To some who know him, Jax -- under the name Jackson Martin -- is a reputable restorer of antiquarian books. To others, in various guises, he's a man who double-crosses thieves, relieving them of what wasn't theirs to begin with ... although he doesn't return the stolen goods to their original owners. That isn't his thing.<br><br>When he's hired by Donovan, a book collector, to restore a damaged atlas, Jax meets the young man who runs Donovan's side interest, a no-kill animal shelter. Noel is wary of Jackson for reasons he can't explain. It doesn't stop him from finding Jax interesting ... an interest Jax returns despite knowing it will go nowhere.<br><br>Then Keegan, Jax's mortal enemy, appears bent on killing him. Will Jax be able to stop him before that happens? And will what he and Noel learn about each other end their budding relationship before it can become something more?

A Man of Many Parts

Noel did the same, then kicked off his shoes and undid the button of his jeans. At that point, he froze, panic washing over his face.


Jax understood and gathered him into his arms, saying, “What happened is in the past. I have no other enemies who are going to show up the way he did, I promise.”


Noel sucked in a shuddering breath. “I know. I just…had a flashback. I’m okay.” Easing out of Jax’s embrace, he finished what he’d been doing until he was standing naked in front of Jax. “Now, you.”


Jax smiled, humming under his breath as he stripped slowly, aware that Noel was following his every move. “Do I meet your expectations?” he asked. Noel twirled his finger, so Jax turned full circle until he was facing Noel again.


“You do. For a guy who’s been around as long as you have, you’re damned impressive.”


“Thank you…youngster.” He put his hands on Noel’s waist, tumbling them onto the bed, and they began a slow exploration of each other’s bodies with hands and mouths.


Chapter 43