Twisted Wishes lead guitarist Dominic “Domino” Bradley is an animal onstage. But behind his tight leather pants and skull-crusher boots lies a different man entirely, one who needs his stage persona not only to perform, but to have the anonymity he craves. A self-imposed exile makes it impossible to get close to anyone outside the band, so he’s forced to get his sexual fix through a few hot nights with a stranger.
When computer programmer Adrian Doran meets Dominic, he’s drawn to the other man’s quiet voice and shy smile. But after a few dirty, demanding nights exploring Dominic’s need to be dominated, Adrian wants more than a casual distraction. He has no idea he’s fallen for Domino Grinder—the outlandish, larger-than-life rock god.
Dominic is reluctant to trust Adrian with his true identity. But when the truth is revealed prematurely, Dominic is forced to reevaluate both his need for Adrian and everything he believes about himself.
Release Date: September 24, 2018
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: m/m contemporary rockstar romance (with a bit of kink)
Quirks and Warnings: Contains D/s and bondage. Also discusses anxiety and depicts a panic attack.
Tropes and Themes: Secret identity. Geeks in love. hurt/comfort. Finding yourself behind the mask you wear for others.
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“Dominic, you are amazing.” Another push. “Bedroom. Now.”
So he moved and entered, and it was all the colors he loved. Soft blue walls, like the color of the ocean. Green accents with pops of gold. Rich brown furniture. The hues were so Adrian, too. Dom made it halfway into the room when he spotted something hanging from the solid wood bedframe. “Are those manacles on your bed?”
Adrian gave him a less subtle shove toward said bed. “They’re leather cuffs. And yes, they’re used for exactly what you think they’re there for.”
“Tying guys up.”
“Tying people up.”
Dom turned to meet Adrian’s gaze. “You’re bi?”
Not even a blink. “Pansexual. Is that an issue?”
“No, it’s just—” He saw the flicker of hurt and annoyance in Adrian’s face. “No. It’s not an issue at all.”
Confusion lay in Adrian, and he crossed his arms.
Shit, shit. His big clunky mouth when he was out of it. “You’ve been entirely focused on me,” Dom said. “Like, completely. Whenever I’ve been with someone else, they notice other people. But you—”
Adrian bore down on Dom, his smile back in part, but the lines on his face so fucking intense. “You need better lovers, Dominic Bradley.”
Dom’s thighs hit the bed, and his ass a moment later. A second after that, Adrian’s mouth was on his neck, and Dom’s back was pressed against the mattress. A hand skimmed his thigh, as that masterful tongue and mouth moved over Dom’s jaw before claiming his mouth.
His mind was a reeling pile of mush when Adrian drew back. “How could anyone look anywhere else when you’re in the room?”
“You’re such a fucking flatterer,” Dom said, “I’m nothing special.”
“Mmm. I’m gonna disagree with you there.” Adrian took his mouth again, and under Dom went until Adrian finally relented and stood. “I need out of the fucking suit.”
“Yeah, you do,” Dom said.
Adrian grunted. “Don’t give me lip.”
“And this is probably where I shouldn’t say ‘yes, Daddy.’”
That got Dom a huge laugh. “Fuck, you’re mouthy. Ever been gagged, Dominic? Because I can totally give your mouth something other than my cock or pie to suck on.” There was just a hint of warning in those words, though.
Dom shivered from the weight of Adrian’s gaze. “Never been gagged.” He paused. “I’ll be good.” But then the other thought crossed his mind. “Wouldn’t mind trying being gagged.”
Adrian let out a huff of air and worked at his tie. “Of course you wouldn’t. But for now, lie back and watch.”
Dom did. Adrian didn’t put on a show or anything, but watching him undress was something else. The tie went first, and it landed on a nearby chair. Stained suit jacket followed, with the casual ease of someone who’d been wearing them for years. Cufflinks—pretty silver ones that flashed in the light—came next, and Adrian turned to put them on his dresser.
His ass was spectacular, and Dom let out a grunt. The leer Adrian threw over his shoulder burned straight through Dom, and despite his instant orgasm earlier, his cock hardened at the sight.
Adrian turned as he unbuttoned his shirt, opening it to reveal what looked suspiciously like really well-defined abs, and when he shrugged it off, Dom murmured his appreciation.
Not just abs. Adrian was built. Not in a bulky way, but his frame was covered in lean, chiseled muscles and dusted with the same red-brown hair that graced his head. A thicker trail led from his stomach down into his semen-spotted dress slacks.
“You’ve already seen my cock,” Adrian said.
Dom shook his head. “Just swallowed it. Didn’t get to admire the look.”
So, this is a first for me with this author, and I’m not usually a fan of celebrities of any kind….like, at all…but, something about Dominic’s nerdy, bow-tie wearing submissive self, had me curious about him and his story. I didn’t originally know this was book 2 in a series, but it read as a standalone, and I didn’t feel I missed anything from the previous story….
Now, Dominic, is the guitarist in a high-school band with his friends- gone famous. He was incredibly shy and reserved….until he transformed himself into Domino…the sexy guitarist in Twisted Wishes. Now… I’m not sure, I’ve never needed to have a different persona, so I’m not sure quite how that would work, being in two different headspaces enough to be two different people. I know that Domino seemed like kind of a slut though, and it just didn’t seem like Dominic…. That’s the point though I guess, but it just didn’t feel genuine for me.
Then, Adrian, I forget what he does….but he’s the office type, a little bit older than Dominic, and he seemed a little pretentious when they met at the little bar that they both frequent when Dominic has down time. Now, what I didn’t care for, is just like Dominic was two different people, Adrian seemed like two different people to me too. He was flirty and kind of sweet, wanting a date and to get to know more about Dominic, but then next scene, when he was at the gym with Jackson, his trainer/friend/friends with benny’s that occasionally had threesomes with I guess… I dunno, I actually thought he was a different peron altogether. I just didn’t like how he acted then. Why are all the guys so easy and whorey and promiscuous? Gross. (yes, I can slut shame… I think it’s gross)…. Once I got to know Adrian a little more, it didn’t bother me, but it put me off at the beginning.
Now, because Dominic seemed he could be two different people when he needed to be; he was able to do things without being recognized… again, I don’t see how, but whatever… but, Adrian didn’t know anything about Domino…. Now, I didn’t mind this, because they’d only just met and Dominic wanted to keep his anonymity. Not to mention, he was able to let himself go, and let Adrian give him what he needed. In saying that, I’ll also say that I’m not a fan of BDSM…. Light stuff is kind of hot, but flogging and the whole pain scene just isn’t for me. I liked this though, it was light, there was no flogging or canning and I thought it was actually kind of beautiful how Dominic needed Adrian, and the ways in which Adrian helped him let go.
Of course, anytime a relationship starts out with a big secret (like Dominic being a megastar)…. It’s absolutely going to come out eventually, and when it does, you’re going to look like the dishonest one and feelings are going to be hurt and the whole time, you’re going to be wishing that you just told the truth from the beginning when it started becoming more than just a hookup. I mean, they were telling each other they loved each other, and Adrian still didn’t know, so of course that’s exactly what happened.
Fortunately, Adrian was sweet and patient and understanding, and it was over as quickly as it came on. What I also didn’t like, was I really wanted Adrian to get some karmic justice from that awful man that he worked with. It seemed like a sideline problem, just mentioned for something to mention, but I would’ve loved to have seen him get put in his place, or at least if Adrian would’ve quit and his boss and William flounder a bit…. Didn’t happen though, oh well. It was just another snibbit that irked me.
Overall, I probably wouldn’t read anymore in this series, but I was happy with cute way it ended and as always, I’m a sucker for a happy ending.
3 pieces of eye candy from me
Anna Zabo writes contemporary and paranormal romance for all colors of the rainbow. They live and work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which isn’t nearly as boring as most people think.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. As a child they were heartily disappointed to discover that they couldn’t grow up to be what they wanted (a boy, a cat, a dragon), so they settled on being themself whenever possible, which may be a combination of a boy, a cat, and a dragon. Or perhaps a girl, a knight, and a writer. Depends on whom you ask. They do have a penchant for colorful ties and may be hording a small collection of cufflinks.They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Anna uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
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