Asking For It by Lilah Pace Series: Asking For It #1
Published by Berkley
Published on June 2nd 2015
Genres: Dark Romance, Erotic Romance
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Buy on Amazon--Buy on B&N
“This is who I am. This is what I want. Now I need a man dangerous enough to give it to me.”
Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by force, by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy. When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.
Their arrangement is twisted. The sex is incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists. But the secrets in their pasts threaten to turn their affair even darker...
Reader Advisory: Asking for It deals explicitly with fantasies of non-consensual sex. Readers sensitive to portrayals of non-consensual sex should be advised.
This book is so much more than a book with ‘dark’ sexual subject matter; this book has romance, intellect, intrigue, and substance. I was absolutely blown away by the characters and story–I just could not put this book down.
Asking For It took me completely by surprise. There I was, thinking I was getting ‘just another smut book’, when actuality, I was getting a book with an emotionally-driven plot, and a story that would not let me focus on any task other than getting to the last page. The pacing was spot on, without a dull moment throughout.
I love how organically the romance progressed in this story, and that it things didn’t feel rushed, or unnecessary.
I never found myself feeling uncomfortable about Vivienne’s peculiar sexual tastes/desires–I think that the scenes and situations were handled quite tastefully. Though on the surface Jonah and Vivienne’s ‘scenes’ were simulated to be non-consensual, their relationship at it’s core was one of trust, respect, and love.
I am so incredibly eager to get my grabby hands on the next book!
4.5 Hot & Steamy Stars!
Quarter ’til ten.
Keiko’s pottery – put that away. Breakables have no place out in the open, not tonight. What about the lamp? If I move it to the center of the table, that’s probably okay.
I took a shower just after a light dinner of toast and eggs, plus the last of the peaches I bought a few days ago. The juice was still sticky on my chin and fingers as I stood under the hot spray of water, rubbing in something that promises to be “ultra-moisturizing.” My skin feels soft, anyway, and the faint lavender scent lingers.
I wonder if Jonah will even notice. Probably not. If tonight goes according to plan, his mind should be on other things.
“Unlock your door at ten p.m. No earlier. I don’t want you to do anything unsafe.”
Protecting me as he plans to terrorize me. This is the paradox of Jonah Marks.
Nearly everything that could break during a struggle has been put away. Now what? Lights on or off? He’ll want to see me – and I want to see him – but the dark would sharpen the edge of my fear. Finally I turn down one of the floor lamps in the far corner of my living room, so only a faint shadow of amber-tinted light falls across my bedroom floor.
“I should warn you,” I said. “When I said I’ll fight, I meant it.”
Jonah’s low voice made me shudder. “Struggle all you want. It won’t matter.”
My hair is down. Wearing makeup would be sort of ridiculous, but if I went to bed like it really was any other night, I might have acne cream on my chin. Let’s not. I settle for clean-scrubbed skin and cherry Chapstick. My shoes have all found their places in my closet, instead of their usual line near the side of my bed. This tank top is a soft shade of apricot – seemed like a good idea on the clearance rack, but it doesn’t really match anything else I own. It’s been sleepwear for a while now. My nipples are just visible through the thin ribbed cotton.
Simple cotton panties. If they get torn, so be it.
I should probably shop at the Salvation Army for more clothes I wouldn’t mind being destroyed.
“If I haven’t come in by 10:30, something’s held me up. Lock your door and wait for me to call.”
Five until ten. On the back of my bedroom door, I’ve hung a series of hooks, which gives me a handy place to keep belts, scarves, accessories like that. I run my hands through the scarves, feeling the various fabrics against my skin – then close my fingers around pale pink cotton. This scarf is sturdy enough to stand up to some abuse. Yet thin enough to serve as a makeshift rope – if that’s something Jonah wants.
I’m about to find out.
“You remember the rules I gave you, back when we began? About what I didn’t want the first time?” I put my hand to my chest, as if my touch could slow my fluttering heart. “You can consider those suspended.”
“Fewer limits.”
“Mmmhmm.”
Jonah growled, “Good.”
Stephanie
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