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

“Sure, just remember the rules.” There had been a conversation about knocking stuff over in the shop a while back when the best friends were running around a bit too wildly.


“Hey,” Jason said, and something about his happy expression caught Kaos’s eye.


“So I’ve been thinking about adding to the ink I have on my shoulder blade. It’s a family thing.”


“Okay, I’m definitely up to that, if it’s not portraits or names. I don’t do names.”


“No, it’s neither. Can I show you?”


“Sure. Joey, can you and Hestia keep an eye on the front if we go to the back for a minute?” Kaos looked at them, now cuddling on Hestia’s spot.


“Yeah, we’ll be good!” Joey beamed at him, and Hestia seemed like she wanted to be good too.


“Keep your paws off the pastries, both of you!” Kaos called over his shoulder, making Joey giggle and Jason chuckle as he followed Kaos into his little studio.


Chapter 77