Five years ago, British transplant, Jude, left San Francisco after the tragic murder of his lover, Martin. Heartbroken, he settled in Sutter's Bay and opened a small flower shop, hoping that surrounding himself with bright colors and pretty things -- living things -- would somehow lessen the anguish he felt over his loss.<br><br>Jude never expects to find a love like he shared with Martin ever again. Certainly a love like theirs won't come along twice in a lifetime. But then Jude meets sexy Rex Warner, the new veterinarian in Sutter's Bay, and he can't help but wonder if his luck has changed.<br><br>Will Rex be able to stop Jude from dwelling on the painful past and look toward a promising future instead?

Twice in a Lifetime

“I hope you don’t mind a bit of a mess. I’m not much of a housekeeper on a good day and I didn’t really think about having company,” he admitted as he led Rex up the stairs.


He became suddenly aware of the other man’s gaze on his ass as Rex followed him. Jude knew he had a decent ass, but he’d now wished he’d let Rex go up the stairs first. He felt like a bloody damn schoolboy with his first crush. The keys slipped from his sweaty fingers and onto the landing.


Rex would think he did it on purpose, so Jude could shove his ass in Rex’s face. Feeling heat infuse his pale cheeks, Jude bent as quickly as possible to retrieve his keys.


“Hmm.” Rex reached over and took the keys from his nerveless fingertips. Then the fingers of his other hand slipped into the front pocket of Jude’s jeans to pull him close. “Jude, relax.”


Chapter 12