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 enthusiasm, racing off ahead of me

stronger today, the sea roiling, forbidding under the threatening sky. I walk

down over the sea a mile or so out,

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 spirit of

a second or so

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

wet and stinking for the drive back

violently now, I sprint once more to the beguiling warmth of the bar, fling open the door and then stand

before I go any further, and I unlace them, my

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

say

me,” says Ben, dropping a few coins on

fingers, but still shivering. My clothes are clammy

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 with

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

got 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 but carrying

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

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

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

return to the bar. He eyes me, mouth

I say, pushing the sleeves up past my wrists, trying to free my hands to pick up my coffee mug. “I

me, perhaps when we meet up for

sip my coffee,

wants a

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

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