Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:03:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: John B <goofball220@yahoo.com>
Subject: Meeting James, part 1

This story is a fantasy that combines the attributes of the two men I have
slept with in my life.  My current job is indeed going to educational
conferences as a vendor.  Since these shows are regional, you tend to get
to know your fellow exhibitors.

I met James when our vendor booths were next to each other at an
educational conference in 2005.  During the times when there were few
attendees, we chatted a bit and talked of sports, the biz, and goofy
stories from our respective histories.  The show ended, and as we were both
breaking down our booths, I mentioned that it was great to have him as a
neighbor, as sometimes you get stuck with folks that want to talk your ear
off about sales. He agreed and said we should get some beers at the next
show.

Three months later I was working a show in Seattle.  It was nice as this
was my hometown, and I was stoked that I could sleep in my own bed.  I went
down early to set up the booth.  Afterwards, I looked at the conference
program to see where James would be in the hall.  He was one row over and I
strolled to his booth on the off chance that he was as early as I.  I was a
bit surprised to see him setting up the booth.  I said hi and hey gave me a
smile and said, "Could you give me a hand with this banner?".  We got his
booth squared away and then he said he'd buy me a beer for helping out.

He suggested his hotel's bar but I would have none of it.  I said I knew of
a great pub not far from the hotel and it would be much cooler than the bar
at the Westin.  We walked into the dim light of "xxxxx's", and was greeted
by the bartender.  I introduced James and said we needed to get him drunk
on our local microbrews.  James laughed and said that although he wasn't
local, he was from the Northwest and knew his beer.  We grabbed a couple of
IPA's and looked for a seat.  The bar was crowded but there was a booth
that had just been vacated.  We both saw it at the same time and sprinted
to it.

Once seated, we relaxed and sipped our beers, talking about life and
whatnot.  He was working out of Spokane for a small software company.  He
was married but didn't seem too stoked about it.  As someone whose 9 year
marriage ended ugly, with her leaving me, I completely understood.  One
beer became 5 and we walked back to our car/hotel.  As we passed his hotel,
James looked at me, grinned and said, "one more?".  I made a face, which he
knew had to do with the hotel bar, and said he had a bottle of Knob Creek
in his room.  Ding! Ding!  "Lead the way", I said.

We got to his room and he said he needed to change.  I said fine, but asked
if I could check my email on his laptop.  He said sure and as his computer
came out of "sleep mode", I saw that his email was open and on the screen
were replies to a Craigslist posting, having to do with meeting with James.
I was taken aback and then I felt James' hand on my shoulder and he
whispered, "Surprised?" in my ear.  He turned and went to the kitchenette
to pour the drinks.  I was a bit shocked.  I didn't figure James for gay or
bi.  I'd had a couple of trysts with guys but rarely sought out such
unions.  I swiveled in the chair and saw James walking over with two
glasses of bourbon.

He cut to the chase.  He said he liked hanging out with me and got a good
vibe and figured he would test the waters.  He asked if I had ever been
with a guy.  I told him yes.  He asked if I liked it.  I said yes. He
handed me my bourbon and toasted.  We drank and he asked, very simply, if I
would like him.  With the bourbon taste still in my mouth, I rose and ran
my hands over his muscled chest.  I leaned in and kissed lips that quickly
opened and accepted my tongue.  After kissing for about a minute, he
grabbed both our glasses and again raised them for a toast.  After drinking
and kissing, I told him that he might want to cancel his Craigslist ad.  He
laughed and led me to the bed.

To be continued...if you like, comments welcome.
Goofball220@yahoo.com