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.

open up the car to let my gang bound out in a melee of joyous, barking

roiling, forbidding under

walked much further from the bar than I intended. Turning, I see rain sheeting down over the sea a

the only shelter is the cafe bar I left behind me. Calling the dogs in, I sprint back up the beach,

the cafe, I hear the splatter of raindrops behind me, and a second or so later, the whoosh of water hammering

bar, I recoil at the ‘No Dogs’

wet and stinking for the drive back

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

remove my boots before I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb fingers

chocolate perhaps?” It’s Ben,

I say to the

Ben, dropping a few coins on

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,

sunshine when I left home.

car keys jangling, returning a minute or so later, his hair wet but carrying a

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

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, at least my

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

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

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 back to

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

my coffee,

a

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