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.

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

forbidding under the threatening sky. I walk

I intended. Turning, I see rain sheeting down over the sea a mile

Calling the dogs in, I sprint back up the beach, racing for cover. The dogs, in a spirit of co-operation, weave themselves around my legs, forcing me to

don’t make it. 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

the chill bites through me. Dashing for the warmth of the beach bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on the door, heading instead for the car where, as I lift the hatch, as one, the gang

wet and stinking for

sprint once more to the beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open the door and then stand dripping

and I unlace them, my numb fingers struggling with the

chocolate perhaps?” It’s Ben, sitting at the bar,

please,” I say

Ben, dropping a few coins on

my fingers, but still shivering. My clothes are clammy with

caught you, 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? Don’t you have any

sunshine when I left

the car. Back in a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling, returning a minute or so later, his hair wet but carrying a

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

are still sopping, but with the warm jersey,

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

I return to the bar. He eyes me, mouth puckering. “Not exactly a fashion statement,

owe you 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

when we meet up for a meal?” He cocks an eyebrow at

my

a

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

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