One man is his awakening. One man is his catalyst. One man is his monster. And another man is his soulmate, his home. Eleven years have passed since a young man in the middle of nowhere left it all behind and created a new identity. As two stories unfold side by side, so do the secrets that he tried so hard to bury. Paths cross. Lives intertwine. Past and present collide when love conquers fear. Amos is a flirty, easygoing tattoo artist with A-list clients and a cheeky sense of humour. Marco is an uptight perfectionist event planner who likes everything to run according to schedule. Getting a crush on his client was definitely not on his to-do list. But their worlds entangle, and despite getting on each other's nerves, they can't resist temptation for long. Naughty texts, stolen kisses, and undeniable chemistry lead to a whirlwind romance that risks exposing Marco's heaviest burden. As they grow closer and Amos melts Marco's hardened shell, the truth can no longer be ignored. Together they must face the shadows that still linger. And with Amos by his side, love can overcome the darkness. Hurt/Comfort Tattoo artist x Event planner Crushing on a client Hidden past identity Opposites attract Small town vs big city Found family Flirty banter & texting Backstory flashbacks Anxiety & panic rep Still friends with his ex Workplace romance Healing through therapy Role switching in the bedroom Green flag MMC No third act breakup HEA Spice Level 3.5 (with a deep love story) Dual POV E-book has both first and third person options ____________________________________________________________________________ BONUS: Recipe, map & roadtrip playlist included ____________________________________________________________________________ Trigger warnings: MMC - anxiety, panic attacks, depression, scars and injuries (from the past) Side characters - alcoholic, addict, gambling, domestic violence, poverty, emotional abuse, homophobic slurs, cheating (not the MMC), scary snakes and spiders