Choosing Her Lover

We lie together quietly, he beside me, hands behind his head on the pillow, staring up at the ceiling “Wow! That was quite a ride, Kirstie. Thank you.”

“Thank you. I enjoyed it too.”

“When you asked me to manhandle you, I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did.”

“You’ve not done that before?”

“No, I haven’t. I’m more accustomed to women who want flowers and romantic dinners.” He props himself up on one elbow, looking down at me. “You’re a bit of a contradiction you know.”

“How do you mean?”

“You tell me that you want control of your life, that you want to be in charge, but in the bedroom, you enjoy being…. I don’t think mauled is too strong a word.”

Heat blushes up my face and he rolls his eyes. “Don’t be embarrassed. If that’s what gives you your kicks, I’m happy to help….” He hesitates. “Is that why some of your previous…. partners…. didn’t work out? They weren’t comfortable delivering what works for you?”

“Some of them, certainly, yes.”

“You want to meet up again?”

“I’d love to.”

“Good.” He looks pleased, really pleased. “I’m leaving in the morning for this trip, but I’ll be back in the area next weekend if you’d like….”

“Suits me.”

“Great. I’ll see you in a few days then. And next time, I’ll know what to expect. I’ll come prepared.”

*****

The day is much darker than on my last visit to the beach, overcast and with the breeze gusting cold. Rain threatens, and I decide not to walk too far from shelter.

beach bar, I open up the car to let my gang bound out in a melee of joyous, barking enthusiasm,

today, the sea roiling, forbidding under the threatening sky. I

first raindrops splat fatly onto the sand, I realise that I have walked much further from the bar than I intended. Turning, I see rain sheeting down over the sea a mile or so out, a grey haze that obliterates the view. The downpour is heading

the only shelter is the cafe bar I left behind me. Calling the dogs in, I sprint back up the beach, racing for

or so later, the whoosh of water hammering on to

up, the chill bites through me. Dashing for the warmth of the beach bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on the

car’s going to be wet and

of the bar, fling open the door and then

before I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb fingers

familiar voice. “Or hot chocolate perhaps?” It’s Ben, sitting at the

I say

Ben, dropping a few coins on

wrap my hands around the cup, warming my fingers, but

He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey,

bright sunshine when I left home. Didn’t think

in a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling, returning

at me, “Get that on you. There’s a bathroom out at the

position to argue. My jeans are still sopping, but

a good fit and would easily accommodate another one of me inside. I’d not

the bar. He eyes me, mouth puckering.

one.” I say, pushing the sleeves up past my wrists, trying to free my hands to pick up my coffee mug. “I really appreciate it. Er…. do mind if I borrow it to go home in? I’m

that you handed it back to me, perhaps when we meet up for a meal?”

my

wants a date

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

offend you.” He looks down, then away, out of the window at