He seemed to take it all in stride, but she was a quivery mess, just trying to keep a calm exterior while they spent this quiet time together. What she really wanted, though, was for him to command her to strip and do it all over again.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Dare asked.

Her gaze darted to his. “What?”

“We just took our relationship from a mentor arrangement to a full-fledged Dominant-submissive sexual relationship.”

“Relationship?”

“I use the word loosely. We may want things to stay casual between us, but this kind of Dom-sub relationship can be complicated so we need to be sure we both understand where things are and where they’re going.”

“Where are they going?” she asked.

“I assume we’ll continue this as long as I’m in town.” He smiled. “We both certainly seem to enjoy it.”

She felt her cheeks heat, but she nodded. “And once you leave?”

He frowned. “Ash, I don’t see this becoming a long-term thing. You know I’m only here for another month or so, then once my business is finished, I go back to New York. And you have your job here. I don’t think either of us wants to complicate things by assuming there’s a future for us.”

She nodded. “Of course.” It sounded so reasonable, but she still felt unwanted.

“So are you happy about the information you’re getting for your article?” he asked.

She pursed her lips. Better to think about that than wallow in her feelings of rejection.

She nodded. “But I wanted to do one post with tips on being a Dominant, and one on being a sub, but so much of what you do seems to be a part of who you are. For example, you have a naturally authoritative voice.”

“Don’t assume it’s natural and therefore others can’t do it. It’s just a matter of keeping a firm tone and speaking with confidence.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not necessarily easy, especially when you’re not used to it, but you’re not giving advice to people who are going to be going into this seriously, right? It’s more for those wanting to role-play to spice up their sex lives. Just advise them to relax and enjoy it.”

He picked up the bottle of wine and topped up her glass, then his own. “By the way, how did your practice session go the other day with your friend?”

* * *

Dare watched Ashley. He could tell she’d been unhappy when he’d said their sexual relationship would end when he finished his business here in town. Could she really believe they had a future?

He was sure it was just her insecurities kicking in. She was clearly interested in this friend of hers.

She rubbed her hands along her denim-clad thighs, making him too aware of how much he’d like to feel those lovely, long legs around his waist again. With her, naked and moaning, in his arms.

“It went okay.” Then she frowned. “It was a bit awkward, actually.”