"does it make any difference to the answer whether he's a sub or a dom?"

Yes, it does. Details of his apperance, manerism and behaviour that stress his role are very helpfull in getting the feel of the character. You need not follow the stereotypes - but, since I beleive that the 'feel' of characters and situations is paramount a few details give more volume and emotions to the story. I think that is what readers, especialy female ones, need to register the story as hot.


I am with Md Lews on under descibing. Provide just a few details and let the reader build up on that.