No Means No

Matthew Blackwell was drenched in dominance and masochism. He smiled as he stirred Haley’s drink, spiked with enough ketamine to render her unconscious, hoping to have sex his way. He thought of Haley as no more than the girl who would offer him a night to remember; his send off party of one before university. At no time did he consider that he could go to jail. Matthew was drenched in masculine toxicity, and had a hidden hostility to femininity. He believed that money was power. He wielded both. He got what he wanted, when he wanted, and felt that he could do as he pleased where it came to women. Always at Matthew’s side was his good friend, Ryan Crowe. Matthew had the financial means and Ryan had the connections. If Matthew asked, Ryan complied. What Ryan did not know was that Matthew had a dark secret. Rape culture is a real and salient force in today’s society. The term ‘rape’ has been relabelled as sexual violence – clearly defining any and all unwanted sexual activity. All too many women don’t report such incidents – primarily because too few perpetrators are punished - further feeding the problem. RAPE is an ever-growing concern that must be addressed and recognized for what it is: a criminal offense. The BDSM subculture once operated underground. In modern society BDSM activity has begun to enter the mainstream, and typically goes unnoticed. The BDSM community has not escaped immunity from abusers or abusive dynamics. What Reviewers Have to Say: 5 out of 5 stars - Great opening! Frightening. Had me hooked from the first paragraph. This may be the 51st Shade of Grey when things really get out of hand. Well done, Linda!