“I’m talking about your dominant characteristics. As in you are a probably a natural top.”

“Top?”

“Like Dom. Dominant.”

I have seen some BDSM porn and I’m not on board. “Like leather? Whips and chains? I don’t...that doesn’t...no.”

She shakes her head. “No. I mean some people do sadomasochism, but I don’t think any of us are really into that.”

“You are speaking another language right now.” But something about the conversation is making my jaw grit and my heartbeat pound in my ears.

Her brow furrows like she’s concentrating really hard.

I rub the crinkle between her eyebrows. “Shane is right. It really is possible to hear you think.”

“Domination and submission is a kink,” she says slowly. “It doesn’t always include props or pain. It’s psychological. About control. About releasing control. There’s a lot to it, I think, if you’re into the scene. Like, levels of kink. But it’s not all whips and chains.”

I fold the kitchen towel carefully and slowly, giving myself time to think, and set it on the counter. “Okay. And you think I’m a top. A Dom?”

“I don’t know, Daddy,” she answers sassily. “What do you think?”

I think she’s trying to flip a switch inside my head. “The daddy games.”

She nods. “The daddy games.”

“Do you...like that?”

“Probably not all the time. But, yeah, it was fun.”

“Yeah, it was fun. I wasn’t sure if I was going too far with the spanking, but it seemed to progress naturally. What did you like about it?”

She’s trying so hard not to give in to her tendency to shy away from things that are awkward. I like to think we’re helping her with that. “So we’re clear I’m not looking for a lifestyle change.”

I nod. I wouldn’t even know where to go with that.

She continues, “I like the power exchange. I like just trusting you and getting out of my head. I like being naughty. I like how sexy you get when you’re stern with me. And I think I would enjoy an occasional spanking.” She looks downward and bites her lip. “What did you like about it?”

“I liked a lot about it. I haven’t really had time to process it all. When the three of us are...engaged...I find myself...stepping outside of myself. I’m always the good guy, you know? Always responsible, well-mannered, gentle. When we’re all together like that—there’s this...I don’t know what to call it...”

“Masculine energy. You’re still responsible, disciplined Fletch, but you get this primal male energy thing that frankly makes my labia quiver.”

She surprises a laugh out of me. Then I sober up. “You don’t think I’m too...dark? Too demanding?”