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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

I'm so confused - sex in new relationship

149 replies

Cloudyafternoon · 17/11/2022 00:29

Been seeing a guy for two months but he's been pursuing me for about two years. He is 48, I am 40. I was coming out of a messy divorce and recovering from that so not interested in a new relationship at the time. Two months ago we spent a lot of time together and became very emotionally close. I felt safe with him so decided to take the step of dating him. It has been very respectful, very nice, great conversations.

We had sex for the first time 2 weeks ago, on a minibreak. We spent a lot of time in bed cuddling but the sex (it happened twice over three days) was missionary, head down, no eye contact, and over very quickly. That's a lot of time to be in bed cuddling and talking naked with someone without actually having sex or doing anything sexual. In fact, I don't think he has seen me fully naked at all, and neither me him (his choice.)

Due to work/children commitments, we could not see each other again for 2 weeks. We spoke every day on the phone and I tried to open up some conversation around sex and what he likes and there was lots of chat (instigated by him) about how he wants to rip my clothes off and get me naked and have sex again. I found this a bit odd because he had plenty of opportunity while we were away and preferred cuddling.

He lives outside London so came down for the night tonight and booked into a hotel. The plan was always that I would go back with him, but return to kids at home to sleep. I got a babysitter, booked til 2am, wore some nice underwear and got dressed up. I took him for dinner and when dinner was over we had agreed we would go back to his hotel together, but he seemed to get nervous about what it would be like, whether he had booked for two or for one etc. Bizarre as it's what we had arranged.

Finally got back to the hotel and he jumps on me. Pulls my dress up, takes my pants off, pulls his trousers down, puts on a condom and we have sex again. Missionary style. I have been looking forward to this forever, so despite the fact it didn't last long, I finish. He then finishes, pulls out, rolls over and falls asleep, snoring. It was about five minutes. I get my phone out and start scrolling. He pulls me in for a cuddle then falls back to sleep.

I eventually get up and start to get dressed. It's 10pm. He's barely awake. I go to the loo, get my stuff together and start booking a taxi. Meanwhile he is snoring. When I leave I let him know, he props himself up a bit in bed and pulls me in again for another hug and a kiss and off I go.

I don't know what is wrong with me, but I keep coming away with a strange feeling. Maybe my expectation of sex in a new relationship is too much? During our minibreak there were several times I pulled the covers off both of us, tried to sit up and look at him properly but he pulled the covers back over, pulled me back down into the bed, cuddled me again and asked me jokingly what on earth I thought I was doing. I don't know how he expects to have a relationship like this, and he keeps saying it's a relationship he wants.

He was married for 15 years before this. He says I am the first person he has had sex with since his divorce. Is this normal? Am I wrong to feel paranoid?

OP posts:
aroman · 17/11/2022 07:55

Watchkeys · 17/11/2022 07:52

But to many it clearly is a type of sex, and to quibble the terminology is to miss the point.

Agreed. This is nothing more than two people having different sexual experiences/ preferences.

OP, just because you want a certain thing with sex, doesn't mean other people want the same, or even know what you want.

You have to talk about it, people can't read your mind.

It's unusual to find a partner who is on the same page as you sexually from the off. Most of the time it needs some work and lots of communication.

Alternatively, just break up with him and try to find someone who is already on a similar wavelength.

hodgeheg22 · 17/11/2022 07:59

@jay55 yeah and maybe he is a bad lover. Or maybe he's flustered and nervous being intimate with someone new after however many years of marriage. I can only imagine what the replies would be if a man had posted this about a woman.

Too many people expect instant perfection.

Op if he's a nice guy I would give him a break and see if things improve. He certainly seems keen.

2tired2careanymore · 17/11/2022 08:00

Quiegal · 17/11/2022 06:09

It does sound your not into the sex he gives you. Like your disappointed as it's not as exciting as maybe you thought.

You don't have to see him anymore if your not feeling it.

This.

You don't need to hang around if you don't want to.

Herejustforthisone · 17/11/2022 08:01

That sounds absolutely grim. I’ve got ick-by-proxy.

neveradullmoment99 · 17/11/2022 08:10

Could he be embarrassed about his body? Sounds like he doesn't want to 'show' himself.
I am.in a long term relationship 30 years plus and would find starting over like this daunting. Many would.
Talk to him.

WindyHedges · 17/11/2022 08:12

That sounds like really AWFUL sex.

emptythelitterbox · 17/11/2022 08:15

So many making excuses for this clod.
He's the typical hop on, pump, hop off shit in bed guy.
There wouldn't have been a 2nd time. Yuk.
There are many many many men out there who think a woman's purpose is a fleshlight

If this is something casual and not serious as you say, definitely find someone who is fun in bed.

Watchkeys · 17/11/2022 08:17

So many making excuses for this clod

Brilliantly phrased @emptythelitterbox !

Choconut · 17/11/2022 08:20

Cuddling over sex for me any day - but nah that's not the sort of sex I want (or any woman surely?) You say you've asked him what he likes sexually - but have you told him what you like? If he loves to cuddle then I'm guessing he'd probably be into stroking too.....so I'd start with that. Sounds like he might be a bit shy and clueless, depends if you're prepared to put the work in and see if he wants to please you too.

Randomly pulling the covers off to look at his complete naked body is just creepy and weird though IMO. It sounds like he's a bit shy so I'd give him a chance, but I'd be telling him exactly what I wanted to happen and not doing weird things so I could assess his fully naked body.

BlackKittyMama · 17/11/2022 08:23

I find it quite concerning that people think “because you were having sex” is a free pass to do whatever. That’s not how consent works.

girlmom21 · 17/11/2022 08:23

LoveShitJokes · 17/11/2022 06:59

He's just shit in bed OP. Only you can decide if his good points outweigh this.

Considering she finished quickly with penetrative sex, perhaps not. Why's this his fault and not hers? She's having the same sex he is.

gogohmm · 17/11/2022 08:24

He may be shy or had been in a relationship where that was expected, took me a few weeks to get dp to relax enough to stop worrying about me being upset etc if he was a little more adventurous. I think those of us who have come out of long relationships forget how tentative it can be at the beginning.

Also a good friend gave me advice when I had just me dp, remember that they need to be your best friend first and foremost - sex can be great but it will dry up as you age, a best friend however is for life (he's been married 62 years and they still hold hands!) The cuddles are really important, don't underplay the importance of connection too. (I was 46 when I was first dating him so not that much older, it was excellent advice)

Mumofnarnia · 17/11/2022 08:25

BoobsAhoy · 17/11/2022 06:44

“Violated” fgs. You’re having sex. You’re in bed together naked.

So what?? I like to have sex under covers fgs! Not really any of your business anyway how I have sex

Mumoffairy · 17/11/2022 08:27

Januarcelebration · 17/11/2022 07:41

Well they were not having sex.

Op said she pulled the covers off, sat up to get a good look and he pulled her back down into a cuddle.

He made it clear that he wasn’t comfortable and yet op did it several times.

That’s what’s creepy.

Ok, to me it reads like she tried to sit up during sex to get a look.
But either way, even if its just during cuddling, its not creepy to want to look at your partner who is in bed with you naked.

NoDatingForOldMen · 17/11/2022 08:35

Mumoffairy · 17/11/2022 08:27

Ok, to me it reads like she tried to sit up during sex to get a look.
But either way, even if its just during cuddling, its not creepy to want to look at your partner who is in bed with you naked.

During our minibreak there were several times I pulled the covers off both of us, tried to sit up and look at him properly but he pulled the covers back over, pulled me back down into the bed, cuddled me again and asked me jokingly what on earth I thought I was doing.

he clearly didn’t like this behaviour for some reason, and yet she continued with it, that’s just not right, he might have some body issue / scar / skin issue he is not happy having her seeing right now, I think that’s pretty poor behaviour on her side

CornishGem1975 · 17/11/2022 08:40

Finally got back to the hotel and he jumps on me. Pulls my dress up, takes my pants off, pulls his trousers down, puts on a condom and we have sex again. Missionary style. I have been looking forward to this forever, so despite the fact it didn't last long, I finish.

That gave me the ick, I'm impressed you managed to 'finish' from that though.

If sex in a new relationship was like that for me, I wouldn't be taking it much further to be honest.

Cloudyafternoon · 17/11/2022 09:03

Hello - sorry for not replying until now.

I think the pulling off covers thing was worded wrongly. In the context of rolling around under the covers and cuddling (and getting very hot in the process) I pulled them down a bit and sat up in bed and wanted to look him in the eye. I wanted a connection, not so stuck together I can't see anything and his face buried in my neck and getting hot and sweaty from cuddling for hours and hours.

I don't know how anyone who has been alive in the world for 48 years, has an international job, has three DC, had a long marriage, has friends, has watched TV, read books and experienced popular culture, can think that 10 pumps missionary sex over and over again is a sex life?

OP posts:
Sunnysideup999 · 17/11/2022 09:16

So he’d booked a hotel room - and firstly he dithers about going to the room with you , then it’s over in 5 mins and he’s asleep?
nah.
first night in a hotel room together should be all night long..

Clymene · 17/11/2022 09:20

He's shit in bed. I'd dump him because this isn't going to get any better.

Teaandtoast35 · 17/11/2022 09:24

Your strange feeling is your instinct for self preservation, OP. I am with someone like this. As bizarre as it sounds, I’ve realised 5 years in that the reason he’s not having sex with me or that it’s lazy and short is because he’s in love with himself. It is absolutely CLASSIC for him to be saying “yes I LOVE sex, I’ll rip your clothes off!” and then nothing. Focus on what he does not what he says. Do not be blinded by what is essentially gaslighting. He’s an abuser like my partner and this is your red flag at the beginning. Please get out now before you lose years of your life.

Teaandtoast35 · 17/11/2022 09:27

And to the thing about him not liking the covers off, it’s because he wants to control everything and for you to have no power, because he is controlling.

maddy68 · 17/11/2022 09:28

It sounds like he isn't very experienced. You need to take the lead

MissMaple82 · 17/11/2022 09:29

If someone pulled the covers of me and just sat staring at my body I'd say the same thing! And a man would also probably get slated for this behaviour

Herejustforthisone · 17/11/2022 09:36

emptythelitterbox · 17/11/2022 08:15

So many making excuses for this clod.
He's the typical hop on, pump, hop off shit in bed guy.
There wouldn't have been a 2nd time. Yuk.
There are many many many men out there who think a woman's purpose is a fleshlight

If this is something casual and not serious as you say, definitely find someone who is fun in bed.

Clod.

😆 brilliantly put. I’d forgotten all about this word.

Cloudyafternoon · 17/11/2022 09:37

Sunnysideup999 · 17/11/2022 09:16

So he’d booked a hotel room - and firstly he dithers about going to the room with you , then it’s over in 5 mins and he’s asleep?
nah.
first night in a hotel room together should be all night long..

But what does that mean? Does it mean he doesn't fancy me? Or just that he's all about him?

He's just texted thanking me for an "amazing night." What was amazing about it?

OP posts: