Perfect Cadence

By Megan Slayer

Sam Rowlands wants a partner in his life. Someone who loves him through thick and thin. He knows what he wants -- his roommate. Can he convince Gael to give him a chance?

Gael isn’t an average guy -- he’s a mer-shifter. He’s got the ability to walk on land and swim in the sea with ease. He escaped life in the water and found solace with Sam. But Sam doesn’t know the truth. Will he get his man and the life he wants, or will he scare Sam away before they find the love they deserve?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Sep 10, 2020

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

deserve?

Chapter One

Have you ever wanted to drop out of your life? Sam Rowlands stared at the words he’d typed onto his laptop screen. He’d been giving advice to the lovelorn for the last four years on his blog, but he didn’t want to help anyone else.

He needed to help himself.

What are you doing? Maurice, his roommate, stood next to Sam’s desk. Being overly dramatic? For yourself or the blog? Or are you working on the magazine stuff? I know you don’t have any guy drama -- you don’t have a guy.

It’s for my personal blog. Sam closed the lid. I’m bored with my life.

Why? Maurice sat on the desk. You have me. I light up the sky.

You do. His roommate could be quite entertaining, especially when he dressed for the drag balls. Maurice excelled with glitter and anything that sparkled.

Sam wished he stood out more. He was downright boring compared to Maurice. He’d been told he possessed the traditional boy-next-door allure, but at twenty-six, he felt old.

So? Why are you glum? Why are you so bored? Maurice asked.

He had so many reasons. I’m lonely, my dating life is non-existent, you’re about the only friend I have that I trust, and I’m old. In the local gay community, he was just about over the hill.

Oh, boo-hoo. Maurice rolled his eyes. Old? You’re twenty-five.

Twenty-six, Sam corrected. I feel ancient.

Good God. Maurice could be dramatic, too. You’re younger than me.

Yeah. Maurice frowned and kicked at the tile floor. So you’re lonely. You do realize you don’t go anywhere any longer.

I don’t. He wasn’t much for dealing with people -- not since his breakup with his ex-boyfriend Andrew.

You don’t date.

After Andrew, do you blame me? Christ. He’d had his balls handed to him on a platter by his ex. Andrew insisted on emasculating him whenever he could.

Yes.

This time, Sam frowned. Are you serious? He cheated on me with Stephen and told me I was fat. I thought we were all friends, and that I might even have a future with Andrew.

Honey, every time he looked at you, he looked bored. When he looked at Stephen, his eyes lit up. Maurice tsk-tsked. You knew it and you hated him.

Maybe. He’d thought if he’d kept his mouth shut and ignored the warning signs, they’d go away. Wrong.

You knew damn well he wasn’t what you needed. How many times did he make you cry? Plenty. You changed who you were for him. That’s bullshit. You were a great guy before and you still are. He was too ignorant to see that. Then you split from him and became a mopey mess, Maurice said. Am I right?

Maybe. Maurice was right on all accounts.

Andrew wanted to be with an influencer. He thought you would get him into a cool party or two and snag him free stuff. He wanted to use you -- nothing else.

I know, and I did those things. He cringed, thinking about the free shit he’d brought home to Andrew and the parties he’d allowed Andrew to attend as his plus one.

And when the opportunities dried up?

He left with Stephen.

Exactly.

Maurice didn’t have to be so correct. Thanks. Sam sagged in his office chair. I feel so much better.

You should. You deserve better than that crumb. Maurice shrugged. I never liked Andrew.

He fought the urge to roll his eyes. Of course you hate him. You were in a great relationship with Lamar when I was with Andrew. You wanted to be the happy one -- not me.

Wrong. Maurice waved his hand. Lamar isn’t a person, and he wasn’t a good match for me. He stood. I need to show you something.

What? I’ve seen your dick. Sam remained seated. What is it?

You loved seeing my cock, but no. Maurice dragged Sam to his feet. Keys?

Are we going somewhere? He should get his column and blog posts done.

Yes. Leave your phone and stuff. We won’t need them, and I’ve got the keys. Maurice practically danced out of the room. I’ve wanted to show you this for ages.

It’s not your dick? He allowed Maurice to drag him out of his office, then through their shared condominium to the back patio. Are we going to the beach? He wasn’t dressed for an afternoon in the sun. Maurice.

Just trust me. It’s the answer to your issues and the change you need. Maurice hustled them down to the sandy shoreline. Besides, you need to see this.

Okay. Whatever. What is it?

Maurice tugged the green shell he always carried from his pocket and deposited the keys inside. He draped the shell around his neck. So. His green eyes glittered. I always talk about La Mer. You think it’s Lamar, but it’s La. Mer. This is La Mer. He gestured to Lake Erie. The sea.

It’s the lake, not the sea. Big deal. He’d seen Lake Erie every day from the kitchen window in the condo.

Yeah, but to me it’s more. Maurice whipped his shirt over his head. I’m not just a musician or a drag queen. He chucked his shorts and stepped up to the edge of the water. Sam, I’m from La Mer.

I don’t know what you’re doing, but you’re going to get arrested if anyone sees you down here naked. Why are you acting like this? He shook his head. Maurice.

You don’t get it. Maurice bowed his head and tumbled into the lake. The splash obscured Sam’s vision for a moment. When Maurice surfaced, he shook his head and sent water droplets in every direction. He paddled and grinned. See?

I do. I didn’t know you wanted to go swimming. He plopped down in the sand. I’ll watch.

No.

I don’t want to swim. Maurice usually didn’t act this thickheaded.

Ugh. Maurice crawled out of the water.

Why aren’t you walking? Did you cut your foot on the rocks? I told you they’re jagged through here. He hadn’t seen Maurice injure himself. Hey.

Maurice left the water and settled next to Sam. Instead of his legs, a fish tail and fins had taken their place. His lower half shimmered with deep green scales and sparkles. A thin trail of green hair trailed from his navel to the upper swell of his tail. His muscles seemed more defined, but his cock was obscured. Maurice beamed. I’ve wanted to show you this for so long.

I’m confused. That’s a great costume, but how did you keep it on in the water? He stared at Maurice. His hair had tinged green and his eyes glittered. Even his facial hair had a bit of green woven in.

Feels good to be myself. Maurice flopped his tail in the sand. I needed to get back to the water.

"Right.