Under His Command is the first book in Kristine Cayne's Six Alarm Sexy series, which is an erotica series. I loved this book and boy was it hot. It is a sexy look into a man introducing his wife to BDSM and his Dom side, in hopes of saving their marriage.
Jamie and Erica (Rickie) met over 5 years ago when they had a scorching hot one night stand. About one month later Erica shows up at Jamie's door announcing that she is pregnant. Here we are 5 years later and all though they had one amazing night together, their marriage has been anything but that.
Jamie Caldwell is a hot, sexy, dominant firefighter who also has a sweet and romantic side to him that will make you swoon. Before meeting Erica, Jamie lived a BDSM lifestyle, had various subs and frequented sex clubs as well. When he married Erica he left that that lifestyle and his DOM side behind him. He wanted to be the perfect husband, the husband that he thought Erica wanted him to be. Erica enjoyed that first night together, more than she wanted to admit. But Erica was afraid if she submitted to Jamie, she would become the one person she didn't want to be like; her mother. Her fear caused her to push her husband away which may have also lead to their marriage crumbling.
Jamie and Erica have been separated for a year and due to a recent event they learn that neither of them wants to proceed with the divorce. After coming close to losing their daughter they both decide to do whatever it takes to make their marriage work. But the hardest part for the both of them is being honest with each other. When Erica finally admits to Jamie that she loved that first night together and she wants to explore things in a sexual way with him, all though surprised by this admission, Jamie couldn't be happier. But at the same time I think it scares him a little to be introducing his wife to his lifestyle that was a big part of him for many years. He gave up a big part of himself when he marries Erica. She pushed him so far away that he started to become someone that he wasn't. He is afraid that introducing the world of BDSM and showing his dominant side will push her away again.
"I love you so much, Jamie. I want to make you happy, but I don't always know how."
They decide to take the honeymoon that they never had, in hopes of fixing their marriage. Jamie agrees to introduce Erica to the lifestyle he once knew and loved. But the one thing he needs from Erica is her trust, which is one of Erica's biggest issues. He doesn't want Erica to be his sub, he wants her to be his wife. He needs her to understand that they are equals and that she can trust him, that he would never do anything to hurt or embarrass her. The two things lacking in their marriage was communication and trust. Without those, their marriage will not work.
"The real problem is and always has been that you don't trust me. I understood that in the beginning. You had no reason to trust me back then. But I've worked hard to be a good husband and an good father."
What can I say, I love Jamie Caldwell. I loved the dominant side of him, but he also had a sweet and romantic side to him that just melted your heart. He loves his wife and is willing to do whatever it takes to make their marriage work. Erica wasn't the easiest person to love in the beginning, but once you began to understand her fears and why she pushed Jamie away, she became more of a loveable character. She was willing to explore unfamiliar territory for her, reaching outside her comfort zone. All in hope of reconnecting with her husband on an emotional and physical level. Their lovemaking was hot, steamy, filled with erotic moments that permeated the senses. Their exploration of BDSM pushed them towards a transformation to a new "them". Maybe different, but joined in a way they hadn't been before.
Cayne's writing in Under His Command connects the reader as she connects these two people. Although they may have lost their way, the sensual steamy scenes (which somehow became hotter and hotter with each encounter) bring them closer together. The sex is hot and the BDSM scenes sizzle off the page. But there is more to this story than just the hot sex scenes. It is also about two people trying to put their marriage together, learning to trust again and in a way finding themselves. A job well done by Kristine Cayne. I am looking forward to Dani and William's story.
The prequel to Under His Command is Romance in the Rain - A Seattle Anthology (the prequel is Aftershocks). I would suggest reading this first to understand their relationship better.
Purchase Under His Command on Amazon
Purchase romance in the Rain for NOOK
Purchase Romance in the Rain on Amazon