Fabulous Beast, by Jayne Ann Krentz (reread)

Another reread, this time of a book I read pretty recently, Jayne Anne Krentz's Fabulous Beast, an old (1984) category. I'll repeat the plot summary here:

Tabitha Graham is on a cruise looking for a little adventure. Recently divorced from a bad marriage (he was on rebound and soon found girl wanted him back), her ego has been scarred by the marriage, leaving her doubting herself in many areas.

She rescues Dev Colter in a back alley - she thinks he is a mugged tourist - but he is actual a secret agent. Due to his weakened state of being beaten, Tabby takes care of him and helps him back to the ship. He likes the softness and womanly tenderness he sees in her and encourages Tabby in this mistaken belief he is a mild, almost shy man.

Needless to say, Tabby is not happy when she finds the man she 'understands so well' because they are so much alike, is nothing like he man she created in her mind. But Dev knows Tabby likes fanciful beasts like dragons and unicorns - so he is out to convince her a live 'beastie' is even more thrilling to trap.

My grade had been an A+ on my first reading, but though it's excellent, I didn't find it as excellent as that on reread. It's still an A-, though.

I loved the way Tabby seduces Dev, thinking he's a shy, insecure guy. And Dev's reactions were priceless. The way he wanted to retire from the secret agent world and have a nice, comfortable life with Tabby spoke to me, for some reason.

I hope there's another winner like this one in the batch of old JAKs that will be arriving any time now.