If she submitted to the sexual pull between them, she would be giving in to her desire to be submissive. She would be strong and avoid that.

She put on her small ruby stud earrings and headed to the door.

As she drove to his house, she felt the excitement rise in her. The pull he exerted over her was inescapable.

* * *

Dare watched Ashley’s car turn into his driveway, then heard her car door close. He glanced at his watch. She was a little early. He put down his book and got up from the chair by the fire in the living room.

He’d been looking forward to this all day. Seeing Ashley again. She was delightful and sexy. Last night, he’d sported a huge erection most of the time she’d been here. Even after she’d left, it kept inflating every time he thought of her. When he’d ordered her to kiss him, it had been to see how she would react. She’d said she didn’t want this to be sexual, so he had expected a protest, possibly an outright refusal, but thought it was more likely that she would give him a quick peck. He had not expected her to throw herself into it as she had, her tongue gliding into his mouth with wild abandon. And she’d clearly been turned on.

He’d meant to remain distant, but with her soft body pressed against him, her nipples hard against him, he hadn’t been able to help but respond.

The doorbell rang and he smiled. He had not expected this coaching to have such delightful fringe benefits.

After she’d left, he’d struggled with the fact that taking on this role with her aroused him, especially since he was so much older—but really it was only a ten-year difference and now that she was in her late twenties, that wasn’t really an issue. And, he had to admit, he’d been attracted to her all those years ago. Back then, of course, he never would have acted on it, even if he hadn’t been married.

Now, however, was another matter.

Her claim that this not be a sexual situation barely fazed him. If she’d actually meant it, then he’d take it seriously, but it was so clear that she was attracted to him … and she was very curious about—and highly aroused by the prospect of—being his submissive and being sexually dominated by him. So much so she was practically begging for him to take her.

And if they proceeded with a sexual relationship, she probably would beg.

His lips turned up in a grin. What would it be like to be with Ashley? She’d been lovely when she was in high school, and she had grown into a stunning woman.

She might have convinced herself she only meant this interlude with him as research for her article, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t lead to something more. He was a good judge of people and he knew she’d been attracted to him when she was in high school. Her girlish blushes and the nervous way she’d looked away whenever he’d caught her eye had made it very clear. He wouldn’t have acted on it back then, but now, with both of them adults … With the attraction that simmered between them, he had every intention of exploring the possibilities.