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

today, the sea roiling, forbidding under the threatening sky. I walk briskly, warming myself

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 my way fast. If I

Calling the dogs in, I sprint back up the

A few hundred yards short of the cafe, I hear the splatter of raindrops behind me, and a second or so later, the whoosh of water hammering on to the sand, before it catches up with me, battering through my thin

recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on the door, heading instead for the car where, as I lift the hatch, as one, the gang jumps inside, shaking rain, slobber and

The car’s going to be wet and stinking for

warmth of the bar,

only manners to remove my boots before I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb

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

please,” I say

says Ben, dropping a few coins on the

fingers, but still shivering. My

got me too, but I must run faster than you.” He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey,

bright sunshine when I left home.

a clean pullover in the car. Back in a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling, returning a minute or so later, his

that on you. There’s a bathroom

from a near stranger, but I’m in no position to argue. My jeans are still sopping, but with the warm jersey, at least my

I’d not realised before how broad-shouldered Ben is, or for that matter, how much taller

self-consciously, I return to the bar. He eyes me, mouth puckering. “Not exactly a

to pick up my coffee mug. “I really appreciate it. Er…. do mind if I borrow it to go home in? I’m happy to post it back to

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

sip my coffee,

a date

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

if you’re not interested, that’s fine. I didn’t mean to offend you.” He looks down, then away, out of the window