“What I intend to do is show you what a Dominant-submissive relationship is like. That’s the only way you’ll really understand the play of power. And the excitement.”

“Um … but you know this is not … uh, I mean … I’d just like to clarify that…”

Oh, no, how did she broach this?

“Are you trying to say that you’re not here for a sexual relationship?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I understand.” But the twinkle in his eye didn’t set her at ease.

He sat back in his chair.

“You and I have known each other for a long time,” he continued, “but we don’t know each other well. Still, I believe because of our shared history and the fact you and my ex-stepdaughter are good friends that you trust me.”

“Yes, that’s—” At his sharp expression, she stopped talking, punctuating the partial sentence with a nod.

The almost imperceptible sternness in his face softened and she felt a rush of pleasure at his approval.

“Good. That trust is very important and we’re going to build on it. As we move forward you will follow my commands instantly and without question. Do you understand?”

Her chest tightened. “Yes, but…” Before his expression could turn to disapproval she blurted, “I mean, no.” She did understand his words but she didn’t agree with them.

He raised an eyebrow. “What is it you don’t understand?”

“Well, uh…” She felt out of her depth. Like he was the general of a great invading force and she was a lowly peasant woman. “I need to ask questions about how things work and get background about the lifestyle and such.”

“You don’t learn about Domination and submission by discussing it. I think it’s important that you experience it directly. So while we work on this project, you will be my sub, but we can leave out the sexual aspect, if that’s what you want.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Personally, I think it would be better for you to have the complete experience, but you’re an intelligent, perceptive and creative woman, so I am confident you can do your research to fill in that part of it.”

His words of praise elated her, but the idea of being his submissive, even in a role-playing scenario meant to help her, made her insides quiver. She suspected it was as much from a blatant desire to submit to him totally as it was a resistance to being controlled. The thought of being totally under Darien Gallagher’s control … submitting to his every whim—her heart skipped a beat—especially sexually, sent her hormones into a spin.

But that’s not why she was here. She needed to stay focused on her goal and leave these disturbing urges to be examined another time.

“I don’t know about this.”

He gazed at her, and his inscrutable midnight eyes seemed to glow with warmth.

“You do trust me, don’t you?”

When he looked at her like that—the same way he had in the past—she felt like the most important person in the world.