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.

gang bound out in a melee

sea roiling, forbidding under the threatening

further from the bar than I intended. Turning, I see rain sheeting down over the sea a mile or so out, a grey haze

dogs in, I sprint back up the beach, racing for cover. The dogs, in a spirit of co-operation, weave

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 up with me, battering through

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 jumps inside, shaking rain, slobber

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

violently now, I sprint once more to the beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open the

I unlace them, my numb fingers struggling

familiar voice. “Or hot chocolate perhaps?” It’s Ben, sitting at the bar, himself nursing

say to the

Ben, dropping a few coins

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

He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey,

when I left home. Didn’t

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

“Get that on you. There’s a bathroom

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

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

He eyes me,

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

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

my

a date

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

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