She pursed her lips and nodded.

He hated the fact that she seemed uncomfortable talking to him about it.

“Was it awkward?”

“No, not awkward.”

“So he explains stuff to you?” he asked, wanting her to talk about what happened in these sessions.

“Um, yeah. Sort of.”

“Surely you can give me more than that. I’m interested in how it’s going.”

She gazed at him as they ran along the path through the park.

“That’s good, because I have a favor to ask.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Well, Dare thinks I should ask you to help me practice.”

He grinned. “I could do that.”

This could work out perfectly. What a great way to get insight into what went on during her training. And even better, it would give him a chance to spend time with her. And maybe give her a taste of his own brand of domination.

“Wait, what did you say about a dare?” he asked.

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “Oh, nothing.”

“Ash…”

“I just mentioned his name. It’s Dare.”

His eyes narrowed. “What’s his last name?”

But this couldn’t be the same Dare. The man he’d known in college. The man who’d … Just the thought made his chest so tight he could barely breathe. He slowed down and headed to a nearby bench and sat down to collect himself. Ash followed him.

He really hoped it wasn’t the same Dare. That man was only five or six years older than Adam. And he was wealthy and exceptionally good-looking. He only had to look at a woman with his compelling navy eyes and they melted into a puddle at his feet.

Ashley sat beside him. “I … didn’t want to mention it but … the man who’s helping me with my research is Darien Gallagher. I didn’t mean to let his name slip.”

Fuck!

Hearing that name again was like a punch to the gut.

“Why?” he asked. Did she know about what had happened?

“Well, when I asked you about your internship with him, you always closed up, so I figured there was some tension between the two of you. I thought it was better just not to mention it.”

Tension was an understatement. The man had torn his life to shreds.

And now he was afraid that he’d do it again by stealing Ashley away from him.

* * *

Adam sat on the chair kitty-corner to the couch while Ash disappeared into the kitchen. This evening would be … interesting, to say the least. Ash was going to practice her Domme skills on him.

Ashley walked toward him with a bottle of wine and two glasses, which she placed on the table near the couch and sat down. She glanced his way uncertainly.

“You don’t have to be nervous,” he said. “It’s just me.”

Her head bobbed up and down in a nod. “I know. I just … I’m not sure how to get started.”

“Okay, well, what did your mentor do?”