Sessha Batto

Welcome to my world . . .

This week’s excerpt is from the second book in the Shinobi saga.

“So, Yuu,” Yoshi whispered. “Shou’s very sexy, isn’t he? Shall we get him to join us?”

The young Shuhan studied the scarred man, eyes lingering on his broad chest before traveling to the bulge in his pants. Red flooded his cheeks as he looked up at his lover and nodded his agreement. Yoshi smiled widely, kissing Yuu deeply before turning to Shouhei and doing the same, watching the younger man with one eye to observe his reaction. When the kiss broke he took both men by the hand and headed toward the bedroom.

Once inside Yoshi slowly began to unbutton his shirt. “I want to see you two kiss.” He smiled as their embrace became more and more heated. “Don’t forget about me.” He stretched out naked on the bed and beckoned the pair to join him.

Better late than never, right? here’s six from the upcoming prequel to Shinobi.

Gradually the world around him faded and the shadow wolf began to draw in energy, concentrating on opening himself to the influx, relaxing further when the bright sparks of ki flashed off along hidden pathways to replenish his depleted reserves. Only then did he turn to the trickier task of anchoring himself mentally. After years of practice it was simple for him to slip even deeper into his mind, easily conjuring up his touchstone, symbol of the clan he was sworn to, before letting the image fade to the dusty street outside his home. Yoshi watched as his comrades went about their daily business, drawing strength from the knowledge he was helping to keep them safe.

The usual ritual began to swerve off course with the appearance of Sasaki Makoto. Guilt and arousal warred in the shadow wolf at the thought of the heavily scarred psych expert.

Surprise – I have a new release coming out later today called In Dreams featuring two of my shorter works. So, just to kick off the excitement, here’s an excerpt from one of those stories – Wintersong.

“Come dance with me.” He looked up into sparkling cobalt eyes and shook his head to clear it.

“Excuse me,” Armand managed. “I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Dance with me,” the stranger insisted, pulling him up from his seat and flush against his hard chest.

“I don’t dance.”

“Everyone dances.” The dark-haired man towed him out onto the floor, effortlessly guiding him through the steps until he finally began to relax. “See, it’s not so bad.” The husky whisper next to his ear brought a blush to his cheeks and Armand buried his face in his partner’s broad shoulder as he attempted to will it away.

“I haven’t seen you here before,” the stranger continued. “I’d remember you.”

Armand turned wide chocolate eyes on the man holding him. “Why? There’s nothing memorable about me.” He slapped his hand over his mouth as soon as the words left him.

“On the contrary, that blush is memorable all on its own. The rest of you even more so. My name’s Peter, by the way, and you are?”

While Christmas is king in the west, New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families gather to spend the days together. That’s when the Toshigami, the Shinto god of the New Year, is said to drop by, bearing prosperity for the coming year. The Japanese decorate their houses, prepare feasts and break out bottles of saké.

After the traditional New Year’s morning toast with special toso saké to purify and invigorate the body, out come the osechi, stacked boxes of artfully arranged preserved foods specific to the holiday season. Traditionally this is eaten at breakfast, lunch and dinner for the following three days. (In modern times, many families restrict it to just a single meal, or bring them out as an accompaniment to a more varied feast.) Osechi-ryōri, typically shortened to osechi consists of boiled seaweed (kombu), fish cakes (kamaboko), mashed sweet potato with chestnut (kurikinton), simmered burdock root (kinpira gobo), and sweetened black soybeans (kuromame). Many of these dishes are sweet, sour, or dried, so they can keep without refrigeration—dating to a time before households had refrigerators, when most stores closed for the holidays.

Traditionally, years are viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while bonenkai parties (”year forgetting parties”) are held with the purpose of leaving the old year’s worries and troubles behind.

A kadomatsu (literally “gate pine”) is a traditional Japanese decoration of the New Year placed in pairs in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest. They are put into place after Christmas until January 7 and are considered temporary housing (shintai) for kami. Designs for kadomatsu vary but are typically made of pine, bamboo, and sometimes ume tree sprigs to represent longevity, prosperity and steadfastness. After January 15 the kadomatsu is burned to appease the kami or toshigami and release them.

In another tradition, houses are cleaned for a fresh start on the new year.

At midnight on December 31, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief, and to get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese citizen. The belief is that the ringing of bells can rid you of sins committed during the previous year.

On New Year’s Day, Japanese people have a custom of giving money to children. This is known as otoshidama. It is handed out in small decorated envelopes called ‘pochibukuro’. In the Edo period large stores and wealthy families gave out a small bag of mochi and a Mandarin orange to spread happiness all around.

Another custom is creating rice cakes (mochi). Boiled sticky rice (mochigome) is put into a shallow bucket-like container and patted with water by one person while another person hits it with a large wooden mallet. Mashing the rice forms a sticky white dumpling. This is made before New Year’s Day and eaten during the beginning of January.

Mochi is made into a New Year’s decoration called kagami mochi, formed from two round cakes of mochi with a bitter orange (daidai) placed on top. The name daidai is supposed to be auspicious since it means “several generations.”

Because of mochi’s extremely sticky texture, there is usually a small number of choking deaths around New Year in Japan, particularly amongst the elderly. The death toll is reported in newspapers in the days after New Year.

Celebrating the new year in Japan also means paying special attention to the first time something is done in the new year.

Hatsuhinode is the first sunrise of the year. Before sunrise on January 1, people often drive to the coast or climb a mountain so that they can see the first sunrise of the new year.

Hatsumōde is the first trip to a shrine or temple. Many people visit a shrine after midnight on December 31 or sometime during the day on January 1. If the weather is good, people often dress up or wear kimono.

Other “firsts” that are marked as special events include shigoto-hajime (the first work of the new year), keiko-hajime (the first practice of the new year), hatsugama (the first tea ceremony of the new year), and the hatsu-uri (the first shopping sale of the new year).

Yoshi reached up to run his index finger down the interrogator’s nose before tapping it against the tip in mock chastisement. “I’m just going to have to show you how very much I enjoy your company.” He quickly began to strip Makoto, pushing him into the shower to scrub before pulling off his own clothes and joining him.

Yoshi efficiently cleaned them both, turning the interrogator this way and that. He appreciated the amusement dancing in his lover’s eyes at the pampering, before smacking him firmly on the ass. “Get in the tub, boy.”

“Yes, master,” Makoto retorted impishly, breath catching when he saw how Yoshi’s eyes darkened with lust. “Where would you like me?”

“Sit on the edge,” came the husky command. “I wish to taste you.”

“Are you sure? You don’t have to.”

“I know that, silly.” The shadow wolf laughed as he slid into the furo and knelt between long legs. “I’ve been wanting to do this for months.”

Hmm – what an EXCELLENT idea

My book teaser – Shinobi: Struggle for Balance

The shadow wolf slipped into the room half an hour later, hair darkened to glistening ice as it flopped damply into his eyes, and looking much younger than his thirty-five years. He lifted the covers and slid, naked, into the bed, unconsciously molding himself against the interrogator’s hard body.

“Feel better sweetheart?” Makoto cursed internally as he felt the lithe form stiffen when he realized the interrogator was awake.

“I’m fine,” Yoshi assured him. “Just tired.”

“You’re tense, roll over,” the interrogator urged. “Let me help you relax.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Just rub your back with some oil to loosen your muscles. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,” the interrogator explained. “I thought you trusted me.”

“I do trust you.” The elite rolled onto his stomach, suppressing the waves of panic rolling through him at exposing his back so readily.

and, the book I’m currently reading – Metrosexy by Mark Simpson

Well, this is supposed to be my weekend dirty dozen . . . but a dozen wasn’t enough For your enjoyment, a short, sexy excerpt from Shinobi: Struggle for Balance.

“You have holes.” Yuu bent closer to examine the nipple pinched between his fingers. “Why?”

“I was pierced for decorative purposes,” the shadow wolf explained. “Do they not do such things here?”

“I have no idea,” the Kai no Shuhan declared after much thought. “Why don’t you wear them?”

“I left them behind. Except for this one, I can’t take it out by myself.” Yoshi twisted erotically until he was positioned to display his guiche ring.

“Where else?”

“Here.” Yoshi indicated the line of frenum piercings marching up his penis. “And twice through the head. See, right there.” He pointed out the holes left by the Prince Albert piercings the Yakuza had graced him with, a shiver running through him as he recalled the feeling of the needle passing through his most sensitive flesh.

“I wish to see what it looks like.” Yuu pulled the startled elite up from the bed. “Get dressed.”

Yoshi did as requested, sliding into a pair of pants and tugging on a shirt while the young Shuhan did the same. They wandered through town until they came to a jeweler’s, ducking inside to explain their needs.

Before long they were back where they had started, Yuu watching intently as the shadow wolf threaded the new rings through his nipples. The elite turned shaky hands to the rods piercing his shaft, struggling with them until smaller hands covered his. “Let me help you.”

Yoshi watched with resignation as the Shuhan carefully replaced the rest of the rods, letting out a soft sigh when the first ring slipped through the head. The sigh morphed into a strangled gasp when the second ring slipped into place and Yuu bent and engulfed his now throbbing length, taking it deep in his throat before sliding back up and tugging playfully on the rings with his tongue. “Now fuck me so I can feel them.”

“As you wish,” the shadow wolf murmured. He spread lube on his fingers and slid two deep inside Yuu’s puckered hole as he kissed him passionately.

“Hurry up. A little pain won’t kill me.”

“I refuse to hurt you on purpose.” Yoshi continued to pump his fingers in and out of the tight passage, twisting and scissoring before adding a third, rubbing hard against the Shuhan’s prostate.

“In me now,” Yuu growled. The elite quickly lubed his throbbing erection, running a hand down the smooth unmarked length of the back in front of him before slowly pushing inside. He only stopped when he was buried completely.

“That feels amazing. Don’t stop.”

“Of course not.” Yoshi gave a sultry chuckle, pulling back until only the tip was inside before pushing back in. He watched with fascination as the tight ring stretched even tauter around each piercing, drawing a series of bubbling moans from the younger man and ending in a loud gasp of his name as Yuu’s prostate was struck.

The shadow wolf brought all his skills to bear and soon the Shuhan was bucking and thrashing underneath him. Yuu gave a warbling cry and shot his seed across his chest. Yoshi thrust once more into the clutching heat, shutting his eyes and thinking of Makoto and home as he shot his seed deep inside the receiving body. Coming down from his shattering high, Yoshi fell back, limp, empty and unsatisfied.

“They are functional as well as decorative.” Yuu’s voice startled the elite out of his thoughts. “Wear them from now on.”

“As you wish.” Yoshi curled around the smaller body protectively, cradling the Shuhan in his arms while he drifted off to sleep.

I’m extraordinarily happy to host Day 27 of Amber’s Birthday Extravaganza – a story in 30 parts!

Accidental Alpha #27

The restaurant had the whole Italian villa stucco thing working for it with soothing Italian music pumping through speakers. They were led to a table in a beautiful courtyard set with white linen and wine glasses. Stanley didn’t know if werekin and wine were a good combination but figured Fenris would know better than him.

A taller, more muscular version of his mate sat at the table, alone. He stood when they approached.

“Papa this is my mate, Stanley Brown. Stanley this is my father Van Harvin, short for Vánagandr, but no one calls him that.”

Fenris’ father stood to greet them. He gave Fenris a quick manly hug and shook Stanley’s hand. A weird sensation tingled across Stanley’s body at the touch. He laughed. Mr. Harvin, screamed and fell to the ground.

“Damn, are you okay?” Stanley crouched beside the man rolling on the floor.

“Step back, baby,” Fenris coaxed scooting Stanley away from his father. Stanley straightened feeling helpless at the other man’s discomfort. “Up you go dad. That’s what you get for playing the show me your power game with my Stanley,” Fenris scolded.

Mr. Harvin’s hand trembled as he sat back down and picked up his water glass. “Fenris didn’t tell me you were a Prime Alpha,” he grumbled.

Stanley leaned over to whisper in his mate’s ear. “What’s a Prime Alpha?”

“Someone who its dangerous to play power games with.” Fenris didn’t bother to lower his tone. “Papa thought to intimidate you, my love, but your natural ability rebounded his rudeness back at him.”

“I did that?”

Mr. Harvin gave a snort. “I don’t know if I should be concerned that my Alpha power rolls off you without effect or frightened that you didn’t even try and still brought me to the ground.”

Fenris pulled out a chair for Stanley who sat because he didn’t know what else to do. Would it be the right thing to apologize to his father in-law even though it wasn’t his fault?

“Let it go, my love, Papa’s sorry and won’t do it again, will you?” Fenris’ tone indicated agreement was the only answer that would work.

“Hell no, that friggin hurt.” He gave Stanley a respectful look. “I guess I don’t have to worry that Fenris’ mate won’t be able to take care of him. Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you sir.” Stanley would take grudging acceptance for now, hoping eventually it would grow into fondness.

“Good afternoon,” a female voice called out.

Stanley stood to greet his parents. The fathers exchanged glares but Stanley’s mother turned on the charm and received a much warmer greeting.

They’d barely been seated when another female joined them but she arrived alone.

“Where’s your husband Mama?” Fenris asked, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek.

The woman re-defined elegant. Her dark hair brushed her shoulders and if Stanley had seen them in a crowd he would’ve thought Fenris and his mother were brother and sister. She ignored Fenris’ question and focused on Stanley. “Is this him?”

“Yes this is Stanley,” Fenris said but he could tell his mate really wanted to know what was going on.

“Oh, Stanley it’s so nice to meet Fenris’ mate,” she gushed shaking his hand.

“He’s not going to stay his mate,” Stanley’s father growled. “Ouch.”

Millie stepped forward, a forced smile on her face. “Ignore my husband he has buyer’s remorse. It’s his fault Stanley converted. He’s upset out son didn’t follow his father’s master plan.”

“They rarely do,” Fenris’ father piped up.

Stanley held back a laugh as the two fathers exchanged sour looks of understanding.

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles – I won #5MinuteFiction this week. I’m pretty happy with what I managed to write in five minutes . . . what do you think?

Muffled voices resolved as they grew closer. Mai doused the single candle, grabbing the sword from its stand and slipping behind the elaborately carved jade screen. ‘Hiding like a dog, again.’

Resentment bubbled up inside her, and she forced herself to bottle the urge to strike out at the source, settling instead for eavesdropping. She held her breath, recognizing her brother’s airy tones. His patience with her had been growing thin of late, and getting caught listening in on his private discussions would not help her position.

Mai shifted cautiously, trying to get a better angle on the room through the perforations of the screen, and watched her sibling pace back and forth. Concealment was well worth the discomfort of being wedged into such a confined space. ‘Son of Heaven, indeed,’ she thought with a sniff. ‘If he was a god he would know I was here.’

“It’s high time you made a match for your sister, Mikado-sama. She will be valuable as a bargaining chip. Perhaps the Shogun is in need of another wife?”

She didn’t bother trying to see the speaker. It didn’t really matter which one of her brother’s so-called councilors it was, they were uniform in their desire to get her safely married and miles away. Mai shivered when the emperor’s eyes seemed to meet hers, wondering briefly if his anger would be as much for her state of dress as for her theft. Of course, subterfuge was to be expected in the palace. A princess caught stealing valuable relics, on the other hand, was a serious breach of protocol.

The voices finally grew faint, and she slipped out from the claustrophobic niche . . . only to find her brother waiting for her. “It’s not what it looks like,” Mai stammered.

“Of course it isn’t. You would never stoop to stealing what I would have freely given you, little sister.” His reply only increased her sense of unease, and she darted to the side, hoping to escape into the labyrinth of passages riddling the palace. ‘At least, until he’s had a chance to calm down.’

She made it three feet before a hand fisted in the back of her yukata and threw her to the ground, the object of her obsession clattering to the ground beside her.

I am very excited to host my guest today, the amazing erotica writer and sex columnist, Xavier Axelson. Not only was he kind enough to write a marvelous guest post, stay tuned at the end for a sizzling excerpt from his latest release, The Birches. So, without further ado . . .