Ryan is a burly construction worker out on workman's comp due to a job site injury to his back that has left him in chronic pain. He is recommended to a yoga class, and hits it off with the instructor, Nik. Well, he thinks he does--they have a blacked-out handie in the bathroom, and Ryan isn't sure it's Nik...until Nik gets close enough to Ryan to bring his delicious scent in. Ryan's amazed by how good he felt in class, and in Nik's arms, and he wants more. 
 Nik has had a traumatic life--familial abuse and living as a runaway for nearly a decade has taught him to be very wary. So much so, that Nik made a vow of celibacy, one that he ruined in the lavatory with a complete stranger. The more Nik comes to know Ryan, however, the more he sees the gentle side of the towering giant. 
 Together they explore a physical relationship, one that includes organic BDSM elements of Nik's design. Having had little control over his life, Nik craves power in the bed, and Ryan is down with it. Until Nik's Dom persona starts stretching his wings outside the bedroom. Jealousy and paranoia begin to creep in, and Ryan is put in a very real position of jeopardy. 
 I loved how this story was so fully developed. I could thoroughly grasp Ryan and Nik's characters. Ryan was plagued by bigoted Mormon parents who wished Ryan would catch "The AIDS" after he was repeatedly raped in prison. (This was their "wish"--Ryan was never in prison.) He forged a great relationship with his younger, also black sheep, sister, and his compassion absolutely rang off the page. I had a bit of trouble with Nik's backstory, only because it was so heinous as to seem far fetched. Still, I know there are some messed up families out there.... 
 How Ryan and Nik resolved their problem was truly mature and wonderful. It puts so many of these BDSM novels into perspective, especially for novices, as Nik and Ryan were. I liked that they took baby steps, and followed expert guidance, never knowing if they could achieve the level of intimacy each craved, but trying faithfully to build a real and true relationship. There is a solid HEA here, as well as some delish sexytimes. Ryan was so tenderly rendered a character, so absolutely dec t a human being, I wanted him to be real. And Nik, he did the heavy lifting to make sense of his world and rebuild Ryan's trust. He knew Ryan was worth recreating his life for, and this not only helped them, it helped Nik be happier than possibly ever. 
 Definitely a good read. Probably 4.5+ stars. 
 I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.