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.

let my gang bound out in a melee of joyous, barking enthusiasm, racing off ahead of me to

roiling, forbidding under the threatening sky. I

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 cover. The dogs, in a

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

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

car’s going to be wet

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

seems 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 drip of

hot chocolate perhaps?” It’s Ben, sitting at the

I say

me,” says Ben, dropping a few

but still shivering. My clothes are

I must run faster than you.” He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey, are you okay? You really are drenched, aren’t you?

sunshine when I

a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling, returning a

on you. There’s a bathroom out

feels a bit odd, accepting clothes from a near stranger, but I’m in no position to argue. My jeans are still sopping,

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

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

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

perhaps when we meet up for

my coffee,

a date

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

offend you.” He looks down, then away, out of the window at