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,

forbidding under the threatening sky. I walk briskly,

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

the flat 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

cafe, I hear the splatter of raindrops behind me, and a second or so

the beach bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on the door, heading instead for the car

to be wet and stinking

once more to the beguiling warmth of the

only manners to remove my boots before I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb fingers struggling with the knots. But nothing stops the steady

perhaps?” It’s

I say to the

says Ben, dropping a few coins on the

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

you.” He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey, are you okay? You really are drenched,

“It was bright sunshine when

car keys jangling, returning a minute

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

stranger, but I’m in no position to argue. My jeans are still sopping, but with the warm jersey, at least my top half

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

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

very much. I 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 go home in? I’m happy to post it

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

my coffee,

a date with

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

mean to offend you.” He looks