“I'm James by the way” he said as we walked back to my house. “Lee” I replied. “Are you sure you have time to help me look, they're bound to turn up sooner or later?” He turned and smiled “honestly”the smile broadened “ I'm glad of the distraction”. Distraction, I'm a distraction for him. Well not me, more like my dogs, but he is very attractive and I was grateful for his offer for help.
After dropping my bags off, we went back to the beach and headed up the coast path. This was the normal route my beloved hounds would make on their bid to escape me. “They certainly keep you fit” he laughed as we climbed the steps up the cliff side. “Yes, I'm beginning to think they are crossed with mountain goats” I replied “just once I wish if they decide to get out or run off, that they'd run somewhere flat!” Buddy, James dog, ran ahead of us weaving in and out of the long grass and bushes. “He really is well behaved' I said making conversation. “He has separation issues, he won't go far” James answered “ he's a big baby really”.
Suddenly out of a clump of bushes appeared Trixie and then further along the path a very soggy, muddy spaniel. “Ben!!' I shouted “oh my god, where have you been?” silly really expecting him to answer, typical spaniel, if it's water he's there, doesn't matter if it's been there for weeks stagnant, and or a mud hole. James laughed as Ben skulked towards us. “I think we need to walk back to the beach an wash him off” he said still smiling. So there we were, two strangers, three dogs, well two dogs, one swamp monster. Some how this broke the ice between us and strolling back the conversation just flowed, we talked about the usual, work, relationships, hobbies and then out of no where, “do you fancy a drink sometime?”
“That would be nice, thank you” the words slipped out of my mouth before I had chance to even think about it. We walked through the break water, the dogs following. I stopped to rinse the muck off of my dog. Standing up to my knees in the sea with a muddy spaniel, I looked up to see James smiling to himself. “What?” I asked “Nothing, It just tickled me, this is the last thing I thought I'd be doing today”. Ben shook and sprayed us both with water, “Ben!!!” we both said in unison, and giggled like teenagers. We continued our walk, still chatting away and as we did, an arm, his arm slipped around my shoulders, and then as retracted, just as quick. “I'm sorry” he said. “For what” I asked. It felt nice and took hold of his hand, that was enough, no words needed. It felt natural, not awkward, it felt like we'd known each other for ages.
Before we realised we were back at my place, he put Buddy into his van. “so when do you fancy that drink?” I looked at him, there was something about him, something I wanted to find out more about. “ how about tonight” I blushed as the words came out, “or is that to soon?” He laughed nervously, “no, tonight is good for me, I'll pick you up at 7pm” and with that he kissed me, not quickly, slowly, deeply and I couldn't help my self. I responded, yes not only was he good looking, he was an excellent kisser too, and very strong. His arms enveloped me, it felt good, more than good. If this was anything to go by, tonight would be amazing. We came apart both grinning from ear to ear and thumb-ling for our mobiles, we exchanged numbers. “Until 7pm then” I said as I turned to go inside. “I'll be here” he answered and got into his van. I watched as he drove away, I looked at my two dogs, “well guys, what do you think?” I really must get out more, I'm talking to dogs now, what next the microwave?
