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.

out to sea, not speaking. Then he turns to me. “Can I

reply, simply swaying in towards him. He leans to me, finishing the movement, tilting

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

he leans into me once more, but this time, his mouth opens over mine, and he pulls me in tightly to him, holding me at the waist, drawing me

“I wanted to do that the other night, but I thought maybe

time since anyone kissed me in that way. He doesn’t just want a quick fuck. This

down….” Emma drops the semi-rotted fish she is holding, letting it fall to the sand. Archie immediately seizes the initiative and starts

leap up. God knows I don’t want the car to smell of that

to roll too, competing for the stinking thing, then Scruffy

up.

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

vaguely towards the bar further along the beach. “My

the kind of smile that suggests that ice cream is just an excuse for hanging around

face

change in my pocket.

What have

do a bitter chocolate and sour cherry that’s to die

bit powerful for me.”

Of course you will….

a good man, but I think you’ll always choose the

you. You want something you’re

But…. You’re nice….

Is ‘nice’ what

wander along the beach again, eating cornets, licking away the

a living, I mean? If you don’t mind me

a pastry chef. I know it’s one of those dream jobs for a lot of people, but I hated it. I’m starting a new job in a couple

“Something different?”

in one of the office blocks in

a change. Which

one that went up so quickly after the

he comments. “My sister-in-law works there.

I enjoy doing. I’ll be on their front desk, so I’ll be seeing people all the time. And the

said something about

I’ll get