When the implications of what Ashleigh was implying hit home, Kelly paled. “Now there’s an image I don’t need.” She chuckled. “Steve would be horrified if he knew we were even discussing the idea of him on all fours and Nicole banging him from… Never mind.” Kelly shook her head before the full picture could take hold.

“Ugh, let’s just say I agree with you. Some things should be kept private.”

“Right, and I don’t need Paula to know I want Craig to spank my bottom.” A blush spread up Ashleigh’s neck and reached the tip of her ears. “I mean how embarrassing. I’m almost thirty-five not five, and even if I was five, who enjoys being spanked?”

Even though it was a rhetorical question, Kelly couldn’t help but reflect on her own experience.

Her first lover had been a switch. Therefore, Kelly had experienced what it was like to take both the dominant and submissive role.

While she could see why giving up control might appeal to others, it did nothing for Kelly. She also discovered when taking the dominant role, she really came alive. Kelly craved the control, the power to give or deny an orgasm.

Ashleigh’s voice drew Kelly back to the present.

“I doubt Paula, or anyone other than you, would understand. Anyway, Craig and I both wanted to thank you.”

“For what?”

“We’ve been having problems in the bedroom.” Ashleigh’s cheeks turned crimson, but she held Kelly’s gaze. “He’s always taken the lead. Hell, I suppose most men do. But it’s never been enough for me. I wanted him to take charge, to restrain me, to spank me, to order me to…” She trailed off. “You get the picture.”

Ashleigh truly was adorable. And straight. And engaged.

Kelly bit back a smile, the last thing she wanted was for Ashleigh to think she was laughing at her.

“After that night at Paula’s,” Ashleigh continued. “Although I was truly embarrassed for you, and the way Paula outted you, I finally realized I wasn’t alone in loving kink. When I got home that night, I decided to hell with it and laid my heart on the line to Craig, or more specifically my desires. Hell, if you can’t be honest with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, who can you be honest with?”

Kelly couldn’t argue with that, but her mind was still stuck on something Ashleigh said earlier.

“Care to enlighten me why you think it’s best Paula doesn’t know? Honestly, I thought you’d think I was a coward for not telling her.”