Rogue Royal by Megan Slayer
General Release Date: 2nd November 2021
Word Count: 52,160
Book Length: NOVEL
Pages: 209
GENRES:
CONTEMPORARY,EROTIC ROMANCE.GAY,GLBTQI,ROYALS
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Book Description
You are formally invited to the royal ball…to become the husband to the king!
King Charles of Lysianna needs a husband and fast. He’s up against the biggest time crunch of all—a royal decree stating he must marry or lose the crown. It’s already December and he’s running out of time. Throwing a royal ball to find a suitable man for the role of husband seems like the king’s only option…until he meets Nathan. This royal has always done things his own way—and maybe now it’s time to go rogue.
Nathan Pratt doesn’t want much from life except to raise his son and be happy. Dating isn’t on this single father’s radar until he sees Charles in the castle solarium and his heart goes out to the sad-looking man. Once he meets Charles, he starts to think love might be possible. There’s just the small issue of Charles being the king…
Will Nathan be able to handle the glare of the spotlight with Charles beside him, or will the notoriety that comes with dating a royal be too much?
Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of gunshots as well as the threat of kidnapping. This book is linked to Runaway Royal.
Charlie finished his paperwork for the night and checked his phone again. He shouldn’t be so worried about the text, but he’d felt a connection to Nathan. The man was handsome and inviting. He wanted to touch him. Did Nathan feel the same way? Did he feel the spark?
“What are you doing?” Spencer ventured into Charlie’s office. “I sent the invitations—even the special ones.”
“Good.” He sat back in his chair. “Did you ensure one went to Nathan? Did you check on him?”
“We did.” Spencer sat across from him. “He’s thirty-two years old, single, a father to an infant son and a good worker—even if he has a tendency to run late.”
Charlie froze. “A father?” Oh, God. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be a father, despite his declaration that he wasn’t opposed to dating a single dad.
“Yes. He and his partner had a child with a surrogate who lives here in Lysianna. The partner left and Nathan decided to raise his son here. He’s working as a tutor and in the archives. We ran his information when we admitted him into the country and when the process with the surrogate went through. He checks.”
“But he’s a father.” Charlie couldn’t wrap his head around the concept. He’d have an instant family—if things with Nathan even progressed that far.
“Yes. The little boy, River, is cute.” Spencer shrugged.
“You don’t like kids. Why would you say he’s cute?” Charlie asked. “When your sister had her kids, you bristled.”
“I did, but her kids are now nine and seven respectively and they’re out of control.” Spencer stared at him. “I made sure Nathan was given an invite and I wouldn’t have done so if I thought he wasn’t worthy. You’re my boss and my king, but you’re also my friend. I refuse to even potentially put you on a collision course with someone who isn’t worthy.”
“Thanks.” Charlie tried to smile, but tensed. “Was I too forward in wanting him to be invited?” He hated carrying so much concern, despite his ability to worry himself into a tizzy.
“You’re second-guessing me. Why?” Spencer tipped his head. “I wasn’t kidding. I don’t let you get close to people with ill intentions.”
“I know, but he hasn’t texted me.”
“So? He could be with his kid.” Spencer checked his watch. “Actually, he should be getting out of work right around now, so he could be clocking out or just getting home. By the way, he has a tendency to be late, so he might be overwhelmed and busy. It might have slipped his mind.”
“Has he been reprimanded for his lateness? I helped him to be tardy today.” He didn’t want Nathan to be punished.
“No. I told the head of archives to forgive him by order of the crown. He means well and is trying to care for his son while working two jobs and doing it all on his own—save for his babysitter. He’s juggling a lot.”
“You’ve overstepped,” Charlie said. “But I appreciate it. I see what Zara is going through with Alistair, and Luke helps her. Being a parent seems hard, so thank you for assisting him.”
“You’re welcome,” Spencer said. “I saw you with him and you seemed happy. Happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”
“I am.” He rolled the pen away from him on the desk. “He doesn’t know who I am.”
“He doesn’t?”
“Nope.”
“Wow. Really?”
“My face is everywhere, so either he’s good at acting or he didn’t recognize me. I’d think he has to know it was me, but he seemed so sincere in his actions. I doubt he’d have approached if he knew he was talking to the king.” If Nathan liked him without knowing he was royalty, then there was a chance he and Nathan could have a future.
“Just be careful. We’ve been fooled before.” Spencer stood. “And realize he might not text until tomorrow. It’s possible he’ll forget altogether. You know where he’ll be, so you could surprise him and show up where he is.”
“I could.” If he made the situation look coincidental and watch Nathan in the wild first, he’d have a better idea of Nathan’s true nature. “I like it.”
“I try to come up with good ideas.” Spencer grinned. “I’ll let you know if he responds with an RSVP for the ball—if he doesn’t tell you himself.”
“I can only hope.” Charlie pushed away from his desk and walked with Spencer across the room. “I’m rusty at dating.”
“You were with Mark a long time.” Spencer stayed beside him as he ventured into the corridor. “We all thought you’d found your potential soul mate.”
“So had I.” He still regretted splitting from Mark. His ex wasn’t perfect, but had seemed to like him.
“He used you.” Spencer fell into step with him. “He asked many people in the court, including me, for money. He said it was for you, but I knew better. He’d tell your father you needed land you never asked for and wanted money to buy things that weren’t something you’d like…he thought he’d get stuff for nothing.”
“I know. As much as he lied, I wasn’t good at dating or seeing him for what he was—full of shit.” He’d thought Mark would change but Mark had let him down.
“It happens. We think we’ve found the right one, but there’s something within us that says this isn’t what we deserve. We hear that voice, but can’t quite let go.” Spencer shrugged. “When you find the right one, you’ll know.”
“I hope you’re correct.”
Spencer stopped at the royal suite. “You’ve got your phone with you, so go get some rest. We’ll talk in the morning about the rest of the details for the ball and what to do about Nathan. Until then, don’t sweat it.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I know,” Spencer said. “I hope he texts, you have a long, deep conversation and you get what you want.”
“That’s what I’d love to happen.”
“Go to sleep or whatever.” Spencer waved and left Charlie at the door to his suite. Once Charlie stepped into the cavernous space, he realized just how much he hated silence. The rooms were so big and empty. Too quiet.
Memories hit him. He’d grown up in this suite. He’d played with his toy cars on the patterns in the carpet and stacked blocks on the window seat. He’d practiced his French horn in the guest room and let Zara put makeup on him in their parents’ bedroom. He touched the drapes. He’d mourned his mother in this room and witnessed his stepmother pushing her way into the king’s life here, too.
His phone buzzed and he almost dropped the device while trying to retrieve it from his pocket.
The number wasn’t one he didn’t know, so not Nathan.
Zara.
He answered the call. “Hi.” He sank onto the window seat. “What’s up?”
“A ball?” she asked.
That was his sister. No ‘hi, how are you?’ No ‘hello, big brother…’ just her blunt question. Now that she’d found her spine and gumption, she spoke her mind and he loved her ability to be honest with him. “I’m lonely,” he said. “But I’m fine and I’ll live. You?”
She groaned. “Sorry. How are you?”
“I just told you,” he said. “What’s the issue with the royal family throwing a ball?”
“It’s so beneath you.”
“I’m not interested in husband shopping, but it happens and I’ve got to do something that’s out of my character,” he said. “If it weren’t for that ridiculous decree, I’d look for a partner when it suits my schedule.”
“You’ll never look.”
“It wouldn’t feel so rushed,” he said. “I’ve been looking for someone, for your information, but the right guy hasn’t crossed my path—at least I don’t think he has yet.” Nathan could be a good one, but they hadn’t talked for very long and Nathan didn’t know the truth.
“You keep pretty busy.”
“I’m expected to keep the country running. In my role as the king, my time isn’t my own and I can’t just go to a bar to meet someone. When I do meet people, it’s usually not someone I want to date. Maybe I’m too picky,” he said. He’d been accused of wanting too much from his partners and expecting high standards. “Maybe I do require a lot of people.”
“You’re being forced to marry someone so you don’t lose the crown—the one that belongs to our family—so I doubt you’re aiming too high. You’re under duress,” Zara said. “It’s not fair.”
He appreciated her perspective on the situation. Ever since Zara had been pushed toward marriage with the duke, a totally unsuitable man, she’d decided to go her own course, which was just as well. She’d always been a free thinker, even if she did try to toe the family line.
“What do you want to do?” she asked. “If given the choice, what is yours?”
“I don’t want the decree in place, but it’s a law I can’t change. Father approved of it when he’d been convinced our stepmother had our best interests at heart. She wanted the duke to be king—not me. She never thought I was good enough.”
“She was wrong and then she hooked up with Lender,” Zara mumbled. “I can’t forget him. The rat.”
“That’s putting it mildly.” He’d never liked Lender and wouldn’t marry him for the crown or any other reason.
“So? What do you want to do?”
He didn’t have to think about it. “I want to find someone who gets me. Someone who is kind and sweet, but willing to go on an adventure. Someone who doesn’t mind my quirks and isn’t overwhelmed by my being a king. Jesus. I need someone who isn’t going to con me or crumble when things get tough. Is that too much to ask?”
“It might be impossible,” she said.
“It will.” He harbored no doubts that he was in a world of trouble trying to find his perfect match.
“But there could be someone out there.”
“How’d you know Luke was the one?” He’d never asked her that before.
“When he traveled here to Lysianna to be with me. That took guts, but it also took you. I can never make that up to you,” Zara said. “It was a huge thing to do.”
“He wanted to be with you, little girl. I just had to file the paperwork.” He longed for a partner who’d sacrifice all to be with the person he loved.
“One day,” she said. “I hope the ball doesn’t work and you can find someone before it happens. That way it’s not a marriage party, but rather a true celebration of your happiness.”
He’d love for that to happen, too. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” He yawned. “I should go. Thanks for giving me crap. I needed it.”
“Always. I love you, Charlie.”
“You, too, kid.” He hung up and flopped onto the bed. He should get some rest. If Nathan was going to text, then he would, and there was no point in staring at the phone.
He left the bed, brushed his teeth, stripped and switched into a pair of sleep shorts, then collapsed into bed. He fell asleep in minutes. Until now, he hadn’t realized how worn down he’d become in just a short period of time. He needed a few hours of not worrying about finding a husband and the affairs of state. His life stressed him out. What if no one wanted to try for the job of husband to the king? What if only sycophants or hangers-on wanted the position? What if someone wanted to use him?
He woke with a start and sat up in the pitch-black room. He gulped to catch his breath. What time is it? He glanced at the clock. Four in the morning.
Charlie scrubbed both hands over his face. He didn’t need to get up for another couple hours and should try to get a little more sleep before starting his day. Right now, he needed to stop thinking about his love life and focus on his job as the king. The people needed him to be at his best and he wouldn’t be without a few more hours of shut-eye.
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Megan Slayer
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.
Find out more about Megan on her website, and sign up for the newsletter here. You can also check out her Blog, Amazon Author Page, Bookbub and Instagram.
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