisvirtuous · 14/10/2015 23:05

I really wouldn't build your hopes up that this will come off OP...

Blodss · 14/10/2015 23:23

I don't think this will end will. You believe what he has told you by text/fb I presume. I would not be making it so easy for him. Going on a weekend with a man you don't really know is never a good idea. It should be just a dinner date or coffee date. I actually am not sure this will even come off. Something is not right about it all.

brokenhearted55a · 14/10/2015 23:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lavenderhoney · 14/10/2015 23:54

Yes,however op wants more- so thinking it will all be awesome after he pumps and dunks will distress her, or she wouldn't be posting. He might not contact her for a couple of weeks after. Is that because it's casual or he doesn't give a shit?

So- the only way to protect yourself from the angst is not to have sex, and think there is an emotional connection when he has said there won't be. He wants " good times"

He will be lovely because he wants sex. Op will swoon as she thinks he's in love. They will have sex. He will ghost her slowly. She will be devastated as she realises he's a chancer. It can all be avoided..

brokenhearted55a · 15/10/2015 00:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gabilan · 15/10/2015 07:29

I've been on a weekend away for a 2nd date with someone I'd met once before. Great fun. If you live a long way apart, meeting for coffee is a bit of a waste of time.
OP just keep a little bit of yourself in reserve. He says he doesn't want a serious relationship. Don't kid yourself on that.

Scremersford · 15/10/2015 07:46

Why on earth did you suggest a weekend together? Whats wrong with a few casual dates to get to know each other first? With a weekend together, presumably you would be sharing a hotel room if not bed. And spending a whole weekend together for your first meeting for 3 years is such a jump from nothing to everything.

Do you normally do this OP? Suggest spending a weekend together with a man you are attracted to? Don't you think its a little odd? From the way you are writing, its clear you want sex with this man and aren't particularly interested in getting to know him properly as a long term partner.

I can understand why this man is preparing his exit from the start. Even the keenest of men being offered casual sex on a plate would hesitate over this one. Presumably he has now been badgered for long enough into it, but he doesn't even sound that keen.

spidergurl · 15/10/2015 07:50

"There were reasons for his reticence that have been addressed"

Maybe he's reasons are valid. What were they OP? And when's the date? Hopefully not too far in the future?

birdsdestiny · 15/10/2015 08:04

If I thought for one minute you could go, enjoy your fun and leave it at that, I would be cheering you on. But from your first post it has been obvious that you are completely emotionally involved, and that he isn't. I also knew from your first post that you would sleep with him, and that you weren't hearing a word any of us said. You think that you can make him like you, in the same way you like him. I think you are wrong. Do you for one moment believe you are thinking rationally about this. As a pp said at the very least try and keep a liitle bit of yourself back. Be careful.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 15/10/2015 08:57

I am going to be careful. I'm fully prepared for the fact that it may be a one off. I'm not fantasising hearts and flowers. But I need to get this one out of my system.

Please try and understand: I am not "offering myself up for sex" purely for the chance that it may lead to a relationship. I've been celibate for years for my own reasons, one of them being that I can only really enjoy sex with people I really really fancy. The level of attraction I once had for this man was such that just sitting next to him would get me all hot under the collar. I don't want to go for a damn coffee!!! I want to have sex with him.

Yes my level of emotional investment is higher than his and there is a danger I will get hurt. But my eyes are open and it's a risk I'm prepared to take.

I haven't railroaded him into it. We live hours away from each other and are only in contact on one social media platform. If he wanted to disengage it would be very easy indeed - there could be no come back for me. I have taken great care to make clear that I would far rather he be honest about not wanting to or changing his mind than go ahead with any reluctance. He does want to. There were reasons for his previous reticence that are too identifying to discuss here, but now that the air has been cleared, he is enthusiastic, sending me directions and his post code, and photographs of where he lives, and discussing what we are going to together. At the end of the day he is a grown man and responsible for his own choices.

OP posts:
Scremersford · 15/10/2015 09:10

he is enthusiastic, sending me directions and his post code, and photographs of where he lives, and discussing what we are going to together

I thought you were having a weekend away together, not you travelling to his home for sex?

We live hours away from each other and are only in contact on one social media platform.

In the year 2015, its hardly impossible to date someone who lives far away.

Arranging to meet someone for sex that you have barely met is unusual. I'm not sure why you are so set on having sex with him as soon as you do meet, rather than getting to know him first. Is it because you think this is the only chance you will get? I suspect once you have had sex with him, you will want more. Anyway, its your business and not everyone has to follow the same rules. I just think you are selling yourself a bit short by going to such extreme lengths to make it possible to have sex with this man.

spidergurl · 15/10/2015 09:27

Wait so you are going to travel hours to his house? NO. It should be half way.

SurferJet · 15/10/2015 09:30

I'm addicted to this thread Blush

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 15/10/2015 09:47

Oh come on. There isn't a danger that you'll get hurt, you are going to get hurt.

It's not about you wanting sex, I get that entirely. I'm not saying that as you're female, you should behave any differently to a man. Nobody would judge you for just having sex with him. The problem is that you don't just want sex, there's a big emotional involvement here, so it's a bad idea. It's not that you should be wearing virginal underwear and waiting for your one true love.

It doesn't matter how much you say that it might come to nothing or it might be you that walks away... it's going in the first place that is the mistake.

Like I said, it's your life. It's your mistake. But you are still making this into something big in your head - despite denying it frequently. It's written throughout your posts. You haven't accepted the risk, because you're telling yourself you might get hurt, not that you will.

You've admitted that you wouldn't want sex if you weren't attracted to him and we know there is a big attraction there for you, so it's tough to walk away from. I get that. But whether you are consciously aware of it or not, you want sex with him to bond with him, and it's unlikely to work the same for him.

Absolutely don't go to his house for the weekend, meet somewhere neutral. Not for safety or anything, although that's a good aspect to consider - just to stop you being embedded in his house and his life for two days before it's done. Don't add to the pain you are causing yourself.

The most frustrating thing as an outsider is that you are going to have to go through this again, and all the future hurt again, to learn the lesson from this. You will have to be able to resist people who are bad news and will hurt you. But, if you aren't ready to learn that lesson now, there's not much you can do. If you can't turn him down, you can't. You'll just have to wait for him to do it, and make sure you are prepared for the fall-out.

(And that's what this is, at least admit that. It's not an equality thing, it's not a sexual tension thing....you can't say no to this guy. Your gender is irrelevant, as is his).

The best thing you could do would be to call this off now, so that you have the power, and then block him so that you keep it. There's plenty of guys in the world, you'd be able to find someone that you are attracted too that is less damaging for you (most of us don't have sex with people we aren't attracted too...). But if you can't do that, just be prepared for the hurt that will come. Not might. Don't let your head start to kid yourself with that.

Blodss · 15/10/2015 09:47

Bloody hell, he is not trying at all is he. He has got you running after him.

You doing this and going to his house will definitely definitely go absolutely no where. He cant even be bothered or care enough to pick up the phone and talk to you in real life. Nor can he be bothered to come and take you out to dinner first. He is just totally in it for the sex and you are kidding yourself if you believe you can take this for what it is and be ok. You do not have your eyes wide open at all. You are just doing exactly what he wants because you are feeling "in lust" with him.
Disregard everything he tells you please. He could still be with his wife for all you know. They may still be seeing each other. She may have dumped him but he is all over her like a puppy dog and wants to get back. He may have other women he is dating and treating better than he is treating you.

You are just running after this man and its obvious. He knows you fancy him and has even got you coming to his house. He will have sex with you and will then go cold on you. Its obvious to anyone looking at your thread.
I think you have become unhinged again to be honest.

If you did want a relationship with him then you are definitely doing all the wrong things. He should be running after you not the other way round.

Blodss · 15/10/2015 09:55

Im sorry to sound harsh but its really like a car crash happening in slow motion.

How would you feel if he was telling his mates about the weekend and the woman coming to his house for sex. I would be mortified.

You have only talked on social media! That is just so wrong.

LovelyFriend · 15/10/2015 10:01

fishfingers I am wishing you a weekend of many orgasms!

Scremersford · 15/10/2015 10:05

The internet and social media are full of married men wanting no strings attached sex. I'd always wondered what sort of women actually responded positively to them, since you would think they would give up trying otherwise.

This sort of encounter actually makes meeting a man in a nightclub for a ONS seem more honest and a better bet somehow. Which is saying quite a lot. At least you wouldn't have to travel miles across the country, following postcode directions and photographs to get there. I mean, at least the man in the night club will have made some effort to get himself there!

Blodss · 15/10/2015 10:25

Don't believe what he is telling you fish his actions are speaking louder that his words.

CheersMedea · 15/10/2015 11:28

I've been celibate for years for my own reasons, one of them being that I can only really enjoy sex with people I really really fancy.

Serious question: Are you sure it isn't with people you are emotionally involved/attracted to? If sexual attraction that you want to follow through on is really rare, I think you may be demisexual.

Read this:

demisexuality.org/articles/what-is-demisexuality/

Yes my level of emotional investment is higher than his and there is a danger I will get hurt. But my eyes are open and it's a risk I'm prepared to take.

I would say there is a 100% certainty you will get hurt. But I totally get the "YOLO and I want him badly" reasoning.

For some reason, in my head, this guy looks like a badly dressed physics teacher (with apologies to physics teachers) - sort of tall, dark, thin-ish, gangly and with a corduroy jacket. He probably can't believe that he has FishFingers sex hunting him - his ego is probably well and truly boosted.

The jury's out for me as to whether this will actually happen. I think for all kinds of reasons (social conventions mostly) it's pretty rare for a woman to persist trying to sleep with a cold/lukewarm man. I worry for you that it may creep him out and he won't actually follow through - and you'll have got all excited for nothing.

CheersMedea · 15/10/2015 11:31

sending me directions and his post code, and photographs of where he lives, and discussing what we are going to together
I thought you were having a weekend away together, not you travelling to his home for sex?

For gods sake, please get him to take you to a luxury hotel for some glamorous shagging. Going round to his house will make this much worse for you OP; if he's all like swishing around in the penis beaker "I'm done thanks. Now it's time to leave, get out of my house" you'll feel so crap.

SunnyIsles · 15/10/2015 13:00

Social media casual hooking up at it's finest.
Shag arranged, haven't even exchanged numbers or spoken to one another. It's very Tinder-esque, no?

I got in touch with someone via social media that I hadn't seen for a few years, the first thing he did was offer me his number and ask for mine so we could catch up. Properly. You know, TALKING to each other.

I'm sorry OP but this whole thing, there's something off about it.
Plus, if there's as much chemistry on your side as you're claiming, a one off shag is VERY unlikely to scratch the itch, which is what you seem to be saying you think will happen.

brokenhearted55a · 15/10/2015 13:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spidergurl · 15/10/2015 13:19

OP how are you feeling? Do you still think you want to give it a go?