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

They didn’t talk for a long time, just stayed in bed like that, soaking in the closeness once more. Eventually, they took turns using the bathroom and wandered back in, and Padraig could tell Kaos wasn’t ready to face the world yet.


“Get back to bed. I’ll take Hestia out and be right back, okay?” He leaned in to kiss Kaos and tucked him back under the covers.


The vulnerability in Kaos’s tone made Padraig’s heart ache, and for a moment, he entertained the thought of letting Hestia wait. But then reason kicked in, and he looked at the dog, who was giving him the stink-eye already. He looked back at Kaos and smiled.


He took Hestia downstairs, pulled some shoes and a jacket on top of his pajamas, and then stepped out the back door. She darted into the backyard, and Padraig… well, he stood there on the porch, stunned at what he was seeing.


Chapter 71