Seeking His Command: An MM Romance of Second Chances

by A.E. LeMercier

A deeply emotional, romantic tale of healing and redemption. Nervous and seeking escape from his crumbling life, newly divorced Miles Bennet turns to the art of surrender in a last-ditch effort to reclaim his shattered self-worth. At Shimizu Services, an elite sanctuary of power and trust, he meets Darren—a warm, confident professional whose gentle authority offers Miles a lifeline. As Darren guides him through the intricacies of trust, discipline, and total vulnerability, Miles begins to rediscover a strength he thought was lost forever.

As their private sessions of intensive guidance and intricate rope-work deepen, Miles must confront desires he never anticipated, especially when he realizes his journey isn't just about healing… it's about the man holding the line. But can he trust himself—or Darren—enough to truly let go?

A steamy, emotional journey of trust, authority, and the courage to love beyond labels.

The quiet, earnest vulnerability of Shane Hollander (Heated Rivalry) meets the profound healing and protective authority of a Nora Phoenix hero in this high-heat romance where a man broken by trauma discovers his deepest healing lies in the total devotion of a protector's embrace. Heat 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2026

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for ( Intricate Ties-1) Seeking His Command by A.E. LeMercier

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the way that A.E. LeMercier wrote Miles and Darren. They wrote that the BDSM part of the story was well written. I live the lifestyle, so to see an author writing a beautiful, if not painful, story made me want more, need more, from this author. The pain these two men have gone through just tears your heart apart. The pain that Miles has gone through just made me want to reach in and hug him and tell him it will be ok; things will change. Then there is also Darren, who has gone through heartbreak with relationships, to the point where he just doesn't feel he is meant for more, so with that, he throws himself into his job. Miles shows Darren what he is missing. This story was written so beautifully, I didn't want it to end; I wanted more. I can't wait to see what happens in book two.

Nicole Harvey

[Drew H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I was given the first four books by GRR (thank you!) and read them back to back to back to back like one 700-page chonkster of a book, and therefore I don't have any real sense of where things break in between books, so I'm gonna do my best here, but this run-on sentence is going at the start of each of the four reviews lmao so if I say things that don't fit this book, surprise it's from a different book!

I was really enamored with the idea of kink as a form of therapy, and the ways that Miles and Darren slowly opened up to each other, basically against their wills. BDSM and a dom/sub connection requires so much trust and openness, and while I'm of course not saying anyone irl who is a part of the lifestyle will instantly fall in love, it feels like the possibility is there if they want it, there's no other way for that kind of relationship to work. Miles spends the first several books but especially this book just so broken. He's more than a year out from the initial incident (which takes a while and a lot of breadcrumbs across the books to learn about), he's fighting through quicksand to get through a year of AA and trying to get back to his job, all the while being cut off from his kids because of his ex-wife. Miles absolutely needed Darren, there's no doubt in my mind he wouldn't be alive much longer without him. The exploration of kink in the book is stellar, and honestly parts of it could be used as a primer. Not as a how-to manual, they don't get into all that specificity, but they have a lot of open communication about what they expect to be able to put into and get out of the dynamic, and it made the whole thing really peaceful and comforting.

Thank you to GRR for a copy of this book, this is an honest review.

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5**
This is very different to any BDSM romance I've read before. There is more attention to detail, care of both physical and mental health, the education that happens alongside the training that Miles finds himself in desperate need of in a last ditch attempt to save his mental health and recovery.
This is an insanely hot read but it's also just as emotional as Miles connects with Darren on a whole other level to anything he has experienced before. Darren's experience means that Miles is in the safest hands but also that he knows what will be best for him.
It's a guessing game, throughout the story, as to what Miles is trying to recover from. There are hints throughout, with the breakup of his marriage and currently being on leave from his job, but I like that everything isn't just laid out for you. it's established once it fits with the story. There are, of course, good times but there are the bad as well, although those bring them even closer together.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book, especially after reading that epilogue!
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darren and Miles the beginning

Very emotional and weirdly sweet BDSM story about Miles who is going through a lot in his life who engages Darren to help him learn to deal with things. I really like how these two characters interact and how the author spins out how the details of Miles problems to keep things interesting. Luckily the next books in this series are already out because I will be diving into them. Shibari is one of my favorite kinks and I don’t find much of it in books, partly because it’s hard to describe well. There is a lot of well written shibari in this book and it’s obvious that A.E. LeMercier has either been involved or has done tons of research because the descriptions of both how it’s done and the emotions and feelings that it provokes are spot on. With so much badly written kink stories out there it’s great to find an author who does it well.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review

This is the first part of a series and it does end on a cliffhanger. That being said, it was a nice quick read. It was interesting to see how Miles decided to try out submission as a way to find both ‘strength and self-worth’ after his life has imploded. There isn’t a clear explanation for what happened yet, and I’ll be honest, until that is revealed I’m going to be a little nervous about what it was and if it will fundamentally change how I view the character.
Nevertheless, it is obvious that Miles is struggling with things, and it is nice to see that having scenes with Darren is having such a positive impact on him. This volume was from Miles’s POV and I’ll be interested to see if we get Darren’s perspective on things in subsequent volumes.

[Jvles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems to be the start of a huge emotional journey. We meet Miles at his lowest and get to see him start to drag his way to the surface again in the capable hands of a professional carer. It's a book about the healing power of surrender and trust and a reminder to not be so hard on yourself. It's pretty hot and although there's no real romance (yet) feelings are involved pretty soon. I liked that the kinky scenes were not just a tool to get our characters off but a step on Miles' emotional development journey. The pacing was just right, the dialogue felt natural and the story sucked you in. I'm happy I get to start with the next one right away.

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you GRR for the arc!
I find this a hard book to rate.

On one hand, I loved the representation of BDSM. The bondage for the sake of bondage, not to spice up a vanilla scene.

But I disliked Miles as a character. He's so angry and upset his life is ruined but is very quick to blame his ex-wife but I've yet to see any remorse for his own actions. Maybe because the author is hiding the truth from us to slowly reveal what happened.
I'm just not rooting for him much. I do love Darren, the Dom. The tricky situation he's in, getting too invested in a client?

[Nicola Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just hug Miles forever?

I'm feeling all sorts of emotions after reading this! I just want to keep Miles in a huge hug, he's so helpless after everything he's been through. I'm also loving how kind and sweet Darren is, awww I hope he keeps it up because Miles deserves so much love.

How have I taken a fictional character into my heart so fast?
Starting the 2nd book right thus minute!

Beautifuly written, especially at how fast I've become attached to this series.

[Timothy Found · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tie me up and call me Miles

I loved the slow, sensuous writing and scene work in this D/s dynamic. Miles is so touch starved and Darren is so thirsty and I cannot wait to see how their interactions continue in the next book.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story in which you get to know Miles as a strong person. How he works his way back from the depths he finds himself in.

But you also get to know Darren as a kind and a sweet dom. He gives Miles the space to regain the strength to stand tall.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could tell this book was going to captivate me from the first few words. Before the end of the first chapter I knew I was going to love it. Mason needs help, structure, support, care, you name it. He needs someone to take charge and just let him be.

I truly enjoy a really good BDSM book, especially when it is about more than just the d/s bit of the relationship. Mason is touch starved-love starved. This was a gorgeous book in more ways than one.

“I finally had to admit to myself that the quiet weight of his command was the only thing that might make me feel whole again.”

[Bear_reads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with Miles and Darren, short and very spicy. Love seeing Miles's growth and excited to read the next book!

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complicated man (Miles) struggles with sobriety and looks for the supportive hero (Darren) that he has needed deep down for a long time. Miles also has a hilarious Ukrainian AA sponsor, named Sasha. Sasha is a spicy lady who clocks Miles for someone who could do with some loving, gentle domination. One thing leads to another, and Miles finds himself working with Darren, who runs a very exclusive power exchange spa. Many sexy shibari sessions that are actually intricately linked to Miles' internal turmoil follow. Darren manages to peel Miles like an onion, both physically and emotionally, until he begins to unravel in the best way possible, and begins to heal. I loved how A. E. LeMercier was able to develop intimacy between these two men under unusual circumstances, and frankly, can't wait to read the sequel to find out what happens next! I also loved the gradual build up to the reveal of what the "incident" was that sent Miles spiraling originally. Learning what he did for a living put a whole other spin on him that I had not been expecting and it was delicious.

The book is a quick read and, although it ends on a "to be continued," there's enough emotional resolution there to make me believe they're headed for their HEA in the sequel.

Grateful to Common Goals Publishing for the ARC.

[MeadowsLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is an ongoing serial between the two MC’s. The first 4 parts are currently available on KU*

Miles seeks out the very specialized treatments offered by Shimizu Services on recommendation from his sponsor. His life is spiraling—he’s bare knuckling his sobriety, going through a divorce, hasn’t seen his kids in months and had a devastating blow to his career as a police detective. He needs to let go and is immediately comfortable and taken in by the charismatic, calm and controlled Dom, Darren.

I enjoyed this very much and went immediately and read the next 3 parts. Miles and Darren’s “forbidden” dynamic is lovely. If you like BD$M, power-exchange, switches, rope and much, much more I highly recommend.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically sensual and overwhelmingly healing

Consentual dom/sub relationship? Check.

Beautiful prose and sensual writing? Check.

Emotionally driven plot? Triple check.

If you are looking for a book about emotional healing through sensual play, then this book is for you and all of your closest friends.

[Arcturus170]

I received a copy through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
3.8*
Enjoyed the first installment of this “spicy & cozy” BDSM series, as the author describes her style.

Let me start by saying that the opening pages didn’t work very well for me. Miles gives vaguely clinical and unconvincing reasons for seeking out a professional dom. Later, we have more context about his reasons, which feel legitimate and understandable. I wish the beginning pages just stayed with the action and omitted those paragraphs of unsatisfying justification. I’m beyond skeptical about the suggestion of sex fixing mental health issues in romance books. Here though, the MC is in therapy and AA, but feels stuck, so he tries something novel. That’s about as much as we need in those first pages. Kink is inherently emotional and the book shows us how and why the MCs engage in different scenes without overselling or sounding like a scam. Even being skeptical, I came around to the idea that kink can help. It doesn’t fix people and it’s not for everyone, but the situation in this book is convincing, to me at least.

The story has a good pace even as the BDSM scenes are carefully described. Darren is exquisitely patient and complementary. He reinforces Miles’s self-worth in small ways that build upon each other. He also has a few moments of correcting negative self-talk. Beyond all of that though, Darren’s greatest gifts to Miles are moments of peace. Any other potential benefits aside, it’s those moments of clarity and contentment that convinced me about the book’s message. Sometimes just *not feeling bad* is momentous. That’s something I can believe in.

Miles’s devotion is beautiful. He’s desperate for affection of any kind and receives a wealth of it from Darren. Miles is immediately willing to submit to Darren in exchange for that affection. As exchanges go, it’s pretty good. But both of them cross small lines of professionalism throughout while their attraction grows. As the depth of Miles’s emotional devastation becomes clearer to Darren, he tries to provide more support in different ways and crosses more small lines. Miles is so broken, but as Darren says, Miles is strong. ❤️‍🩹

For quite a while, Miles seems entirely oblivious to his same-sex attraction. Some of that is trauma survival, but some of it is also mental gymnastics. I remember those tactics well from high school. 😂 The arc of Miles’s queer awakening has some face-palm moments, but it’s satisfying just in this first quarter of the series. I was proud of him at the end.

I love the scenes with Miles and Darren looking at photos of shibari. The scenes feel very different, but I love how they inspire Miles and how he connects with Darren over what is becoming a shared passion. Miles responds so intuitively to the pictures and they affect him positively. I also love Miles observing Darren in his teaching environment and how that inspires him to feel proud of both Darren and himself.

We’re left with a good kind of cliffhanger and I’m excited to read book 2.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This is the first book I have read that delves into the lifestyle of D/s and doesn’t solely focus on the sexual aspects of it. This book brings to light the other aspects of the Dominant/submissive relationship, such as trust and admiration.
Miles, the submissive, is a suspended police officer who is looking for some order in his out-of-control life. The author hints at a few things that have taken place in his life and I can only assume these topics are covered more in the books to follow. But that being said, you get the overall idea that Miles has been dealt a bad hand recently. Due to this, one of his friends recommends a club that specializes in a few things, one being D/s lifestyle.
Enter Darren. Darren is the manager of this club and takes Miles under his wing as his submissive; this might be the best thing that happens to Miles. Darren is a confident man who knows what he wants in his life and more importantly, he knows what being a true Dominant requires. He knows Miles needs someone to take control from him, maybe not every day, but for a few hours a week. But as education begins, we see a spark of something else, something more than a teacher and student.
You can tell from the initial meeting that Miles is in awe of Darren. Most of their sessions deal with control with some sexually intimate moments toward the end of said sessions mainly as rewards. For the most part though, there is a lot of safe dialogue between Darren and Miles as well as numerous check ins. By the end of this book, you can tell Miles is starting to fall hard but you are left wondering about Darren. There is an epilogue that I will not talk about as to not give anything away, but I will say this – I have bought the next two books and will buy the fourth, because not only was the whole book good and well written, but the epilogue has me securely hooked!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

This was a fascinating book. The journey of a broken man seeking self-worth, finding it in an unexpected way, in an unexpected person, and it is fascinating to see how they grow together. Darren is very professional, very aware of what Miles is seeking, and what he needs, and he works hard at giving it to him. Miles is a mess, a gigantic mess, and I feel like Darren is a master at cleaning up messes, and finding a new way of putting a person together. I confess I struggled a bit connecting with Miles, because he came across as the "bad guy" in the divorce, but seeing his efforts, his interactions with Darren, and his vulnerability, helped me see him as the good man he is slowly becoming. I enjoyed the fact that one of the MCs is such a disaster, and we see his journey in being a better person overall. His ex wife is a whole different disaster, and I am looking forward to figuring out what her deal is. I really enjoyed how clueless Miles is, and how Darren handles him, giving him what he needs, giving him what he didn't even know he needed, and slowly falling in love with him. It's such a goregous journey, I am very glad to know I do not have to let these amazing man go, and I can continue seeing Miles' growth, and hopefully, seeing him become who he wants to be.

[The MM Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a BDSM dynamic. It's deeply emotional, and very well written. Miles has a troubled past and he goes to Darren for release, who is a professional Dom in a club. They start seeing each other more often and doing more and more scenes, all of them focusing on Shibari. Miles finds out a lot about himself throughout these encounters, and their dynamic grow together more and more. It's not a complete arc, which means, the rest of the story will continue in book 2.

I really enjoyed this! I love BDSM and you can tell the author knows deeply about the scene and how dynamics work, which is refreshing. There's nothing toxic happening, everything is consensual and discussed prior to doing. If you want to read about how a professional BDSM dynamic works, read this.

I'd have liked to know more about Darren, as this was written under Miles' perpective. I can't wait for them to actually become a couple and explore more. I also want to know more about Miles' past.

There's not really a conflict, all of the conflict is internal to Miles, he communicates it clearly to Darren, and they work through it with a scene. I personally like that, I don't love angst, and friends-to-lovers is the best trope, in my opinion.

I'm looking forward to book 2!

[HappilyEverReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is essentially 22 chapters of foreplay—and it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger… sort of. It marks the beginning of Darren and Miles’s story, setting up a delicious slow burn that gives readers the early stages of their relationship and connection from Miles' POV. By the end, I was left with more questions than answers, as the story only hints at the troubles Miles has gone through with his family/job/drinking problems that led him to Darren’s BDSM studio for “therapy.”

Going into the book, most of my knowledge of the BDSM lifestyle was limited to common stereotypes. I appreciated how the author painted a thoughtful and nuanced picture of what a Dom/sub relationship can look like and the positive impact it can have on someone’s personal growth and healing. The scenes between Darren and Miles were beautifully written and completely captivating, not to mention HOT. 🥵

I especially enjoyed watching the gradual progression of their relationship and the growing trust between them. By the time I reached the ending, I was definitely left wanting more—in the best way.

I’m jumping into the next book immediately to see where their story goes next!

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books with a BDSM are not typically my read, but I took a chance on this one and I was hooked. It is a beautifully pose written book that draws you in. Great characters and plot make me so excited about this book and any following ones. In this one, Miles, recently divorced man with his own demons, is struggling. He seeks out Darren, a professional Dom, to help him learn to trust again (and this is all done via sensual play). A great book about trust, courage, acceptance and love. I loved the depth of the book and the emotional payoff (after slight build up to secret that helps explain lots, but I will not spoil that) even though ends on a to be continued format. A great read.

[Ella Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeking His Command caught me completely off guard. Miles Bennet is one of the most honestly written heroes I have encountered in MM romance and watching him rediscover his strength through Darren's warm, steady authority is both deeply moving and beautifully told. A.E. LeMercier strikes a rare balance between high heat and genuine emotional depth. Every vulnerable moment between these two men feels earned and purposeful. This is not just a romance. It is a story about what it truly means to trust someone with the broken parts of yourself. A stunning series opener that left me wanting more immediately.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love well written BDSM stories with consent and safe stories. Miles is going through a very hard time and comes to a private club looking for something that will bring him strength and healing. Darren is a professional Dom who has years of experience but has not been able to combine his work and personal life. This book is told from Miles POV. You see his struggles and the way that Darren’s domination helps him get closer to peace in his chaotic world. I loved the series so far and look forward to seeing these two strong men get a well deserved HEA. All the books are out right now so you don’t have to wait. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

[Steph Hockersmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeking His Command is ultimately a story about trust and healing wrapped in an intense romantic dynamic. What stood out most to me was the emotional undercurrent that surrender isn’t portrayed as weakness, but as a deliberate, vulnerable act of courage.

Miles’s journey toward trust and restored self-worth gives the story its depth. The chemistry is steady and intentional, and the emotional payoff feels earned rather than rushed.

A thoughtful, emotionally layered romance that lingers after the final page.

[Amber Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book one of my typical reads but I did finish it regardless. It was decent and it taught me a few things I didnt know and it was a decent read regardless. It talked about new experiences and going after what you want in life. Being true to oneself.

[Beau Regarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more!! Miles has my entire heart and I need a Darren in my life (especially with that revelation at the end!!) Such a sensual and romantic read!

[Adoraboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read!!! I loved the indepth details with BDSM and taking care of the mental/emotional needs. It was beautifully written and ai throughly enjoyed it.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was brill start to following Darren and Miles D/s relationship. Miles has a lot to deal with and finding D/s Darren is helping him.
I look forward to the next one as their relationship develops.

[A.E. LeMercier · Rating 5 out of 5]

An earnestly emotional story of romantic connection.