by
Can shy, submissive Tristan become dominant enough to rid himself of a malevolent ghostly rival and find his happily ever after?
When Tristan Lindsay takes a job cataloguing the library at Faversham Park, home of rock star Marcus Balen, he also accepts a role as companion to Balen's artist son, Garrick.
Garrick is beautiful and talented. He's also demanding and infuriating. He uses Tristan as an unwilling model, shamelessly manipulating the shy boy's emotions to draw out his submissive tendencies.
Drawn into the enigmatic artist's world, Tristan discovers a side of himself that he didn't realise existed. Although afraid of his own feelings, he learns to trust Garrick and falls deeply in love.
But Garrick has a secret that could tear them apart. A ghostly rival objects to Tristan's presence in Garrick's life. As the spectre's malevolence increases, the young lovers must search for clues to the haunting and find a way to exorcise the jealous ghost. What they find leads them down a path that challenges the dynamics of their relationship. Will their love be strong enough to overcome its supernatural opposition, or will there be no happily ever after?
Reader Advisory: This book contains references to homophobic hate crime and paranormal sexual assault. It also contains a hot, virginal librarian and the brooding, dominant artist who lusts after him…There are scenes of consensual D/s and dubious consent in relation to the characters switching roles.
- 1 To Be Read list
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Tropes: First Time, Tease and Denial
Word Count: 24225
Setting: Somerset, UK
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
Shortly before twelve-thirty, Tristan managed to find the kitchen with only one foray into a broom cupboard on the way. There was a huge range set in the fireplace, a well-scrubbed table in the middle of the room and an enormous black cat curled possessively on a large floor cushion in the corner. One wall was almost entirely taken up by a huge dresser stacked with pots, pans and crockery. The flagged floor was covered by an array of brightly coloured rugs, most of which had seen better days. To Tristan’s surprise and amusement, Garrick was in the process of hacking at a large loaf with a carving knife. A plate of cheeses, jars of pickles and bowls of salad were all laid out already, and were soon joined by a basketful of bread. Garrick looked up and glared. “Before you make some witty comment about my culinary skills, remember who’s holding the knife.” Tristan sat down and wisely kept his mouth firmly shut. “We have to fend for ourselves during the day.
READ MORE The cook will leave something for us in the evenings. The cleaner comes in every other morning, so it’s just the two of us living in.” He sat at the end of the table and reached for the bread at precisely the same moment that Tristan extended his hand. It was the slightest contact, but Tristan jerked his fingers back as if they had been burnt. His skin tingled and he could feel the flush on his face. He looked up into a pair of pale green eyes that appeared decidedly predatory. Before he could move away, Garrick leaned towards him and brushed the back of one finger across his cheekbone. “You’re very pretty when you blush.” With a jarring scrape of wood against stone, Tristan shoved his chair back and stood up. “I… I’m not hungry.” He moved towards the door and escape. “Sit. Down.” Garrick hadn’t moved. He didn’t raise his voice, but spoke with absolute authority. He carried on helping himself to salad and cheese. Frozen to the spot, Tristan fought a silent battle with his own desire to run. His cock was swelling, rubbing against his underwear, betraying the secret thrill he felt at Garrick’s commanding tone.
Eventually, Tristan turned, realising that he would only have to face Garrick again sooner or later. It might as well be now. He sat down and put his hands in his lap to try to hide the evidence of his arousal. “That’s better. Obedience is an admirable quality. Now eat something. I don’t want you fainting on me this afternoon.”
This book won the Pauline Reage novel award from the National Leather Association: International. The NLA:I is a leading organization for activists in the pansexual SM/leather community and their annual awards are given for excellence in literary works in SM/leather/fetish writing.
