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….

must be my mistake. I saw Charlotte with a tall dark-haired guy

who you saw. It was the Haswells. Beth Haswell is the spit

my mistake

shut

axles. The Charlotte

opt for changing the

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

very pretty isn’t

suppose so. Mike certainly thinks so. She’s

out laughing. “You

sideways. “I

*****

strikingly good-looking man enters the lobby. He is tall, although

sinks as I

Oh, God. It’s him….

Am I going to be seeing

This could be embarrassing.

barely looks at me, his brilliantly blue-eyed gaze sweeping past me

turns

to seem rude, but

We met two or three years

most charming of smiles,

and grins. “Ah, Kirstie.” He laughs. “I see. Nice to

for something to say that is not related to this amazing looking man fucking my brains out

to check with anyone if you have an

course, you’re new. No, don’t worry.

friend said that you’d

You’ve met him

just the other

grins. “Was he

yes. He was

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

isn’t he. If you cut him in half, it’d say ‘Dom’ running right through the

See you around.” He heads back to the lifts, turning back as the doors open, and waving.

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

I could go to the staff canteen; the facilities are very good. But I prefer to get out for a while for a change of air, so I head for the

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

carrying a tray

she says. “Mind if I join

to make space as

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

“Sure…. er….”

me over her

chew over my words.

I know Ben’s your brother-in-law, but I barely know him

not shut up

times and had a couple of dates.

don’t think it’s my impression

voice comes from

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