In many ways, and on the surface, this story seems like one of the lighter reads in the series. There isn't a heavy-handed Dom, but there is a struggling (with his own self-image and needs) sub. The dynamic where it's clear (to the reader) that the Dom is actually in love with the prospective sub is an interesting one. For me, it makes everything easier to understand and more enjoyable. I guess that is because I prefer the "softer" variation of D/s stories, the one where love is involved. As tough as some of the scenes are, it puts everything into a totally different light.

The essence of this particular D/s relationship is the fact that Ben, who is a teacher and has to be in control in his job, has a need to let go when he is at home. Andrew, his flatmate and a cop, understands this and when he "takes charge" it is mostly because he wants to give Ben what he needs. The fact that they're very hot together and the love I mentioned above goes both ways, just makes everything even better.

This is another great addition to the Rawlings Men series - long may it continue!
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3.5 stars ( )

Roommates Ben and Andy couldn’t be more different. Andy is a cop who likes to be in charge, whilst Ben is a teacher who just wants to let go. Whilst they are best friends, the relationship can never be anything more, because self-professed Dom Andy doesn’t think that his roomy wants the type of relationship he’s offering. When Andy forbids Ben from attending a protest rally Ben decides he doesn’t need a part time Dom telling him what to do; he takes the role on full time or he keeps his opinions to himself. Andy grabs the opportunity to see the man he has been lusting after since day one, submit to him in any way he wishes.

Kim Dare is one of the few short story authors I will willingly pay for. Her stuff is as romantic as it is kinky. This is the type of story that makes you feel a little naughty, whilst filling you with the warm and fuzzies. I didn’t think that I would enjoy a story about spanking and ball gags but how wrong I was! Andy doesn’t ease Ben into the lifestyle even though he is a new sub. The first thing he does is punish him with a spanking for attending the rally...and there was nothing hot about this punishment; it was all about drilling the message home. The ball gag came out because Ben just couldn’t keep his mouth shut....He soon learnt that lesson. What became apparent was how well Andy knew his sub. He didn’t know his limits, or what his triggers were, because they had never played together before. He did know how he would react to certain situations and pre-empted things so Ben didn't get himself punished (i.e. the ball gag). I never think that BDSM is completely satisfying unless there is a sense of trust between the participants, and you could see just how much these two really knew, and loved, each other.

It was very kinky, with the story focusing more on the kink that the sex. I enjoyed the build up to the actual climax of the story but I would have liked it to be just a little longer, just to see how these two fared! A lovely steamy read, but it does come with all the usual content warnings for a M/M BDSM story.
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Actually 4.5

While I have enjoyed all the Rawlings men I think this one is my favorite so far. Like all of them because of the shortness of the story it seems to move at quite a fast pace but in this story the relationship between Ben and Andy seem completely believable. The fact that they had been roommates for a while made the relationship and feelings seem as if they had progressed naturally. Also, it was fun to see the work Ben has gone to explore his roommate's interests so that he has an idea of what to say and how to respond to get the relationship moving. ( )