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.

out in a melee of joyous,

stronger today, the sea roiling, forbidding under the threatening

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

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

short of the cafe, I hear the splatter of raindrops behind me, and a second or so later,

the beach bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign

car’s going to be wet and stinking for the drive back

the beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open

remove my boots before I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb fingers struggling with the knots. But nothing stops the steady drip of

It’s Ben, sitting at the bar, himself nursing

please,” I say

dropping a few coins

fingers, but

you.” He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey, are you okay? You really are drenched,

shake my head. “It was bright sunshine when

a clean pullover in the car. Back in a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling, returning

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

near stranger, but I’m in no position to argue. My jeans are still sopping, but with the

and would easily accommodate another one of me inside. I’d not realised before how broad-shouldered Ben is, or for that matter, how much taller he

self-consciously, I return to the bar. He eyes

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

perhaps when we meet

sip my

wants a date with

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

I didn’t mean to offend you.” He looks down, then away, out of the