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Rough Love #2.5
Safe Word
Safe words are fundamental to any healthy kinky relationship.
Ben Ballard *knows* this.
So why can’t he bring himself to *use* his?
Safe Word is a 10,000-word extra exploring the first time Ben called ‘Odyssey’ on Xander Romano…and why it took him so long.
Note: This story is set early in the series and takes place during the period of Taken by Him: Rough Love Part 2. They’re not officially going out yet; it’s pre-subspace; and Xander has yet to discover the deliciousness of cookie things.
Ben Ballard *knows* this.
So why can’t he bring himself to *use* his?
Safe Word is a 10,000-word extra exploring the first time Ben called ‘Odyssey’ on Xander Romano…and why it took him so long.
Note: This story is set early in the series and takes place during the period of Taken by Him: Rough Love Part 2. They’re not officially going out yet; it’s pre-subspace; and Xander has yet to discover the deliciousness of cookie things.
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About the author
Leighton Greene
45 books372 followersLeighton Greene has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her first book was a choose-your-own-adventure style book about deciding what to eat for breakfast. It didn't shake the New York Times bestseller list, but she still has a copy of it.
After spending some time writing in academia, fanfiction and corporate reporting, Leighton decided she should probably do what she actually wanted to do, which was to write commercial fiction. So she did. She writes gay romance and, when the mood strikes, erotica as L.J. Greene.
Leighton lives with her partner and her cockatiel on the east coast of Australia.
(Source: Amazon.com)
After spending some time writing in academia, fanfiction and corporate reporting, Leighton decided she should probably do what she actually wanted to do, which was to write commercial fiction. So she did. She writes gay romance and, when the mood strikes, erotica as L.J. Greene.
Leighton lives with her partner and her cockatiel on the east coast of Australia.
(Source: Amazon.com)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 17, 2024
Author freebie on website/newsletter sign-up. It's 42 pages, which is almost as long as the serials (50ish pages), so I don't get the complaint that it's too short.
This was a great safeword situation and I think it's a great add-in to the series.
The snuggling and cuddling scenes were hilarious, I felt for Ben's cuddling aversion, but I adored that Xander is a snugglebug.
Favorite moments:
• Xander is a big fan of snuggling, he’s found, which weirded him out at first, because Inflictor of Pain is not something Ben has ever expected to co-exist with Cuddle Slut.
• “Jesus, you don’t have to snuggle if you don’t want to.” Xander sounds fed up now. Oops. “I don’t know why you’re so opposed to it, but okay, if you don’t want to—”
• So maybe this is something Xander likes to do on Sunday mornings. Snuggling Sundays. Ben wonders whether he could get used to it. It’s not that he hates cuddling, it’s just—it’s not sex, and it’s quiet. Too quiet. He’s going to go crazy if this goes on much longer.
• He’s going to prove Xander wrong, wrong, wrong, and that will show Xander that he’s also wrong about Ben’s approach to not safe-wording. (Oh Ben...)
This was a great safeword situation and I think it's a great add-in to the series.
The snuggling and cuddling scenes were hilarious, I felt for Ben's cuddling aversion, but I adored that Xander is a snugglebug.
Favorite moments:
• Xander is a big fan of snuggling, he’s found, which weirded him out at first, because Inflictor of Pain is not something Ben has ever expected to co-exist with Cuddle Slut.
• “Jesus, you don’t have to snuggle if you don’t want to.” Xander sounds fed up now. Oops. “I don’t know why you’re so opposed to it, but okay, if you don’t want to—”
• So maybe this is something Xander likes to do on Sunday mornings. Snuggling Sundays. Ben wonders whether he could get used to it. It’s not that he hates cuddling, it’s just—it’s not sex, and it’s quiet. Too quiet. He’s going to go crazy if this goes on much longer.
• He’s going to prove Xander wrong, wrong, wrong, and that will show Xander that he’s also wrong about Ben’s approach to not safe-wording. (Oh Ben...)
July 13, 2024
Reading this after almost finishing the series really shows how far these two have come. I love the hell out of them.
July 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Safe Word provides an emotional glimpse into Ben’s hesitation to use a safe word, an important aspect of their growing relationship. This extra adds layers to Ben’s vulnerability and his developing trust with Xander. It’s a short, introspective piece, highlighting the internal struggles of navigating the world of kink. While it’s an insightful addition, it’s more a supplemental piece than a standalone narrative.
Safe Word provides an emotional glimpse into Ben’s hesitation to use a safe word, an important aspect of their growing relationship. This extra adds layers to Ben’s vulnerability and his developing trust with Xander. It’s a short, introspective piece, highlighting the internal struggles of navigating the world of kink. While it’s an insightful addition, it’s more a supplemental piece than a standalone narrative.
September 16, 2024
I read this one after finishing the second book, and I think if I'd read it directly after the first book I might have gotten more out of it. When I reread the whole series (which I definitely will at some stage) I'll read this in the right order and maybe then I can adjust the rating.
It does add something to the overall story though! We see Ben struggling to use his safe word, and finally get over that block to say it, and it strengthens their relationship a lot, even if they haven't actually gotten from the FWB and into boyfriends territory just yet.
It does add something to the overall story though! We see Ben struggling to use his safe word, and finally get over that block to say it, and it strengthens their relationship a lot, even if they haven't actually gotten from the FWB and into boyfriends territory just yet.
June 15, 2021
Safe Word
By Leighton Greene
This was a short story about 2 men in the beginning of a BDSM relationship. I didn’t care for it at all simply because I didn't like the mc's and I really didn’t like the way they related to each other.
Ben was extremely belligerent to the point of being almost vengeful. Xander continually tried to do the right thing for him, but Ben was to much of a brat.
By Leighton Greene
This was a short story about 2 men in the beginning of a BDSM relationship. I didn’t care for it at all simply because I didn't like the mc's and I really didn’t like the way they related to each other.
Ben was extremely belligerent to the point of being almost vengeful. Xander continually tried to do the right thing for him, but Ben was to much of a brat.
to-be-read
January 1, 2021Part of the series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/2705...
February 26, 2021
Nice short glimpse of the early part of their relationship.
June 8, 2022
A short story in the "Rough Love" series where Ben learns to actually use his safe word in all the right places.
Don't forget Ben is a complete masochist and Xander a sadist.
Nice :)
Don't forget Ben is a complete masochist and Xander a sadist.
Nice :)
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews