Choosing Her Lover

Chapter 30

‘A Conspiracy of Ravens’

 

Part Four

A Conspiracy of Ravens

My morning walk with the dogs: there is a figure jogging towards me on the beach, a small dog trotting at his heels. I turn to walk the other way.

“Kirstie!” Ben’s voice carries on the breeze. “Kirstie....”

I ignore him and keep walking.

After a minute or so, there is panting and Ben appears at my side, breathing heavily.

“Kirstie, please….”

Perhaps I should find another place to walk….

“…. We need to talk,” he says.

“I don’t think so. I saw your idea of talking.” I keep moving, stepping up my pace a little, doing everything I can to discourage the conversation.

“Please, Kirstie. Do you want me to apologise? Alright, I apologise. Is that good enough for you?”

I stop, turning to face him. “What exactly are you apologising for?”

His face falls. “I’m apologising for losing my temper as I did. It came as a bit of a shock, everything that you said, that Michael said.”

“And for threatening Charlotte?”

Now he reddens. “I wasn’t threatening her.”

me, jittery and nervous. Meg shows her teeth to

were screaming and shouting at her, Ben. She tried to get away from you, but you shoved her. I saw it.

hit

further away if you want

he backs away. “You don’t really think

Ben? Even the dogs are reading you, your body language. They’re not happy. I barely know you, but quite a bit of what I’ve

for.” he snaps. “You screw

there because they wanted to be. No-one was coerced and everyone enjoyed themselves. And the same applies to Michael’s arrangements with James and Charlotte. It’s nothing to

stares glumly at the sand. “You didn’t have to

it. You heard James. He asked Francis to call them. If he thinks you’re a threat to

the sand with a toe, then, “Do you really think

me, but I don’t think it’s

out to sea. He nods, a sharp down-thrust of his chin, and then jogs back

*****

that evening, Ryan is waiting for me,

on the window and his face lights up as he sees me. “Have

at all. I was passing, so I thought

have. Coming

coffee is all I’m being

on cue,

I go through the motions of putting water on

standing behind me, his hands resting on my waist, his face close to

cheek, the line of my jaw and down to my neck where he has placed his mark on me, his ownership; the velvet band I wear around my neck,

are we?” I

smile of a fallen angel, “Oh, yes, and so are you. Don’t

body pliable in his arms, I

says. “I have a

“Ideas?”

the bedroom, he waits quietly while I draw curtains and light

he makes

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

Comments ()

0/255