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.

“Yes, of course,” she replied instantly.

“Then think about why you’re afraid. Is it that you’re afraid of giving up your power?” He paused for a moment, watching her. “Or is it that you’re afraid of coming into your power?”

She realized her jaw had clenched up again and she concentrated on releasing it. Damn, how did he know her so well? Her philosophy of life was that the choices we make are often based on fear of success rather than fear of failure and we will often make choices that will sabotage what we believe we want.

She pursed her lips. She wanted to do this project. It would help her move ahead in her career. If that meant playacting with Darien Gallagher, then fine. She could do that.

“Okay. I’ll do it your way.”

His lips turned up in a smile. “Good.”

*   *   *

Ashley gazed at herself in the mirror. She’d escaped to the bathroom for a few moments to collect herself. This wasn’t at all what she’d expected. The intense feelings she had when he controlled how she responded to him … God, his authoritative tone … and his stern expression … it all took her breath away. He was so powerful and masculine.

Right now she felt like her world had turned upside down.

Dare had made a powerful case. To write an effective article about the Dominant-submissive relationship, she needed to experience it directly.

It made sense he’d show her by example, and it wouldn’t have to lead to sex. But the thought of him commanding her … taking control …

Her heart stammered.

As much as she’d insisted there would be no sexual relationship between them, she knew that she was in danger of falling under his masculine spell. That she would lose herself completely to the role of being Dare’s submissive, an option that felt all too attractive right now.

Once he started to command her … She knew in her heart she would do anything he said.

She stared at herself in the mirror. She was thinking crazy thoughts. This was just role-playing. She wasn’t just going to fall into bed with him.

And he probably didn’t look at her that way anyway. He was wealthy, handsome and powerful. She wasn’t his type of woman.

He was just helping her with her research. Because she was a friend of Helen’s.

A look of determination crossed her face. She was just looking for an excuse to run away. Because the situation was a little awkward.

She opened her purse and grabbed her brush, then pulled it through her long, dark hair.

She was going to get a grip on herself and march right back in there and get on with this.

*   *   *

“So how do we get started?” she asked as she sat on the couch again.

“Stand up and come over here.”

At his tone, she instantly pushed herself to her feet and walked toward him.

“Good. As I told you, a submissive follows her master’s commands instantly and without question.”

The word master sent a shiver down her spine. During these sessions, Dare would be her master. He would command her to do things. She had no idea what those things would be.

“Now turn around. Slowly, so I can look at you.”

She turned, aware of his gaze gliding the length of her body. Why had she worn such tight jeans? She should have worn something more business appropriate.

What would his orders be? As she continued to turn, an image flashed through her mind of sitting on a chair in front of him, totally naked. In the image, he leaned forward and with his gaze gliding down her torso, commanded her to open her legs.

“Stop.”

She stopped turning, facing him again.

“Pour me a glass of wine.”

His gaze shifted to the bottle of wine and the single stemmed glass beside it. She stepped forward and picked up the bottle, then poured the dark burgundy liquid into his glass. He held out his hand and she picked up the glass and handed it to him.

He nodded, then took a sip.

“Would you like some?”

She nodded.

“The proper response is, ‘Yes, Master.’”

Her gaze darted to his. “Uh … yes, Master.”

“Come over here and kneel in front of me.”

She drew in a deep breath. A part of her wanted to rebel, but a stronger part wanted to do exactly what he said. With shaky legs, she walked toward him, then knelt on the plush carpet. She was only inches from him. His strong, masculine aura surrounded her. Exciting her. Heat pulsed through her.

He held his glass to her lips and tipped it up. She sipped the dark, tart wine, then swallowed as he drew the glass from her lips.

The wine warmed her throat as it went down.

She was so close to him. Kneeling in front of him. Being like this sent all kinds of raunchy images through her head. She found herself wondering what it would be like to stroke her hand along his thigh to his crotch. To glide her hand over his cock and feel it swell. To tug down his zipper and reach her hand inside.

“Would you like more?”

Oh, God, her raging hormones demanded so much more. But he was talking about wine.

“Yes, Master.”

If she hadn’t been on her knees already, she probably would have dropped to them at the intense arousal washing through her at saying those words. Yes, Master. Right here, right now, she was his slave.

He pressed the glass to her lips and she took a bigger sip this time. It was relaxing her and she wanted more. She glanced at him and, as if reading her mind, he tipped it up. Heat washed through her and tension eased from her body.

She could barely keep her gaze from dropping to his crotch.

Was he aroused? If she looked, would she see a bulge forming in his pants?

If she were actually his sex slave, surely his next move would be to command her to draw out his cock and pleasure him with her mouth. To wrap her lips around the head and lick, then to glide deeper, swallowing his length inside her throat.

“Ashley, will you follow whatever command I give you right now, without question?”

Goose bumps danced across her flesh. He was going to do it.

“Yes.” The word slipped from her lips before she could stop it. Her heart raced. Things were getting away from her. If he actually told her to stroke his crotch, then pull down the zipper and reach inside …

God, she’d do it. The way she was feeling right now, as if she totally belonged to him … She wanted to please him. To give him whatever he wanted.

“Good. Come closer.”

She closed the few inches between them. His knee brushed against her breast as she moved and her nipples spiked. The front of the couch pressed against her body, his knees on either side of her. His long, masculine thighs open in front of her.

“Now kiss me.”

She leaned forward and rested her hands on his shoulders, bringing her mouth close to his. His glowing midnight eyes watched as she moved closer. His sheer masculinity, and the feeling of power emanating from him, mesmerized her. Their lips met and sparks flashed through her. His tangy male scent filled her as their mouths merged. His lips were full and firm against hers. And warm.