Choosing Her Lover

Chapter 13

*****

I wake to sunlight streaming over the bed. My view is blocked by Ryan, standing over me, offering me a mug.

“You like coffee on a morning?” he asks.

“I sit up to take the mug from him. “It’s one of the food groups.” I grin.

When was the last time I woke up in a man’s bed?

He sits by me, sipping from his own cup. He doesn’t speak, but repeatedly, his glance strays my way before he looks away again, smiling.

The obvious question finally looms. “What time is it?”

“Ten to eight.”

“Jeez! I’ll be late to work!”

“Hey, calm down. I’ll drive you there.”

“I can’t go like this….”

“The shower’s through there….”

As it is, Ryan delivers me on squealing wheels to Haswell Building at two minutes to nine,

And as I swipe my entry card, James Alexanders is coming in right behind me. He must have seen Ryan drop me off and he wears the kind of half-smile that says he knows exactly why I am wearing yesterday’s blouse and a rapidly painted-on expression of dignity.

“Morning, Kirstie.”

“Morning Mr Alexanders.”

*****

That evening, walking the dogs on the beach, Ben jogs up to me, and Scruffy barges in to meet up with my canine gang again.

“Hi.” he puffs, bending to rest hands on knees for a minute as he catches his breath. “How are you? Great to see you again.”

“I’m fine.” In truth, I am a little uncomfortable. The speed, and for that matter, the direction in which my ‘relationship’ with Ben is progressing is unnerving me. He seems to believe that we are a lot closer than I do, and I am not at all sure that I want to take things with him any further.

What’s a safe topic of conversation?

Oh, yes….

“I was surprised when I met Charlotte at work and realised who she is. You and your brother aren’t much alike, are you?”

He frowns. “Sorry? You’ve met my brother?”

“Yes, I saw him with Charlotte in the lobby a few days ago.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. He must have been picking her up.”

“Er, no. They were on their way out actually. I would never have taken the pair of you for brothers….”

“I don’t think we’re that unalike, are we? I know he’s a lot blonder than I am….”

Blonder?

“No, the man I saw was dark; much darker-haired than you. “

He shakes his head. “Mike’s blond, very blond. He looks like something from a toothpaste advert. You know, the kind with the sunshine-healthy family, all corn-fed, and eating wheat germ and yoghurt.”

Mike….? Not James then….

Time to tread carefully….

my mistake. I saw Charlotte with a tall dark-haired guy and assumed

“I know who you saw. It was the Haswells. Beth Haswell is the spit ‘n image of

Definitely my

to shut

mind is spinning overtime, running on whirring red-hot axles. The Charlotte I met was certainly the same girl I saw with

for changing

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

pretty

suppose so. Mike certainly thinks so.

burst out laughing. “You

eyes slide sideways. “I prefer

*****

open and a blond, strikingly good-looking man enters the lobby. He is tall, although not overly so, broad-shouldered and

heart sinks as

Oh, God. It’s him….

Am I going to be seeing them

This could be embarrassing.

sweeping past me as instead, he heads straight

slows, turns

to seem rude, but do we know

yes. We met two or three years

a moment, then his face clears. With the most charming of smiles, he stabs a finger

damn blush rises up my face again. I tap my lapel badge. Moving closer, he peers in and grins. “Ah, Kirstie.” He laughs. “I see. Nice to meet you Kirstie.” He taps

this amazing looking man fucking my brains out in a

anyone if you

you’re new. No, don’t worry. They know me here. I’m just

said

You’ve met him

the

he grins. “Was

He was

wider. “Glad to hear it. He’s a good man; one of the best, but sometimes…. um…

you cut

Gotta go Kirstie. See you around.” He heads back to the lifts, turning back as the doors

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

lunchtime. I could go to the staff canteen; the facilities are very good. But I prefer to get out for a

into space and pondering the incandescent joys of fucking with Ryan when a shadow

up. It’s Charlotte, carrying a tray

brightly. “Hi,” she says. “Mind if I join

make space as she puts her tray down on the

mind?” she says as she seats herself. “I saw you from across the road and thought we might as well take the opportunity to get to know each other, since it looks as though we’re going to

“Sure…. er….”

me over her coffee.

over my words. What

Ben’s

barely know him? He’s not shut up about you whenever I’ve

I’ve met him half a dozen times and had a couple of dates. Please don’t get the wrong impression about where we are with each

looks pensive. “I don’t think it’s my impression that

voice comes from

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255