Title: You and a Billion Blue Tiles
Author: Missy Welsh
Length: Short Story

Rating: 5

I first read this story as part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group Hot Summer Days event.  I instantly fell in love with this sweet and romantic story and thought it would be a great way to kick off virgin hero week.  And I must say, I loved it even more the second time!

Adam Grindall is exhausted but wired from a late night spent studying.  He decides to take the edge off with a hot shower and some quality alone time.  As he walks into the dorm bathroom, he is stunned to find the object of his crush, Lincoln Stone, already there showering.  Caught staring, Adam is stunned when Lincoln invites him to join him.

Lincoln has been curious about Adam for a while and is pleasantly surprised when the shy, sweet guy actually takes him up on his offer.  Lincoln is even more surprised to find out that this is Adam’s first time.  At first he is wary, thinking Adam is just another straight guy looking to experiment, but he is delighted to find that Adam is totally into him and just has been too shy to make a move.  The guys enjoy a sexy night together, both hoping that it can lead to more.

This is such a sweet and beautifully written story.  Welsh does a fabulous job of portraying the wonder of new love and the excitement of a first time.  Adam is so sweet and shy, amazed that this guy he has been pining for actually wants him back.

Lincoln’s tongue was in his mouth. Lincoln’s arms were wrapped around him. Lincoln’s whole naked, wet and naked body was pressed up tight all along his.

It was really happening!

And Lincoln is so thrilled to have someone who seems to really want him for him, and not just because of his reputation.

Holding Adam’s hips, he felt that hard body shudder and watched Adam’s blue eyes go wide.

Okay. There was something really awesome about being somebody’s first everything if he looked at you like that. Really awesome.

I will admit I am a sucker for first love becoming lifelong love stories.  I started dating my husband as a teenager so this trope is one of my favorites.  And combined with virgin hero? Just perfect.  And the best part is that You and a Billion Blue Tiles is a free story!  You can read it as part of the Don’t Read in the Closet: GayRomLit anthology or download it as a standalone from Goodreads.  So there is no excuse not to check it out.

You and a Billion Blue Tiles is a sweet story that does a beautiful job of capturing that thrill of first love and first time.  Welsh really shows the wonder that both guys feel and makes you want the best possible things for them.  The ending is incredibly sweet and romantic and so much feeling is captured even in a short story.  I highly recommend it and think it is a great kick-off to virgin hero week.

P.S. I also want to put a quick plug in for Welsh’s My Summer of Wes, another amazing virgin hero story I mentioned in my post earlier today.  It is one of my favorites and definitely worth checking out if you like this trope.