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.

my gang bound out in a

stronger today, the sea roiling, forbidding under the

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

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, weave themselves around my legs,

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

Dogs’ sign on the door, heading instead for the car where, as I lift the hatch, as one, the gang

to be wet and stinking for the drive back

beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open the door and then stand dripping on the

only manners to remove my boots before I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb fingers struggling with the knots.

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

please,” I say to

Ben, dropping a few coins on the

wrap my hands around the cup, warming my fingers, but still

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

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

out, car keys

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

My jeans are still sopping,

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

the bar. He eyes me, mouth puckering. “Not exactly

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

handed it back to me, perhaps when we meet up for a meal?” He cocks

sip my coffee,

wants 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