This RITA® Reader Challenge 2015 review was written by Maria Rose. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Erotic Romance category.

Here is Maria Rose's review:

This emotionally compelling m/m romance is the story of Rock and Carter. Rock is gay, an ex-soldier who’s lived with the ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy his whole life, starting from childhood with his military father. He’s finally ready to come out (at least privately if not publicly), and has picked Carter to be the man with whom he wants to share that experience. Carter is a male escort that Rock has seen at the BDSM club where he works in the security office. His friend Tyler, a former escort who is involved with one of the club’s managers, has vouched for Carter and Rock figures that hiring someone is the best solution for him, a man who will be discreet and will let him show his true colours without condemnation. Neither of them counts on the stunning attraction between them, one that has them both questioning their pasts, and their future. With love on the line, will they be willing to take a chance on each other?

I loved this story! It’s part of the author’s Wicked Play series (book 5, all of which are easily read as standalone stories) that has the backdrop of the BDSM club The Den, though this isn’t a BDSM romance. Both main characters have issues to deal with – in Rock’s case it’s the obvious one, that he’s never let himself be gay in mind or body until now. As the story progresses he becomes more and more comfortable expressing himself and becoming the man he’s always wanted to be.

Interestingly enough Carter’s character goes in the opposite direction- he starts out as this confident, cocky and self assured man, relatively at peace with his escort life. But with Rock, that confidence erodes and he begins to see himself the way society views him. Before Rock he was quite content being superficially happy and not questioning his feelings or motives about his chosen life until Rock comes into the picture and is willing to accept everything about him, including the negative aspects that Carter is adept at hiding, even from himself. I found that really interesting, how one man’s view of himself got better while the other’s got worse. It was a fascinating way to propel the story forward.

There is no doubt that the sexual chemistry between Rock and Carter is strong and undeniable. Their first contact, after Rock gets up the courage to call Carter and arrange for them to meet, is fraught with emotion.

His attention drifted down to the firm lips that were within his reach. The icy air swirled around them, the cold nipping at his ears to balance the heat that was causing him to sweat.

It only took a small lean. The littlest of sways before the chilled heat of Carter’s lips were pressed against his. Rock closed his eyes and savored the silky feel beneath his own lips. It was brief, chaste and overwhelming.

He pulled back and braced his forehead against Carter’s, his breath coming out in short pants that were a blend of the embarrassment and desire that battled within him once again. Those wonderful lips of Carter’s were just a hair away, but he couldn’t make himself lean in for another taste. The first was too perfect to ruin.

The sex scenes between them are sizzling hot as they go from one night to more. There is a tenderness and emotion to their lovemaking from the beginning, despite how both of them would rather keep personal feelings out of the equation. But it’s only a matter of time before their hearts are involved. In the end of course, each man is exactly what the other needs to heal inner wounds and find happiness and self-worth.

I’ve read the previous stories in this series and they have all packed an emotional punch no matter the sex of the couple involved. Each one has featured a different but equally compelling storyline and this is a wonderful addition to the series and very worthy of its RITA nomination. It gets an A from me.