Nice plot yet somewhat rudimentary, it's deflates a bit at the end. ( )

Wow. I don't know that I have a more articulate response to this story, but I'll certainly try. Xander and Malone are co-workers and friends, but there's something a bit different about them. Malone is a dominant vampire and Xander is a submissive who wants to give himself to Malone, even though Malone has told him he shouldn't want that. This brief story chronicles a battle of wills as Xander tries to prove to Malone that he knows what he's in for while Malone keeps trying to send Xander away.

Kim Dare has done a great job here. Every word, every sentence, and every scene is in service to the overall story. The character's personalities come through so easily and the world they live in is made real even without pages of exposition. This was the first book of hers I've read, but I will definitely be reading more.

Content warning: BDSM ( )

Topping from the bottom is so not my thing. Unless I am the bottom. The vamp was a softie, too.
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TPE (Total Power Exchange) is a tough concept to handle without making the characters seem like total bastards (if they are Doms) or total idiots (if they are subs) - at least to anyone not in the BDSM lifestyle to that sort of level of 24/7 control. Not surprisingly, at least to me and my tastes, Kim Dare has managed it really well in this story.

The key, for me, is not just the total love and adoration Xander feels for his vampire/business partner he wants to submit to, but also the fact he actually tops from the bottom to get what he wants. This behavior is at odds with who he is and how he behaves throughout the rest of the story, so that fact makes it a very powerful gesture. Xander doesn't even consider regretting any of what he does to finally get what he wants.

Malone, the supposedly ruthless vampire, may be a bastard, and he is, but he loves Xander in his own way and is powerless to refuse giving his new sub what he wants. And that just happens to mesh really well with what Malone needs, so it's all good.

If you like stories with dominant vampires and the "snacks" who fall for them, if you enjoy reading about men who give up control 24/7, and if you're looking for a hot and very kinky read, then you will probably like this free short story.
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*sigh* I love Kim Dare! ( )