Loving Summer Rain by Megan Slayer
Book 1 in the Love Me Do series
General Release Date: 4th January 2022
Word Count: 40,091
Book Length: SHORT NOVEL
Pages: 163
GENRES:
CONTEMPORARY, EROTIC ROMANCE, GAY, GLBTQI
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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.
Summer Rain Davis draped the last scarf onto the drying rack and admired his work. He’d created scarves and other dyed materials, plus accessories for the boutique, Dress Me Up, for the last seven years. The pay was good and his work sold well. Customers clamored for his latest creations. Not too shabby for a man named after a force of nature.
He wiped his hands on his apron and placed the lid on the dye. If he didn’t put the lid on the pot, he’d end up wearing the color all over.
“Summer?” Doris, the owner of Dress Me Up, stopped beside him. “Oh, those are lovely. They’ll sell fast. Are you making two batches?”
“I might.” He dried his hands. Having his studio right above the store helped cut his delivery time and made transporting his goods easier. “You like the scarves? I went heavy on the blue this time.”
“Our customers like blue.” She rubbed his back. “Plus, they’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. I created some necklaces and bracelets from your remnant beads. They should pair with the scarves nicely.” He brought over his latest collection of jewelry. “Think they’ll sell?”
“I’m sure of it.” She accepted the pieces. “Oh, the reason I came up here wasn’t just to poke my nose into your work. You got a call from James at Dye Hard Style. Are you getting a haircut?”
He chuckled. He’d worked for Doris all these years and yet he doubted she noticed his hair always stayed around the same length—long, but always the same. “I get trims every three weeks.”
“You do? Oh my.” She laughed and clutched the tray of jewelry. “I had no idea, but of course you do.”
“It’s okay. James is a dear friend. We went to college together.” He stepped into his worn tennis shoes and removed his apron. When he worked, he preferred the freedom of being sock-footed. Shoes only bogged him down.
“You went to college?” She frowned. “James too? I thought he went to a tech school.”
“He got a degree in business, same as I did, but I had a double major.” He tucked his phone into his pocket, then picked up his keys and wallet. “I should return around four. When I come back, I’ll be just as beautiful as ever.”
“Then I’ll see you when you do.” She followed him down to the first floor. “When the scarves are ready, bring them down. I’ll get them priced and in the window that day.”
“Sounds good. Thank you.” He waved and left the store. One of the many things he liked about his adopted hometown was the ability to walk almost anywhere he wanted. The stores were close, the community center was only three blocks to the south, the downtown area featured many restaurants and food trucks visited the center of town in the summer. All he had to do was walk or bike.
He headed to the salon and enjoyed the warmth of the summer sun. He’d been named Summer Rain because his mother liked the line in a song. She said he radiated light and beauty when he was born. Did he? He had no idea. But she’d given him the confidence and freedom to express himself and follow his dreams. She hadn’t dissuaded him from his hippie tendencies. She hadn’t talked him out of being himself, either. She would’ve loved that he’d moved to Norville. The quaintness suited her style.
His birth father would’ve been proud that he’d chosen this path. His stepfather would’ve abused him for his choices. His stepfather believed men wore short hair and suits. They toed the line and married. They had families, raised children and did so with a firm hand. Every so often, Summer Rain could remember the sting of the belt across his backside.
He winced, but kept walking. No one wanted to see his pain and no one needed to know about it. He headed into the salon and bypassed the receptionist. He had the luxury of walking right into the main salon. James insisted he have full access.
James looked up from his station. “Summer.” He grinned. “We need to neaten you up.”
“The ends are a bit ratty.” He loosened the elastic holding his hair into a ponytail. “Thank you.” He sat in the styling chair.
“Oh, doll, this one is on me.” James draped the covering over him. “In addition to getting you back to fabulous, I’ve got news for you.”
“News? I could stand for some good news. I’ve been in the studio all day, so make me feel great.” Did he sound silly? He didn’t care.
James combed Summer Rain’s hair. “You look sad and I hate when you’re sad. Is Dylan bothering you? I know he still tries to come around. You need to drop him once and for all.”
“It’s not him.” He’d forgotten about his ex-boyfriend. “No. It was Doris who sort of upset me. God love her, but she assumed I never cut my hair.”
“So? You told her you do, I’m sure.”
“I did, but it’s the same old stuff. People assume.” Why did that drive him crazy?
“They do.” James leaned the chair back and shampooed Summer Rain’s hair. “Because they can. Some people like to screw with anyone they can, but let’s forget them. They have no business taking up space in your mind. You’re educating her, which is good, but don’t worry about her. Besides, I have news, remember?”
“You said that.” He loved having this time with James. He tended to spend a lot of time alone in his studio, away from people. “What’s the good news?””
James rinsed Summer Rain’s hair. “Remember how you asked me to find you a date? I did.”
“You did?” He held the towel on his head as he sat up. “Who?” He trusted James to hook him up with someone he’d have a connection with, but he hadn’t expected him to find someone already.
James whipped him around to face him. “That’s the great news. You know Arthur Burton, right?” His eyes sparkled. “He’s your match.”
“You’re kidding. He sells insurance.” He gawped at James. “You know me. Is this guy really right?” He didn’t feel right.
“It’s funny. He does fit and yes, he’s an insurance man, but he’s more than one thing.” James turned him around and combed Summer Rain’s hair. “He’s sweet, kind and secretly trying to break the cycle of being a boring insurance salesman. He’s tired of assumptions, too.”
He stared at James’ reflection in the mirror. “He needs to loosen up.”
“Right and you need to have someone solid who respects you.” James continued cutting. “He might be your opposite, but you’ve never tried to be with someone who respects your mind. You are a great man and brilliant.”
James had built him up a bit much, but whatever. “He’s a good match? Really?”
“Yes. He knows I matched you with him, too. I told him and he didn’t balk. He seems to be looking forward to the date.”
“And when is it?”
“Tomorrow at nine at Club Jester. He’ll be dressed like himself, but casual.” James withdrew the blow dryer from the drawer. “Honey, you need a date. You need to change this up.”
“I do.” He was tired of being alone. “How am I expected to dress for this? Anything in particular I should be wearing?”
“No. Be you. That’s what he’s looking for.” James checked the lengths of Summer Rain’s hair. “You both are going to be yourselves and I know it’ll work.”
“You’re sure?”
“Don’t assume with him.” James finished cutting, then put the scissors down in favor of the blow dryer. “You want to be taken seriously and at face value, right? Then do that for him, too.”
He nodded slightly as James turned the dryer on. What did he have to lose?
James finger-combed Summer Rain’s hair as he dried it. “That dog keeps showing up. I’m beginning to think he wants a blowout. He could use a bath. Did you see the flyers I put up? I got Tyson to help me. He took the dog to the vet, too. Of course there’s no chip. No one’s listed him being missing, either. I looked on the message boards and all over. Nothing on social media. I’ve got a bed here for him and asked the building owner if I can keep him. I haven’t heard anything back, so I’m taking that to mean I’m okay.”
Summer Rain wanted to answer James, but he knew better. When James monologued with the blow dryer in hand, he couldn’t be stopped.
“Maybe he’s supposed to be my pet match.” James switched off the dryer. “Can someone be matched like this?”
“There’s the saying who rescued who—or is it whom rescued whom? Whatever. Maybe you’re right.” He closed his eyes. “And maybe you’re right about Arthur.”
“You doubted me?”
“I doubted me.” He opened his eyes and sighed. After the breakup with Dylan, he didn’t trust his own choices in men. “I can’t seem to keep a boyfriend.”
“That would be because you’re dating the wrong men,” James said. He toyed with Summer Rain’s hair. “You go for the easy match and don’t understand why the pairing blows up. This one will be hard, but it’s true.”
“Yeah?” He liked the trim and advice. James had a point. He tended to date guys who thought he was a slacker or dirty hippie. They didn’t want to see more in him. Maybe Arthur would be different. “So, I go to the Jester and wait for him at nine? Friday?”
“Yes.” James wiped his hands. “Let’s set up your next appointment.”
“Four weeks this time, please?” He rummaged through his wallet for money to pay the bill. “Thanks.”
“I said this one was on me.” James folded up the cape. “This will be good for you and him both. You don’t happen to know who that dog belongs to, by the way?” He gestured to the scrappy dog on the floor.
“Looks like you,” Summer Rain said. “You should adopt him.”
“No. He chose to live here. He showed up and won’t leave.” James shrugged. “Honestly, I can’t find anyone who knows him.”
“Then maybe he’s a stray.” He shrugged and stood. “You said he went to the vet? For a check-up or just to see if he’s chipped?”
“Travis got me flea meds in the meantime, but I did make an appointment for next week with the vet clinic and I’ll bathe him tomorrow.” James followed Summer Rain to the door. “If you hear anything about him, let me know.”
“I will. Thanks for the date. I need it.” He needed to get out of himself and the studio, too. If Arthur wanted to go out with him, then fine. “See you.”
“See you, doll.” James waved, then disappeared into the salon.
Summer Rain sighed. The cut didn’t take off much from his locks, but his head felt lighter. He loved the monthly freshen up, too. He breathed in the warm air. Did he need to go to the shop right away? He said he’d be back when the appointment was over, but Doris didn’t need to know it hadn’t taken as long as he’d thought.
He spotted the food trucks and decided lunch would be in order. Plus, a walking taco sounded heavenly.
He strolled the two blocks over to the center of town. The trucks were still in place and a few had lines. He didn’t care if he had to wait. He’d gladly spend a few minutes waiting if it meant having good food.
He spotted Arthur’s office. Part of him wanted to go in and speak to him. The rest of him hesitated. He’d wait until their official date. Instead, he joined the queue at the taco truck.
“Hey. Get out. Summer Rain?” Cash Jenks soft-punched Summer Rain’s arm. “Look at you.”
“Look at me.” He smiled. As a friend, Cash was a decent guy, but he could be too pushy for his own good. “Are you still job hunting?”
“Always. I’m trying to find something that uses my skills.” Cash joined him in the line. “What are you doing?”
“Getting food.” He should ask Cash if he wanted anything. Probably did. Cash never had any money and loved to eat. “Are you getting lunch?”
“I’m a little short on funds,” Cash said with a grin. “Unless the cosmos wants to provide.”
“Meaning I buy you lunch?” He bit back a groan. “What do you want and don’t break my bank?”
“Thanks.” Cash bumped shoulders with him. “Why don’t we go out sometime again? We used to have fun.”
“Because you liked to club and I don’t drink, so I drove you home.” In Cash’s car, but still.
“You used to party,” Cash said. “You used to be cool. Don’t you dabble any longer?”
“I haven’t dabbled in ten years.” Not since college when he’d gone on the bad trip and decided he’d rather keep his head on straight and finish his degree. No drug was worth ruining his future over.
“You used to be fun,” Cash grumbled. “Oh well. You can be fun again. Why not dabble tonight?”
“Nah. I have to work in the morning.”
“You became the man. You look like you’ll party, but you’re boring.” Cash asked for four tacos, chips and a drink.
So much for not breaking the bank… Summer Rain placed his order and paid for all the food. Would Arthur want his food purchased? Would he use Summer Rain for a piggy bank, too? Something told him that wouldn’t happen.
“So you can’t party tonight because you have to work? That’s trash, man. I have supplies, some refreshments, lights and music.” Cash bobbed his head. “You just have to show up and it’ll be epic.”
“Nah. I said I’m busy.”
“You really are?” Cash accepted his order. “Where? For work?”
“Yes, for work and tomorrow I’m going to Club Jester.” He realized he shouldn’t have said that after the words tumbled out.
“You?”
“I’m meeting friends.” Well, one friend anyway. “Sorry.”
“Maybe I’ll see you there.”
“Maybe.” He’d do his best to duck Cash.
Cash held on to the bag and stared at Summer Rain. “Well, see you.”
“Later.” He should’ve guessed Cash would bail once he got what he wanted. No thank you or appreciation of any kind. Just swoop in, get what he wanted and go. Summer Rain had been used again.
He carried his bag to one of the picnic tables and stared at Arthur’s office. He probably looked like a stalker, staring like this, but he wondered about the insurance man. Arthur had to be a better man than Cash or his other ex-boyfriends. Anyone had to be. Summer Rain sighed again. Until a short time ago, Cash would’ve been the type of guy he’d darted straight to for a date, but now he wanted more.
Maybe Arthur could be the one for him.
It couldn’t hurt to put himself out there and try.
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Megan Slayer
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-
n 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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