She’d already explained that Dare was teaching her by example, which made Adam nervous because he was certain it wouldn’t be long before Dare started commanding her to do intimate, erotic things. Ash had insisted it wasn’t like that. Not that he’d asked, but she’d felt the need to explain it.

But the man was only human and Ash was … well, she was sweet and a little timid … and delightfully sexy. She was any Dom’s dream. It had to be wildly exciting to have her sitting in front of him, ready and willing to submit to his will.

Adam was getting hard just thinking about it.

“Um … well, he asked me what I wanted to do.” She bit her lip. “I think … you know … because he wanted to take an everyday situation and show me how he could … you know … how it could turn into a Dominant-submissive situation.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I said I like to watch movies with you. That’s why he knows about you and suggested I practice with you.”

“He knows about me?” How much did he know? Just that he was Ash’s friend, or that he and Dare already knew each other?

Her cheeks turned pink. “Well, not you. Just that you’re my friend and we run together. And watch movies.”

“He thought I was your boyfriend.” That’s why she was acting off.

She nodded. “But I set him straight. That we’re just friends.”

Adam wanted their relationship to be more, but he took heart from her reaction. If she really thought of him as just a friend, with no romantic prospects, she wouldn’t be so flustered.

“All right. So we watch a movie.” He stood up and walked toward the TV.

“Wait, what are you doing?” she asked.

He turned to her. “I’m going to put on a movie.”

“No, but … that ruins it. I need to … you know … order you to do it.”

He grinned. “Okay, sorry.” He sat back in the chair. “And are you going to order me to strip down to my boxers first?”

Her eyes widened, then she glanced away. “No, of course not.”

Idiot, he chided himself.

“Sorry, Ash. I was just kidding. Go ahead.”

“Um, okay. Well, first, pour us some wine.”

He reached for the bottle. She’d already loosened the cork so he pulled it free and poured the rosé into the two glasses.

“Good, and when you do something…” She frowned. “I mean when I tell you to do something, then answer with ‘yes’ … um … I guess ‘Mistress.’”

He smiled. “Really?”

She tipped her head. “I’m sorry. You think this is really silly. We don’t have to do this.” She stood up, clearly ready to herd him out the door.

“No, it’s okay, I’ll behave.” He grinned again. “Unless you want to punish me?”

Her gaze darted to him, then she giggled nervously.

Fuck, his cock lurched at the realization that the thought excited her. And it was quite possible that punishment had worked into her scenario with Dare the other night.