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Blindside
Freshman Matt is tired of enduring the hazing by (admittedly gorgeous) upperclassman Dylan, but annoying as it is, it's basically harmless. When Dylan ups the ante significantly, though, Matt's mind is left reeling from the implication. But as much as Matt wants Dylan, he can't be sure the whole thing isn't just one more bizarre prank.
Note: This story was previously published in the Like it or Not anthology.
Note: This story was previously published in the Like it or Not anthology.
- GenresBDSM
24 pages, ebook
First published June 22, 2013
8 people want to read
About the author
Stella Harris
23 books37 followersStella has loved books for as long as she can remember. Her mother was a librarian and so Stella spent countless hours hiding and exploring among the stacks. She believes to this day that books hold all the secrets worth knowing.
Stella holds a degree in Sociology from the beautiful University of California at Santa Cruz. She finds people, and the ways they relate to each other, endlessly fascinating. Her studies had a special emphasis on gender and sexuality and these remain issues close to her heart. Stella believes love comes in many forms and hopes to celebrate that with her writing.
You can find her online at www.stellaharris.net on Instagram as @stellaharrisereotica and on twitter @stellaerotica
Stella holds a degree in Sociology from the beautiful University of California at Santa Cruz. She finds people, and the ways they relate to each other, endlessly fascinating. Her studies had a special emphasis on gender and sexuality and these remain issues close to her heart. Stella believes love comes in many forms and hopes to celebrate that with her writing.
You can find her online at www.stellaharris.net on Instagram as @stellaharrisereotica and on twitter @stellaerotica
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 13, 2013
Although this story is labeled dubious consent, I didn't find that to be entirely accurate. I did think it was playing at the edges of it, sort of flirting with it, but never really went there. Why did I think so? If you look at it from Dylan's point of view, you could argue that he didn't have "enough consent" (I will explain later what I mean). However, the story is told from the point of view of Matt, the one "being convinced", and there are two key sentences way before the actual final twist of what happened to Matt and Dylan that were very important hints to me.
One: "Matt had no other choice—at least, no other choice he was willing to make." This says something about Matt's willingness to go along, and the one problem I see there is that he did not verbally consent. That is the part which I find iffy – Dylan's lack of verbal permission. To be perfectly clear, Matt did not protest in any way either, so Dylan's only "mistake" was that he "assumed consent".
Two: "He hated that part of him wanted to obey Dylan's every order." Matt does want to go with what Dylan tells him to do, but he is in denial (something that becomes clear in other places as well). So, in a sense, this experience enables Matt to experience a side of him (being with another man) that he would not have easily allowed himself to explore without that "small push" from Dylan.
What I found fascinating is that, while Matt really doesn't know himself that well and, quite honestly, came across as a little naïve at times, Dylan has some of the same issues. He expresses them differently, and reacts by overcompensating and giving orders rather than asking, but I never got the feeling he forced Matt into anything. Pushed very hard – yes. Probably not ideal? Agreed. But given Matt's personality and reluctance, and Dylan's lack of communication skills, I believe Dylan had very little choice.
The interpretation of whether the situation as presented in 'Blindside' is dubious consent or not may differ widely, and this is only my personal point of view, based on what I saw. If you like stories that make you question accepted boundaries, if you enjoy reading about flawed men whose flaws complement each other, and if you're looking for a read that might make you slightly uncomfortable but makes you think and question some accepted truths at the same time, you should give this one a try.
One: "Matt had no other choice—at least, no other choice he was willing to make." This says something about Matt's willingness to go along, and the one problem I see there is that he did not verbally consent. That is the part which I find iffy – Dylan's lack of verbal permission. To be perfectly clear, Matt did not protest in any way either, so Dylan's only "mistake" was that he "assumed consent".
Two: "He hated that part of him wanted to obey Dylan's every order." Matt does want to go with what Dylan tells him to do, but he is in denial (something that becomes clear in other places as well). So, in a sense, this experience enables Matt to experience a side of him (being with another man) that he would not have easily allowed himself to explore without that "small push" from Dylan.
What I found fascinating is that, while Matt really doesn't know himself that well and, quite honestly, came across as a little naïve at times, Dylan has some of the same issues. He expresses them differently, and reacts by overcompensating and giving orders rather than asking, but I never got the feeling he forced Matt into anything. Pushed very hard – yes. Probably not ideal? Agreed. But given Matt's personality and reluctance, and Dylan's lack of communication skills, I believe Dylan had very little choice.
The interpretation of whether the situation as presented in 'Blindside' is dubious consent or not may differ widely, and this is only my personal point of view, based on what I saw. If you like stories that make you question accepted boundaries, if you enjoy reading about flawed men whose flaws complement each other, and if you're looking for a read that might make you slightly uncomfortable but makes you think and question some accepted truths at the same time, you should give this one a try.
ac-books-read-in-antho-coll
January 25, 2021★★★ - Read in Like it or Not
July 26, 2013
4 Stars
Matt is tired of being teased by Dylan while at rugby practice. He didn't want to be considered a poor sport, but the teasing coupled with the sexual frustration was almost more than he could bear. When Matt found a note he had to go to the school health clinic stuck to his locker he dutifully went. Surprise, surprise, Dylan was the clerk at the clinic. Dylan lead Matt back to a room and after a cursory looking over gave Matt an amazing orgasm via a “prostate exam.” To say the least, Matt was a bit confused afterward. Dylan told Matt he needed a recheck a week later. When Matt went to the next appointment there was another sexual experience. Matt ducked out of the third appointment. Dylan found him on his way home that night. Matt agrees to go to Dylan's dorm room. While in Dylan's room, Matt begins to see the cracks in Dylan's facade. Finally, after their next rugby practice, Matt sees Dylan wants this so desperately and is worried Matt will say no at any time. Matt realizes he doesn't want to.
Matt was so naïve. It was actually rather charming. Dylan was so interested and just as desperately hiding his attraction to men as Matt was. Matt was so completely clueless he had the power in the relationship and in all the situations he found himself in. That someone as commanding and in control as Dylan was insecure was such a revelation to Matt.
Matt is tired of being teased by Dylan while at rugby practice. He didn't want to be considered a poor sport, but the teasing coupled with the sexual frustration was almost more than he could bear. When Matt found a note he had to go to the school health clinic stuck to his locker he dutifully went. Surprise, surprise, Dylan was the clerk at the clinic. Dylan lead Matt back to a room and after a cursory looking over gave Matt an amazing orgasm via a “prostate exam.” To say the least, Matt was a bit confused afterward. Dylan told Matt he needed a recheck a week later. When Matt went to the next appointment there was another sexual experience. Matt ducked out of the third appointment. Dylan found him on his way home that night. Matt agrees to go to Dylan's dorm room. While in Dylan's room, Matt begins to see the cracks in Dylan's facade. Finally, after their next rugby practice, Matt sees Dylan wants this so desperately and is worried Matt will say no at any time. Matt realizes he doesn't want to.
Matt was so naïve. It was actually rather charming. Dylan was so interested and just as desperately hiding his attraction to men as Matt was. Matt was so completely clueless he had the power in the relationship and in all the situations he found himself in. That someone as commanding and in control as Dylan was insecure was such a revelation to Matt.
July 13, 2013
I kinda didn't really get this story. .. was it supposed to be romantic. ..or erotic..or both. ..or neither. ..I'm honestly not sure.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews