You don't cheat because you don't want to hurt the person you love.
And even if you can get away with it, why put yourself up with lifelong guilt for a few moments of pleasure.

Adult life is all about fighting your biology, you don't go fighting with everyone you disagree with, take what you want, and force yourself on who you want. That's biology.

Don't get yourself into vulnerable situations where you can't trust yourself. Ask yourself, would I be doing this with my wife present, if the answer is no, then stop. Flirting and drinking with another women is already going too far imo.

For the record, I'm not a guy who's constantly fighting the temptation to cheat, maybe my OP is not clear. Some of the answers seem to be directed at correcting my behaviour.

I mean I think "boy, that chick is hot" often, but I don't actually think of going to her and trying to have sex with her. That's what I meant with what my body asks for, the thought itself. I have no major issues not cheating. But then I had this clear chance and I thought about what this whole thing means, though I eventually did nothing.

I was thinking more of sparking debate about the issue rather than getting advice on it. All comments are welcome though as long as they don't cross the line.

depends how sexual you are,some people are not all that bothered but to some and i include myself i'm not sure i could have been monogamous at your age,but i wasn't tied down then,women are about the best thing in life aren't they,why have so few

your relationship will be stronger i guess if you take it all the way,the trouble is how do you know your partners aren't cheating,women cheat just as much as men

best talk about how you feel if you ask me to your mrs,easier said than done though

I'm allowed to drink with other women, my wife has no issues whatsoever with that. The flirting wasn't real flirting like I said, it was more the fun conversation itself that I noticed had something behind, but not intentional. Dunno... too much fun? But no mention of anything sensual in any way. So I actually didn't break any rule established in our relation, and my wife knows every detail of what happened that day... except for the last bit when my friend (our friend) wanted to come with me.

You stopped in time, or maybe almost, since you still have some guilt apparently. Emotional cheating causes guilt too. Anyway don't let your brain run away with making excuses in the future. Biology/nature weren't part of your wedding vows I would imagine.

I guess it's possible for open relationships to work. It won't work for my wife and I is all I know.

You are correct that no-one would be hurt if no-one finds out, but the question is: have you the discipline to keep absolute control of the scenario so that there is no danger of anyone ever finding out?

Ultimately doing the right thing in this case is best because its easier, unless you are really, really good at controlling information, which also answers the bigger question of the thread: romance is complicated enough without bringing the morass of cheating into the picture. It's easier to just be honest and true

In the long run, of course, it would be easier still if we didn't attach so much emotional baggage to sex...

I have not yet been in a romantic relationship (working on it), but I think that cheating seems very stupid, and I don't think I would ever do it. It just doesn't make sense