Jem & Carlton Series by Alex Jace

Jem suffers from intense anxiety—he can keep his fears under control as long as he stays on familiar territory. Then Carlton walks into the bookstore where Jem works. Carlton is dangerously handsome, irresistibly charming and hell-bent on getting Jem into bed. Best of all, he makes Jem feel safe. If Jem can take a risk on this unpredictable stranger, the rewards could be spectacular. 5600-word MM erotic romance.

After a scorching night with the gorgeous Carlton, Jem is counting the seconds until they can see each other again. When they reunite, Jem realises that Carlton can offer him much more than just sizzling sex—his warmth and affection can brighten every part of Jem’s solitary life. 4300-word MM erotic romance. Excerpt from THE MORNING AFTER: It was pure torture. Even worse, half an hour before his shift ended, Carlton came in... moreAfter a scorching night with the gorgeous Carlton, Jem is counting the seconds until they can see each other again. When they reunite, Jem realises that Carlton can offer him much more than just sizzling sex—his warmth and affection can brighten every part of Jem’s solitary life. 4300-word MM erotic romance. Excerpt from THE MORNING AFTER: It was pure torture. Even worse, half an hour before his shift ended, Carlton came in. Jem knew the instant the door swung closed that it was Carlton, because his fellow booksellers stared, then laughed, then shot him teasing looks. His stomach contracted, his throat tightened with sudden fierce awareness and he turned to stare. Carlton stood at the door, looking unfairly handsome in his suit, taller than ever, his square jaw tight. He was staring at Jem so intensely, his eyes so dark, that Jem was riveted to the spot. Jem swallowed, but couldn’t speak. Carlton approached him slowly. It was the stalk of a predator. “Jem,” he said, a promise in his voice. “I’m not off work for another half hour.” Jem got out the words in a rush, because if Carlton touched him he didn’t think he’d be able to hold himself back. “I can wait.” Carlton was looking at him so hungrily that Jem couldn’t look away, as though he planned to eat him. A shiver ran up and down Jem’s spine, his hands curling tight. He wanted suddenly, badly to kiss him. Just reach up and drag him down into a kiss and never let go. Jem made himself take one step back. Then another. “I’ll—I’ll see you later.” “You bet.” Carlton took a step closer, closing the gap again. His shoulders tightened with some sudden urge and for a second Jem pictured his fantasy re-enacted here, Carlton bending Jem over a table in a shower of books, Jem scrabbling among the pages as Carlton— With an undignified squeak, Jem fled. He simmered steadily for the last half hour. Carlton waited for him, broodingly silent, watching him with such intensity that it should have struck sparks off him. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Carlton would do to him when he got off work. How good it would feel. At the end of his shift he couldn’t clock off fast enough. He picked up his coat and hurried out still struggling into it. He went straight outside into a stream of passersby and Carlton caught him by the front of his coat and yanked him tight against him. Jem gasped, losing his balance. Carlton kissed him then with the pent-up hunger of a whole day spent apart; he captured his mouth so fiercely that the world spun and Jem could only clutch at him to stay upright. When Carlton finally let him go he was dazed, panting, his uniform in disarray. It was just as well that Carlton spoke, because Jem couldn’t. “Let’s go,” he said. less

With a sunlit weekend lying ahead, Jem is looking forward to spending plenty of time with the searingly hot Carlton. He soon discovers that Carlton has planned some wicked games to push his boundaries and introduce him to new types of pleasure. Jem is going to need to trust him completely. 4300-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from PLAYING NICELY:“You’re plotting something,” Jem said in a voice of deep suspicion... moreWith a sunlit weekend lying ahead, Jem is looking forward to spending plenty of time with the searingly hot Carlton. He soon discovers that Carlton has planned some wicked games to push his boundaries and introduce him to new types of pleasure. Jem is going to need to trust him completely. 4300-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from PLAYING NICELY:“You’re plotting something,” Jem said in a voice of deep suspicion.Rain pelted the kitchen window and sheeted down the glass, filling the air with drumming. An antique clock ticked on the windowsill. Carlton just smiled. “I’m always plotting something. I’m only worried about whether you’ll like it.”Jem fidgeted at the table. Carlton had a hand casually on his thigh, and the heat of his palm, the unspoken promise in the touch, was making Jem tauten with anticipation. “Try me.” Before he gave in to the urge to take that hand and move it higher.“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Especially not for my sake. It’s only fun for me if you like it.”He was pretty sure he’d like anything Carlton did to him. He had never been wanted so fiercely before, and it was making him more daring. “Try me,” Jem repeated.Carlton laid a pair of handcuffs on the table. They gleamed, strange and unfamiliar, the colour of the iron sky outside. The colour of Carlton’s eyes.The sight riveted Jem. He couldn’t look away. His stomach tightened with a thrill of fear; he was afraid that he wouldn’t enjoy it, or maybe that he’d enjoy it too much. He imagined being restrained this way, helpless for Carlton’s pleasure. At the mercy of his clever hands, his bold touch... less

Since they’re unable to keep their hands off each other in private, Jem and Carlton plan a day out in public where they’ll be forced to behave. They enjoy spending time together—until the simmering heat between them ignites. Turns out indecency is more fun when it’s public…4100-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from PUBLIC INDECENCY:In the secluded ruins of the castle, Carlton kissed him... moreSince they’re unable to keep their hands off each other in private, Jem and Carlton plan a day out in public where they’ll be forced to behave. They enjoy spending time together—until the simmering heat between them ignites. Turns out indecency is more fun when it’s public…4100-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from PUBLIC INDECENCY:In the secluded ruins of the castle, Carlton kissed him. Jem slipped an arm around his neck to drag him down, his mouth opening under his, pressing himself against Carlton’s warmth. Carlton put a hand at the small of his back to pull him tighter against him. There was nobody around, so Jem could lose himself in Carlton, trapped between a cold stone wall and Carlton’s scorching heat. He loved how intent Carlton got when he was kissing him, like nothing else could register. Nothing else was important. Just the tightening of his fingers in Jem’s hair, the grind of his body against his, the fierceness of his mouth.Carlton lifted him easily into an arrow slit and cut off his gasp with his mouth. Jem dragged him closer by the shirt, kissing him eagerly. He could feel Carlton hot and hard between his legs, pressing against his belly, and it excited him, making it impossible to think.Carlton kissed him harder, then bit at his throat, making him gasp again. Carlton pulled at his shirt, getting it half open so he could investigate the bare skin underneath. “Carlton!” Jem squeaked. “We’ll get caught.”“Won’t,” Carlton rumbled, palming the curve of his ass, dragging him tighter against him.“Carlton—”“Hush.” Carlton took him by the belt and flipped him over so that he was face down, bent over the edge of the arrow slit, his face pressed against the rough stone. It scraped his face, his palms when he moved. He was trapped under Carlton’s weight. The feeling scared him, but also thrilled him. He pulled half-heartedly against Carlton’s grip.Carlton worked a hand under him and cupped him through the front of his trousers. Jem moaned aloud. The sound shocked him, so shameless. He rubbed himself into Carlton’s warm palm. “We really shouldn’t be doing this,” Jem tried to say, but his throat was dry and the words cracked.Footsteps approached. The sound echoed off age-old stone. They both froze. Jem’s heart was beating hard, he was fighting for air, pressed flat against the stone.Shadows moved across the wall. The tourists had stopped less than ten feet away, probably looking at the evidence of that explosive day during the Civil War. Close enough to hear them if they moved… less

Carlton has been away on business for an entire week and for Jem the wait is torment. He’s dying for Carlton to come home and reward him for his patience. But Carlton has a fiendish plan to drive Jem crazy. They’re going to find out just how long Jem can wait for it.5300-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from WAIT FOR IT:He took a deep breath. Let it go. There was still an entire hour to go before Carlton got home... moreCarlton has been away on business for an entire week and for Jem the wait is torment. He’s dying for Carlton to come home and reward him for his patience. But Carlton has a fiendish plan to drive Jem crazy. They’re going to find out just how long Jem can wait for it.5300-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from WAIT FOR IT:He took a deep breath. Let it go. There was still an entire hour to go before Carlton got home.That hour dragged out so endlessly that Jem was pretty sure the laws of physics had been temporarily suspended. It was impossible that it could take so long for eight o’clock to come around, leaving him trembling on the edge of his chair, hands clenched in his lap, wound so tight he was practically vibrating. His entire attention was focused on that closed door. Any second now Carlton would stride in, throw him down on the table, take out the damn plug and slam home. Jem was pretty sure he would come instantly. He had been teased for so long without being allowed to come that he wouldn’t last a second.Finally a car engine rumbled outside. Jem stiffened, already on the edge of his seat, his heart in his throat.Headlights swung across the outside of the drawn curtains. A sliver of light escaped through the chunk to fling a careless hand across the far wall. The car crunched to a halt outside, and the headlights died. The door slammed. Footsteps crossed to the front door downstairs.Jem had to clench his fists to hold himself back; he wanted to leap up and race downstairs. Carlton could fuck him on the bonnet of the car for everyone to see, he didn’t care. Just as long as he finally got Carlton inside him.The front door opened. Closed. The silence drew out forever, the only sound the thud of Jem’s heart in his ears. Please let it be Carlton. Please.Steady footsteps came up the stairs. He heard the familiar creak of the fifth step. The footsteps paused outside his door. He tried to say “Carlton?” but his throat was so dry, so tight that only a whisper escaped.The key turned in the lock. The door swung open.Carlton zeroed straight in on him with single-minded focus. The surge of relief, of happiness was so huge, so intense, Jem couldn’t hold himself back; he felt like a candle finally lit alight. “Carlton!” Jem leaped into his arms and Carlton caught him up in a searing kiss.It was overwhelming. Jem melted into him instantly as Carlton’s arms tightened fiercely around him. His ribs creaked and he didn’t care, there was nothing in the world but Carlton’s warmth, Carlton’s strong arms around him, the familiar beat of Carlton’s heart against his.Carlton felt so fucking good it was driving him crazy. The heat coming off him was scorching, his mouth demanding, fingers tanging in his hair. Jem clutched handfuls of his coat, dragging him closer, and Carlton’s hand dipped to palm his ass. That touch was so rough, so possessive, burning him with the heat of his grip. Jem’s belly tightened so hard he saw stars and he arched into Carlton with a groan, light-headed with the force of his need.Next moment his back hit the wall as Carlton shoved him up against it and he could barely get out a gasp before Carlton was on him again. Carlton kissed him like he was starving, like only Jem could save him. His knee pushed up between Jem’s thighs to give him the pressure and friction Jem needed to rub against. The slight sting of Carlton’s teeth in his lower lip only sharpened the edge of Jem’s need and when Carlton ground against him Jem nearly came then and there. He managed to tear his mouth away. “Bed,” he panted, “take me to bed.”Carlton pressed him up against the wall, leaning his full weight into him, hot and hard. His grey eyes had darkened toward black, his face alight with hunger. “I’ll take you to bed all right.” He lifted Jem easily, making Jem squeak, pinning him against the wall with Carlton between his spread legs, Carlton’s strong hands cupping his ass. “When I’m good and ready.” less

After one evasive answer too many, Jem confronts his secretive partner Carlton, demanding to know the big mystery. He fears he’s falling for a man who may not return his feelings. When Carlton finally reveals the truth and invites Jem fully into his life, it’s a homecoming to be celebrated.5500-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from COMING HOME:He woke in the best possible way, to the lingering warmth of their shared bed as Carlton skimmed his fingers lazily down Jem’s spine... moreAfter one evasive answer too many, Jem confronts his secretive partner Carlton, demanding to know the big mystery. He fears he’s falling for a man who may not return his feelings. When Carlton finally reveals the truth and invites Jem fully into his life, it’s a homecoming to be celebrated.5500-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from COMING HOME:He woke in the best possible way, to the lingering warmth of their shared bed as Carlton skimmed his fingers lazily down Jem’s spine. It sent a shiver of heat through him. He stirred slightly, still heavy with sleep. Carlton slid his hand down Jem’s thigh and gently tugged it up, opening him wider. He kissed Jem’s cheek and whispered, “Good morning,” as his slick fingers slipped into the cleft of his ass. Jem gave a slight whimper at the sudden sensation as Carlton circled his entrance lightly with one finger; it was thrilling and wicked both at once, making him want to open wider. That finger pressed gently in, and Jem bit his lip, ordering himself to stay relaxed.It slid in easily. Having a finger inside him was maddening, it always was; it found his sweet spot and made him gasp, his belly tightening. Carlton nipped at his throat as he teased that sweet place again. Jem moaned aloud, afloat on a hazy sea of pleasure. He was still half asleep, only half aware of what Carlton was doing to him, the second finger that pressed in to open him more. Jem arched for him, pressing his ass invitingly against Carlton’s cock.Carlton murmured in his ear, “Sleep well?”Just the sound of his voice could make Jem harder; he couldn’t count the number of times Carlton had talked to him as he made him come. “More.”A chuckle rumbled through him where his back was pressed against Carlton’s chest. “You’re so greedy. Always more.” Carlton pushed another finger in.“Oh.” Jem was starting to squirm now; Carlton kept him pinned in place, one knee drawn up, holding him open.“Shall I?”“Yes.” It came out a plea.He was so ready that Carlton pushed into him easily. Jem groaned at the sudden aching fullness; he was deliciously caught on the edge of pain. Carlton braced his powerful body over him, rocking steadily into him, forcing sound after broken sound from his throat. Carlton’s voice was taut with strain. “That’s good. So tight.” He gripped Jem harder, holding him against him as he started to drive home harder.Jem had been teased enough already; it took barely any more encouragement. He came under Carlton’s weight with a cry, clenching up as he tumbled over the edge. Carlton followed him moments later, spilling himself in pulses inside him.Afterward they lay happily entwined. Carlton kissed his temple, then his cheek, brushing aside his sweat-dampened hair that clung to his hot skin. Carlton was always very tender with him after sex; it seemed to make him as affectionate as it did Jem. Jem tucked himself deeper into Carlton’s arms.“Coffee?” Carlton dipped his head to claim a kiss from him, slow and sweet. “Breakfast?”“Breakfast sounds good.” All this exercise was making him hungry.Carlton smiled against his cheek. He slipped out of bed, padded across the soft carpet to get his dressing gown, and went out into the living room.Jem relaxed, feeling utterly content in the warmth of Carlton’s bed. He tugged the covers up to his chin and spread out his arms and legs just to enjoy the space. He couldn’t stop smiling. less

The truth is out. Carlton takes Jem on a tour of a previously secret part of his life, where they consummate their deepest fantasy. Now that they’ve shared their lives with each other, the only question is whether either of them will ever want to leave.4100-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from NEVER LEAVE:At last the lift slowed to a halt and they stepped out onto the top floor. It was a world of huge glass windows and elegant furnishings, simple but expensive... moreThe truth is out. Carlton takes Jem on a tour of a previously secret part of his life, where they consummate their deepest fantasy. Now that they’ve shared their lives with each other, the only question is whether either of them will ever want to leave.4100-word MM erotic romance.Excerpt from NEVER LEAVE:At last the lift slowed to a halt and they stepped out onto the top floor. It was a world of huge glass windows and elegant furnishings, simple but expensive. Jem was delighted; he liked to imagine Carlton here thinking about him.Carlton put a hand at the small of his back and guided him into his corner office. Jem’s attention and his breath immediately caught. The view from the floor-to-ceiling windows was spectacular, the whole city laid out glittering beneath them, fresh and sparkling from last night���s rain. Everything looked so tiny it was like standing over a model village; Jem could see tiny cars winding their way through tiny streets. He leaned into the glass, pleased beyond words.“Nice, isn’t it?” Carlton smiled at his side.“We’re so high.” It was like being an eagle, ready to soar. He spotted another tall glass building opposite, also with these stunning windows. “Can they see us?”The hand at his back pressed him tighter against the glass. Carlton nipped at his throat, making him shiver. “What do you think?”“Well…” Jem shifted, losing his train of thought. It was hard to think with Carlton doing this to him, keeping him pinned against the glass.“Would you like it if they could see you here?” Carlton nuzzled into his throat, making Jem groan, his head falling back against Carlton’s broad shoulder. “I think you would.” He slid a hand down to cup Jem through the front of his trousers, squeezing gently.“Ah.” Jem was completely unable to concentrate now. It was hard to think of anything but Carlton kissing his throat, stroking his cock. “How… how do you always know?”“Know what?” Carlton applied a gentle pressure that was driving him crazy.“What I’m thinking.”“Oh.” Carlton smiled against his throat. “You’re consistent that way. You always like the thought of getting caught.” He pulled Jem’s hands up and out, pushed his feet apart, making him stand spreadeagled against the glass. “You’d like it if somebody could see you right now. Getting teased against a window.” He pushed hard against Jem’s ass, and Jem moaned, a steady throb of heat in his belly.“I want…” Jem couldn’t think enough to get out words. He rested his forehead against the cool glass, staying obediently in place while those wicked hands wandered.“Yes?” Carlton murmured, holding him lightly to grind against his ass.“Desk.”He could feel Carlton catch his breath against him. This was an intense shared fantasy. From the moment Carlton had first called him at work to tell him he was fantasising about fucking him over his desk, Jem had been picturing it in dozens of ways. How hard Carlton would take him, how good it would feel. He had hardly dared hope that some day it would actually happen. He shivered in anticipation.They approached the desk together. It was a huge expanse of polished, shining dark wood, simply laid out with a laptop and papers. The wood gleamed a rich mahogany colour just like it had in the photo. Plenty of room to be spread open on it. Even looking at it made Jem’s stomach contract with a sudden surge of hunger. Carlton would pin him so hard as he pounded him.Carlton sounded slightly hoarse. “I think about you here all the time. Getting you open and fucking you. Hard to focus on work.”“I can imagine.” Jem couldn’t seem to catch his breath, the promise of this ultimate fantasy so near. “I want…” Carlton’s arm slipped around him and he squirmed, unable to help it, transfixed by the thought. “I want…”“I’m going to finally fuck you on that damn desk.” It was a primal growl of hunger, thrilling him down to his toes. less