Choosing Her Lover

Ryan is scanning the room, looking for me.

“Want to introduce us properly to your friend?” asks James. “In a situation where we’ll talk about something other than cooling systems.

Of course I do.

I wave across the floor. Ryan sees me and his face lights up, smiling at me as though there is no-one else in the room.

We cross to each other, meeting in the middle, where he coils an arm around my waist, reeling me in to kiss me on the cheek.

“Hi, sorry to be so long. It was a bit more….”

“That’s fine. You’re all done now? We have the evening?”

“Yes, we have the evening.” He slips his fingers into mine, and holding hands, I tug him back towards the trio.

“Um, this is Ryan…. and um, you met James earlier. This is Michael and Charlotte.”

“Please to meet you, Michael.” Ryan offers his hand and the two shake. “And you too, Charlotte.” He leans to kiss her lightly on the cheek, then moves to stand by me, his arm around my waist. “You’ve known each other long?”

I prevaricate. This is not yet the time to explain how I first met James and Michael. “Charlotte and I only just met when I started the new job. We don’t really know each other very well.” I explain.

“I suspect that will change,” says James. “Charlotte doesn’t have too many female friends. Another intelligent woman might be welcome company for her? Someone to talk to.” He cocks an eye at her.

“No question of finding an intelligent woman to be good company for a man, then?” she replies, her tone wry.

I suppress a laugh and look away. All three men look baffled. “Have I said something amiss?” asks James.

My eyes meet with Charlotte’s and as we grin, I know that we are both thinking the same thing.

Michael says “What are you talking about, Charlotte? We talk with you all the time…. don’t we?”

“You’re a bright, intelligent woman. Why would I not

try to choose my words

The fragile male ego….

women. I’ve never encountered one who, when

I do like intelligent women. It’s one of the things that I find attractive in you; that

asked to

into laughter. Michael’s eyes dance with merriment and even the saturnine James is sucking

momentarily speechless, then says, “Excuse me for a moment while I discipline my

tight to him and murmurs by my ear. “If I ever appear to insult your intelligence, then tell me. Don’t dwell on it and don’t let it

panties flood. He continues, “And don’t think I don’t know about that

is rising up my throat and

How does

this way. I meet a man, and if I like him enough to fuck we get on with it. But

coyness. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know

His brows arch….

He’s not fooled….

our attention back to the threesome, who are now

out of the side of his mouth. “I can’t figure out which one

to both

looks sceptical. “Seriously? You can’t do that

legally married to Michael,

I

about places like this….” I wave my hand around the Club…. “…. is that just about everyone here understands. If you live your life differently, or you

I taking

with that. Want to show me the place? I think we’re a bit surplus to need

offering her open mouth to

bit…. public,” says Ryan.