What fantassy said. That's the first thing that went through my mind - Are you actually behaving yourself well enough or has he raised the bar recently? Is he setting unrealistic expectations of you? Are you trying hard enough to be pleasing?

I like that you don't want to top from the bottom, I also hate the feeling of having to ask for something outside of the scene. If it were me with my Dom, I would appeal, in role, for mercy and complain ( very subtley!! ) that he was punishing me too much. He would then more than likely justify his position - I think a Dom should explain WHY he is doing something. Maybe you aren't up to scratch or maybe he's just being bloody minded. If the latter, he should probably pick up that he is pushing you a little too far. If the former, you have to pull your socks up. If that doesn't work then you will have to bring the issue up out of role but try in-role first.