It also shouldn't ever be rape, but here we are.
Valid points, yes, but still not an excuse for rape. It's unfortunate considering I had high hopes for the character.
You do realize the scene isn't even over, right? He stopped at the end once he snapped back; there's plenty of time for this to turn into self-reflection and better communication instead of one-sidedly deciding a victim and a perpetrator before anybody has time to talk or repent.
CAN this be considered rape? Absolutely, but again, we don't genuinely know what the outcome of this is going to be until the end of the scene.
Realistic communication issues between a sub who has been in control since the proposal and was less ready for subspace than he thought and a domme who wasn't mentally prepared for it from the get-go and stubbornly tried to move forward with something they were both unprepared for. Yes, this is ALSO a facet of learning kink culture, especially without an experienced lead. Even for experienced people (of which they are NOT- Richard admits to being a virgin himself in this chapter), it's not always sunshine and roses.