My first date with Robert* was a success from the start. We’d been chatting online for a while before deciding to meet in real life at my favourite Italian restaurant.
I already knew he was 47 – a year younger than me – and divorced with two daughters. In-person, I liked him immediately, not least because he was tall and good-looking, and although he was a bit shy, I could tell he was interested in me, too. Loosened up by two large glasses of red wine, I did most of the talking, telling him all about my recent move to the coast. At the end of the evening, I was thrilled when he said, “How about Saturday?” I’d tried dating since my long-term relationship ended three years before, but I’d had enough of men who vaguely modern relationships promised, “I’ll call you,” and then didn’t.
We continued meeting and one evening a few weeks later, I asked Robert to stay over. I was very attracted to him, so it was a little disappointing when his erection failed. I thought it might have been the two beers he’d had earlier. We tried again in the morning, but he had the same problem. Realizing it must be humiliating for him, I made light of it, and said that we were probably both just a bit out of practice.
I went to his place the following weekend and I thought I’d leave any sexual advances to him. We kissed and cuddled and fooled around a bit, but nothing more. Things carried on like this for several weeks. I told myself that the last thing he needed was to feel under pressure, so I didn’t say anything. Robert would get an erection, usually very easy, and he could sustain it for a long time as we touched each other intimately or had oral sex. For me, these are very much a prelude to ‘actual’ sex. Yet the moment it came to full sex, his erection would go limp.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of woman & home South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of woman & home South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Used car SCAMS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Whether you're buying or selling, here are the dodgy deals to watch out for
Bliss in the BUSH
Not even the rain could dampen the spirit and beauty of a visit to Lalibela Game Reserve
Caramel CREATIONS
Three classic French sweets to round off dinner with friends
WINTER houseplant care
Bring extra greenery and life into your home when it's grey and gloomy outside
10 ways to LIVE WELL UNTIL...
It's the little lifestyle changes that can make a big difference
THE DESPAIR Of WINTER
Winter does sap one’s energy, to be sure, and you want to snuggle on the couch with a good book, but for some people, winter brings serious mental health issues
IT'S CRUNCH TIME
Noisy eaters, beware: Christabel Smith has had and heard! - enough
Pillars OF SUPPORT
We should all be paying it forward, and these women are helping to set an example
Gracefully COMMITTED
Anne Hathaway has shaken off her princess crown and is showing the world that she is more than capable of being the queen of the screen through hard work, commitment and being authentically herself
Till death do us part
It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages, said Nietzsche. He may be on to something, says Lorraine Kearney