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.

let my gang bound out in a

surf is much stronger today, the sea roiling, forbidding under the threatening sky. I walk briskly,

down over the sea a mile or so out, a grey haze that obliterates the view. The downpour is heading my

up the beach, racing for cover. The

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

for the warmth of the beach bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on the

wet and stinking for the drive

more to the beguiling warmth of the

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

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

I say to the

says Ben, dropping a few coins on

my fingers, but still shivering. My clothes are clammy with cold, clinging wetly to

then? It almost got me too, but I must run faster than you.” He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey, are you okay? You really are drenched, aren’t you?

bright sunshine when I

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

you. There’s a bathroom out at the back to

in no position to argue. My jeans are still sopping, but with

sweater is not a good fit and would easily accommodate another one of me inside. I’d not realised before how

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

to free my hands to pick up my coffee mug. “I really appreciate it. Er…. do mind if I borrow it to go home

back to me, perhaps when we meet

my

wants a

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

fine. I didn’t mean to offend you.” He looks down,