Hi everyone. I’d like to share with you an excerpt from Flying Fish. The tension is building. The illicit affair between Genji and Daisuke was supposed to last only for the few hours they had together, but neither man can forget about the other. Genji is the more level-headed one and has the strength to push on, in spite of his heart’s longings. But Daisuke is more given to his passions and cannot resist the call of his heart, even though doing so promises real danger… (Hope you enjoy!)

“Genji, what has happened to you?” Aoki applied a stroke of white paint to Genji’s cheek. The curiosity Genji had sensed in the other man since yesterday now spilled out. “You’re so quiet,” Aoki went on even though Genji hadn’t answered. “Come to think of it, you’ve been quiet since you returned from the hot spring.”

Genji sat quietly as Aoki applied the white paint to his cheeks. If he remained calm, perhaps he could play it off. He wanted to send Aoki out of the room but since he had no way to see his reflection, he relied on Aoki’s expertise to put him into his role of the Samurai Princess. He could say nothing to Aoki, who not only did his makeup and costume, but also served as his understudy. Aoki could easily squeal on him to Shizu, who’d throw him out of the company immediately. Shizu handled the clientele privately and wouldn’t tolerate even the merest hint of activity that could cause a riot among the samurai, as a personal suitor could. With drunken restless samurai around, swords could be unsheathed and blood shed. If word got back to the shogun—which it certainly would through the shogun’s ever present and unfailing network of spies—he’d make sure the funding committee dissolved the troupe and forced Shizu to lose his trade.

“Nothing’s happened,” he said finally, causing Aoki’s hand to slip. “I’m a little under the weather.” He could only pray Aoki believed him. Genji knew he was distracted, his thoughts only on the memories of the previous day, of the brawny samurai’s hands on his skin, the passionate kisses and words he’d given and the delicious thrust of the samurai’s cock deep inside him. Genji had never felt so glorious in his entire life, not even on the stage.

“Hmph.” The sound showed Aoki wasn’t completely fooled. “If you asked me, I’d have said it was that samurai you were walking with. Only a handsome samurai could cause anyone such distraction.”

Genji’s heart lurched. Aoki had always been too perceptive for his comfort. “I told you, I’m under the weather.”

“All right, Genji.” The young man continued on with the makeup brush.

Genji’s stomach clenched. Good thing he would not ever see Daisuke again. Such an association could only lead to his own ruin. And this little theater troupe was all he had in the world. Even though he’d already have preferred to remain in Daisuke’s arms for the rest of his life.

Daisuke reached the little outdoor theater while the performance was in progress. Hiding himself at the outskirts of the audience, he stood in the shadows with the other audience members who were unable to get seats on the benches. There, he watched the performers on the stage, his eyes seeking out the lithe figure of Genji.

Lanterns on the poles flanking the platform illuminated the stage. In the midst of it, a beautiful woman in a purple floral kimono moved and swayed amid a moonlit garden of wisteria. Her face, a mask of white paint, red lips, and huge eyes, wore a sad expression, and her hands fluttered like pale doves with the graceful swaying of her body. Lantern light glinted off her hair in its ornate arrangement of twists and ornaments, and her voice floated out into the air, playing with the accompaniment of the stringed shamisen plucking a wistful, solitary tune.

The audience was riveted, and in seconds, Daisuke found himself also captured by the flowing grace of the woman’s beauty. Her voice drifted to Daisuke’s ears, a mystical vapor that lifted his heart and warmed him. He couldn’t have torn himself away from watching her even if his life were in danger. He wanted to hold her in his arms, to stroke her smooth cheek….

Oh. The truth hit him. The figure up there on the stage was none other than Genji.

Daisuke felt his eyes widen, and he stared, sensing the familiarity in Genji’s movements. Even from this distance, Daisuke recognized those hands and the curve of the throat on which he had dropped so many soft kisses. His blood heated, and his heartbeat sped up. Genji was even more beautiful up there than Daisuke had ever imagined.

Genji’s flowing, graceful dance continued on and on until every inch of Daisuke’s body and soul was alive with wanting him. The longer Daisuke stared, the more intense the longing grew, and although he’d promised himself he’d leave when the performance finished and honor Genji’s request of him to keep away, as soon as it had ended, Daisuke rushed around to the back of the stage and ducked into the shadows as Genji came off the stage.

Daisuke followed Genji through the back path to an inn. He hung back, watching Genji disappear between the hangings and through the door he slid open. For what felt like a long time, Daisuke stood there, his heart pounding. Genji had been firm about not seeing him again, telling him it would ruin his career. But then he remembered the vision of Genji on the stage, his grace and beauty, the softness of his lips and large eyes. The very memories made Daisuke feel a fire of madness in his brain. The sensation propelled him forward. He slid the inn door open and went in.

Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate your support and that you stopped by! Please keep in touch. You can find me at my website: www.sedoniaguillone.com

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All the best, Sedonia

Flying Fish By Sedonia Guillone

Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Release Date: Aug 17th , 2016

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press