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 chase waves and

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

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 downpour is heading my way fast. If I don’t get to shelter quickly,

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

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

‘No Dogs’ sign on the door, heading instead for the car where, as I lift

going to be wet and stinking for

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

I go any further, and I unlace them, my numb fingers struggling with the knots. But nothing stops

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

I say to the

me,” says Ben, dropping a few coins

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

caught you, then? It almost got me too, but I must run faster than you.” He looks at me, brow furrowed. “Hey, are you okay? You really are drenched,

when I left home.

clean pullover in the car. Back in a jiffy….” He strides out, car keys jangling,

you. There’s a bathroom out at the back to

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

accommodate another one of me inside. I’d not realised before how

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

trying 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

prefer that you handed it back to me, perhaps when we meet up for a meal?”

my

a date

An actual date?

It’s been a while….

I didn’t mean to offend you.” He looks down, then away, out of the window at