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

“Oh, I know. And it’s fine. This me is the other part, the one I’m still learning. I look like a guy on most days, and I know abusive same-sex relationships are a bit unacknowledged still.” Kaos frowned and put the palette on the table. “I don’t know why I’m talking to you about this, by the way.”


“I might be a total stranger, but as I said, I’m a nurse. I know how to get people to open up. Or maybe I’m just that charming?” Francis grinned and winked at him, making Kaos chuckle and flush lightly. Was Francis flirting?


“I’ll still take this stuff away to my room if you’ll watch Hestia. I should eat something soon—it’s lunchtime. Have you eaten? Where did you even come from?” Kaos asked as he organized all the makeup into his kit.


Chapter 40