Charlie's Choice: A Romantic Short Story

By Beth Kean

Charlie Mathews has a comfortable life, a wonderful wife... and although he is blissfully unaware; he also has a full blown mid-life crisis. Rapidly approaching 50 he has swapped his sedate and sensible sedan for a sleek and powerful red Porsche, attracting envy from those around, and the attentions of a beautiful blonde young enough to be his daughter. Anna Mathews shares his comfortable life... but she also harbours a secret desire for educated and arrogant artist Robbie, or as she likes to whisper... My Robbie. Can a trip to romantic Venice and Florence entice Anna into infidelity? Charlie and Anna's stable, if somewhat stale marriage is pushed to the limits as temptation threatens to lead them both astray. He has a choice to make – A life of fetish and adventure awaits, or should he save his marriage... discover his decision in - Charlie's Choice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: PMO Publishing
• Release date: May 9, 2018

Beth Kean

Author of bestselling romance and erotica short stories.

Book preview

KEAN

Copyright:

Layout Copyright © 2016 by PMO Publishing. Published 2016 by PMO Publishing. Ebook design by PMO Publishing. Cover art by PMO Publishing.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

Chapter 1

Anna Mathews couldn't have been happier. At least that's what her husband Charlie thought.

Neither of us has got time for rubbish like a mid-life crisis. he had declared with finality when his marital stability had been scrutinised. "She is happy," he told himself quietly as he studied the bubbles in his beer, she has a good life, she doesn't want for anything... and as for the other? We've been together for a very long time, things like that don't really matter to us any more!"

Any way, why would you bring up a subject like that? Charles glanced up from his pint to look his friend of twenty years in the eye. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw too many stones... your track record isn't exactly perfect!

I've never claimed to be perfect, Thomas replied evenly, But having been there myself, I might just be more qualified than most to spot the signs.

Signs? Charles replied cautiously, not sure he needed revelations on a quiet Sunday afternoon. He didn't enjoy disruption at any time – but Sundays were sacrosanct, everyone knew that Sunday was his day of peace... his Charlie day... just himself, his car, a few pints, and zero stress.

If you don't see it, maybe I shouldn't have said anything, Thomas replied, It's none of my business anyway.

Come on, out with it Tom. Charles felt an uneasy stirring in the pit of his stomach, If you know something... spit it out. Whatever it is will be rubbish I'm sure, Annie is completely happy.

Thomas chuckled deeply and swirled the dregs of beer in his glass. Who said anything about Anna?

Now you've lost me completely. Charles shook his head, his confusion genuine.

Take a long hard look at yourself, Tom replied, What happened to good old reserved Charles? The clothes, the car, all the trappings of a playboy lifestyle!

Now you're talking rubbish, Charlie defended instantly, I've not changed, and I've worked bloody hard to get where I am. No-one has a right to question me if I decide to reward myself for all the years of sacrifice, the soul sapping jobs, the nine to five tedium.

No-one is questioning your rights, his friend replied calmly, "Simply your choices. Now take the car as an example. You traded in a top of the line Jaguar... a very nice car by any ones standards, for a shiny red penis extension... because that's all it is Charlie. And the clothes! You haven't been twenty five for over twenty years... and you didn't dress that flash even when you could get away with it! The mid life crisis belongs to you my friend, not your wife. Seriously, you have to sit yourself down and take a long hard look at where life is leading you, and if you want to put so much pressure on your marriage."

So speaks the divorcee. came back a surly reply as raw nerves reacted to the deliberate if gentle prodding.

As I said, maybe I'm better qualified than most to comment. But thanks for reminding me... you know, I'd completely forgotten that being a prick had cost me my marriage. Tom replied, struggling to maintain his even mood. I'm simply pointing out that at the time I couldn't see what was happening to me, and I most likely would have dismissed any advice given, but in hindsight, I would probably have appreciated if someone had kicked my arse before it was too late with Heather.

If you think I'm going to make the same mistakes that you did – then think again. I'm happy, I don't need to go chasing teen bimbo's, I have a loving wife, and a comfortable life.

Then I'm genuinely happy for you. Tom replied. But listen to my words my friend. I'm only going to tell you once, then we can bury the subject. You may be happily married... but an outsider could be forgiven for believing that you are very single and on the prowl. I'm not saying that Anna is an outsider... just be careful that you don't make her feel exactly that!

You're over-reacting.

Maybe, Tom pushed his empty glass across the bar and nodded to the landlord, But consider the consequences if I'm not!

***

Charles settled into a quiet alcove and watched the world go by. The bar was busy, unusually busy. The first decent weekend in a decidedly dismal British summer had brought the lily white citizens from their cosy semi-detached cocoons blinking into the sunlight, and seizing the opportunity they had flocked to quiet country pubs in droves, determined to capture at least one day outdoors before the rain returned.

He's talking absolute crap. Tom's words echoed in the void where common sense should have lived. OK, maybe I am trying to recapture a little lost youth... no-one