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.

finishing the movement, tilting his head to the side as his lips

sweet and warm and affectionate. He tastes of sunshine and fresh air, strawberries, and vanilla. His hand cupping

moment, holding my eyes, then 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 in

to

what to say to him. It’s a long time since anyone kissed me in that way. He doesn’t just want a quick fuck.

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

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

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

up.

manage, and persuaded the dogs to play in the water long enough to get rid of the worst of the

an ice cream?” I suggest, waving vaguely towards the bar further along the

smile that suggests that ice cream is just an excuse for hanging around a

smiles, his face transforms. He becomes an attractive

I juggle change in my pocket. “What are

not sure. What

do a bitter chocolate and sour cherry that’s

me.” He sniffs.

Of course you will….

a good man, but I think you’ll always

I’m not being fair to you. You want something you’re never

But…. You’re nice….

‘nice’ what I

along the beach again, eating

is it you do?” he asks. “For a living, I mean? If

don’t mind at all. I was 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

“Something different?”

being taken on as a concierge in one

a change.

one that went

he comments. “My sister-in-law works there. What made you

desk, so I’ll be seeing people

said something about that too.

I’ll