Sub for Hire

Serving His Master #4

by Claire Thompson

Writer by day, sub for hire by night. Blond, built and hot as they come, Josh knows his dream of D/s romance has no place in the dark dungeons where he bares his body for any Master's whim.

Michael, with his piercing blue eyes, movie star smile and compelling Dom persona, can have any man he wants with the snap of his fingers. On the rebound from a broken heart, he checks out Dungeon Dreams, known for its stable of hot slave boys.

Though the scene is controlled, slave j reacts with fierce passion to the kiss of Michael’s whip and his sensual touch.

Slave j's intense response steals Michael's heart, though he knows by definition it can never be more than a game. Michael determines to forget the green-eyed submissive.

Josh, his heart captured by the sexy Dom, finds his carefully compartmentalized world crumbling. Somehow he must face and conquer his fierce desire for a man he might never see again, a man who regards him only as a sub for hire.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Gay, Erotica, Contemporary Romance

ebook

First published August 22, 2008

About the author

Claire has been writing for nearly two decades, and has published over 85 novels. She writes BDSM romance and abduction tales, spanning both m/f and m/m genres. She has received numerous awards for her bestselling work, including the NLA-Int’l Pauline Réage Award and the Golden Flogger Award for best BDSM fiction.. Her darker works press the envelope of what is erotic and what can be a sometimes dangerous slide into the world of sadomasochism. Ultimately her work deals with the human condition, and our constant search for love and intensity of experience.
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https://clairethompson.net

Reviews

[Bryl Tyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read with BDSM elements...talk about an eye opener. I kept hearing myself saying, OMG...OMG...and, because it shocked me, I initially gave it only 4 stars.

But, I thought about Claire Thompson's style as I was adding this book to my shelf. It dawned on me, that Sub for Hire is one of the more intimate stories I've ever read.

See, I associate violence with anger. YET, Thompson succeeded in pulling me into the story by illustrating every feeling, both physical and emotional, the characters went through. She made me understand a different viewpoint.

It didn't take me long until I realized that I couldn't put the book down. I just had to know what would happen next. Claire Thompson is an amazing writer. I'm giving her 5 stars!

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I think the previous bdsm book I read was so totally unbelievable and unrealistic that I was ready for something seemingly more serious, and this one just felt right. I liked that it showed two different sides to the bdsm coin - one side, the sub for hire, where doms pay a bunch of money for an hour session with a "professional" sub where very little emotion comes into play; and one side where the d/s relationship is deeper and more meaningful and involves more caring and trust.

Josh has taken the sub for hire job to supplement his income until his professional writing career can support him. Even though he believes a d/s relationship is more spiritual and emotional than just submitting (without the trust, connecton, etc.) to a stranger for an hour, he is able to push those feelings aside and disassociate himself during his sessions, thinking of it as a job. After he meets Michael (a client), he realizes they have a deeper connection, and he is no longer able to think of it this way when subbing for Michael.

Josh and Michael seem to be perfect for each other and are looking for the same things - a fulfilling d/s relationship/partnership, so they decide to take things further. They face a few hurdles (Josh continuing to sub for hire being one), but they work through them.

There are definitely a few things that didn't sit quite right with me, but overall, I really enjoyed this book. When finished, I felt I knew exactly where these two were headed and was happy with the way things ended.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had I read this book back when I first started reading m/m BDSM I probably would have rated it higher but now that I've read some fantastic books it was just meh. We had some insta-love, non-con/dub-con and very nice scenes but I didn't get Michael. For a guy who's been burned so badly, he sure did connect with Josh awfully fast. No real hesitation at all. Josh, I got. He'd been looking and waiting so when Michael came along...yay! No big fights or misunderstandings. Nothing to pull at the heartstrings. Just a ho-hum romance with kink.

[Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possible spoilers ahead...

This was a nice (if predictable) premise for a book that was poorly actualised. You have a reasonably experienced sub who gets himself into a bit of a pickle because he ... wait for it ... forgets to use his safe word ... not once but THREE times. I could forgive the instance where he was 'abused' by Mario due to the fact Joseph was drunk, but the 2 instances that occurred in the 'professional' dungeon were just perplexing. Yes Sam over-stepped the employer/employee boundary but there was so much emphasis on him creating a 'safe' dungeon where the subs were protected and respected that I'm not surprised he thought Joseph was into him and his scenes. A Dom of that calibre would expect a professional sub to safe word if he wasn't into the scene not bleat "let me down" or "I don't want this" ... I kinda felt sorry for Sam and felt that Joseph needed a slap up the side of the head ... safe, sane and consensual means you are adult enough to keep yourself safe with the rules of the game ... had Sam ignored the safe word, there would have been more credibility to the angst. Disappointing.

Originally posted on Amazon.com

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story with sincere emotions. i found the time jumps backwards and forwards to be distracting, plus I really have a pet peeve about MC as writers which undoubtedly pulls me out of the illusion of the story.

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the story of Josh and Michael. Not a lot of drama or angst, but plenty of nice kink.

[Badh · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just something about the way that Claire Thompson handles books that have to do with BDSM and D/s. It's hot and sexy and enticing, but it's also very intimate and special and somehow sacred between the two people, even if it's done in public. It's almost like the reader is a peeping Tom and is peeking through windows.

Josh is an aspiring writer. He's had some shorter pieces published, and his first book has been sent and is on contract to a publisher, while he's working on his second book. While all of that makes him sound very successful, the fact is that his writing isn't paying for itself or for anything else right now. He has to come up with a to supplement his teaching job, so when he finds an ad for a pro dungeon that needs subs, he knows that this is something that he might be interested in.

Michael is a Dom who has had a bad experience. He wants to play but he doesn't want a romance right now. So when his friend tells him about this pro dungeon where he can spend an hour with a sub and do just about anything, outside of sex, Michael gives it a try. And he finds slave j.

While the dungeon and sex scenes are really hot, what really got me was the romance between Josh and Michael. That story is just beautiful. It really is very intimate and handled in such a great way. I just love how Claire Thompson handles her work.

[Lexi Ander]

I think that this book was supposed to push some buttons. BDSM can either be erotic or dangerous and this has elements of both. I did not agree that being a sub for hire equaled a sort of prostitution. I know this point of view was used to cause stress between the characters, but it still irked me. To me, Michael had moments of callousness...lack of empathy...purposely cruel words in the beginning as he passed judgment because he didn't understand.

Don't get me wrong, I loved characters who are flawed. It makes them more real. (But I sometimes don't tolerate in characters that which I wouldn't tolerate in myself.) In the end I think it would have all been fine with me and I would have given it 4 stars. But then there is the whole Sam issue. Twice Sam takes advantage and manipulates Josh. The first time was not so bad and I could feel and understand Josh's confusion and distress. The second time was so much worse. Josh said "no" and no matter what is going on, everything should stop. Sex may not have been involved but it was still rape of a sort.

But this is the deal, Sam despite being Josh's employer and the one who is supposed to protect Josh from exactly what Sam turns around and does to Josh. Sam sets up Josh, hid his identity so that by the time that Josh figured out who it was, it was too late for Josh to leave because he was already trussed up. Josh told him no, to stop and Sam ignored him and then proceeded with the scene, leaving Josh to try to suck it up and get through it.

Josh blamed himself for what happened. Michael felt betrayed instead of reassuring Josh. The only thing that said afterwards is that Sam was a jerk. It also leaves the reader believing that in such a situation, the victim has no recourse but to accept it. Maybe it is the advocate in me, but I find all that reprehensible. None of that is okay. Even if this is how the author wanted to book to go, there should be information on where and how to get help if something like that happens in real life.

Maybe life experience has made me too sensitive and I am taking a harsher stance because of it. It just didn't sit well with me. Others have read it and have been fine with it.

[Trix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well.. this was an interesting, though strange reading. After having finished another book by this author, I was sure all her works were going to be a pleasure. With a slight penchant for BDSM, this seemed like a good choice.

However, I had trouble immersing in the story and relating to the characters from the beginning. Maybe my knowledge of the BDSM world is very limited and as such, I cannot say for sure how real their reactions were. But even with that aside, there were still things that kept buzzing and distracting my attention from the story. [spoiler ahead]For one, I could not envision the characters deep in a scene and still have such an expand of feelings, emotions and thoughts. Secondly, Josh turned from gullible, to down right naive and oblivious as he kept falling for Sam's tricks (almost proving he was indeed a pain slut). Thirdly, the confession moment and its aftermath seemed so bland. After Josh's shocking admissions, everything was settled nicely and they lived happily ever after. It didn't seem believable. Fourthly, the scene where Michael commands Josh to take him came totally out of nowhere. Perhaps indeed, I am under the impression that most Doms hardly bottom but even so, the idea sprang out of thin air.[end spoiler]

I guess I was too focused on the BDSM aspects of the story (which clashed with what I envisioned) to truly enjoy this. 2 stars out 5.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

So-so kinky m/m romance about an author who works as a sub-for-hire at a professional dungeon until he can support himself with his writing. He can handle the job, as long as he's able to keep his emotions detached, because he actually longs for a loving D/s relationship. Again, I just can't engage with Claire Thompson's older books the way I can with her newer books. This was particularly challenging, because I wasn't overly fond of the dominant characters.

[Adara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Michael and Josh feel like a very good fit together, and the author does a good job of showing how Josh just doesn't fit with Sam or the other Masters and Lords who use the dungeon. I thought there was a section at the end that got a bit preachy and was unnecessary to the story, but otherwise I enjoyed it.

[SheReadsALot]

That cover!

Drip.

[J]

M/M. DNF.

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.4
Waay too sweet for me. Sugary beyond reason. Also I hate insta-love.

I'm not sure if it was trying to be, but it felt very sex-worker phobic, which is ironic considering the main MC is one.

Not only did the other Mc constantly throw it in his face (which is very ironic considering that's how they met.) In fact in that very first meeting he disparages him for selling himself, as he is there BUYING HIM?! You fucking hypocrite. He's seriously talking down to him, and I'm like, is this supposed to be romantic?

And not 2 minutes after that, they are basically in love.. Uh.. When someone seriously insults me, who I am, and what I'm doing, I'm not going to get warm, fussy and so full of trust that I'm falling into subspace as soon as he touches me.
And the word whore is being said or thought by the mean Mc more than once (and not as a sexy humiliation.)

But its not only him, the main Mc who's doing the actual selling, keeps thinking on repeat about how he cheapens the act, like if he sells himself, sex without payment will be worth less somehow?!
I don't remember his exact language, but it was way more offensive than what I just wrote, and I'm not a very offendable person.
He almost had this backwards notion that if you have sex without love it is ugly.

Then for such a short book, there was this really weird sidestory about how he is seriously attracted to his creepy boss. He scenes with him three times during the book, two times after he's fallen in love with the mean Mc, and both those times he is basically raped?! I mean why was this even included?! It was totally unnecessary! I get you want a big obstacle in the third act, but you already had that in the job that the mean mc hated.

And I call him the "mean MC" but he is such a contradictory character, because all the other times (when he isn't spouting bigoted puritanical bullshit) he's so sweet my teeth are basically falling out just reading it. It's too much! In both directions!

You can absolutely have a hang up that you don't want to share your partner with others, nothing weird about that, and that would be enough of an obstacle, but it was how he felt and talked about sex work in general that was just degrading.

No, this one was a big dissapointment.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh work by day as a writer and, while he has sold his book, he still needs more money to pay the bills. He, therefore, works by night as a Sub For Hire. He yearns to have a true D/s relationship but knows he cannot find that where he is right now. He keeps his life carefully compartmentalized. Then he meets Michael and feels an instant connection, but knows nothing can come of it. Suddenly, his compartments are breaking down.

Michael is entranced too by the beautiful slave J that he has rented. On the rebound, Michael is not looking for someone new but might change his mind for this beautiful young man. First, though, he has much to learn about the Slave J and much for both to clear up.

The relationship between Josh and Michael grew and blossomed into something beautiful. It was a journey that makes this and amazing story to read. There is nothing better than a Claire Thompson book. As with Josh and Michael, the heroes are realistic and likeable. You can't wait to see how things work out. I look forward to many more wonderful stories by this talented author.

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I liked the story to a certain extent. I liked Michael and Josh. What I totally disliked with the sub for higher was, there was no aftercare what so ever. You go in a room for an hour and the Dom basically beats the shit out of you and then walks away. If there would have been someone to tend to the sub after a scene the I could have probably lived with that. Also, after an hour of intense flogging, whipping, etc. you are all marked up and exhausted and you’re supposed to turn around and do it again with another Dom, really? I could see a light scene of humiliation and light bondage being able to do a deep scene with a little downtime, but not norm than one heavy scene in my opinion. And what Sam did was inexcusable! He is taking advantage of his employees and needs to be put taken care of, and not in a good way. Even with Michael and Josh together, there was no real holding while coming out of subspace, ointments on the marks, etc. I haven’t read the other books in this series but I will be.

[Ashley D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh is a romantic at heart but also knows that writing isn't paying his bills, so while he would prefer to wait for the perfect Dom to sweep him off his feet, when he sees an ad for subs for hire, he knows he could use the extra cash and reason he can detach himself from the scenes. Except during the interview scene with the owner Sam, he feels an attraction, but its his boss so he politely declines. Michael needs to get back into the D/s scene after his last partner hurt him, so when he hears about a place where the men are hot and he can do pretty much anything he wants as long as its not sexual, he thinks its perfect, until he meets slave j, who submits beautifully.

Josh and Michael both are in need of a bit healing and they can help each other, they just need to let go and trust each other, which seems to be hard for both of them. I enjoyed both characters, and I loved reading each of the scenes between them. I started reading this series out of order and it doesn't seem to have made a difference, so I will probably continue to randomly pick a book in the series to read.

[Gab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are two men, one looking for the elusive perfect Dom, the other for his perfect sub.
Josh, an aspiring author waiting for his breakthrough, takes on a job as sub for hire at a BDSM dungeon to make next months rent.
Michael a disillusioned, cuckolded Dom is talked into trying out the renting scheme just once. For one hour he can select a sub to do with and to what he likes.
Not the place to find a life partner you will say. No, it isn't. But you know what they say about the best laid plans...!
They meet for an hour of no-strings D/s play. Attachments strictly discouraged by house rules!
And of course the impossible happens.
From the first moment the sparks fly between them.
How those two navigate their way between hopes, dreams and misunderstandings to a meaningful relationship, is a delight to read.
Without getting sappy Ms Thompson narrates all the feelings, the doubts and the love between two strong men on the way to their dream.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was crazy hot sexy, and then, a whole boatload of emotions. I have to say, when this authour makes a bad guy, that bad guy is creepy bad. This is no exception, though it doesn't start out that way.

Needing some extra cash, natural sub Josh sees an ad for subs for hire. Thinking it is a scam, he is shocked when it turns out it is the real deal. To keep himself separate from his job, he turns off his emotions and lets his natural submission flow in his paid for sessions. This keeps the customers happy, and Josh holds back his true submission, which he considers a gift, not a commodity. Still, the scenes are super sexy and Josh does enjoy himself

Of course, he meets the one, but then the bad guy comes forward, nearly messing everything up. Luckily, the sparks between Josh and his one aren't just sexual, though they are pretty strong, they are emotional as well. Josh gets his HEA, and it is richly deserved!

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh, un escritor en "quiebra" busca un empleo donde pueda ganar suficiente dinero para mantenerse, y consigue un puesto como "sumiso" en un reconocido club BDSM, cree que puede vender su cuerpo pero no su corazon, y todo ya bien hasta que conoce a Michael, un Dom que va a club por "curiosidad", pero que lo que realmente quiere es a una pareja sumisa que pueda darle tanto amor, como sumision en la cama y en la vida.
Ambos deciden intentarlo fuera del club, y nada una bonita amistad-relacion entre ambos, quienes tendran que superar "pequeños" contratiempos para estar juntos.
Una linda y rosa historia, basada en el mundo de BDSM, donde las escenas son ma hacia la sumision psicologica que fisica.
Entretenida y divertida para pasar el rato y no pensar mucho

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh is a published writer, a teacher and a submissive. He has yet to meet the Dom/love of his life. Money is tight as he has not been paid for his first novel and his rent has tripled. He answers an ad to be a sub for hire at a BDSM club. He finds himself somewhat attracted to the owner but then meets another Dom, Michael, who hires Josh as a sub. Josh and Michael are instantly attracted to each other and start a relationship. They encounter trust issues, jealousy and a bully Dom in their journey to love. It is a quick read full of emotion. I was alternatively happy and angry as I read. It was well written and the subject matter was tenderly handled. A truly wonderful read!

[Saskia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the cover of this book. it is a very strong image.

Josh is an aspiring writer in need of some cash. being a sub for hire is easy money or so he thinks. What I enjoyed about this book is the way Josh makes the distinction about being a sub for hire and what a real relationship is all about. and how he struggles with his feelings and emotions.

Michael has been burned and while attracted to Josh is having a hard time committing and it was good to see the struggles he had as a Dom. he made him real.

The only thing I was a bit confused about is why Josh doesn´t safeword in the dungeon with Sam.

[Jenna ✨DNF Queen✨Here, Sometimes... · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this had no where near the magic of the first in this series which was a book that totally blew me away and left me with vey high hopes for the others.

Unfortunately I was left high and dry and disappointed AF.

What started great went straight over the cliff when one of the main characters, who is supposed to be an ADULT in LOVE, LIED straight to the other’s face, and both of them seem to have forgotten how to Use Their Words.



We’re headed for an idiotic Great Misunderstanding like a bullet train and I’m out *throws iPad*

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Submission for real or just a piece of ass?

This is a book with a lot of different aspect of what could happen och what emotional baggage a Sub could have. It also shows that you should always be safe when you meet with someone you do not know.

It’s a book that is striking and filled with hard emotions.

Claire as usual you’re doing a good job making us want to read more and know more. I love you’re knowledge in BDSM and I love that you can bring out so much emotions in the readers mind from you’re books!

[Luzia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realy wanted to like this book. But it was just to boring and emotional.
The story was your typical woman in destress. And the writing was more womans like. Longe exclametions and lots of feelings. The MC's were in the middle of a "scene" and then there are pages over pages of feelings and emotional flashbacks, and then back to the scene.äfor 3 sentences. It felt realy repetetive, even when they didn't exactly repeted themselves it was just over and over the same nonsens blah blah blah. Feelings and more feeling. You can skip alot of pages and not miss anything. So it was not for me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of the most erotic of the M/M romances written by Claire Thompson. Initially, I thought it would be about Josh and Sam, and in some ways it was, but not the way I thought. Michael seemed distant but he had reason to be wary and the deep sense of trust and emotion that develops between them made me tingle. There was a sense of education throughout the book, but not in a preachy way rather as a natural sensitive and erotic part of Josh's journey.

[ZJT · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than I expected.

Josh is manipulated by someone with a vast amount of knowledge, upsetting his ideals and testing his notions of his fundamental beliefs.

I found Michael believable, with his previous baggage haunting him and his determination to embrace the future.

I enjoy the depth and emotion that Claire Thompson brings to her creations, no matter the genre or sexual orientation. Love, hate, ambivalence, all are portrayed effectively and eloquently

[Gisela Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una intensa historia de amor LGTB llena de Erotismo y que explora los aspectos de la Dominación y sumisión. Su autora desde mi punto de vista tiene un toque oscuro ya que la manera como describe ciertas condiciones humanas y la búsqueda del amor a través del dolor hizo volar mi psiquis.

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand slam

Michael and Josh's story begins in an unexpected way but doesn't take away from the feelings. Another M/M book that I feel in love with reading it. Another grand slam by Claire.

[Doreen Frantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read . Michael and Josh were good together. Sam is a pig. Good D/s scenes however, did not see much sane, consensual in Josh first scene at the dungeon. Boundaries was broken (not by Michael) but it took Josh very long to wake up and take a stand. Good romance