You and Me Again

By Megan Slayer

Can love really strike twice?

Colin Dent knows what he wants out of life—his career at the advertising agency and his dog. Love is great, but he needs to know the guys in his life understand his dog is his family. He thought he had the perfect combination when he and Matt were a couple. But Matt didn't stick around.

Matt Miller didn't leave Colin because he wanted to—Colin hadn't wanted him any longer. When Matt's sister leaves her dog, Willie, with him for good, Matt not only understands separation anxiety, but how much it hurts to be forgotten. Then he sees Colin at the dog park. The old feelings rush in and he wants to open his heart, but he hasn't forgotten the past.

Colin wants a second chance with Matt, but will the time and distance apart be too much to overcome? Or will the love of their dogs be enough to push these two former lovers back together for good?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: May 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781786517456

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.

Book preview

Author

Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

Single Books

Constant

Permanent

Vaulting

Drive my Car

We Belong Together

Finding Michael

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Must Love Dogs

YOU AND ME AGAIN

MEGAN SLAYER

You and Me Again

ISBN # 978-1-78651-745-6

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2019

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright May 2019

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2019 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book two in the

Must Love Dogs series

Can love really strike twice?

Colin Dent knows what he wants out of life—his career at the advertising agency and his dog. Love is great, but he needs to know the guys in his life understand his dog is his family. He thought he had the perfect combination when he and Matt were a couple. But Matt didn’t stick around.

Matt Miller didn’t leave Colin because he wanted to—Colin hadn’t wanted him any longer. When Matt’s sister leaves her dog, Willie, with him for good, Matt not only understands separation anxiety, but how much it hurts to be forgotten. Then he sees Colin at the dog park. The old feelings rush in and he wants to open his heart, but he hasn’t forgotten the past.

Colin wants a second chance with Matt, but will the time and distance apart be too much to overcome? Or will the love of their dogs be enough to push these two former lovers back together for good?

Dedication

For RS and RB for believing in this series and giving me room to grow it.

For JPZ. Without dogs, our life would be boring.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Chapter One

Shall we head to the dog park? Matt Miller hooked the leash to his dog, Willie’s, collar. The dog whined. Matt sighed and patted his head. I’ll take that as a yes. Give me a second and we’ll leave. I know you love the park.

Matt donned his jacket, then grabbed his keys. He preferred schedules and praised his sister for giving Willie a plan for the day. Too bad she couldn’t be the dog’s mistress. He loved the dog, but wished his sister hadn’t left him and Willie. He couldn’t understand why she’d walked away from the animal. Willie was just about perfect—no messes, or chewing, very few accidents, a mellow personality and he barely shed. A dog owner couldn’t ask for a more well-behaved dog.

He walked Willie the four blocks to the dog park. Ever since he’d heard about the place from his sister, he’d forced himself to take Willie there. God knew he and Willie both needed socialization. He worked at the junior high, but Willie spent most of his time alone. He did well around other dogs and people, but still. They both had to get out more.

He kept his head high and allowed Willie to set the pace. His mind wandered though. His ex-boyfriend, Colin Dent, liked to visit the dog park. Maybe Colin wouldn’t be there today. Matt could hope. He’d never forgotten the day they’d split and the look of pity on Colin’s face when he’d left. Colin had sworn he couldn’t be with a guy who didn’t love his dog as much as him.

‘I love you, Col, but it’s just a dog,’ Matt had said. Wrong thing to say, but at the time, the words had explained his feelings.

Colin had glared at him. ‘If you can’t appreciate the dog, then you can’t appreciate me.’

Back then, Colin had been right. Matt hadn’t grown up with dogs or cats. He’d had a tank of fish. He had no concept of loving a critter so much. The fish had been like objects. Then he’d inherited Willie. Now he understood Colin’s attachment to his dog.

He could explain his change of heart, but Colin hated him.

Matt opened the gate to the park and went through ahead of Willie. Once in the fenced-in portion of the park, he unclipped Willie’s leash. He tugged the tennis ball from his pocket. Ready?

Willie barked and hopped at Matt’s feet.

Okay, I’ll throw it. He lobbed the ball. Willie darted after it. If nothing else, Willie loved the ball. The dog brought it back and Matt threw it again. This time, he bothered to look around. People were already at the park. A pair of women chatted while two golden labs sprawled out in front of them. Another guy walked a chihuahua around the oak tree. After tossing the ball for the fourth time, Matt noticed Colin at the other end of the park. Damn. He’d hoped to miss his ex. He didn’t own the dog park or have the right to say who could visit, but still. He’d rather not run into him.

Matt focused on Willie but stole glances at Colin. His ex had arrived with another dog and a guy.

Lovely. Colin embodied handsome. He’d modeled back in college and worked in promotions—at least that was what Matt thought he did. Colin flicked his blond hair off his forehead. His button-down shirt clung to his toned frame and the act of moving his hair looked sexy. Being so attractive meant Colin could have any man he desired. He’d chosen a handsome man. Colin had cut his hair a bit, but the style worked for him. Are those highlights? He could’ve sworn Colin’s tresses were brighter in spots. Colin had lost a bit of weight, but the leaner appearance added to his appeal.

Matt tossed the ball and turned away from Colin and company. He’d had enough wallowing in the past and mistakes he couldn’t take back.

He waited for Willie to return with the ball, but he didn’t. Willie? Where has that dog gone? He searched the park. His heart raced and fear gripped him. His nerves shredded. Willie wasn’t a purebred dog. The poor guy was just a mutt, but he was Matt’s mutt. He couldn’t be without his dog.

Finally, he spotted Willie with a white Pomeranian. A dull ache started behind Matt’s eyes. The nutsy dog. Willie. He rushed up to the pair of pups. Are you sharing your ball? Odd, since Willie hated when anyone but Matt touched the tennis ball.

Willie sprawled beside the other dog. He wagged his tail a couple of times and closed his eyes. Matt sighed. He’d have to figure out who the other dog belonged to and probably set up playdates. He’d never seen his dog so relaxed before. He noticed two pink bows in the fur on the top of the Pomeranian’s head. Funny. Colin had always decorated his dog that way.

You can’t stay here, Matt said. Her owner will be worried.