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.

I open up the car to let my gang bound out in a melee of joyous, barking enthusiasm, racing off ahead of me to go chase waves and threaten

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

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 that obliterates the view. The downpour is heading my

expanse of the beach, 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 co-operation,

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

at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on the door,

to be wet and stinking for the drive back

once more to the beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open

my

It’s Ben, sitting at the bar, himself

I say to

says Ben, dropping a

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

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

head. “It was bright sunshine when I left

out, car keys jangling, returning

me, “Get that on you. There’s

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

is not a good fit and would easily accommodate another one of me inside. I’d not realised before how broad-shouldered Ben is, or

eyes me, mouth puckering. “Not exactly a fashion statement, is

past my wrists, trying to free my hands to pick up my coffee mug. “I really appreciate

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

my coffee,

a date

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

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