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

“You take Hestia out. I’ll make Kaos a sandwich to tide him over until dinnertime,” Makai said, and in short order, Kaos was deposited back on the couch he’d just stood up from, and his friends, his family, were taking care of everything. They made sure Kaos actually ate his sandwich and pasta salad and settled on the couch under a blanket. “Now we can go. Call us if you need anything at all, my brother,” Makai said, stroking his hair, making him feel choked up.


Kaos nodded, holding Hestia against himself while the guys let themselves out.


“Let’s nap, girlie, okay?” he murmured, and let her choose her own spot to curl up in. It ended up being on top of him while he was on his side, and they fell asleep within minutes.


He woke up briefly when Hestia got off the couch and started to gnaw on something on the floor nearby. Since he knew it would be one of her toys or a bone, he didn’t care enough to wake up.


Chapter 61