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.

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

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

warm and 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 in a

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

“I wanted to

know 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. This man

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

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

too, competing for the stinking thing, then Scruffy joins

up.

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

towards the bar further along the beach. “My treat. I owe you a coffee at

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

he smiles, his face transforms. He becomes an

I juggle change in my pocket. “What are you

What have they

and sour cherry

for me.” He

Of course you will….

I

being fair to you. You want something you’re never going to

But…. You’re nice….

‘nice’ what I

along the beach again, eating cornets, licking away

is it you do?” he asks. “For a living, I mean? If you don’t mind

don’t mind at all. I was a pastry chef. I know it’s one of those dream jobs for a lot of people,

“Something different?”

one of the office blocks in

certainly a change. Which

one that went up so quickly after the

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

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

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

I’ll get to meet