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

Kaos’s smile lit his whole face, his light warming up even the most bitter and hidden nooks of Padraig’s heart. “I love you too.” He leaned to kiss Padraig, another one of those lingering ones Padraig loved, and still it went nowhere. They just made out slowly for a while, and then Kaos pulled away and settled against his chest once more.


“Good night,” Kaos murmured, and seemed to fall asleep just like that.


Hestia got up from her bed and peered at Padraig hopefully. “Fine, okay. Come on, then.”


She hopped up and curled at their feet. It wasn’t long until Padraig fell asleep as well.


The Saturday before Valentine’s seemed to be one of those days for them both. Not only was Kaos booked solid from eight in the morning to five in the evening, but his lunchtime and break texts to Padraig got answers much later, and even those answers were harried.


Chapter 66