Understand that this comes from a situation where there was absolutely NO chance their affair could ever be nore than an affair, the company would not have survived them becoming a couple so I KNEW that was not on the table......
But J's affair with her Boss/Lover lasted 11 years. It only ended because of Covid and he got REALLY weird during it. But they WERE a couple when they were together. They traveled extensively for work during this time together, and acted very much like husband and wife if it was just the two of them. He preferred suites at hotels, and one time they only had the "Bridal Suite" available, so he booked it without telling her. When they arrived, everyone was calling her Mrs. Lovers last name, and offering congratualations, and she was LOVING it!! They got all kinds of freebies and gifts, etc. While they were out walking around Checy CHase, he suddenly guided her in to a small jewelry store and bought her a small diamond ring to wear on their "honeymoom"!! Which she did for the rest of the trip (which they extended from a weekend to the rest of the following week). And she continued to wear "their ring" when they traveled together, and wore it aroudn her neck on a chain when they were at home (still does even tho the relationship has ended).
It was during this trip also that they made the decision to completely STOP any pretense of birth control (she has a diaphragm which she used during her most fertile times) but was not using the rest of the time and just let nature happen. So this was a very serious relationship and I loved it.........but again, KNOWING it could never be "more".
And he was never aware I knew about their affair, he would NOT have been comfortable with that. It actually was ongoing for 2 years before I knew (as in she told me, I suspected prior to being told) and the only reason she told me was because she wanted the relationship to transition from "just when they travel" to a full time anytime including when at home relationship. And they made good use of "working late" regularly at his Lake Home which was only a few miles down the street from our home.
Could write a couple more pages of other aspects of this relationship, but the point is this situation can be EXTREMELY exciting and rewarding too if handled properly AND there is no possibility of the emotions carrying over to them deciding they would be better together permanently. That risk is always there, and it tends to add to the sexcitement of the lifestyle. Emotion takes this to a whole new level as does allowing them to act together as a couple without you present.
CW