The Little Secret in the Bar

Ever since I started working as a bartender at this cozy little pub downtown, there's been an unspoken dynamic between me and one of our regular patrons. He comes in almost every night around 8 PM, sits at the same spot by the bar where I stand, and we share a connection that goes beyond just serving drinks. His name is Alex, he's forty, and I've known him for over two years now. Our conversations are always light-hearted but there’s an underlying current of something deeper. We both understand each other in a way that many others don't. It started as a mutual understanding, then turned into playful banter with hints of something more, until one night, everything changed. I was feeling particularly adventurous and suggested we try out some little/kink play as part of our dynamic. Alex agreed, and it felt like the most natural progression in the world. We set some boundaries, communicated openly about what each other enjoyed, and from then on, every time he comes to the bar, there’s an unspoken understanding that this is more than just a regular interaction. Sometimes, I tease him gently or give him instructions that are playful but also touch upon our little dynamic. He always smiles knowingly at me whenever it happens, and we both have fun with it in a consensual way. However, despite the fun and enjoyment, there's this nagging feeling of wondering if what we're doing is normal or just something we've created between us because of how well we know each other. Does anyone else experience this kind of playful adult dynamic at work? Am I the asshole for bringing up these kinds of themes with a regular customer? Or am I simply exploring parts of my personality that have always been there but needed someone like Alex to come along and bring them out?