Bradford has been a big part of this series from the very first book. Even as much as he appeared with the other characters in the series...he remained somewhat of a mystery-man. He was the club owner...he was Nikki's rescuer...he was Nicki's Dom... he was a teacher...and he was someone that was always willing and available to listen and help...but this is the first time that we long-time readers actually got to know Brandford for the wonderful, caring person that he was above all that. He spends a good deal of their story allowing Nikki to set the pace, to decide whether or not subbing is something he wants to do at all, and to decide if a relationship that includes more than just care and support is even a component of what Nikki wants and needs. It is this patience that creates the delicious tension and makes you ache for Nikki to sub for him. The elements of Nikki's poverty and Bradford's status absolutely add to the atmosphere of the story but becomes secondary to the scorching, growing connection between them. While this book delves into kink, it does so with a less actual sexual element than most MM romance novels even those in this series. Nikki was a treat. He had depth that we never got to see before and how these two guys had their own special relationship that was so different from what has seen with the others in the series but was absolutely perfect for them. ( )