Brief Encounters

Title: I Like You
Author: CB Conwy
Length: 5,300 words (21 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m contemporary BDSM
Rating: B

Blurb:

Everything is good between Andy and CK, especially since they said those three little words to each other. Well, their very own version of them, anyway. That’s why CK’s so surprised when one day Andy is reluctant to have sex with him.

It turns out that Andy wants CK, but he doesn’t want the pain that his abusive ex-boyfriend inflicted on him when they had sex. CK is too much of a Dom not to seize the opportunity to push and take care of his sub, and giving in to someone you like turns out to be hotter than Andy could ever imagine.

Review:

This story takes place right on the heels of the novel starring CK and Andy, Alphabet Soup. Things are still well with the couple, although CK has had to be out of town for a few days, and when he arrives back early and unexpectedly, he is confused by Andy’s reluctance to have sex. Especially given how great things have been between the two men. When Andy explains why he’s reticent, CK uses it as an opportunity to push Andy’s limits and test his trust.

Most follow-ons to popular novels just tend to be a sex scene and a cute story of how they are deliriously happy after the last book. And that is the case here, they are happy, the sex scene is definitely hot, but I think it shows a bit more depth. Andy is not “over” his emotional scars from his abusive ex. He is still controlled by his fears of the pain he endured with the man, and while he seems to have been able to work around it, and do things to alleviate the fear, he hasn’t been honest with CK about it. CK wants to prove that not all men will hurt him the way his ex did, and that CK is quite capable of making it good for him as well.

Andy is still nervous, but excited as well when CK pushes him and goes all Dom on him. I liked that while this is a D/s more than a BDSM story, Andy is not a shrinking violet fluttery sub. He’s big and strong and more confident, and now that he’s sure that CK “likes” him and vice versa, he’s not afraid to be a bit more aggressive. I’ll be honest, that could be a personal thing for me. I find myself more drawn to couples who tend to be D/s in the bedroom but less so in their everyday life.

The title stems from Andy’s negative reaction to CK’s declaration of love at the end of the last book. Because of his ex’s indiscriminate use of the word and the association with pain, “I like you”, is their code for love. Very cute and for those who may not like more serious BDSM, but are more interested in the psychological aspects of the lifestyle, of giving up control and trusting someone else completely, I would highly recommend you check out the novel that precedes this book. It is well worth reading.