Heartbroken after the death of his beloved Nana, Hannes, the family outsider, finally allows himself to grieve. The legal battle over Nana’s quirky old house -- the only place he’s ever felt accepted and loved -- is over, and he moves in and finds a sense of peace. ... And a rabbit. An adorable bunny with a huge personality moves in, too, and refuses to leave. Hannes instantly falls in love with the sweet animal who helps heal his heart. But one morning, Hannes’ view of the world changes when the rabbit transforms into a man. A man named Mattis. After the initial shock, Hannes and Mattis discover a connection between them that runs deeper than it seems. Will their newfound feelings survive unraveling secrets and meddling families, and grow into something real? Something deep and everlasting?

9 Willow Street

I’m close enough to pick up some of his mother’s side of the conversation. “…only stories…almost sixty years…always were an incurable romantic…”


Tuning her out, I focus on Mattis instead. I caress his back, starting with just the thumb but can’t keep my hand still so I slide my palm up, up, up until it rests on his neck. He lets out a gasp as I squeeze before I continue mapping out his back, memorizing every hill and valley. I drag my fingers along his spine. Cup one of his shoulder blades, then rub it. With every touch, he presses closer until our bodies are flush against each other.


He grows hard against my hip and I slide my other arm around him, too, skimming my fingers along the waistband of his underwear. He gasps again, louder this time.


“Mattis? What are you doing?” his mother asks loud enough for me to register her question


“Nothing,” he mumbles and pushes his crotch against my hips.


“Are you…is he therewith you now?”


Chapter 23