She compressed her lips. “You’re always very direct, aren’t you?”

“It keeps things simple.”

She nodded and threw a few more crumbs to the birds, then put the bag on the bench beside her.

“I wanted to talk to you about … uh … well, when we’re together, there seems to be…” She bit her lip, then drew in a breath. “You remember that first time when I said that there shouldn’t be anything sexual between us?”

“Yes, I do. And I’ve been using that to push you to set limits so you understand the power you have even as a submissive.”

“But the result is that…” She fidgeted with the tie on the bottom of her jacket. “Well, you could tell that what you were doing was … exciting to me.”

He smiled. “Yes, I could.”

“So, I’d like us to find a way to continue the role-playing but stay away from anything sexual.”

“Why?”

She started, gazing at him with wide eyes. “Uh … it would make me more comfortable.”

“Ash, you’re not doing this to be comfortable. You’re doing it to explore something new and different. Something that excites you.”

“It’s just research for an article,” she replied.

“No, it’s more than that. You’re curious about what it would be like to be in a Dom-sub relationship. A sexual relationship. And that scares you. Because it pushes you outside your comfort zone.”

He reached his hand in front of her and she leaned back against the wooden bench, clearly thinking he was going to pull her into his arms, but he picked up the bag of bread and threw some to the ducks lingering near the bench.

“Ash, it’s not my fault that you’re aroused by the Dom-sub situation. If you weren’t, I wouldn’t push in that direction, but you clearly are.”

“But that doesn’t mean we have to go in that direction.”

He chuckled. “We don’t have to. But you want to. And you want me to push you.”

“No, I don’t.” Uncertainty laced her words.

He turned to her, locking his gaze with her wide blue eyes. “Ash, I told you not to lie to me.”

She straightened up, gazing at him uncertainly.

“I believe the idea of exploring a sexual relationship with me…” he continued, “where I dominate you completely … exhilarates you. I think you want to pursue it more than anything.” He leaned in closer. “Where I command you to do sexy things to me. Like telling you to strip off your clothes and kneel in front of me. To pull out my cock and take it in your mouth, then suck it until I come in your mouth.”

His breath lightly brushed her neck, sending tingles dancing along her skin.

His voice became a low, husky growl. “Where I push you against the wall and take you hard and fast.”

When he stroked a wisp of hair from her face, she sucked in a breath, her wide eyes glowing with desire.