Something was always missing—and I don't mean physically.When I moved to a different city, got a new job with these two, I gradually started to realize I wanted them. Both of them. They're so in love, so fucking in love, that it hurts to watch them when I want them so much.This is so unexpected. This was not an option. After all, I'd never risk breaking them apart, because I really lo—shit. I'm in a bit too deep, aren't I?Photo Description: NSFW—an M/M/M ThreesomeThis 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 here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.

    One of these things is not like the other. Stealing every chance together they can. Staving off broken hearts as long as possible. One believes in love; one is afraid to.Photo Description: In nostalgic black-and-white, two men with eyes closed share a private moment against the side of an in-ground pool. One man, head on his arms, displays the classic features, dark hair, and muscles of a studio star. Behind him the second man presses close, cheek on his neck, holding tight.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.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, HollywoodWord Count: 4,432

    I didn’t even know he had a YouTube channel. He’s never told me he makes videos. He obviously wants to remain anonymous because he’s using a fake name. I only watched two of them. Even so, I feel like a total creeper. He’s not real great at talking about serious stuff, at least not to me, so it was really weird watching him open up in those videos. In one of them, he talked about me. It was nice, but I don’t think he meant for me to ever see it. A couple of the titles really have me wondering about things… Should I watch them? I know he’d be embarrassed if he knew I knew. I don’t know what to do.Photo Description: A young man with warm brown eyes and shaggy, tousled brown hair looks seriously into the camera before pulling his long bangs back to reveal “I Love You” written in symbols on his forehead. His face breaks into a huge open smile as his secret is revealed.This 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.

    How was he received? How did he get there? Does he find someone who wants to make him stay in the past? Someone who wants to go back to the present with him? What happens to this kilted club boy when he gets sent back to when a kilt was the regular daily wear?P.S. ETA – if you could somehow give me an HEA that would make me really happy. Photo Description: Wearing only a red tartan kilt, held up by a silver belt, the young man, born in 1987 from the tattoo drawn across his chest, waits for the nightclub to open.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 here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 5.

    He’s looking out from a window somewhere in heaven. He’s alone and miserable, because he did the unthinkable and gave in to the advances of another angel. The two angels fell in love with each other, and that was when things went wrong.His lover got punished; he was tossed out of heaven, because even though sometimes an angel can give their wings when they fall in love with a human, it can’t happen with other angels. Those are the rules in heaven.The angel in the picture wonders, if it would be worth to ask for a permission to go down to look for his love, because all his lover’s memories would have been wiped when he was de-winged.The worst part? Once an angel asks to go down to live as a human, there’s no way he can ever return to heaven, not until he dies. He may keep his memories, but what would he do if he couldn’t find his lover or if the lover wouldn’t want him in his new life.And my dear author, please don’t make this in any way about God, Christianity, or religion in general, because I’m agnostic and I can’t deal with that stuff. Sorry. :)Photo Description: Half in shadow, the dark-haired angel gazes intently up and away. Sunlight catches the fine cut of his naked muscled chest, the tattooed stars on his hip, the thorny design on his shoulder. Shadows lie on the soft white feathers of his wings, as he slides his white pants open.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 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: paranormal romanceTags: gay m/m, light D/S, angels, angst, love, drama, light BDSMWord Count: 19,345

    19yo city boy and law student, Drew, happens upon Alex in a distressed state after one such abusive encounter. For Alex, their meeting starts a journey from despair and loneliness through the emotions of his first ever friendship. Two weeks later Alex calls Drew seeking help from a life-threatening situation. From that moment, Alex and Drew’s lives are forever changed. This story was originally published under the same title as part of a 2012 Goodreads writing project. The near-1700 direct downloads recorded as at early April, 2014, signify to its popularity. This version contains a variety of content changes and over 10% additional text. Some original readers’ comments give opinions and insights into the story: > Alex & Drew is a tale of a boy’s journey from utter despair to finding his sanctuary in the arms of an equally wonderful supportive partner. It delves into the mind of Alex trying to cope with his abuse and finding his way in the world of recovery and love. > Very deep and moving story. So much suffering that it makes you hurt for all those who suffer abuse and have no one to help them. > If I could give this this book more stars I would .Simply it was an amazing rollercoaster of emotions for me. It had me in tears numerous times, for the good and for the bad times suffered by these two wonderful souls. > A story of two young men in need of the love and support the other offers to heal and recover. > This is a touching story that transcends the tragedy and darkness at its core. The author did a beautiful job of focusing on the more positive notes of hope, love and healing while still acknowledging the pain, betrayal, fear, hate and anger that you know are present under these circumstances. > Touching - if sometimes difficult - and beautifully written. I just loved Drew and his family, who could so clearly see the diamond in the rough that was Alex.

    One day, in desperation he ventured his shy face into a gym. There he met and was befriended by numerous hot boys and young men, infatuated by his looks, intrigued by possibilities. They taught him how to build his body. They showed him how to use his body.What did they teach him, I wonder?What is he thinking now and who is he waiting for, I wonder? Maybe a young protégé? Or maybe one of his tutors? I wonder what they will do.I would like to know.Photo Description: A gorgeous young man reclines on a black leather couch, one knee raised, a hand curled against his cheek. Low-cut black jeans and an unbuttoned white shirt expose the perfect cut of his hip and the washboard muscles of his lean stomach. His fine red-brown hair is artistically tousled. His blue eyes stare soberly into the distance.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, m/m/m, age differenceWord Count: 3,306

    Maybe there's one hanging out in this bottle of Jaeger....Photo Description: Sitting on a doorstep in a brick wall, arms on his knees and a bottle of Jaeger tilted to his mouth, is a very...unusual man. He's lean, tattooed and shaven-headed, wearing only a pink tutu, pink-and-white striped socks, and rubber-toed black sneakers. He holds a cigarette, one knee sports a Band-Aid, and perched on his head is a rhinestone tiara.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: paranormal contemporaryTags: gay m/m, fairies/fae, magic, second chances, comfort, sex content mild/non-explicitWord Count: 4,850

    They are a product of the Love Is Always Write promotion sponsored by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group and are published as a free gift to you.What Is Love Is Always Write?The Goodreads M/M Romance Group invited members to choose a photo and pen a letter or story prompt asking for a short M/M romance story inspired by the image; authors from the group were encouraged to select a letter or story prompt and write an original tale. The result was an outpouring of creativity that shone a spotlight on the special bond between M/M romance writers and the people who love what they do. Nearly 150 stories were submitted and published as a ten volume set – as well as an additional special bonus volume with three novel-length stories – titled Love Is Always Write; this edition is Volume Seven. Whether you are an avid M/M romance reader or new to the genre, you are in for a delicious treat.Stories in Volume 6:LIKE SO MUCH HOT AIR – Kathleen Hayes (contemporary/action/adventure)THE LUXURY OF VENGEANCE – Isabella Carter (fantasy/royalty)MAGICK'S CUCUMBER – H.A. Caine (paranormal/family drama)A MAGNETIC COUPLE DILEMMA – Naaju Rorrete (contemporary/friends-to-lovers)MAN-TO-MAN COVERAGE – Nico Jaye (contemporary/gay-for-you)MARKING TIME – CJ Anthony (contemporary/friends-to-lovers/DADT)MAVERICK: SLAYER OF SLAYERS – Mark Alders (sci-fi/universe)MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT – Embry Carlysle (paranormal romance/shape-shifters)MY LORD’S JUDGEMENT – Taylor Law (paranormal/action/adventure)THE NEXT STEP – J.A. Rock (paranormal contemporary/shifters)NO DISTRACTIONS – Em Woods (contemporary/established couples)NO FAULT OF HIS OWN – Sara York (contemporary/illness/disease)Words of Caution:The stories in this collection are sexually explicit and intended for adult readers. Some stories may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

    You would think that after all these thousands of years I'd be okay with imprint of a horseshoe on my backside but I have to tell you it's getting old. If I had it to do over, I think I might reconsider telling my king's mage she was so grotesque she could freeze a man (and apparently a horse and chariot) in stone.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 here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

    The real trigger for his decision is losing his best friend, Mauricio, who died of AIDS, and whose last letter stirs forbidden desires, besides asking Esteban to look out for Mauricio’s widower, Javier Lozano.Without Mauricio's love Javier collapses, and the only thing which keeps him going on is to fulfill Mauricio's last wish. Javier has to personally return twenty years of letters to Mauricio's pen pal and best friend, Esteban. Someone Javier hasn’t meet, but whose voice over the phone, helps Javier cope with his ignorant family that doesn’t even understand the difference between being HIV positive and having AIDS. The meeting between Javier and Esteban changes their lives, but standing between them is a lethal virus, Esteban family’ prejudice, an age gap, and the memories of the man—both once loved.Original PromptDear Author,I gave you years of my life, my love, and my trust. All you gave me was "I'm sorry" before you died and left me with a crumbling house, a failing business, and your STD. Is there any hope that there is someone out there who will truly love me and take the mess that I have become?Obviously an HEA is required here :)Photo Description: A black and white photo depicts a lonely man sitting with his knees drawn to his chest on a desolated area of shoreline. He sits a few feet away from a leafless tree which is bending in the wind. 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 here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.

    Watching his friend go off with women time and again is slowly killing Tucker, and he has to make the tough decision to move away after graduation from the man he loves to avoid further heartbreak. What Tucker doesn't know is that Cameron has other plans for the two of them...Dear Author,My name is Tucker. See these two, they are Kurt and Blaine from Glee and I am a total Gleek. Their love is so perfect except it isn’t real. It’s just a TV show.My best friend says I should stop obsessing over fictional characters. That maybe if I opened my eyes and looked around I would discover a love of my own. But what does he know? He’s hot and has tons of girls chasing him. He’s totally straight. Or is he?Photo Description: Blaine and Kurt, characters from the television show Glee, are kissing each other.This 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.

    . . a faggot? A queer? A sissy? About a dozen more words meandered through my brain, every word I’d ever heard from my friends, from adults, from TV. Was that who I was now? Were those words me now?"While most gay men grow up living in the closet until they are brave enough to step out and be themselves, Adam Shepherd experiences the opposite. After living almost all of his young life out and gay, he goes into the closet, willingly, in order to have the career and life he wants and needs. He thinks he can handle it, but he soon discovers how much he has truly given up.Chase Michaels was always there for Adam, a substitute “big-brother” and true friend in his growing up years. Adam has always harbored a secret involving Chase, but it conflicts with the closet he now lives in as an adult. When the pressure becomes too much, Adam chooses to stay in his closet . . . but at what cost? And can he change things before it’s too late?Original Prompt:Dear Author,I've missed him so much and I'd hoped he be there when I came home. I just didn't want to expect too much. After so many years of being just friends, we became more and then I got my orders. Before we could start anything, it felt like everything was over. But he came, he's here! I just couldn't contain myself and ran right into his arms.Can someone please tell me how these two began, how they survived apart and what's next? :)Photo Description: Military homecoming: Marine dressed in fatigues greets his civilian lover with a passionate embrace, arms and legs wrapped around him, as they kiss passionately, framed by a large, vibrant American Flag behind them.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 here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.

    His only real contact with other people is with his (small?) family, and he uses his horse to fill in for the emotional contact that he misses. As a direct result, he is an extremely good dressage rider though most people at his barn think that his horse is wasted on him and he doesn’t ride at all. One day, someone (the love interest) else sees him riding and realizes that 1. He really is a good rider and 2. He should be competing. Conflict and romance ensue.Photo Description: A tall, thin man dressed in a navy blue and white hoodie, rides a black stallion in an outdoor arena lined with short hedges. The horse, accented with white polo wraps and black and white bridle, trots along the arena rail.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" 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. This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

    Mundane routine helps keep his anxiety and obsessive tendencies under control. Socializing—especially dating—isn’t on his list of strong skills either, and, made worse with the echoes of his disapproving mother. So he’s content to stay at home with his lists and cleaning and wildlife documentaries, until a one-night stand goes unexpectedly right.History has taught Devon DuCaine that dating can be uncomfortable, but there’s just something about Scott. He may be the opposite of Devon’s own long-haired, tattooed, free-wheeling spirit but he brings out the nurturer in Devon. Maybe it’s Scott’s surprising fascination with Devon’s motorcycle, or his shy surprise in moments of affection, but there’s more under those sensible suits than meets the eye. The most important person in Devon’s life, his mom, taught him love and compassion and that’s all he wants to share that with Scott. Their one-night stand turns into a regular thing, but Scott doesn’t trust it to last. He’s pretty sure Devon is hiding something. He’s even more sure that once Devon gets to know him, the attraction will fade. And then there’s his mother. However many sparks fly between them, Devon will have his work cut out to convince Scott they can have their happily ever after.(This book was originally published as 2 short stories. They’re combined here with massive edits and double the content from the originals.)