Self-Discovery
Family
Relationships
Personal Growth
Family Relationships
Friends to Lovers
Opposites Attract
Gay for You
Secret Relationship
Love Triangle
Fish Out of Water
Secret Identity
Found Family
About this ebook
A love worth risking everything for...
Liam Wade has wealth, success, and a carefully arranged marriage just weeks away. It’s not about love—it’s about merging families and giving his young daughter, Emma, the mother figure he believes she needs. Being gay doesn’t matter; Liam is committed to staying faithful and sacrificing his own happiness for his daughter’s sake.
Then Liam meets Micah Adamson, a charming vineyard owner with a heart full of hope and a belief in forever. Seven nights at a Santa Monica wine festival turn into something undeniable—conversations that feel too easy, moments that feel too right.
Micah knows love isn’t about hiding—it’s about honesty, family, and trust. But Liam’s heart is tangled in duty, and breaking free feels impossible.
Can Micah convince Liam that love doesn’t mean sacrifice—but showing Emma what true love really looks like? Or will Liam’s fear of change cost him his chance at happiness?
RJ Scott
RJ Scott is the author of the best selling Male/Male romances The Christmas Throwaway, The Heart Of Texas and the Sanctuary Series of books.She writes romances between two strong men and always gives them the happy ever after they deserve.
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Reviews for One Night
28 ratings3 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title a sweet story with some drama but lacking that special spark. The theme of love is appreciated, making it a good read for a short, enjoyable escape.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
May 19, 2016
This was a good read people need love although fiction it was 2hours pleasure thanks - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Nov 15, 2014
Sweet story about a rich lawyer who comes out to be with the man he found on his vacation. Some drama is involved but all conflict is resolved fast, too fast and it is a nice enough story, but it does not have the spark to be something special. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Apr 10, 2014
One Night is a sweet M/M romance novella about two men from disparate walks of life who serendipitously meet at a vacation resort while each of them is there for very different reasons. One is attending a winemakers' convention, while the other is there doing some soul-searching before entering into a marriage of convenience with a woman who his family views as the perfect choice for him from a social standpoint. They spend a few romantic days and one steamy night together before circumstances come between them, leaving them with some very important decisions to make about the future.
Liam is a very sweet beta hero who is confused and vulnerable. Three years earlier, he had married his pregnant best friend since childhood to give her and her baby the protection and stability of his family's name and wealth. She died mere days after the baby was born, leaving him a grieving single father. He loves his little girl more than anything in the world, so much so that he is about to enter into another marriage of convenience, thinking that his daughter needs a mother in her life. His fiancée is a woman who is socially and financially perfect for him on paper, but he doesn't love her. In an attempt to provide all the best things for his daughter and please his family, he became an attorney. He works long hours in the family law firm and doesn't see his little girl as much as he would like. Deep down, Liam is an artist at heart, who would much rather be out taking photographs than toiling away behind a desk or in a courtroom. Mere weeks before his wedding, he decides to take a vacation, during which he hopes to clear his head of all the confusion. Liam knows he's gay, but he doesn't have much experience at being gay. He's still in the closet, because of his fear over what his semi-famous family will think of him. Liam experimented with gay sex a bit in college, but he hasn't been with anyone since. He wants to find a guy who's amenable to a one night stand, thinking it will help get it out of his system, so that he can go through with his wedding. Because of his past experiences with sex, he's very confused about what gay sex is. He thinks it's supposed to be nothing more than quick and dirty with no tenderness and no commitments, and because of where he's at in his life, he believes that's what he wants. With that being the case, when Micah tries to take things slower and actually make love, it's scares him. Liam was an amazing guy to do what he did for his best friend, but since losing her, he hasn't really had any friends. He's a shy guy who doesn't make friends easily, so when Micah comes along, he finds himself longing for that type of connection again but afraid to take the necessary leap to have it. Liam's vulnerability over his sexuality was very touching, and I think Micah was the perfect person to help him sort things out. When Liam finally stood up to his parents and decided to take control of his life, I was cheering him on.
Micah is a well-adjusted gay man with strong family ties. He and his two sisters own and run the family winery business which he's been in charge of since their parents died when he was only eighteen. As such, he's a very responsible guy, who's something of a control freak and a bit of a wine snob. His sisters always insist on sending him on a trip to California each year to attend a winemakers' conference. Like Liam, Micah has his own introverted side. He hates being the public face of the family business and is much more at home in his role of vintner. He prefers growing the grapes and making the wine over giving tours of the winery or schmoozing with his competitors at the convention. When he meets Liam by chance on the beach one day, the attraction is instant and palpable. Part of the reason Micah's sisters sent him on the trip is because they think he needs to find a hot guy and have some equally hot sex, but that isn't really Micah's game. I loved that he was a relationship guy who wasn't into meaningless sex. The way he took care of Liam when he got drunk and refused to sleep with him while he was in that state was sweet and showed him to be a real gentleman. He really likes Liam and wants to give him far more than the other man seems to be looking for.
One Night is a fairly short novella that takes place over only about a week's time. I liked that the author took things slowly though, and allowed Liam and Micah a little time to get to know each other. They spend some really good quality time together, doing some very romantic things, before falling into bed. Even then Micah was a little hesitant, but Liam's overt sexual overtures and overall hotness proved a bit too much for him to resist. Still, I liked that he stuck around afterward even though Liam was trying his best to push him away. Of course, some unexpected circumstances temporarily tear them apart, while Liam makes up his mind about his life. Then they share a sweet reunion, which left the door open for a happy future for them together. Some readers may have to suspend disbelief to buy into the notion of these two men knowing they were meant for one another and Liam making the sort of life changes he did after having only spent a few days together, but it was just so tender and romantic, I didn't have much trouble. I really loved this story and almost gave it 4.5 stars. The only thing that held me back is that the ending, while somewhat satisfying, felt like it happened too soon. I would have loved to see Liam and Micah have a deeper reunion moment, and I would have loved to read more about them as a couple.
The other thing that knocked off half a star was that the story could have used a little better editing. There were lots of places where more contractions were needed, particularly in dialog, and some of the longer sentences should have been broken up to make things flow better. There were also a few spots, the ending included, where it would have been nice if things had been written out in more detail. I think this would have added even more depth to the story. The author had a tendency to skim over certain things, engaging in a bit of telling rather than showing. However, I did just discover that Ms. Scott apparently has gotten back the publishing rights to her stories that were previously released by Silver Publishing, one of which was One Night. She added to the content of the book before republishing it herself. For readers who purchased an old copy of the book put out by Silver, she is offering a free digital replacement copy that includes the updated material. I wish I had realized this before reading it, because she may have fixed some of the things I had issues with. If I discover that she has, I will update my review. In the meantime though, One Night was still a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of the M/M genre who like sweeter stories.
Book preview
One Night - RJ Scott
CHAPTER ONE
I sorted out your flights to LA.
Jeez, that had been one hell of a change of subject. One minute Micah was discussing buying more land for the vineyard, and the next, his sister hit him with flights from Rochester.
Why would you do that? I didn’t say I was definitely going,
Micah responded quickly. Damn it, every year Abbey brought this up in front of witnesses. He never had a real chance to argue back. Alex, his brother-in-law, looked up at him from the piles of papers on the desk with an expression of sympathy, but didn’t join in to defend or to encourage. He clearly knew to stay out of things when his wife was set on something.
You say that,
Abbey pressed, but when push comes to shove, you always end up getting on the flight, and then you have fun.
But I thought with Rosie having the baby and all… Doesn’t that put a different spin on it?
The words tumbled out of him in a rush of defensiveness. He really thought this year, with his other sister just having gifted the family with a new baby girl and thus unable to work, he could get away with not going anywhere. There was so much to do here, grapes to grade, the new pages on the website to change…
Seven nights is all. You need to get away, take the vacation time, meet up with your friends, and network with the winey-type people.
You won’t be able—
he started to protest, but Abbey held up her hand to stop him.
We’ll be fine. It’s all taken care of. We’ve discussed this already. Alex is taking a break and will be here every day working with Zach.
She indicated her husband. Alex was still very quiet but lifted his hand and waved it in agreement.
We’ll talk about this later,
Micah huffed. Surely, even though she said she had sorted out the flights, she couldn’t have booked everything yet, could she? She seemed to read his mind. Damn sibling connection.
Flights are booked—ROC to LAX with only one stopover. I booked you into the hotel where they are holding the conference. It’s right on the beach, and I got your room upgraded. It’s got a hot tub and shower with all kinds of fancy settings. Just what you need.
But—
All you need to find is a hot man when you’re there and you’ll be all set.
Abbey—
I’m not discussing this with you.
I’m a grown man. Alex, tell her.
Micah pleaded for support, but if anything Alex slumped lower in his chair.
Yes you are. A grown man who needs a damn vacation,
his sister said firmly.
Later as the evening was rolling in and smudging the sky with a purple-gray, Micah stood at the fence, looking out over his grapes, feeling blindsided and completely out-maneuvered. He sensed Alex walk up and stand next to him. Alex would have known what Abbey and Rosie were planning and even though Alex and Micah had been friends since grade school and so he should have had Micah’s back, he couldn’t be angry with the guy. Micah’s sisters were very persuasive.
The two men stood in companionable silence for a while until Alex cleared his throat. Micah could sense the other man grinning from where he stood. Micah’s week away was a standing joke and almost word for word he could guess exactly what his best friend was going to start in on. He wasn’t wrong.
So your gay ass is going to the beach for your annual tail-chasing trip.
Same old, same old, every year.
Micah huffed. If you weren’t married to my sister, I would take you down right now.
There wasn’t really a lot of heat in Micah’s tone; he was waiting for the rest of the same old joke Alex made every damn year.
Did you put lube and condoms on the house grocery list?
Fuck off, Alex.
It’s okay, buddy. Leave it to me and I’ll get Abbey to add them.
CHAPTER TWO
Your purchases, Mr. Wade.
Liam opened the door wider to allow the bellhop into his room, casting a critical eye over the collection of bags that were being given to him. He hadn’t bothered to pack much for his stay at the ocean. In fact, it was very rare he ever really packed to go anywhere. His credit card purchased most of the things he needed in one-stop shopping at hotel boutiques. This was killing two birds with one stone at its best—no outbound packing necessary and a near-empty suitcase to fill with a new season of clothes. He opened his wallet and pulled out a fifty-dollar tip, handing it to the young man who stood patiently at the door. Fifty was what he imagined was expected given he was in one of the few luxury suites in the hotel, the ones with five rooms and patio areas leading onto the beach.
There wasn’t really any way he was going to be recognized. He wasn’t known because of publicity or from appearing in tabloids and magazines. He was from old money, which followed him everywhere he went. Still, a week away from his family, with the plans he had in his head and the things he needed to do, meant he had to rely on the discretion of people around him, and that started here.
Liam tilted his head and read from the badge. Thank you, Oscar.
He was rewarded with a genuine smile before the man slipped past him and left. He began to unpack his purchases, shaking out limited creases and hanging everything on hangers in the bathroom. He could get service to iron everything, but a quick run of the shower to get the steam in the room and everything should be good to go. His phone signaled an incoming call, and he smiled at the picture on the screen before answering it on the third ring.
Daddy, I gotta new doll.
The voice of his three-year-old daughter held so much excitement, and he couldn’t lose the grin.
Did you, baby? Is it a pretty doll?
Uh huh. I called her Susie an’ she has a friend named Anna.
Two new dolls?
Two.
Are you being a good girl for your Nanna?
Yes, Daddy…bye.
Love you, pumpkin.
Lub you, Daddy.
There was a pause then the sound of a phone being passed to another.
Liam?
Hi, Mom, is she being good for you?
She is an angel, darling. Are you having fun?
Not yet, Mom, only been in the room a while.
Your dad wants a word.
Her voice sounded calm, but the word dad was enough to make Liam sigh semi-dramatically with his hand over the receiver.
Son?
Dad.
Did you get to look at the Ascot Hemling paperwork?
Yep, straight in there with all the office shit. Great.
Briefly, Dad.
On the plane for about ten minutes.
You do remember I’d like your thoughts on the proposals for the meeting on Monday.
I do, Dad.
Your mother says goodbye, son. Enjoy your break.
The phone disconnected, and Liam felt like banging his head against a wall. Why was it with those three words, enjoy your break, Patrick Wade had managed to sour Liam’s mood? He was the patriarch of both the family and of Wade-Bellings, the second biggest firm of corporate attorneys in Seattle. Liam couldn’t avoid him, being the middle of three sons and a lawyer with the firm. One week. That is all he wanted, a week away from Seattle where everyone knew his family. Decompression, relaxation, taking photos, and forgetting who he was supposed to be.
He missed Emma as he would a limb, but he would be a better father for carving out some space to get his head straight. He had decisions to make, huge judgments on what he should be doing next, and those decisions would greatly impact his life and hers.
He needed time to be Liam, twenty-six and currently way back in the closet. Not engaged-to-a-women-daddy or responsible-son or model-employee. This week was all about him; it had to be. He was not going to turn twenty-seven and become married-Liam without deciding things about himself one way or the other.
His family and his fiancée didn’t understand. Leigh, usually the perfect, attentive fiancée, understanding that this was a marriage in name only, hadn’t been that focused lately, appearing reluctant to spend any alone time with him. What did he expect? Their engagement had been planned like military maneuvers by their respective parents. She didn’t love him and he didn’t love her, but it suited family and each other to tie the knot. Or at least it had sounded like a good idea when her father first approached his. Their joining was to be a marriage of convenience and he liked Leigh well enough. He just couldn’t ever learn to love her or bring himself to sleep with her. Lately she had been as happy as he to have time apart. He even suspected she had a lover, and good for her. If only it was as easy for a blue-blooded middle child of an old monied family to find a lover.
The avoidance was his fault. He was like ice when he was with her, always making excuses to avoid being alone with her, wanting alone time for moments when he could breathe. Like this week, this whole seven days on his own.
He didn’t expect his family to understand this week away, although Leigh had understood immediately. He had used the bachelor break with a college friend excuse, and thankfully, at least to his face, his mom and dad had bought the reason for the vacation. Especially with the wedding so close now, only six weeks in the future.
The wedding.
He sighed noisily and then cursed. It was getting too late to really pull off changing his mind. Marrying Leigh was all kinds of good, especially given that Emma needed a female influence in her life now that her mother was gone.
And it would make his parents happy.
Powering up his laptop, he opened his mail and gave it a cursory glance. There was nothing there that wasn’t automatically copied to his secretary and several other colleagues. He closed the email down before his nagging conscience decided he needed to open each and every mail and ensure it didn’t hold something important. Then he did what he really wanted to do.
Opening his pictures folder, he scrolled to the latest dates, connecting his Canon and downloading the newest batch of photos. They were simple shots from his departure at Seattle, his flight, and then his arrival at LAX. People, places, half-eaten dinners, flight plans, the sky, the well-worn carpet…anything that caught his eye. As he waited for them to download, he glanced out the window to the wide beach in front of him, which was his next subject. At midday the beach was full, each person out there basking in the heat of the sun, all golden, toned, and fit. His gaze moved from the view outside to his reflection in the mirror, and he idly noted his indoor-office pallor—pasty skin and tired eyes.
Photography on the beach,