The Choice Read Online Free PDF Page B

time.
    The Emmanuel boats were already on the river, with Stephen trying out as number seven. He didn’t notice me, far too intent on his sport, and I contented myself with standing on the towpath and admiring his body and the power of the way he moved. As I watched I was thinking of the night before, how much pleasure he’d given me and the way he’d taken control once he was too aroused to hold back. I always like that in a man, once things have got going and his desire for me takes over, which is always so much better than having to do all the work myself.
    It was also intriguing to wonder what he was used to, and what he’d got up to in Thailand and Malaysia. I had asked, but he’d been distinctly cagey with his replies, making me wonder if the girls he’d been with had been hookers and, if so, whether he’d expect me to behave the same way. That was rather intriguing, as I’d often toyed with the fantasy of being a high-class call-girl and having to do what I was told by the man who’d bought me, although I’d never have done it in real life.
    By the time he came off the water I’d managed to work myself into a fine state, which the heat of his body as he hugged me and the scent of fresh masculine sweat made even worse. Unfortunately his college boat club were doing some sort of team-building exercise followed by a meeting to decide on their places in the three boats, or I’d have taken him in among the bushes then and there. As it was I had to content myself with walking back to college with him and, as I was due to meet the Chaplain at half past five, that was that. He had a drinks party for the chemists at his college as well, so I ended up back at St Boniface where I spent the evening in the junior common room feeling frustrated, only to get back to my room to find that he’d been and gone.
    It was gone midnight by then, and Emmanuel was locked up, so I went to bed, while I had so much to do the next day that there was no time to see if he was about. I was also concerned that he might suggest going out for the evening, which would be more than a little awkward when I’d accepted Giles’ invitation. By the time I’d had my introductory tutorial, spent an hour in the library working on an outline for my essay and had a quick shower I was actually hoping not to run into him, and feeling guilty.
    At six o’clock I made my way down to the lodge, half expecting to find both Stephen and Giles there, talking to each other. Neither was, but I only had time to check my pigeonhole when Giles appeared, dressed in full black tie with a scarf of cream-coloured silk draped around his neck. He saw me and nodded to himself, as if appraising me, then spoke. ‘Very pretty, you have the right-sized bottom for tight jeans, but we’ll never get in the door.’
    It had never occurred to me that the restaurant would have a dress code, making me too flustered even to resent his remark about my bottom, which was a bit fresh when we’d only just met and not necessarily complimentary either. Instead of answering him back with some equally cheeky comment I found myself apologising. ‘I’m sorry. I’ll get changed.’
    I made for my room, feeling distinctly small and foolish. Violet was on the landing, having an intense conversation with the man I’d seen her with before, her ex-tutor, which made it easy to simply give a quick hello as I passed. I was convinced that if I lingered Stephen would turn up at exactly the wrong moment, so I hesitated only an instant before picking out a simple red cotton dress. It was quite short and the straps were too thin to allow me to wear a bra without looking slovenly, but it was the only thing I had that was remotely appropriate for the sort of restaurant where men wore black tie. I hurried into it, changed my shoes and tidied myself up, then hastened back towards the lodge.
    Violet and her ex-tutor were still talking, and I caught a snatch of their conversation before they went abruptly