Before the Game

Before the game there was power, there was desire. And one man who made control feel like chaos.

by Ryan Moore

Dominic Vale rules his world with discipline, wealth, and detachment. Every encounter is calculated. Every feeling — silenced. But the auction world he observes so clinically is about to flip the script.

Before the games, before the power plays — there was him.

This is the origin story of a man who never meant to feel, and the moment that cracked everything open. Inside this seductive prequel to the Power & Possession series, you’ll find:

- A ruthless billionaire with secrets even he won’t admit
- A slow unraveling of control in the face of temptation
- Elite underground auctions that test every moral line
- Luxury, tension, and emotional hunger at every turn
- A raw, literary MM romance with powerful interiority

Before the Game is where obsession begins — and nothing will ever be the same again. For fans of dark heat, psychological depth, and dangerously irresistible men.

Published: June 21, 2025
Tags:

author - american

Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 5
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 36-45
Protagonist 2 Age: 36-45
Tropes: Alpha Character, Slow Burning Love
Word Count: 10,000
Setting: USA
Languages Available: English

About the Author

About Ryan Moore:

#1 Bestselling Author in LGBTQ+ Short Stories, Ryan Moore is an emerging voice in M/M erotic romance, known for crafting steamy, emotionally charged stories that explore the complexities of desire and connection. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Ryan grew up with a love for storytelling, finding inspiration in the region’s brooding landscapes and vibrant, diverse communities. With a background in literature and a passion for exploring unconventional romances, Ryan has developed a unique style that blends heartfelt emotion with irresistible heat.

When he’s not writing, he loves spending time outdoors—kayaking in Seattle’s waters, hiking through national parks, and camping under the stars. At home, he enjoys cooking and entertaining friends, drawing inspiration from both his travels and his everyday surroundings to infuse a fresh perspective into the world of M/M romance.

In his latest series, Private Encounters, Ryan invites readers to lose themselves in a world of hidden desires, intense passions, and the thrilling journey to love. He currently resides in Seattle with his golden retriever, Alex, a well-worn notebook, and an endless coffee supply, ever ready to capture the next story waiting to be told.

U Might Have Missed

Word Count: Click here to reveal610300 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealLesbian (Click here to hide)

Summary: Taking on her brother’s identity has given Kasia almost everything she wants: money, power, a gang to call her own in Prohibition-era Detroit. Until a new police chief threatens to destroy everything she’s worked for, and a beautiful woman tempts her to expose her secret. After a decade disguised as her missing twin brother, Kasia leads a gang running liquor for the most powerful mob in the city. The ruse gave her a foot in the door, but in order to keep her position—and more importantly, to keep money flowing in for her and her sick mother—she has to be willing to do whatever it takes. And what it takes is cold calculation and a ruthless hand. She needs both in spades when a new police chief is determined to eliminate Detroit’s mafia, a threat to destroy everything she’s built. When Kasia learns Sophia—a glamorous flapper who owns an underground queer club—has an unusual hold on the supposedly-incorruptible chief, Kasia wants in on Sophia’s secret. Blackmailing Chief Harding could protect her gang and give her a leg up in the mob’s ranks. But her plan unravels when she falls for Sophia’s fiery spirit and sophisticated charm. After years of avoiding relationships to protect her identity, her feelings for Sophia lead Kasia to take bigger risks than ever. Risks that endanger her gang, her secret, and her life. Lavender & Gin is a slow-burn sapphic historical romance set in the dangerous underground of Detroit’s mafia and in the city’s queer community. It contains graphic violence and explicit sexual content.

Check This Out Too

Word Count: Click here to reveal20000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealLesbian, Pansexual (Click here to hide)

Summary: It Takes Two to Write a Love Story A writing retreat brings Caitlin and Iris together at a secluded cabin in the mountains. Caitlin is a successful romance novelist and Iris is a struggling veterinary nurse who seeks solace in her diary. They're both deeply romantic souls who share a love of writing. Soon, they realise their paths have crossed before. It has been eight years since they met at a friend's wedding. They spent the night talking and dancing, followed by an unforgettable night of passion. The memory had woven itself into their souls; a bittersweet reminder of what could have been. Although life led them in separate directions, neither of them has forgotten that night. Then and now, destiny has brought them together. Will they repeat the past? Or will they finally surrender to their feelings and transform them into something more powerful?