All Chapters of Every Shade of Him: An MM Romance Collection : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

◈WILLIAM WOOLLETT JR. AQUATICS◈ Coach Harry clapped as the swimmers climbed out of the pool, water dripping and muscles tight with tension, calling out, “Forty-eight point seven, Alex, good job. Forty-six point nine, Marco, excellent.” The words carried over the splash of retreating water and the shuffle of bare feet on the tiles. Swimmers hustled past, grabbing towels, shaking hair, laughing or groaning at their times, leaving only the tense murmur of exhaustion and pride. “Connor,” Coach Harry called, voice firm but disturbed by the timing, “come here a second.” Connor, still catching his breath, jogged over, sweat slick on his skin and goggles hanging around his neck. I leaned against the edge of the pool, towel over my shoulders, and smirked as Marco approached, dripping water glinting under the harsh gym lights. “You’re getting faster,” he said, voice low, eyes tracking me with something more than admiration. I scoffed, shaking my head and twisting my towel. “Coming from the

Heat flared where his palm pressed through my jeans and I tried to swallow the sudden surge of desire, but the only sound that came out was a soft, broken exhale. “You didn’t have to do that,” I managed, though the words sounded weak even to my own ears. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “I love you, Alex,” he replied, his voice edged with danger, it made my skin prickle with both warning and want at the same time. I could feel him watching me, waiting for me to decide whether I would pull away or let him keep going. “I’ve been thinking about you,” he said quietly. “And I always thought you did too.” My heart hammered in my chest, and I hated how honest he sounded. “Justin, I…” I started, but my voice broke, and the rest of the sentence died in my throat as he dragged his thumb along the edge of my jeans, tracing a line that made my skin burn. My eyes fluttered shut for a moment, savoring the faint scent of his cologne and the touch of his hand. “You did,” he said,

“Finley,” I said as I reached him. “What are you doing here?”Finley’s eyes stayed locked on me as he answered, his mouth curving faintly. “William Woollett Jr. Aquatics,” he said, glancing around as if the answer were obvious.I shrugged, pretending ease, and started walking toward the exit. “Cool,” I replied, tone light.“Wait. What?” Finley said, confusion slipping into his expression as he turned towards me. “Alex, what have I done?”“Nothing,” I said without stopping. “If you want to swim, you can go on. I’m going home.”“Finley shrugged once, then glanced at Marco, catching the jealousy in his stare before turning away and hurrying to catch up with me.”“Not even a hug?” he asked, opening his arms dramatically before dropping them again, bouncing a little as he walked closer. “That's cold already?”I scoffed, shaking my head. “Talking stage?” I said, smirking. “Bro, go hug a transformer. It will give you all the spark, heat, tingles…”“You are not a good person,” Finley cut in,

✦THE NEXT DAY✦◈GABRIEL'S MANSION◈Alex opened the door and the moment I saw him, my chest tightened. He smiled, and I couldn’t help smiling back, the warmth between us already thick. He stepped aside for me to pass, and as I walked in, he reached out and grabbed my ass, holding it a second longer than necessary.I shoved him lightly, my eyes flashing, and said, “What the hell are you doing?” He just smirked, then shut the door behind us.“You are maltreating me,” I said, my voice low and teasing. He just smiled, then shut the door behind us, the click of the latch made my skin tingle.”I let my gaze travel over him as we walked into the living room, watching the way he moved, the way he looked at me like I belonged there.“I wonder what kind of couple we’ll be if we eventually become one,” I added, teasing and bold in the same breath.Alex’s mom appeared, walking toward us with grace that made my eyes widen slightly. She smiled at both of us, holding a small box in her hands like it

✦THE NEXT DAY✦◈HARTWELL'S MANSION◈ I stepped into the house and slowed when I saw my father seated on the sofa, his shoulders stiff, my mom standing beside him with one leg crossed, her hands pressed to the backrest. My smile slipped for a heartbeat before I forced it back as I moved farther in.“You’re all back,” I said, keeping my grin light as I crossed the room quickly.“Where are you coming from,” my father asked, his voice cutting in sharp enough to lock my feet to the floor. His eyes moved from me to my mother and back again, settling on me with a weight that tightened my chest. I opened my mouth, then stalled.“I will not repeat myself,” he said, his tone flat and final.“Games,” I answered, lifting my chin and holding my voice steady even as my pulse climbed.“Games,” he repeated, like he did not believe me, his gaze shifting toward the television and when I followed it, my stomach dropped. The swimming event was still playing, the commentator’s voice low but clear in the