She couldn’t stop her reflex to push against his hand.

His touch slid away and she felt her skirt drop back into place. Disappointment washed through her.

“Stand up.”

She stood and turned to face him.

“You can refuse me. It’s clear we both enjoy the consequences.” His steely eyes bored into her. “But if you want this training to continue, never lie to me. Understand?”

“Yes, Mr. Gallagher,” she whispered.

“That’s enough for tonight. Come back in one week. In the meantime, I want you to practice what you’ve learned so far, but I want you to take the lead and practice being dominant. Invite your friend to help you.”

“I don’t think he’d want to—”

“He’s your friend. He’ll want to.”

* * *

All Dare could think of was the feel of Ashley’s soft round ass in his hand, her skin heated from his spanking. He shouldn’t have stroked between her legs. The feel of her wetness nearly drove him over the edge. He’d wanted nothing more than to sink his hard, throbbing erection into her sweet, melting heat.

But he’d held back.

The sight of her desire-filled eyes had almost been his undoing, though. She clearly loved him touching her and she would have begged him to fuck her if he’d pushed it.

And maybe he should have. But it just felt wrong. Not because he was older, or because she was friends with his ex-stepdaughter. Ash was an adult now—his cock twitched as he thought about her shapely body—but she had come to him for guidance, not for a sexual tryst.

She was new to this. Vulnerable to her own newly discovered desires. And, as much as he’d like to fulfill those desires, he didn’t want to take advantage of her.

So he’d sent her on her way. Even suggested she practice with this man she was interested in. If he reciprocated Ashley’s feelings … feelings she was too shy to express … then Dare had done them both a favor, because Ash cared for this man and wanted more from their relationship, so surely when pushed into this situation, the man would be able to sense Ash’s need.

Dare understood it wasn’t necessarily him that Ash wanted. She just wanted a strong man to show her what it was like to be dominated.

He hoped the other man was up to it.

He sat on the couch and wrapped his hand around his aching cock, thinking of Ashley’s warm wetness against his fingers.

Fuck, who was he kidding? He hoped the man choked and that Ash came back to Dare even needier. He stroked his cock. Then maybe he’d get over his heroism and just give her what she wanted.

What they both wanted.

* * *

“So how is it going?” Adam asked as he ran alongside Ashley.

She’d been different this past week since she’d started this research of hers. More reserved.

“Fine.”

He chuckled. “That’s it? Fine? You’re role-playing a Dom-sub relationship with a strange man and you just say it’s fine.”