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.

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

in towards him. He leans to me, finishing the

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

this time, his mouth opens over mine, and he pulls me in tightly to him, holding me at

“I wanted to do that the other night, but I thought maybe I’d be moving too fast,” he

long time since anyone kissed me

drops the semi-rotted fish she is holding, letting it fall to

want the car to smell of that on the

roll too, competing for the stinking thing, then Scruffy

leaps up.

throw can manage, and persuaded the dogs

an ice cream?” I suggest, waving vaguely towards the bar further along the beach. “My

of smile that suggests that ice cream is just an excuse

smiles, his face transforms. He becomes an attractive

bar, I juggle change in my pocket. “What are you

What

do a bitter chocolate and sour cherry

that’s a bit powerful for me.” He sniffs.

Of course you will….

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

fair to you. You want something you’re never going to get from

But…. You’re nice….

Is ‘nice’ what

beach again, eating

asks. “For a living, I mean? If you

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

“Something different?”

different. I’m being taken on as a concierge in one of the office blocks

a change. Which

went up so quickly after

sister-in-law works

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

the sis said something about that too. She’s going

Well, maybe I’ll