Choosing Her Lover

*****

‘An Illusion of Happiness’

A Tale of BDSM Erotic Romance

And the Meeting of Strangers

Part Two

An Illusion of Happiness

As I stroll across the sands, a familiar figure jogs towards me, a small dog trotting alongside; a terrier that looks as though it has been assembled from a junkyard of other dogs.

As the runner approaches, he angles my way. Drawing close, he pulls to a stop, huffing.

“Hi, Kirstie,” he says, “I was hoping I’d run into you. How are you?”

His face is severe. Ben is not an unhandsome man, but his natural expression is unsmiling, which detracts from his looks, making him appear austere, perhaps even puritanical.

And is that just an appearance….? Or is that really the man?

“Hi, Ben. I’m good. You?”

“Yeah, I’m great. Mind if we join you for a bit?”

“We?”

He nods down toward his dog. “Scruffy wants to make friends….”

True enough, Scruffy is making moves on my Meg, who rumbling low, curls up a lip, unimpressed by this rag-tag terrier.

“…. and he’s not the only one.”

“I’d love you and Scruffy to join us. I was about to have some coffee actually.” I hold up my flask. “Want a cup?”

“Great idea.”

Sitting on the dune, close to each other, we sip coffee. The wind blowing into our faces sends my hair streaming over my shoulders. It feels very comfortable, very natural.

not speaking. Then he turns to me. “Can

simply swaying in towards him. He leans to me, finishing the movement, tilting his head to the side as his lips

tastes of sunshine and fresh air, strawberries, and vanilla. His hand cupping my cheek, his touch is soft, his mouth

then he leans into me once more, but this time, his mouth opens over mine, and he pulls me in tightly

to sea. “I wanted to do that the other night, but I thought maybe I’d be

know what to say to him. It’s a long time since anyone kissed me in that way. He

to break away. “Emma! Will you put that down….” Emma drops the semi-rotted fish she is holding, letting it fall to the sand.

I don’t want the car to smell of that on

the stinking

leaps up.

Ben’s long-armed throw can manage, and persuaded the dogs to play in the water long enough to

the bar further along the beach.

that ice cream is just an excuse

smiles, his face transforms.

bar, I juggle change in my

sure. What have

and sour

bit powerful for me.”

Of course you will….

I think you’ll always choose

You want something you’re never going to

But…. You’re nice….

Is ‘nice’ what

again, eating cornets, licking away

asks. “For a living, I mean? If you don’t mind me

it’s one of those dream jobs for

“Something different?”

taken on as a concierge in one of

a change.

one that went

place,” he comments. “My sister-in-law works

be on their front desk, so I’ll be seeing people all the

his eyebrows. “Yeah, the sis said something about that too.

maybe I’ll get