Winning Over Harmon by Megan Slayer
Book 3 in the Love Me Do series
General Release Date: 17th May 2022
Word Count: 42,193
Book Length: SHORT NOVEL
Pages: 169
GENRES:
CONTEMPORARY,EROTIC ROMANCE,GAY,GLBTQI
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Book Description
Second chances are possible if you’re willing to give love a chance.
Harmon Keyes wasn’t looking for romance when he visited Roy Mars’ gallery show, but the moment he sees Winston Saint, he’s smitten. He has no idea who Winston is, but the attraction is off the charts. He also isn’t sure if he’ll ever see the man again. Can a trip to Dye Hard Style help get him together with Winston?
Michael Winston Saint knew the second he spotted Harmon that he’d fallen head over heels. He’d never forget the geeky guy who talked too much or that kiss full of electricity and passion. Unfortunately, he has to leave the gallery show before he can give Harmon his number. He returns to Norville for a rest and the chance to connect with his dream man. Winston’s determined to win over Harmon at all costs.
Will the teacher and the rock star be able to make a go of their relationship? Or will the gossip and complication of small-town life be more than they can handle?
Reader advisory: This book contains references to addiction and inadequate parenting.
Harmon stepped out of the bathroom and hunted for Michael. He’d just shared the hottest kiss of his life and wanted another. Okay, so Michael had looked a bit pale when the guy had grasped his arm. He’d like to know why and how he could help. People didn’t approach others like that in Norville. He stopped by the curator’s table.
“Hi. Have you seen a man named Michael?” It was a long shot, but he had to try asking.
“No, I’m sorry.” The curator smiled. “Are you enjoying the show?”
“I am.” He nodded once. “Thank you.” He faced the crowd again, then sighed. He hadn’t imagined that kiss, but he swore Michael had to be a mirage. What kind of guy went around chatting with other men, kissing and bolting? Hell if he knew.
“Good.” The curator gestured to someone, then left the table.
Well, shit. He might as well go. The reason he’d visited the show didn’t seem to matter. Besides, he had papers to grade and a life beyond his fascination with art. If the guy was too good to tell him goodbye or give him a chance beyond the kiss, then that was his loss.
Harmon left the gallery and drove home. Along the way, his thoughts turned back to the kiss. He’d never had his breath stolen that way. Never felt like he was the only man in the room. What would make a guy leave like that? His partner? The handsome ones always did seem to be partnered up already. His wife? Maybe he wasn’t even gay!
Harmon parked in the carport, then left the vehicle and locked up. He preferred to walk rather than drive, but the galleries were never within walking distance. He headed up to his apartment, then sighed when he reached the third floor. Jesus. He hated coming home alone.
“Hey, Harmon.” Ernest, his next-door neighbor, stood in the doorway to his apartment. “You’re home early.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly ten.” Honestly, it wasn’t that early for most people. The clubs were just starting to fill at this hour. But it was late for him. He tended to be up before seven every day to make it to school on time.
“Did you have a date?” Ernest asked. “You seem upset.”
“I went to a gallery show.” He hated having this conversation in the hallway. He wasn’t all that popular, nor did he bring home many men, but he didn’t like Ernest watching his every move. “It was a lovely show.”
“Whose?” Ernest folded his arms and leaned on the doorframe.
“Roy Mars. Photographs and paintings.” He unlocked his apartment door. “I should get moving.”
“You know, we were close once.” Ernest followed him into the apartment. “Why didn’t we work out?”
“You wanted to date other people and I’m not interested in being a sometimes boyfriend.” He dropped his jacket on the chair, then tossed his keys onto the little table behind the chair. “I’m a teacher and I prefer to behave with decorum.”
“Decorum is for wimps.” Ernest shrugged. “We did have fun.”
“We did.” He had enjoyed hanging out with Ernest, but he hated chancing being seen in public acting silly. He was a teacher and a respected member of the community. He should be an example of how to behave.
“You’re not the same guy I used to know,” Ernest said. “You used to be fun, but you got so wrapped up in acting upstanding that you got boring.”
He wanted to be upset, but Ernest was right. He’d lost his sense of adventure and whimsy when he’d embraced his life as a teacher.
“Why not try to be loose once in a while?” Ernest asked.
He had. He’d kissed Michael. He’d given himself the chance to feel something again. But Michael was gone…just like his former lover, Will.
“Look, I don’t care what you do, but you need to loosen up. You’re wound too tight and you’re not happy.” Ernest shrugged again, then stopped at the door. “Just think about trying again. Will was a doofus for leaving you, but you’re not showing many reasons why he should’ve stayed.”
“What do you know about why he left or won’t come back?” Harmon snapped. “He left because he met Nevin. He told me he’d found the love of his life and could be himself. I was holding him back. I wasn’t. I let him do just about whatever the hell he wanted to do.” His hands shook and fury built within him. He never talked about Will or the split, but Ernest wasn’t going to give up without knowing the score.
“Nevin?” Ernest paled, then left the door. “That’s why he left?”
“Yes,” Harmon whispered. He hated admitting he hadn’t been enough to keep his boyfriend at home. “He wanted someone else.”
“Ah, Harm…I’m sorry.” Ernest hugged him, then clapped him on the shoulders. “You deserve the world. If he couldn’t see he should be with just you, then that’s on him and I’m out of line for giving you shit. I thought it was something else, but your love life shouldn’t be my business.”
“It’s fine.” He sank onto the arm of the chair. “I let everyone think it was my fault that he left. No one knew about Nevin or the cheating.” He’d kept quiet about it mostly because he hated talking about his past.
“Well, it’s not fine, but now that I know, I’ll back off.” Ernest rapped his knuckles on the doorframe. “If you want to go out sometime and just exist, let me know. I’ll go with you and we’ll have fun again.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He wouldn’t go, but he appreciated the offer. “Thanks.”
“You’ll be okay?” Ernest dipped his head. “Harm?”
“I’ll be all right.” He hated being called Harm, but he wasn’t in the mood to argue.
“Goodnight, Harm. See you later.” Ernest left him alone in his apartment.
Harmon slid onto the seat of the chair and groaned. Part of him wondered if he was the reason he couldn’t seem to keep a boyfriend. Yes, he liked to live above reproach, but only because he believed he lived under the microscope of the public eye. The parents in the district didn’t want to see their teachers behaving badly. They wanted to be able to look up to them. For the teachers to be an example. How in the hell would he be an example if he went to clubs every weekend and slept around? No. He’d become the object of rumor and no one would take him seriously.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. If he had his way, he’d visit the dance clubs every so often and give himself the chance to find a boyfriend. He hated living alone. Even his house plants weren’t alive. They’d grown too bored with him, too. How in the hell would he keep a boyfriend?
According to Will, he’d lost his zest for life. “You’re so busy being buttoned-up that you forgot who you are.”
Maybe he had. Then again, he couldn’t hide the fact he was a geek for history. He liked visiting art galleries and museums. He liked classical music and concerts in the park. What was wrong with quiet evenings and good wine at home? He saw no point in drinking in public. If he lost control, he could end up being seen and making a fool of himself.
At this rate, he’d control himself out of his life and any chance at happiness.
He’d lost his chance with Michael, and he wasn’t even sure what he’d done to make the guy bolt.
Fuck. He wouldn’t get anywhere if he kept worrying about what he’d done wrong or trying to behave as upstanding as possible. Ernest was right. He should loosen up, but he’d worry about that later.
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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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