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

During the night, Hestia was remarkably calm for a puppy. She only whined once, probably because Kaos had let her on the bed immediately instead of trying to make her sleep on the floor. She was a baby—she needed closeness. He did understand that it would just make her more likely to want to sleep on the bed even when she was full grown, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.


She cuddled next to him, pressed against his side, and slept through the night except for once when she whined and he had to calm her down with half-asleep gentle scratches. In the morning he figured she might’ve heard Padraig coming home, because she made the same sound when Kaos’s door opened quietly and Padraig called for her.


Sleepily, Kaos grabbed the puppy and lowered her to the floor so she wouldn’t jump, then rolled over, falling asleep again. He woke up to a quiet knock this time.


“Kaos, I’m on my way out. I’ve an early appointment. Should I leave Hestia to you or are you getting up?”


Chapter 38