She was going to see Dare tonight.

She couldn’t stop grinning as she drove to his house, arriving exactly twenty-two minutes after his text. She rang the doorbell.

He opened the door, his face stern. “I said twenty minutes.”

“I did my best, but there was traffic,” she said as she followed him inside.

“That sounds like an excuse.”

She dropped her gaze. “No, sir. I’m sorry I’m late, Mr. Gallagher.”

She followed him through the house to the door. The room where her deepest fantasies were brought to life.

When he closed the door behind them, she turned to him.

“Where’s Helen?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about her. She’s staying with a friend for the weekend.”

She didn’t ask if that was because Dare had sent her away or if it was Helen’s choice. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Ashley was here now.

As he stepped closer, her whole body went into alert. Her nerve endings tingling, anticipating his touch. Her insides swirling with need.

He stroked her cheek, his touch like a whisper of electricity grazing her skin. Warmth glowed in his dark blue eyes, and she stared into those depths, noticing the little golden flecks that looked like starlight across a midnight sky.

His lips lowered to hers and brushed lightly, then lingered for scant seconds. Enough to drive her need to dizzying heights, but not enough to satisfy her craving.

“You know I have to punish you.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

The eagerness in her eyes caused Dare’s pulse to quicken. God, she was delightful.

“First, I want you to change.”

“But … I thought—”

“What you’re wearing is very sexy.” And it was. The dress accentuated all her curves, and the short skirt and high heels showed off her long, shapely legs. He didn’t want to discourage her from choices like this one, but he still wanted her to wear the costume he’d been fantasizing about seeing her in.

He walked to the cupboard and pulled out the box he’d hidden in there earlier today and handed it to her. She set it down on the nearest bench and pulled off the lid. She gazed inside, then picked up the short, blue plaid skirt and the virginal white blouse.

She grinned at him. “A schoolgirl uniform? Really? A little cliché, don’t you think?” she teased.

He chuckled. “Would you rather the sexy nun costume?”

“Um, no, I’ll stick with this.” She placed her hand on his chest. The feel of it set his heart beating faster. “Unless you’re going to put on a sexy priest outfit. Or would you be a naughty schoolboy and I’d be punishing you?”

“No and no. And I’m not really giving you a choice.”

At the subtle hint to drop back into their role as Dom and sub, she drew her hand away and picked up the blouse.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll give you ten minutes to change.” He turned and left the room, knowing he’d barely be able to wait that long.