These two have been best friends since forever to hear them tell it. The blonde has been in love with the dark headed one since as long as he can remember. The dark headed one has only recently become open to the idea of a relationship with his bestfriend because he's tired of denying himself what he wants most in life. How did they meet, what's happened to them, what does everyone think? This is a story line that has been done many times over, so is there any way that you can put a twist on this or give it some new and fresh take so it's not the "same-ol-same-ol"? Anyone up for a challenge? ;o)Just so you know... I REALLY REALLY like angst.Photo Description: Two naked, muscular men stand front to back, mostly facing the viewer. The tattooed man in front has his eyes closed and his head tilted back onto his lover's left shoulder. From behind, the other leans his head around to nibble on an ear, hands splayed over his lover's stomach.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1.__________Genre: contemporary Tags: gay m/m, friends to lovers, tattoosWord Count: 8,663

    UNAVAILABLERylan and Gage are best friends, lovers, and bandmates, but what happens if one of them wants something more? If one important aspect of their lives changes, can they still be all that they are to each other or is the risk far too great to even consider?Cover designed by Zathyn Priest.

    They satisfied those annoying primal urges which left the rest of their free time to be used as they saw fit. More than happy with such a solution they never even thought a bit of rough and spice could change everything - until it did.Original Prompt:Dear brave author and concomitant Muse,Because I think some Love can get extreme and there are all kinds of closets... :) I'd like you to consider this odd moment from a sweet, raunchy story, a wacky meet-cute between two fellas who have known each other for years yet not known each other at all...Yowza. :) My sense is that this is a random hookup that sparks an unexpected connection between casual fuckbuddies as they discover that they are both much less vanilla than they've pretended to be in the past and more connected than they'd ever realized. Could be coworkers or neighbors or simply acquaintances with benefits.Either or both of these guys may start out closeted about being gay, but this story is really about coming out of the extreme buttsex/fetish?/BDSM? closet and ultimately the ready for real commitment closet.Here's the twist: this should be ultimately a sweet story, not just raunchy porno hookup with numbers exchanged for subsequent boning. Expectations should be reversed on both sides over the course of time (a night?) together as these guys get past bland hokey-pokey, past spit-on-me and stuff-furniture-into-that-ass, to something tender and hopeful and fragile that stuns them into happily ever after closure. Raunch is great, but it's the meaningful connection that they're after. Surprise them and us! :)Can you dig it?Photo Description: A husky red-headed man in work boots, a shoulder harness and not much else, contorts himself against his partner, face straining between tension and pleasure. He hauls one leg up to jam fingers in his own ass. His darker-skinned partner in latex gloves stares down intently as he squeezes a cock ring over the redhead's rampant erection.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, friends to lovers, bdsm, dirty talk, bondage, sex games, blue collarWarnings: sex with furniture is possibleWord Count: 9,419

    It's easy at crowded Pride events and conventions, but they've been known to sneak into an alley or two also. They've got lots of hot stories to tell, and I can't wait to hear them!Photo Description: A black/white close-up photo of the backs (from neck to thighs) of two tattooed men. The muscular submissive wears a black leather body harness with O-rings and attached pouch. He holds his jeans just below his bared ass as his Dom's leather-gloved hand plays between his cheeks.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.Download for free at these links:Mobi- https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5...ePub- https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5...PDF- https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5...__________Genre: contemporary, BDSMTags: gay m/m, BDSM, toys, D/s, contemporaryWord Count: 4,609

    How did this happen??Oh Author, can I please add that they Love Hot SEX everywhere and that they have a HEA :)Photo Description: A black/white photo of a windowed, sunlit lodge with 50s-looking furniture. One naked youth hangs by his right hand from a wooden rafter, his left hand stroking his lover's hardened penis. His legs are over his young lover's shoulders as his naked lover holds him by the hips and sucks his dick.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, college, first-time, friends-to-lovers, in-the-closet, sportsWord Count: 11,956

    It is a product of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group Hot Summer Days event and features authors attending the GayRomLit Retreat 2011 in New Orleans; if you like what you read, come join our group! Read these stories online or download the anthology from ARe. Note: These stories contain sexually explicit content and are intended for adult readers only.J. P. Barnaby – IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT = First LoveL.C. Chase – OPEN TACKLE = Friends to LoversJaya Christopher – CODY AND THE HERMIT = BDSM/CowboysPoppy Dennison – BLINDSIDED = Hurt/ComfortTaylor V. Donovan – HEATSTROKE = AngstRachel Haimowitz – JUNGLE HEAT = MilitaryJambrea Jo Jones – WILD BLUE YONDER = MilitaryLissa Kasey and Xara X. Xanakas – SINK OR SWIM = Established CoupleK-lee Klein – OUTFOXED = Rock StarsMarguerite Labbe – TEARS OF THE SEA = Paranormal/FairytalesClare London – SAY A LITTLE PRAYER = Paranormal/AngelsBelinda McBride – FREE TO FLY = BDSMMichele L. Montgomery – TEARS FROM ABOVE = Paranormal/AngelsCherie Noel – KISS AND TELL = Mild KinkLydia Nyx – MOON OVER MONTANA = Shifter/CowboysM.J. O'Shea – BRIDGES = First LoveS.J.D. Peterson - INNOCENCE TO THE MAX = Paranormal/BDSMDevon Rhodes – HIS LAST RESORT = Coming OutJaime Samms – MOURNING = Hurt/ComfortP.D. Singer – THE BOY NEXT DOOR = Friends to LoversAndrea Speed – MY BLOODY VALENTINE = Paranormal/SorcererDamon Suede – SEEDY BUSINESS = Sci-FiV.J. Summers – LIAR, LIAR = Friends to LoversBryl R. Tyne – ALIPIO = FantasyPiper Vaughn – WANTING = First LoveMissy Welsh – YOU AND BILLION BLUE TILES = First LoveEden Winters – SWEET DREAMS = Coming Out

    He wants to face his young former lover, who stands on his doorstep in search of forgiveness, even less. Marcus isn't sure he can risk his heart, but he can't turn the boy away, either. When he discovers where the boy's demons have taken him, Marcus finds that what he wants begins to change.Free PDF available on author's websitehttps://kerryfreeman.com/book/keep-me/Originally written for the M/M Romance group's "Hot Summer Days" event.http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

    Getting it done gives me more satisfaction than sex, or the stuff I have been getting lately anyway. I am not sure if it is the fact that I am a masochist, or the hunk of a tattoo artist I have been going to for the last year. Either way, I may be covered head to toe by the end. The tattoo Guy is an artist with a capital A. Dark, brooding, moody, and oh so hot. He is definitely an Alpha male too. But there is no way I am a submissive, or am I? Could I maybe find what I need another way?Photo Description: A shirtless man in jeans, his torso and arms covered in tattoos.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.Read the story online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 7.

    He fights for his life, but a man can only take so many hits before he doesn’t get up again. When a new boxer appears on the scene, Noah wonders if he’s found a spot of hope in his life, or if he’ll be Blindsided again.Original Prompt:Dear Author,Ever since he lost everything he's been wasting away in underground fighting rings, selling his meat in an attempt to pay back a debt greater than his own life. When events lead to his fighting days abruptly ending, what is a broken man to do with nothing left to give? Perhaps a familiar looking someone can save his lost soul.Please give these sweeties a happy, smexy ending~Photo Description: Two tattooed, muscular fighters hold each other tightly while kissing. The shorter, in a white tank-top, has his right arm behind his lover's lower back, the left hand, wrapped in white fabric, across his lover's shoulders. The taller is naked, his left hand holding the back of his lover's neck, the right playing with his own rear.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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 Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, boxing, tattoos, athletes, mafia, hurt-comfortWord Count: 3,600

    The stresses of daily life have gotten in the way and put a strain on our relationship. We don’t seem to spend the time or energy on our relationship like we should. Help us to find the spark we once had.Photo Description:The black and white photo shows two men, but only the man closest to the camera is in focus. He sits in bed, propped up on pillows, staring pensively at the camera. In the background, his partner reclines on the far edge of the same bed. His hand reaches for his lover’s nipple as he watches the other man intently.Story Info:Genre: contemporaryTags: established couple, light bdsm, teacher, medical personnel, hurt/comfortWord count: 6,307This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" 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.

    Falsely accused of misusing his powers, he was banished to earth with no clothes, no money, nothing except a dagger to his name. Brandon was betrayed by his boyfriend and is running from thugs who are going to kill him, if he doesn't pay them twenty thousand dollars. He has no way to get that kind of money, and doesn't know what to do. When Samael crashes to earth, nearly landing in Brandon's lap, things get complicated fast, flipping Brandon's life into a chaos that he has never known. Danger and intrigue lurk around every corner, and nothing is what it seems

    One, dark haired and wearing a tank top, lies on his back on the pillow. The other, shirtless and toned, braces over him. Their foreheads touch, eyes closed, faces still, nose brushing nose. The supine man's hands close gently on his lover's arms.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, virgin, May/December, apocalyptic, impact event, tragedy, sex with a minor Word Count: 5,177

    Or, at least since the first day of kindergarten, when he stole my Lego's, then shared his cookies with me when he realized he'd made me cry.He was my best friend. The first person I came out to. My entire support system in high school when no one would come near me for feel of catching "gay cooties" or AIDS.He's the guy I gave my virginity to. The guy who taught me to fuck. The guy who taught me to be safe. He doesn't know it, but he's also the guy who taught me to make love.I'm the guy he goes home with when there's no better prospect at the club.It was never supposed to be serious. I knew that, I even wanted that. I'm the one who broke the rules.So, dear author, how do I watch him go home night after night with the pretty boy - or man - du jour, when all I want is for him to come home with ME, and to stay?Photo Description: Two young men lie in a tangle of white sheets. The nearer man is asleep facing us, arms wrapped around his pillow. Behind him, his lover watches him, lean naked body braced up on one elbow, his dark eyes fixed on his lover's still form, his mouth just slightly curved up in affection.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.__________Genre: Tags: gay m/m, Word Count:

    Let me know how his guardian angel became involved in his life, how he got so wrapped up in this man that he would risk becoming a Fallen Angel. And please, most of all, have an HEA. Beautiful, loving sex scene(s) are greatly appreciated.Photo Description: An angel holding a man in his arms as he looks heavenward.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 1.

    He spends four hours each morning transforming action-hero superstar Lenny Golden into an alien warlord. His greatest achievement would be to transform Lenny into his lover before filming ends.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 5.