When we play together, I’m brave and strong and handsome and I slay the dragon. But when we stop playing, I’m back to being regular old me.Am I brave enough to tell him how I feel? When the game ends, can we still be comrades in arms, or is it all just empty fantasy?[This’d work for computer or video games, but I’m particularly fond of the intimacy of old-school tabletop role-playing ...]This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

    This revised edition offered for free by the authors. It can be downloaded here:Turn Up the HeatFirst impressions fool recently dumped Rory into thinking Shannon's a walk on the wild side and the perfect way to get over a failed relationship. Shannon's not about to argue. Not when Rory coaxes him into some of the hottest, roughest sex of his life. But who is Rory falling in love with? A fantasy lover or the real man?Fighting to keep Rory happy, longing for romance as well as the steamy sessions that leave them bruised and breathless, Shannon's got a lot on his plate even before family and friends complicate matters further.There's only one solution. Turn up the heat, and hope it doesn't burn their relationship to the ground.

    Leland isn’t just his boss, though. He’s the son of the company’s CEO. And Brian has fallen in love. Hurt by too many stolen kisses and nooners at seedy hotels, Brian finally broke off their secret affair two weeks ago. Leland isn’t ready to let Brian go and he isn’t above seducing Brian — again — to give them both what they really want for Christmas: each other.This free short story was originally written for the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's 2010 holiday event and appears in the event's Stuff My Stocking: M/M Romance Stories that are Nice and… Naughty anthology.

    And that's a problem. He's my only client's son. He's only twenty-one. And he wants to call me daddy.

    Liam almost feels guilty setting up hunky mechanic Paul Parisi -- but then he's always been a sucker for a tall, muscular stud in an oil-stained jumpsuit. There's only one problem: straight guy Paul seems more interested in screwing Liam some other way. With a promotion on the line, can Liam resist Paul's curious flirting and obtain the footage he needs? "Thanks to my past, I'm stuck here." For a guy who stands behind quality service, cutting corners is causing all sorts of stressors in Paul's life -- including an embarrassing failure to ignite with women. But when Paul takes a private test drive with a handsome customer, his engine doesn't just fire right up ... he throws a rod. And he's pretty sure Liam saw it, too. If anyone at the shop found out what they were up to, Paul knows he'd be out of a job. But Liam won't take his car elsewhere -- it's almost like the guy wants to get ripped off. What's his deal, anyway? Screwed is a 45,000 word first time gay romance! A light-hearted novel featuring a jacked and bi-curious mechanic, a terrible disguise, two men playing doctor, sex on Miami beach, and more! No cliffhanger, no cheating, but the HEA is guaranteed.

    Nick would do anything for him…to him. Too bad Ian’s straight.When a snowstorm strands them at the ski lodge, Nick and Ian choose to get a room. Can a cold day of snowboarding lead to a hot night between the sheets?

    They’d always been friends, though never close. When Charlie is left alone after the death of his family, however, Noah is the only friend that sticks around after Charlie practically becomes a hermit.Determined to get through to Charlie, Noah invents a fake identity on the computer to talk with him. And while Charlie still keeps Noah at arm's length, he opens up to his new computer buddy.Finally, Noah's dream comes true when his friendship with Charlie changes to include sex, but each time they are together, Charlie pulls away afterward. Every time Noah tries to get through to him, Charlie grows even more distant. Then Charlie tells Noah's disguised internet persona that he doesn't have a boyfriend, merely a neighbor with whom he has sex.Crushed, and in order to protect himself from further heartache, Noah begins to live a life separate from Charlie. But Charlie realizes soon enough that he misses Noah in his life, that he must get past his grief and go after the man he has come to love.But is it already too late?NOTE: Don’t miss the sequel, Pulling Apart.

    That's when he learns what it truly means to surrender everything. Cody is strong, sexy, and more generous than Travis believed possible. He takes him in and begins unraveling all the pain and secrets that led to Travis being alone, homeless, and running for his life with an envelope of stolen cash.With such a sweet, fragile heart, Travis has never let his guard down with anyone, but he can’t resist falling deeper and deeper into Cody’s effortless dominance and possessive touch. Over stormy summer nights in Cody’s isolated cabin, Travis discovers the euphoric passion of giving in to the desires Cody draws out of him.Heart. Mind. Body. Travis hands over everything to the man who taught him to trust. The only problem is... Cody isn’t who he says he is—and his own dangerous secrets may shatter the faith Travis put in him.This is a 70,000 word stand-alone novel which contains intensely intimate scenes between two men, and a happily ever after with no cliffhangers.

    Cyril Blink rules his dominion with an iron fist but has his hands full with the willful academic haunting his antiquities vault. Professor Farris Elliot might be overqualified to manage the estate’s collection of priceless art and artifacts but he’s also a thorn in Cyril’s side. Farris has his own secrets and Cyril learns that the cranky professor isn’t bitter beneath his tweed suits. He’s actually rather sweet and tempting and Cyril finds himself breaking his own rules.A string of curious events and an attack brings a mystery to Blackhurst and Cyril vows to find those responsible and have his revenge. They All Fall Down can be read as a standalone but it features characters from previous Lake Cliff books and fits into a larger storyline that concludes in the next installment in the series.

    Two separate worlds. It was only supposed to be a single night of steamy sex. Dax Phillips has never known stability, so he does his best to work toward it. But when he falls for the one man he shouldn’t, he’s so unsure of himself he has trouble believing that someone that grounded could possibly be interested. Anderson Engleson has a lot to show for his hard work. He has a successful career, nice house, a close best friend, but he’s yet to find that one person he can call his. Can a one-night stand turn into more? When Professor Anderson Engleson and his new student Dax Phillips realize what could happen if anyone found out, will they call it quits? Will they make it sixteen weeks or are they willing to break all of the rules? Sixteen Weeks Later is the full-length novel that started as Sixteen Weeks. It has been both expanded and lengthened. This book is a complete standalone.

    Future pillar of the community. Stick in the mud. That's Aaron Fitchley, and since his father retired, leaving him in charge of the business, it's been all work, work, work. Dale Lambert is a free-spirited, responsibility-shirking charmer who has been spicing up Aaron's upstanding life since they met as kids. So when Aaron gets Dale's phone call for help at three a.m., he's sure he can handle it. But nothing could have prepared him for the sight of Dale in his underwear, wearing lip gloss, and handcuffed to his bed. After the initial shock, Aaron lets Dale loose and plans a hasty escape. But the cuffs quickly go back on... only this time Aaron is the one chained to the bed Now that the tables have been turned, Dale has a few things to teach Aaron about breaking the rules.

    Another client: another case. He'll source what they need and be on his way. But he's been missed by more people than he thought: his ex-wife, his ex-lover, and his ex-business partner. And at least one of them wants him the hell gone again. Freeman – private, controlled – just does his job. But when he strikes up an unusual friendship with the young runaway Kit, trouble comes looking for both men, ready to expose secrets that can destroy their fragile trust. Yet, for Kit, Freeman's more than ready for the challenge. Author note: this version has been edited slightly from the 2013 version, which in its turn was edited more extensively from the 2009 version.

    WARNING: Men making love, curse words and violence. Shape shifter Killian Tenebris has spent most of his life trapped in a lab as the subject of experimentation. When he escapes, he sets out to live life without chains - and to bring down the monsters who held him captive. What he finds is a group of men hunting the same targets, men who will do anything - kill anyone - to keep each other safe. Killian never learned human behavior, so trusting and understanding his new friends is difficult. He is certain their concern for each other weakens them, and will be their downfall. Until he meets Stone Marinos, the beautiful child of Apollo. Suddenly, staying safe and being alone begin to lose appeal. As Killian struggles with the emotions Stone evokes, his job to keep the young man safe is increasingly difficult. Stone Marinos is adjusting to his life as a demigod and taking care of his beloved new puppy. When emotionally stunted Killian Tenebris is thrown into his orbit, sensitive Stone can't help but feel a little sorry for the shape shifter. Until Killian opens his mouth and offends him every time they talk. One short dance changes everything, and Stone's feelings for the sexy man grow. As his heart burns for Killian, Stone learns that things aren't always what they seem. And some truths hurt a lot more than others. STRANGE ADDICTION Brock Holloway has it all -- incredible good looks, money, friends, a bitchin' car and a promising football career. At least, that's what other people see. Inside, though, Brock is fighting for something he knows he will never have: Unconditional love. As the child of Aphrodite, he is worshiped, admired, wanted - but never loved. Zack Duran is a wolverine shifter -- and not a nice guy. Like, seriously NOT a nice guy. His shifter side is always in control, often showing him to be heartless and unfeeling. When Zack is assigned to protect Brock Holloway, he can't believe his crappy luck. As his tactless wolverine tendencies become even more pronounced, his rudeness reaches new heights -- something his friends didn't even think was possible. Eventually, Zack has to battle his shifter personality and his genuine feelings for the beautiful football player. A near tragedy shakes him to his core, and Zack can no longer fight the deep feelings he has for Brock. But giving in to his emotions may come at too high a price. A startling secret charges Brock with the nearly impossible task of taming Zack's beast. Is he up to the challenge? Can Zack give him what he needs? And with danger working overtime, can they finally be together as they were intended?

    George McAllister knows better than to hook up with an untrained submissive. He doesn't have the patience to guide a novice through his first kinky experiences. His lovers know what they are doing and do what they are told. When he sees Eric dancing on top of a table in a kinky club, he assumes the beautiful young man is an experienced submissive. Then he sees the turquoise and leather on his neck and recognises it as a collar. Someone else already owns Eric. George has no choice but to walk away. Eric Jordan doesn't know much about kink and he has no idea why George is suddenly less than enthusiastic. But he knows what he wants and if he has to chase after George to get it, so be it. If George wants to believe the pretty bit of rock on his necklace means something kinky, that's fine. But Eric doesn't belong to anyone but himself and he won't give up possession of himself for one night in George's bed. An untrained submissive might not be what George wants, but he could be just what George needs.

    He fought to hold on, but as each day passed, his resolve weakened and letting go seemed easier. Better than living a lie. Life at home sucked, and school wasn't much better. His dad wanted him to be the hotshot athlete who got all the girls, but Benji could never be that. No one understood him, and no one even tried. Then, Nick Asher came along. Meeting Nick changed something inside Benji . For the first time, he felt like he belonged, and the question that used to haunt him suddenly didn't seem as scary. He was excited for the new direction his life had taken, but he feared it wouldn't last. Nothing good ever happened to him, so why should it now? *This companion novella follows Benji and Nick, who were first introduced in Book 2 of the Awakening series as an established couple, and shows how they met in high school.*