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

Bubba took his hand and squeezed his fingers inside his massive paw, and Kaos’s mind provided the word “bear” out of the blue. He wasn’t even shocked that Bubba didn’t squish his fingers, because by now he really was pleasantly surprised by the huge man.


“Nice to meet you too.” Bubba looked at the folder in front of Kaos. “That your portfolio?”


Kaos smiled. “Yeah, wanna see?” He lifted it to the client’s side and turned it around for Bubba.


“Christa said she’s gotten a new artist. I wasn’t sure. I mean, I liked what her ex could do, asshole as he was, really. She’s great as well. I like her versatility a lot.” Bubba seemed to really be interested in Kaos’s art. He stopped to look at some of his pieces as he continued to chat. “She did this awesome horror unicorn for my partner last year. I think she has a picture of it somewhere on the wall there.”


“Oh yeah, I’ve seen it. Really unique-looking.”


Chapter 50