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.

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

under the threatening sky. I walk briskly, warming myself against 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

left behind me. Calling the dogs in, I sprint back up the beach, racing for cover. The dogs, in a spirit of

raindrops behind me, and a second or so later, the whoosh of water hammering on to the sand, before it catches

the beach bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’ sign on

car’s going to be wet and stinking for

sprint once more to the beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open the door and then stand dripping on the

further, and I unlace them, my numb

a familiar voice. “Or hot chocolate perhaps?” It’s

I say to

a few coins on the

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

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

sunshine when I left home. Didn’t

a clean pullover in the car. Back in a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling, returning a minute or so later, his hair wet

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

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

I’d not realised before how broad-shouldered Ben is, or

bit self-consciously, I return to the bar. He eyes me, mouth

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

me, perhaps when we meet up for a meal?”

sip my coffee,

a

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

I didn’t mean to offend you.” He looks down, then