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Maxwell Barnes runs the top law firm in the city, owns a private BDSM club, and has more money than he can spend in a lifetime. He gets everything he wants, and now he wants his paralegal, Aaron Marshall. Mixing work and pleasure is a big no-no, but their mutual attraction is off the charts. The one thing Maxwell isn’t looking for is love, but sometimes fate has a mind of its own.
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- Aug 8 - Sep 30: These Second Edition releases are each on sale for $3.19 https://www.changelingpress.com/gale-stanley-a-199 Party Animal (Roosters) A Roosters Bad Boy Romance The Boss (Roosters) A Roosters Bad Boy Romance The Bathhouse (Roosters) A Roosters Bad Boy Romance at Publisher
Publisher: Changeling Press
Editors:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 5
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Age Difference, Alpha Character, Office / Workplace Romance
Word Count: 13200
Setting: city
The Boss (Roosters)
Second Edition
Gale Stanley
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Gale Stanley
Fucking traffic. Even at this hour of the day, the streets were as jammed as my calendar. Doesn’t matter what I drive. My Mercedes-Maybach won’t get me to the office any faster than a Prius, but my ride got a lot of looks. It commanded the eye as well as the road. I imagined the other drivers were wondering what VIP was enjoying all this luxury. The thought ignited me. Being the center of attention was a turn-on. It was better than sex.
READ MOREAt last, my building came into view. It was an impressive sight. The Barnes Building was a soaring glass tower, twenty stories high, and one of the most prestigious addresses in the city. I helped design it myself. I demanded a seat at the table with the architects and builders, and my input resulted in a stunning building that met my needs. If you want something done right, do it yourself. ‘Nuff said.
I turned into the parking garage and pulled into my reserved spot, savoring the rewards of success. My car, my building, designer duds, a Rolex, they were all symbols of my wealth and status. None of it was due to luck. I worked damn hard to get where I was, long hours, high-profile court cases, good investments… I was on top of the world. Now I was ready to enjoy myself. For years work had overshadowed everything else in my life. I had made a name for myself and accumulated stuff, but I had neglected the hedonistic pleasures that shaped my life. It was time to focus on the thing that lit me up. BDSM. Erotic play made me feel complete. It energized me. I just needed the right partner. Lately, I had wondered whether the man I wanted even existed. It was a tall order to fill.
I knew who I was and what I wanted -- single, gay Dom looking for a playmate, not a relationship. Nothing serious or exclusive. I wanted a man who was submissive because he loved the way it made him feel, but finding a compatible play partner wasn’t easy. In the past I’d had partners who played at being submissive so they could gain access to me. They were only interested in my prestige and money. I liked a man who was willing to work hard and make it on his own. Someone who was constantly learning and wanted to challenge his limits.
Even with my connections, it was difficult to meet men because my kink was a well-hidden secret. Submissives who were looking for a Dom wouldn’t know how to find me. It had been a long time since my Dominant side got any attention, and it had been frustrating as hell.
Until the day Aaron Marshall showed up. We had instant chemistry. Chemistry counted for a lot, but it wasn’t everything. There had to be more to it than attraction. The big question was, could we build something on that chemistry? This was such an improbable match, I couldn’t believe it was more than a fluke. But what if it wasn’t? I intended to find out because I was used to getting what I wanted, and I wanted this man.
I took the private elevator to the top floor. My suite was bright and modern, a stark contrast to my public office one floor down. There it was all cherry wood and leather, the warm traditional look I presented to the public. But the private penthouse was my home when I was working on an important case so it was all me, a personal office, sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, and a large bath, even a walk-in closet stocked with some of my favorite paddles and floggers.
I listened to my voice mail and found a message from Brett Holiday, my best friend. No need to answer it. I’d be seeing him tonight. I went into the bathroom to check my appearance before taking the back stairs to my office.
Before settling in, I walked out to the front office to greet Aaron, who was now my newest paralegal. My current office manager was teaching him the ropes, a task I planned on taking over shortly. Pun intended.
Aaron always clocked in ahead of everyone, even me. He wanted to make a good impression, and he had. The man was a quick study and very professional, but he had other assets that sparked my interest.
I never forgot our first meeting. I liked his looks immediately -- dark blond hair, hazel eyes, slim build, but his stance was what caught my attention. Aaron stood in front of my desk, his back ramrod straight, arms at his sides, head up, eyes down. His deference was flattering to the point of overkill. I saw it as a tendency to yield to the will of another. He was hard-wired to be a submissive.
We made eye contact and it was hot as hell. I pictured us having wild sex and I sensed he felt the same. The undeniable connection between us was like an out-of-body experience. That mysterious attraction couldn’t be forced. It was what I longed for, but seldom found. Calm down, I told myself. Do not hire this man because you want to fuck him.
“Have a seat, Mr. Marshall.”
“Thank you.”
I decided to test the water. “Thank you, Sir.”
Aaron’s eyes went wide but he responded immediately. “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
His reaction was beautiful to behold. Being told what to do excited him. I could tell he wanted me to take control, to dominate him. Anticipation shivered along my spine. I knew an untrained submissive when I saw one. Aaron was struggling to recover his self-command, but his desire and arousal shone like a beacon in a storm. I was intrigued.
Cynthia Brooks on Amazon wrote:This fairly new-to-me author is quickly becoming one I look for and choose her books, knowing I am in for a good read. Characters are realistic and relatable, plots are varied enough to keep things interesting, and there is enough blend of story and sexy times to keep me engaged the whole time. Reads are usually short but interesting.
Max is a successful lawyer by day, and an experienced Dom by night, when he makes time to play out of his busy schedule. Aaron is a new paralegal, one that caught Max’s eye from the moment he met him in the interview, sensing a sub in the making and kindling a lot of interest. It is several months before Max gets the chance to find out if Aaron is a sub, and if they mesh well enough for him to be Max’s sub, and for Max to be Aaron’s Dom. In around 75 pages, I feel I know quite a bit about both characters and their mutual and individual wants and needs. Story flows easily and this chapter of their lives feels ready to move forward with a relationship to fulfill both.
I’ve discovered this author has a wide variety of books, some in the shifter realm, many with BDSM, and a mix of MM, MF, and poly erotic romances, enough to keep me reading for awhile with a wide variety of characters and settings. I look forward to reading more of her work.
N.M. Harvey on Amazon wrote:Maxwell and Aaron go into the relationship to have a little fun but end up getting so much more. I really enjoyed this book.
Latecia M Jennings on Amazon wrote:I love BDSM, and this story sold me. Maxwell Barnes is the head of the best law firm. Maxwell also owns a BDSM club where you can go and let go, be who you are. Maxwell has it all, more money than he could ever need. Having so much money allows him to get all he wants or needs out of life. That includes his paralegal, Aaron Marshall. The instant connection the two of them have for each other is off the charts. But is it a good idea to have a relationship with someone you work for? Maxwell doesn't want love, but with Aaron, does he have a choice?
I love BDSM. I have read so many. Living the lifestyle, I look for books to escape and lose myself in the story. Gale Stanley filled that and more.
StarDragon on Amazon wrote:I love office romances and this one was good. It has a lot of promise in the beginning and knowing that this is a novella I didn't think it was gonna go in too deep. Max wanted Aaron plain and simple. So he did what he had to do to get him. I think if Max was a stronger Dom and stuck to his business Boss persona throughout their "playtime" the connection would have not been there. This was definitely to me more sweet than strict and very nice romance. Glad I gave it a chance.
Max is a high powered lawyer, who is missing someone in his life. His work has left little time to play. Aaron is hired as his paralegal. Aaron who comes from a smaller town, has a lack of confidence in his choices and lifestyle. This is a sweet short story of love and romance.
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