When unlikely attraction blossoms between a twentysomething genderqueer tattoo artist and an older, small-town veterinarian, both are forced to face their pasts for a chance at a loving future. Four years ago Padraig Donovan lost his husband, the only man he’d ever been with. Now his life consists of the work he loves, a big empty house, and the possibility of a lonely future. Kaos’s experiments with makeup landed him in the hospital at the hands of his disapproving ex. With nowhere else to turn, he flees to Acker, Wisconsin ... and runs into a sexy widower and the kindest man he’s ever met. Padraig and Kaos know there’s something worth exploring between them, and as they raise a puppy and deal with the ups and downs of their respective jobs, they fit into each other’s lives in ways they never expected. Being with Kaos -- who is so different than the guys he’s always been attracted to -- opens up an exciting new world for Padraig. But can he convince Kaos to trust another man with his body ... let alone his heart?

Four

Kaos walked in, looking a bit wide-eyed. “This house is amazing.”


Padraig chuckled. “Thank you. We always thought so too.”


“I mean, seriously. You’re really willing to rent me one of the free rooms?”


Padraig gestured at the other lounge chair, and once Kaos had sat down, Padraig leveled a look at him. “We both know you want the bigger one. Anyone would want it. You can have it if I can still use the tub occasionally, weird as that may be.”


Kaos smiled. “Busted. Yeah, of course I want that room. The bathroom is to die for. And yes, it’s still your house, so of course. Just give me a warning, and I’ll stay downstairs or something.” Then he seemed to catch what he was saying. “Shit, I’m really going to move in, aren’t I?”


Chapter 24