A slow-burn romance set in the alt-kink world of adult film-where trust is the riskiest act of all.
Stiles Stilinski is a rising star in the alt-kink scene. Bratty, unfiltered, and emotionally fearless on camera, he's built a reputation for blurring the line between performance and vulnerability. But off set? His rules are ironclad. No dating. No watching himself on screen. No getting attached.
Derek Hale was once a legend-known for his intensity, discipline, and control-until one scene went too far and nearly destroyed him. Years later, he's recovering, semi-retired, and working behind the camera, directing the kind of scenes he wishes he'd had: honest, safe, and built on trust. He swore he'd never step in front of the camera again.
Until a last-minute cancellation changes everything.
The client wants the shoot. There's no time to recast. And the only one who can step in... is Derek.
What begins as a reluctant pairing turns into something far more intimate-gritty, grounded, and unexpectedly tender. Stiles is sharp-tongued and golden-hearted. Derek is older, guarded, and quietly wrecked. And somewhere between rope, resistance, and recovery-they begin to trust. They begin to feel. They begin to fall.
Featuring disabled representation, realistic kink dynamics, and the raw complexities of addiction, Lights Off, Guards Down is a story about performance, protection, and the cost of letting someone in when your guard's been up too long.
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Heads up-this story deals with heavy themes. Please take a moment to read the warnings before diving in.