by Opal Carew
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.”
“What happened?”
“I wasn’t very sure of myself. He helped, though. He guided me a little by asking what you and I had done together, then suggesting we do that.”
He raised an eyebrow. “So you watched a movie?”
She nodded.
“So after you gave him some commands to set it up, did he just kneel by your feet and watch the movie, or did you tell him about being disobedient then have to punish him like I did to you?”
Her cheeks flushed nicely at that.
“Tell me,” he said.
Did his sweet Ash actually slap the man’s ass? Did she order him to drop his pants? The thought sent heat straight to his groin, at the same time as a surge of jealousy spiked through him. What the hell was that about?
“I just … verbally punished him.”
She was lying. He knew it. But he wouldn’t call her on it, because he could tell something about the situation had upset her.
“So this man and you are good friends?”
“Yes, we’re pretty close.”
“Do you feel he’d be willing to commit to helping you with this?”
“I think so. Why?”
He smiled. “I was thinking that you might talk him into joining us for a few sessions.”
* * *
When Dare had suggested Adam join them for some sessions, Ashley had gone into shock. Did he mean for the three of them to … Oh, God. But then she realized he just meant to meet Adam and give them some pointers as to how she and Adam could practice together.
And she suspected he wanted to push the two of them together, so he wouldn’t feel so bad walking away.
She explained to him that Adam would not be interested.
“You’re quiet this morning,” Adam said as they ran along the tree-lined path together. He glanced her way. “Is it because of what happened when I came over the other night? Because I’ll do whatever I can to make it right between us. I’m really sorry about the kiss.”
“No,” she said, “it’s okay.”
But that was a lie. The whole thing, especially his rejection, made her uncomfortable. She had really thought that when he kissed her, they had finally breached the barrier between them and they could move on to a closer, more intimate relationship. One full of possibilities. But he had rejected that.
They were still friends, though, and she wanted that to keep being true.
“Are we still getting together tonight?” she asked. “I still need help with my research.”
“Yeah, of course.”
She had half expected him to refuse after the awkwardness of last time, but Adam always supported her and it seemed he wouldn’t let an unwanted kiss get in the way of that.
God, she desperately wanted to be in a romantic relationship with either one of these phenomenal men, but they had both rejected her on that front. She was starting to wonder if there was something wrong with her.
* * *
Adam took the bottle of beer Ashley handed him, then watched her sit down across from him with her glass of soda. She looked so pretty in her snug jeans and floral top that accentuated her full breasts, revealing just enough cleavage to be alluring but not blatantly sexy.
Except she was always sexy to him.
“So how do we start this time?” he asked.
“I’m not really sure. Maybe I could just direct you to clean the apartment.” She smiled. “The carpets could use vacuuming.”
“I think I’d just take the punishment then.”
“So that’s how it’s going to be? If you don’t like what I suggest, then you’ll just disobey? How will I learn that way?”
He laughed. “I suppose once you really have the hang of it, you’ll be able to overcome my willful disobedience.”
“Yeah, thanks. I think I need a little more cooperation while I’m learning.”
“All right. Why don’t we do like last time and repeat what you did with your mentor.”
His smile faded as her cheeks blossomed a deep rose tone and she glanced away, taking a quick sip of her soda.
Fuck, she’d had sex with Dare. Adam’s stomach clenched at the thought. God damn it, he’d kissed her the last time they were together, giving him the perfect opportunity to pursue a relationship with her, but he’d fucking backed off. Now she was fucking Dare.
Dare, of all people!
Jealousy blazed through him.
“Ash, are you getting involved with this guy?”
She curled her legs close to her body. “I don’t know.” She compressed her lips. “I mean, no, not really.”
“You don’t sound very sure.”
“I don’t really want to talk to you about this.”
“Why? I thought we were friends.”
She glanced at him, their gazes connecting for a second, then she tore hers away. But for that brief moment, he thought he saw a need in her eyes. Could it be that she wanted their relationship to be more than it was, too?
She placed her glass on the table and sat up straight. “You’re right. You a
re my friend and there’s no reason we can’t talk about this.” She looked at him. “I find him attractive. And we … uh … slept together. But he says it will only last as long as he’s in town, which is only another month.”
Adam’s gut clenched. Even though he’d already figured it out, hearing her admit that she’d had sex with the man had a profound effect on him.
He was relieved that Dare didn’t want a long-term relationship with her, but the thought of him touching her, even for a temporary tryst, was sheer torture.
“So break it off, Ash.”
“What?”
“Stop seeing him. Continuing will only be harder on you when it ends, and if he doesn’t see a future for the two of you, why put yourself through it?”
She stared at him, her face drawn tight with determination. “No, I’m not willing to do that.”
Damn it, she was falling for him. He could see it in her eyes.
Fuck, was he going to lose her before he even had her?
He understood the pitfalls of pursuing a relationship with her, but … Fuck, the thought of never holding her in his arms or feeling her sweet body pressed to his—never being buried in her velvety depths—made him ache. He wanted to guide her to the blissful ecstasy of complete surrender where she left herself totally vulnerable to him. He wanted to own her, body and soul, and to show her the sweet release only he could give her.
He stood up and walked toward her, then took her hand and pulled her to her feet. Then she was in his arms and his mouth was covering hers. She stiffened at first, clearly in shock at his action, then she relaxed, her soft body melting against him. His tongue nudged against the seam of her mouth and she opened.
The feel of the velvety warmth of her mouth sent his need rocketing. He glided his tongue deep into her and she … God, she sucked on it, drawing it deeper.
He pulled her closer, his growing cock squeezed tight between their bodies.
She must have felt it, because she flattened her hands on his chest and pressed. He immediately eased back. But he didn’t release her from his embrace.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “When we kissed last time … You already told me you don’t want me.”
“Don’t want you? Fuck, Ash, I’ve wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you.” His lips brushed hers in a light kiss, determined to convince her.
“But you said you were worried about the fact you’re older than me. And it’ll be complicated because you’re my boss.”
He stroked her hair back. “Maybe I’ve just been an idiot. Maybe none of that matters.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
He cupped her head then drew her face to his and took her lips with passion. When he released them, she was breathless.
She smiled.
“I can’t believe it. I’ve wanted you for such a long time.” She stroked his cheek, her hand soft against his whisker-roughened skin. Her big, blue eyes were filled with joy and she leaned closer. Her sweet mouth beckoned and he brushed his lips to hers. She opened, then glided her tongue into his mouth. He sucked it lightly at first, then harder, pulling it deeper. His hands wandered down her back, then he pulled her tight to him as their tongues tangled.
Her breasts heaved against him and his cock swelled thicker.
“God, I want you, sweetheart. I want to drag you into the bedroom and overwhelm your senses until you surrender to me completely.”
He could feel her shiver in his arms.
“Oh, yes, Adam. I want that, too.”
He couldn’t believe this was really happening. He was about to have his dream come true.
He grabbed her hand and led her to the bedroom.
“Wait! What about Dare?”
“What about him?”
She tugged his hand back and he stopped and turned to her.
“Adam, as much as I want this, you’ve got to understand … I’m not willing to walk away from Dare.”
His jaw clenched and he coiled his hand in her hair and tugged her head back, exposing her neck. He pressed his lips to her throat and nuzzled, delighted at her gasp of pleasure, then he nipped her skin.
“But you’re willing to walk away from me?” His hand stroked down her spine and he pressed it flat to the small of her back and he pulled her tightly to him. His hard, swollen cock dug into her belly. “I can leave you a melting puddle on the floor.”
She gazed up at him with wide eyes, desire heating the blue depths.
“I believe you.”
“So it’s settled.”
She pressed against his chest, forcing distance between them. “No, it’s not. It’s only fair for me to be honest with you, Adam. Dare’s here for another month and I’m going to keep seeing him as long as I can.” She bit her lip as she gazed up at him. “After that, then we could—”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Are you really asking me if I’ll wait?”
She didn’t answer, but the hope in those wide blue eyes told him that’s exactly what she was asking.
He gritted his teeth, staring deep into her eyes as if he could convince her to change her mind by sheer force of will, but it became clear she wasn’t going to. Finally, he released her and stepped back.
“I’m sorry, Adam. I don’t want to risk losing your friendship, or the chance for us to explore a relationship between us.”
He glared at her. “But that’s exactly what you’re doing.”
* * *
Ashley knocked on Dare’s door. A moment later, he opened it.
“What are you doing here, Ashley? Our session isn’t until Friday.”
“I know, I…” She sucked in a breath. “I had a fight with … my friend.”
He held the door wide. “Come in.”
She scooted into his elegant foyer. He closed the door behind her, then when he turned to her, she stepped into his arms.
“Would you like to stay here tonight?”
She nodded, her head resting against his chest, hearing his heart beating. And hating herself for hoping he’d sweep her into his bed and show her the same passionate loving he had the last time they were together.
She wanted to feel his hard, naked body against her. To be consumed by his overwhelming masculinity.
He led her to his room and ordered her out of her clothes, but when he took her in his arms again, he kissed her with tenderness. When they joined it was a passionate, joyful union, sending her heart soaring.
But when she lay in his arms afterward, his warm body wrapped around her, she wondered if she’d made a mistake. Not that she wanted to give up Dare. The mere thought sent her cascading to depression. But she’d had an opportunity to start a relationship with Adam, a man she’d been longing for for a long time. A man she believed she could forge a long-term relationship with. And she’d blown him off, insisting she wouldn’t give up Dare.
But Dare only wanted her for now. They had no future.
“It doesn’t have to be over, you know.”
“What?” Her heart thudded in her chest at Dare’s words.
“Your friendship with him. From what you’ve told me, you two are very close, and I don’t believe he’ll give you up that easily.”
“He seemed pretty convincing.”
“Just give him time.” He nuzzled her ear. “Now go to sleep. Everything will look better in the morning.”
* * *
Ashley awoke to the sun shining brightly and the smell of bacon wafting around her. Her eyelids popped open and she sat up.
A moment later, the door opened and Dare smiled from the doorway. He was heart-stoppingly gorgeous in just his jeans and bare chest. A broad, sculpted chest that she knew was rock hard, with muscles that rippled when he moved his arms.
A ridiculously hot guy and bacon. Could this morning get any better?
“Come down and have breakfast,” he said.
“I need to shower and change first.”
“Nonsense. Relax and come join me.” He walked to his cl
oset and pulled out a robe, then tossed it on the bed. “It’ll be a bit big, but I like the idea of you wrapped up in my robe.”
She picked it up, luxuriating in the feel of the soft silk. She glanced at him, waiting for him to turn away while she pulled on the garment, but he didn’t. He just smiled at her. So she pushed back the covers, exposing her nakedness, then stood up and pulled on the robe. Knowing he was watching her sent heat through her and she wanted to entice him to join her in bed again.
But the bacon beckoned, and there was always after breakfast.
She followed him down the stairs then into the dining room. She sat down and poured herself a coffee from the thermos on the table while he returned to the kitchen. He appeared a moment later with two plates of bacon and scrambled eggs.
She ate a strip of bacon and then took a bite of the eggs. “Mmm. These are delicious.”
“I add some herbs to the eggs to make them a bit more exciting.”
She couldn’t believe Dare could cook. She’d imagined he’d have someone do that for him. Like a maid, or one of his subs. In fact, she was surprised he hadn’t ordered her out of bed to make breakfast for him.
A knock sounded at the door.
He continued eating.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” she asked.
“I’m not expecting anyone at this time of the morning, and I see no reason to interrupt a nice breakfast for in impolite stranger.”
But the knock sounded again. On the third one, he sighed and pushed himself to his feet. He walked to the door and pulled it open.
“Daddy, it’s so good to see you.”
Ashley froze at that voice. She pulled the robe tighter around her as she glanced at the door. She wanted to run. To hide. Anything to prevent being seen by the newcomer.
Helen threw herself into Dare’s arms and his arms reluctantly slid around her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Can’t I come and visit my dad?”
“I’m not your dad.”
Helen fluttered her hand in the air dismissively. “Okay, my stepdad.” She glanced toward the dining room. “Oh, I see you have a guest. Anyone I know?”
“Helen, another time would be better.”
But Helen dodged past him and marched toward the dining room. As she marched toward Ashley, her expression suddenly switched from determination to one of confusion. Then she clenched her jaw and looked even more solemn. She stopped beside the table and glared at Ashley.
