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.

bound out in a melee of joyous, barking enthusiasm, racing off ahead of

forbidding under the threatening sky. I walk briskly, warming myself against the

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

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

me, and a second or so later, the whoosh of water hammering on to the sand, before

drenched, and the wind picking up, 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

be wet and stinking for the

to the beguiling warmth of the bar,

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

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

say to

a

wrap my hands around the cup, warming my fingers, but still shivering. My clothes are

rain 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 other clothes

head. “It was bright sunshine when I left home. Didn’t think I needed anything

out, car keys jangling, returning a minute

on you. There’s a bathroom

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

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

eyes me, mouth puckering.

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

to me, perhaps when we meet up for a meal?”

my coffee,

a

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

offend you.” He looks down, then away,