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….

I saw Charlotte with a

Beth Haswell is the spit ‘n image of Charlotte, and her husband is

my mistake

to shut my

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

for changing

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

pretty isn’t

I suppose so. Mike certainly thinks so. She’s a bit

out laughing.

eyes slide sideways. “I prefer

*****

front doors swish open and a blond, strikingly good-looking man enters the lobby. He is tall, although not

sinks as I recognise

Oh, God. It’s him….

the Club. Am I going to be seeing them both

This could be embarrassing.

gaze sweeping past me as instead, he heads straight for the

doors, he abruptly slows, turns and

pauses. “Sorry to seem rude, but

years ago. You

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

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 his nose.

related to this amazing looking

I need to check with anyone if you have an appointment or

new. No, don’t worry. They know me here. I’m just going to find my

friend said

met him

the

grins. “Was

He was a

a good man; one of the best, but sometimes…. um… empathy’s not

“He’s a Dom, isn’t he. If you cut him in

laughs. “You’re not wrong there. Gotta go Kirstie. See you around.” He heads back to the lifts, turning back as the

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

to get out for a while for a change of air, so I head for

take a window seat and I’m halfway through my lunch, staring into space and

Charlotte, carrying

brightly. “Hi,” she says. “Mind if I

chair to make

“I saw you from across the road and thought we might as well take the opportunity to get

“Sure…. er….”

me over her coffee.

words. What can I

this the right way. I know Ben’s your brother-in-law, but I

shut up

dozen times and had a couple of dates. Please

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

comes from above us.

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

Comments ()

0/255