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.

speaking. Then

don’t reply, simply swaying in towards him. He leans to me, finishing the movement, tilting his head

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

for a moment, holding my eyes, then he leans into me once more, but this time, his mouth opens over mine, and

“I wanted to do that the other night, but

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

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

want the car to smell of that on the way home. “Archie.

the stinking thing, then

up. “Scruffy.

as Ben’s long-armed throw can manage, and persuaded the dogs to

along the beach. “My treat. I

replies, with the kind of smile that suggests that ice cream is just an excuse for hanging

his face transforms. He becomes an attractive

I juggle change in my pocket. “What are

sure. What have

a bitter chocolate and sour cherry that’s to die

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

Of course you will….

but I think you’ll

You want something you’re never going to get

But…. You’re nice….

Is ‘nice’ what I

eating

“For a

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

“Something different?”

one of the office blocks in the new

certainly a change.

that went up so quickly after the old headquarters got

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

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

raises his eyebrows. “Yeah, the sis said something about

maybe I’ll get to