Title: You Make Me Feel

Series: Love is Stronger, Book One

Author: R.D. Airam

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 07/21/2026

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 334

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, contemporary, family-drama, gay, mechanic, photographer, motorcycle club, singer, cross-dressing, long-distance relationship

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Description

Theo Lowe is a freelance photographer who agrees to face his fear of motorcycles and escape his hometown by hopping on the back of his best friend’s bike. Fate brings them to Kurt Hart who owns a garage in Santa Barbara.

Boredom brings Theo and Kurt together when they match on Grindr, even though the two men couldn’t be more different from each other. Theo’s life is in Sacramento, CA. He gets to spend a memorable summer with Kurt during which they learn how to deal with a long distance between them and their blooming relationship.

The strength of their new and fragile love is threatened when Theo is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity that will take him to Japan. Is their relationship doomed before it has even begun?

You Make Me Feel
R.D. Airam © 2026
All Rights Reserved

The Spanish-style architecture of La Playa Inn captured the essence of Santa Barbara. It was a lot more luxurious than Theo expected, but he appreciated the good accommodation. He had to thank Kurt next time he saw him.

His room had a view of the ocean, but he could barely enjoy the beauty of the scenery. He was tired after spending the whole day on Valerie’s bike, fighting with his anxiety and the adrenaline rush of being in such a dangerous situation. Theo wasn’t sure how he would survive the ride back home, but he had to confront his fear one last time. There was no way in hell Theo would ever get on a bike again after returning to Sacramento.

After catching dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Theo found the courtyard. He threw himself on an empty rattan couch. He was about to check on Valerie when his phone started ringing with her name on the screen. He chuckled.

“Hey, Ree! Did you make it to the festival?”

“Yes! You wouldn’t believe it! Dom is here for the festival too. Of course, I didn’t tell him I’m one of the performers,” she said, giggling.

“It won’t be long until he finds out,” Theo commented. “I checked in at this nice hotel not far from the garage.”

“Good. You have the money?”

“Hopefully, I won’t have to stay more than a couple of days.”

“I’ll help with money. Keep me updated with what your hunky mechanic says,” she joked.

“He’s not my hunky mechanic. I doubt he bats for my team. Besides, he’s sort of an ass.”

“Sounds like your type. I don’t know how you attract them.”

“It’s called class,” Theo mumbled. It was true; he couldn’t seem to find a decent man who wanted him and took him the way he was. They all tried to change something about Theo and even complained that he was too gay for them. Theo still couldn’t believe another queer could call him too gay, but he had stopped trying to find logic in the men he usually attracted. They were all enticed by his looks, but then they met the man behind the glitter and makeup and bright clothes and they couldn’t handle him.

“Well, I have to go. I have to be on stage soon.”

“Good luck…and don’t break a leg,” Theo warned, with a hint of amusement. The first time he wished Ree to proverbially break a leg as good luck, she had tripped over a wire on stage and broke her left leg. She was sure Theo had jinxed her, but he had helped her around during that unfortunate time.

“Ha, very funny, Lowe.”

“Just saying, babe.”

“Bye,” she said flatly.

“Byeee!”

After hanging up, Theo sat on the couch for a while longer before returning to his room.

Instead of caving to the inviting bed, because he knew he would be up at two in the morning if he fell asleep too early, Theo curled up on the armchair by the window.

After killing time with several silly games on his phone, he opened Grindr. It had been calling to him ever since he realized he had to spend time alone in this city.

Theo checked his profile because he couldn’t remember the last time he had used the app. He changed the profile picture to one that didn’t give away his identity. It had been taken last Halloween when he had dressed up as Elton John, wearing big glasses with the frames in the shape of stars. He also contemplated changing his name but ended up leaving the one chosen when he created the profile.

The excitement of finding a match in the area made Theo pay close attention to all the profiles, in hopes of finding someone. All the pictures and descriptions were boring: looking for friends, hook up with me, looking for a memorable time, searching for my soulmate.

Theo felt unimpressed with each swipe, until the close-up picture of a toned abdomen stopped him from going to the next potential match. He was pleasantly surprised not to find any rude remarks about this guy wanting his abs licked, because Theo would do it without prompting.

D.K. was about three miles away and online.

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R.D. Airam has always loved creating alternative endings to her favorite books which soon turned into writing her own stories. Her dream has always been to become a published author and share the worlds living rent-free in her mind with readers around the world.

The author is currently working on the next installments of the Love Is Stronger series, You Make Me Feel being the first book.

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