. . . Never to Have Loved

He sat there and listened to her talking. About her temp job, about her weekend. About anything she wanted to talk about. He sat and listened. Because he didn't want to end his time with her. After all these months, he still needed to be near her. All the medications he was on did nothing to still his passion for her, his love, his desires.

A pause in the conversation signaled the end. He felt it. It was as physical as a touch, a gentle nudge away.

"Well," he said softly. "guess I'll be going now." She nodded.

"Hugs kids." His two children obliged.

At the door he hugged her and held her a second longer, lingering in her sweet embrace.

"If you need anything...." His voice trailed off.

"Yeah," she said.

He reached out to stroke her hair. The temptation to kiss her was great. But the reprecussions of such an act could last months. Though he didn't know anymore if they would be positive or negative, he couldn't chance it. His hand dropped.

"Anything," he repeated, with all the sincerity he felt in his heart. "Just let me know."

He left then, aware that if he stayed any longer, his temptation would overcome his ability to stop.

He walked to his car, wondering what would have happened.