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

Padraig nodded without taking his lips off Kaos’s. A loud puppy bark next to them made them separate, and they both turned to look at Hestia, who sat next to their feet with her ball at her side.


“You found it! Good girl!” Kaos said, grabbing the ball. “Let’s go inside. You get something to gnaw, and we get some alone time, okay?”


In short order, they went inside through the utility room, cleaned paws, and took off boots and winter clothing.


Padraig couldn’t bring himself to look at Kaos, feeling shy or something. He busied himself with making sure Hestia would have something not too smelly to gnaw on and then led the way upstairs.


“Where are we putting her?” Kaos looked at Padraig, clearly letting him lead.


“I was thinking put her in mine, and we can go to your room?” Padraig tensed slightly, hoping Kaos would understand.


Chapter 55