When Nolan Baxter opens up his house to tenants over the summer for cash, he falls for the sexy and alluring Zeb Thursday. Zeb is quiet, subdued, and spends a severe amount of time in his bedroom alone. Nolan begins to wonder about him. Why does he wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and a baseball cap during the hot and humid summer days? Why is he hiding his physical appearance? And why does he rarely come out during daylight? Nolan makes it a point to find out Zeb’s history, and along the way learns of the man’s secrets and sins. But as he pries into Zeb’s business, Nolan invades his tenant’s privacy. As a sexual longing builds between them, they devise strength in each other. Nolan inevitably falls for Zeb and vice versa. But will their individual scars, deep and dark, prevent the pair from loving each other?

Beneath His Stolen Skin

“When was the last time you had a boyfriend, Nolan?”


“Yes. I’ve never discovered anyone else. I’m scarred, you know.”


“Isn’t it time to grow and find someone new for your needs?”


“I don’t even know what my needs are.”


“Companionship. Dating. Sharing leftovers out of the fridge with someone close. Waking up in a man’s arms on Sunday morning. Eating ice cream out of the same bowl. Taking long walks after midnight like that Patsy Cline song. Reading Jane Austen together. Watching horror movies on autumn nights.”


“It’s July,” Nolan reminded her. “Autumn is a long way off.”


“You’re not getting my point.” She positioned her palms on her hips and huffed.


“Maybe I don’t want to get your point.”


Chapter 4