Chapter 3: Dinner

The taxi pulled up to the curb of a fancy Italian restaurant in the Arena district of Columbus. I quickly got out and went inside where I gave the hostess my name. Amazingly she seemed to know who I was and immediately directed me to a table where a man was already sitting.

Seeing me coming the guy rose to his feet and smiled at me. My heart beat rose a few notches as I looked him over quickly. He was dressed in an expensive suit with an off-white shirt and brilliant blue tie. Although I knew from his profile that he was forty four, he still had a full head of hair which was graying at the temples but that only lent an air of sophistication. He looked to be about six feet tall and obviously worked out from the trim build and just the way he carried himself. He was handsome in a classic manner, standard white protestant male. Clean shaven, he had a pleasant smile without showing too much teeth. He tried to act nonchalant but I saw his eyes giving me the once over quickly.

So far, so good! As I approached he extended his hand and gently shook my hand. Nothing too firm as if I was a business pal but perfect for a lady to hold.

“Good evening ... Kelly I presume?” he said, “I’m Greg. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

I smiled sweetly as he helped me off with my coat. The hostess took it and left, but not before I saw her smile a bit and shake her head just enough to signal that she knew what was going on. Oh well, I didn’t know her anyway so who cares? Greg pulled out my chair for me to sit in. Wow, I actually felt like a schoolgirl on a first date, not really sure what to say. Greg seemed to sense my awkwardness and he carried most of the conversation at the start. After some small talk about the weather and school, he reached across and put his hand on mine.

“Just to put your mind at ease, Kelly” he said, “I’m happily married and I even have a daughter your age. Actually I just became a grandpa last month when my older son and his wife had a little girl. I’ve never dated anyone like this before so trust me, I’m more nervous than you are!”

The part about his son hadn’t been in the profile which raised a small alarm within me. What else had he left out? Still, I laughed a little at that and immediately blushed as it made me sound like a teenager giggling at some boyfriend’s remarks. Greg smiled and held my hand.

“You really are cute you know. Do you mind if I ask if you do this sort of thing a lot?”

Suddenly I felt so young for some reason. He was so much older and mature than me that is was almost intimidating. Sure I’d been with older men before on dates before, including my father, but Greg was like right out of a Victorian romance novel! I shook my head and although I meant to speak, my reply came out more as a hoarse whisper.

“No, I’ve actually never done anything this before.”

That seemed to break the ice. I think we were both relieved to find that we each were “virgins” at this game so it wasn’t like we felt we needed to measure up to a past history of liaisons. From there we talked about ourselves and our families. I was surprised at how much Greg shared about his wife and kids. He obviously loved them very much and adored his daughters. He even showed me a picture of them from his wallet!

Greg then asked me why I was doing this tonight and I tried to explain to him my need for something new and different while at school. Much to my chagrin, he chuckled at that although he explained it was because he thought that I’d certainly gone overboard in my quest!

When I asked him the same question he got quiet for a moment and I wondered if I’d broken some code of conduct for escorts such as, “Never ask the client why he is doing this.”

Greg looked me straight in the eye and said, “To be perfectly honest, I turned forty four last month and I started to think about the fact that I’m not getting any younger. I see my kids growing up and now my oldest daughters isn’t even a teenager anymore. I remember what it was like to be with a young women, to feel the excitement of the chase, the thrill of the unknown and I want to feel that again in me. My wife Claire is wonderful and has always been a great partner, friend and lover. I’d never want to hurt her in any way but the thrill is gone and I need to feel that again, if only for one last time before it’s too late. Sorry ... I hope this doesn’t make me sound like some kind of a jerk to you.”