Seeing that she had posted, Simon started reading the post before composing his response:<br/><br/>"Valter listened attentively as Emma talked and when it was his turn to share, he sat up a bit straighter, his hand in the meantime had slowly continued its exploration and soon incorporated caressing and massaging Emma's forearm along with her right hand with equal tenderness.<br/><br/>"Well, I am an investment broker.  I used to work at a big firm but I got bored of the corporate environment...too stuffy.  So I went into business for myself, regulating people's investments and giving advice on the market.  On the side I earned a pretty penny investing in the markets for myself.  After I earned enough to ensure a comfortable lifestyle, I'm now semi-retired.<br/><br/>I only manage my own investments and occasionally still provide investment advice for a small fee.  Don't need the fee, but clients don't really trust a broker who won't take their money.  Now, I figure I'll enjoy myself and my money while I still have my youth.  See the world, find new things of beauty to appreciate and acquire them if I can."<br/><br/>Valter paused for a moment to stare out the window at the glowing street lamps before returning his gaze to Emma, his eyes piercingly sharp and clear.  He slided a little closer to Emma and Emma could begin to detect the odor of cologne gently wafting into her nostrils.  Something woodsy and chill like the scent of a fragrant cedar and pine forest in the winter with the undertone of the bitter tang of ashes from a banked fire.  He licked his dry lips before speaking again:<br/><br/>"Tell me something about yourself, Emma.  Something you've never told another living soul.""<br/><br/>Simon send off his post and was about to turn to a different page when the forum helpfully informed him that he had a new PM.  As he read it he was surprised by the message and her tone, part of him thrilled at the idea of playing a game with someone stuck in an moribund marriage, perhaps if he played his cards right he could get her to contemplate some electronic infidelity.<em>Or perhaps some physical infidelity if she really does live near you...</em>whispered the more salacious voice of his libido.<br/><br/><em>You know you should not take advantage of her like this.  Be the good Samaritan...</em>Simon grimaced slightly as his conscience decided to awaken from its hibernation to kill his buzz.  His libido agreed and after a very short struggle for dominance, he made up his mind.  If lovelygirl rebuffed his advances then it was obvious that the marriage was still solid and he would press no further, otherwise it served whomever was her husband right for being neglectful if she didn't spurn him.<br/><br/>First though, he would need to know if lovelygirl was going to the same Trattoria that he worked.  Tomorrow at work he would need to check the reservation book to see if Jack had penciled in reservations for an couple celebrating an anniversary, he was quite scrupulous in his bookkeeping.  That out of the way, Simon returned his attention to drafting up an PM.<br/><br/>"Really?  You have my sympathies... :(  On behalf of the rest of the men around world, I'll like to apologize for your husband's mistreatment of you.  He should consider himself lucky that you married him and not the other way around.  Here, have a few big hugs from me from across the Internet.  OOOOO<br/><br/>-Kirinis"<br/><br/>Satisfied with the message, he sent the PM.  Checking the time he wondered if lovelygirl was still awake since they both had different sleep cycles.  Simon grabbed the bookmarked book he was reading previously and resumed his reading while idly waiting for her to respond.