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

“I’m sorry,” Kaos said firmly. “About the appliances, sure, but more than that, I’m sorry about what I said after. You’re not a violent man. I know better.”


Kaos cut Padraig off. “No. You scared me, that’s true, and I acted on pure instinct because that pressed too many triggers on several levels, I think. But I triggered you too. You were tired, you were heartbroken, and then someone shoved what must’ve been one of the worst times in your life in your face, and you snapped. Anyone could’ve.”


Padraig looked down at Hestia. “I’m sorry too.” Then he sighed and looked at Kaos again. “You’re right. I also think I need to go to therapy. I got a therapist after Marcus passed, because it was so traumatic and sudden. But then I learned to handle it and dropped out, and now….”


“Now you don’t want to snap at Kaos ever again, right?” Emil asked, and Kaos turned to look at him.


Chapter 60