Foxfire (Nine Tails, 1)

by Yuki Edo

  “Only you can tell me that.”

  Hiro thought a long time, reaching out and touching Masaki’s hair, then his face. “I’ll let you know then.”

  “Good enough for me.” Masaki drew Hiro close. “Now, sleep. You need your rest so you can take me again.”

  Hiro snuggled against him, sighing as he got as close as he could. “Is my family safe? I felt Inari’s presence. Or at least I think I did.”

  “Yes, I sent him to them.”

  Hiro kissed Masaki’s neck. “Thank you.”

  Masaki squeezed him in response and held him until he slept. He found he couldn’t sleep at all. He lay there and focused on the precious gift he’d almost lost.

  * * * *

  Hiro woke up in Masaki’s bed alone, which surprised him. A week had passed since the witch’s attack, and in that time Masaki had only left Hiro’s side once. Inari had taken the sculpture away and destroyed it, and Masaki had made Hiro stay inside while he and his yokai went out and cleansed the area the sculpture had stood on. Just when Hiro was going to get up, Masaki emerged from the bathroom wearing only a towel, and Hiro smiled as he flopped onto his stomach. “You’re up early.”

  Masaki came over and kissed his forehead. “Your party is tonight.”

  Hiro tugged on Masaki’s towel and dropped it to the floor. “Everything’s ready. We can stay in bed.” He reached out, looking up through his eyelashes. “Can’t we?” His fingers curled around Masaki’s cock, and he kept his touch light and teasing, like his tone. He ran his tongue over his lower lip and held Masaki’s gaze.

  The older man moaned and wrapped his fingers around Hiro’s, making him tighten his grip. “You’re dangerous. You know that, don’t you?”

  Hiro moved his head to lick the tip of Masaki’s cock. He hadn’t actually said it, but he loved sucking Masaki. He’d never imagined he would enjoy that activity, thinking it would be something he would endure with a future lover, but he adored Masaki’s reaction. His movements and the sounds he made left Hiro with no doubt as to his intense pleasure. And Hiro loved giving him as much of that as possible. Masaki had been spoiling Hiro in every way possible for the past week, and more than anything else, Hiro felt blown away by how lovingly the man cared for him. Hiro believed he finally had a true understanding of what it meant to dote on someone, and it flattered him to be the object of Masaki’s devoted affection.

  Hiro took more of the shaft into his mouth, sucking as he fondled Masaki’s balls. He kept his pace steady until Masaki’s breathing told him the man was about to come. Hiro pulled away and moved to the center of the bed. Masaki slumped down and practically crumpled onto the bed before covering Hiro’s body with his. The searching kiss they shared told Hiro he was going to pay for his teasing, and the very thought made him squirm beneath Masaki.

  They no longer needed words as Masaki looked down into Hiro’s eyes. Masaki’s lips traced a sweet trail all over his body, which made Hiro tremble. Those soft lips tickled in just the right way, and his tongue found all the right places to explore. Hiro’s limbs had gone limp by the time Masaki brushed his lips to Hiro’s balls and then moved up to trace his tongue over Hiro’s hip. The younger man moaned as the warm mouth lowered once more and sucked at his balls. It made him ache. He could feel the seed built up there, and he longed to come. Hiro arched as best he could in his relaxed state, and soon Masaki’s mouth moved lower. Hiro’s hips jerked when first Masaki’s tongue speared him and then one finger joined it. His lover knew exactly how to find his sweet spot, and fast. Hiro cried out, ready to come, but Masaki gripped his balls and stopped his orgasm.

  Then Masaki teased his tongue over Hiro’s cock, not yet releasing his balls. This torture had Hiro writhing, and he tried to get away. Masaki chuckled and flipped him to his stomach and then pinned him there, his cock resting against Hiro’s crack and his mouth pressed to Hiro’s ear.

  “Had to get you back. I was in heaven and then you pulled away,” Masaki said.

  Hiro sighed, but he smiled. “Better than a spanking, I guess,” he murmured.

  Masaki moaned above him. “Could do that, if you wanted.”

  Hiro stiffened at those words, just as Masaki shifted and rubbed a hand over his ass. The man gave him a playful pop and then rolled him over again. Masaki spread Hiro’s legs and got between them, lube in hand, and began preparing Hiro.

  Hiro smiled, knowing the small tube had probably been tucked under the pillows of the bed. He relaxed and admired his handsome lover as he worked. Even in his passion, Masaki showed great care for Hiro. Three fingers now filled his ass, and Hiro moved his hips to feel more. Masaki bent to lick up a drop of pre-cum, and as he did so, he slowly withdrew his fingers, curling them just a bit. Hiro let loose a whimper when he was empty, and Masaki moved into place, filling him in one stroke. Hiro gasped and wrapped his arms and legs around Masaki. They rocked together gently, which surprised Hiro, who’d been expecting a hard, fast fucking. The heat and friction built slowly as Masaki increased the length of his strokes, almost coming out of Hiro each time.

  “Will you be my mate? Let Inari bless our joining?” Masaki asked.

  Hiro nodded, not able to speak in that moment. He wanted to tell the other man he loved him, but he didn’t want it to be in bed. He never wanted Masaki to doubt he meant it with every part of himself, not just his body.

  Masaki smiled, eyeing him as if he knew something was being held back, but then he brought their lips together and began to pound Hiro into the mattress. The sudden tempo change took Hiro’s breath away, but he didn’t object. He wouldn’t dare. Hiro came first, his seed splashing between them. Masaki deepened the kiss as he found his release as well.

  Hiro looked up as he caught his breath, and they rolled to their sides. Legs and arms tangling, Hiro pressed his forehead to Masaki’s. “Tonight?”

  Masaki traced Hiro’s lips with one finger. “If you wish.”

  Hiro nodded. “Tonight, then, with my brother here.”

  “You see he truly accepts you?”

  With another nod, Hiro said, “Yeah. Seeing you with Daisuke has made me appreciate what I have in Akira. Of all my siblings, he’s the one I can be sure of. The one who truly loves me.”

  Masaki kissed Hiro’s forehead and then his cheek. “Tonight, you’ll meet all of my brothers. Don’t let them overwhelm you.”

  “I let a beast like you in my bed,” Hiro said, grinning, “I can handle some small talk.”

  Masaki shifted and brought Hiro on top of him. “You subdue me well enough at times. You’ll be fine.”

  Hiro wiggled and pushed his way between Masaki’s legs. “That an invitation?” He reached down to caress Masaki’s half-mast erection and then inched lower to touch his pucker.

  “You never need one.” Masaki brought their lips together once more.

  Hiro needed no further encouragement to make love to the amazing man beneath him.

  * * * *

  Masaki watched Hiro mingling with his brothers. He stood with Hatori, Kazuma, and Shigure, talking as they all listened. Masaki noticed Daisuke keeping an eye on the group as well. Daisuke smiled and sipped his drink, moving toward Masaki.

  “They seem fascinated,” Daisuke said as he reached his brother. “Stunned into silence practically.”

  Masaki kept watching. Hatori tended to be quiet, but Kazuma and Shigure both liked being the center of attention, so it was amazing they were not only standing together at a party but also intently listening to someone else speak. “He certainly has their attention.”

  “He’s come out of his shell even more than I expected him to,” a voice said close-by.

  Masaki and Daisuke turned to see Akira standing beside them. “He did seem lonely before,” Masaki said. “Did he really have so few friends?”

  Akira nodded. “All his life. And it grew worse when he was older. But I think being true to himself has made the most difference.” He accepted a drink as one of the yokai passed with a tray. After taking a sip, he
added, “Would you like to meet the rest of our siblings sometime?”

  Masaki let out a deep breath, one he hadn’t realized he’d been holding as he watched his lover talking. “Yes, if he wants that. He says he does, so I’m all for it.”

  “I don’t see why the whole family can’t know about us. I mean, really know about us.”

  Masaki eyed Daisuke. “You’ve always been naïve about humans. They’d constantly be asking for things. It’s best this way. Hiro was only told because of my request.” He turned to face his brother more fully. “And how are things going with your human?”

  Daisuke cleared his thrown and gave a faux cheerful smile. “Straight and married. Takes his ring off for work. Just happened to go in on his day off, and the assistant told me. Seems I was fishing in the wrong pond the whole time.”

  “What?” Masaki asked.

  Daisuke laughed, a more genuine smile spreading over his face now. “The assistant’s gay. And he seemed pretty excited to be alone so he could actually talk to me. Probably why he spilled personal info about his boss.”

  “So not a total loss?” Akira said.

  Daisuke shrugged. “He’s twenty-five, but honestly, he’s so young looking I thought he was a girl the first few times I saw him.”

  “Could still be fate,” Akira said.

  Masaki kept silent, listening with interest.

  “You think?”

  “I was close-minded once,” Akira explained, “before all of this was revealed to me. And your brother is right. The members of our family would constantly be asking for things if they knew of our supernatural connections. It’s best our benefactors are not known about.” He moved his glass to swirl the one ice cube left in it. “The woman I wished to marry died. If I’d known about the kitsune, I’d have offered anything to save her.”

  Masaki already knew of this tragedy, but still he kept quiet.

  “I’m so sorry. When was this?” Daisuke asked.

  “Almost twenty years ago. Learning of our family’s legacy gave me an odd sort of hope. I believe fate has many surprises in store for us, so don’t dismiss this guy’s attention. Who knows. Maybe the other guy was a decoy to keep you coming back, since you said yourself the assistant made no impression on you at first.”

  “Hmmm.” Daisuke glanced around the room. “Has Inari been whispering in your ear?”

  “No, but if she did, I wouldn’t ignore her.” Akira bowed and excused himself.

  “Are you going to tell me to ask this guy out too? Seems to be a popular opinion.”

  Masaki laughed. “I have my own love life, thank you.” He smiled as Hiro approached. “And right now, we need to prepare to receive our kami’s blessing.”

  Daisuke only smiled in response, nodding at him and Hiro before walking away.

  “I think your brothers are all suspicious of me, like I cast a spell on you or something,” Hiro said.

  Masaki blinked. “What?”

  Hiro linked their arms. “I’ve never been asked so many questions in my life. Is it really a big deal, committing to one lover?”

  “Yes, to us it is. Folklore would tell you otherwise. Creatures like us are tricksters, seducers, and that’s not untrue. But our father’s actions, somehow, gave us all a keen sense of honor. If I say you’re my mate, it’s a lifetime commitment on my part.”

  “Which is why I’m so happy to bless this joining,” Inari said, coming up to them and taking both of their hands. Today, her hair was snowy white and flowing down her back in one giant ringlet, red flowers ornamenting it. Delicate white blossoms dotted her red kimono. “So, come join me on the dais. Everyone’s waiting for your announcement.”

  Masaki turned to Hiro, their arms still linked. “Are you ready?”

  Hiro nodded, leaning over to kiss Masaki. “Yep.”

  Masaki laughed as they walked behind Inari, his eight brothers and many of their allies all there watching and waiting. In his mind, he compared Hiro now, walking with his head held high, to the nervous, scared young man Akira had brought to him less than a month ago. The man walking beside him was more handsome not because of any physical change but rather because he was finally happy, with himself and with his life. Masaki smiled, overjoyed to have Hiro walk so proudly and happily at his side.

  Epilogue

  One Month Later

  Masaki turned his head and scanned the garden when he felt a presence. He soon realized that it was Hiro and wondered why his young lover was sneaking around and hiding amongst the flowers. He set his book aside and waited as he pretended to look up at the stars, but he soon heard an “ouch” and some soft swearing, so he got up to investigate. He found Hiro crouched beneath a large bunch of balloons, tugging on something. Masaki knelt, which made Hiro go still and look up.

  “Hey,” Hiro said.

  “Hi. Need help?”

  Hiro moved the hand holding the balloons behind his back, as if he believed that would hide them, and Masaki tried not to laugh. “Caught my jeans on part of the railing here.”

  Masaki eyed the edge of the flowerbed and saw that one of the rods had pierced through Hiro’s jeans. He freed the material and then looked up at the balloons. Now, Masaki was the one who went still, staring up.

  Hiro held ten foil balloons of varying colors, all shaped like hearts. One was larger than the others, and it bore the words “I Love You”. At Hiro’s side sat a basket containing a bottle of wine, two glasses, some strawberries, and what looked like a jar of chocolate sauce. A large blanket was tucked in behind all of these items.

  “I was trying to surprise you. Set up a little picnic out here and, uh…” Hiro trailed off, his face turning pink.

  “Tell me you love me,” Masaki finished for him.

  Hiro let the balloons go, the weight at the end of their strings settling by the basket, and stood up. “Yeah.”

  Masaki cupped his face gently. “I already know you love me, Hiro, but hearing you say it would be wonderful, no matter the circumstances.”

  “You knew? Because I stayed? Let Inari bless our union?”

  Masaki shook his head. “No. Because you do things for me every day. You watch me. You try to make me happy. Your drawings of me capture more than just what I look like.” He brushed their lips together. “And you reach for me in your sleep. Gaze into my eyes as we make love. I can see it.”

  Hiro’s face had gone completely red now, and Masaki chuckled before kissing him more thoroughly. “Those things make me very happy. Don’t you feel how much I love you without me saying it?”

  Hiro nodded, and he brought his arms up over Masaki’s shoulder and wrapped them around his neck. “I feel it all the time. It’s one of the reasons that I … I love you.”

  Masaki didn’t give Hiro even one second to doubt how happy he was to hear those words. He swept Hiro into his arms, magically whisking them into the house, along with the balloons and basket. Hiro gasped as he was kissed to the point of suffocation, and then he laughed between gasps when he was released. Masaki snapped his fingers, freeing the balloons and willing them to hover over the bed. Then he knelt and took up the chocolate sauce.

  “Now, what plans did you have for this?” Masaki asked.

  Hiro sucked on his lower lip and smiled. “I was counting on you to have some ideas.”

  Masaki tossed the jar to the bed and began stripping Hiro’s clothes off. “Oh, I have ideas. Lots of them.”

  Hiro watched Masaki, letting himself be undressed, but then he stopped Masaki from kneeling, taking both of his hands. “I’m glad you made that request, glad I was brought here. It had to be fate. I couldn’t imagine this working out happily otherwise, and I couldn’t see myself this happy with anyone else.”

  Masaki pulled Hiro close and let his hands roam up and down the young man’s back. “You’re very romantic tonight. Any reason?”

  “Just want you to be happy. I know this has changed your life drastically.”

  Masaki kissed his forehead. “For the better, of cours
e.” He lifted Hiro up and tossed him onto the bed, laughing as he undressed and took in the startled look on his lover’s face. Once naked, he crawled onto the bed and took up the jar of chocolate. “Now, I think I know where this needs to go…” And he proceeded with his plan, enjoying every sigh and shiver as he slowly spread the chocolate around and then teasingly licked every bit of it up.

  The End

  Also by Yuki Edo

  The Professor’s Golden Tiger

  Home in His Heart

  Stay up to Date with Yuki’s New Releases

  http://www.twistederoticapublishing.com/yuki-edo-mm/

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Born in Japan, Yuki grew up being shipped back and forth between her mother in California and her father in Georgia while spending the occasional summer in Tokyo with her grandparents. She resides in Encino, California and helps her mother and stepfather plan weddings. She has been writing since she was six, and after over two decades she is finally ready to share with someone besides her twin brother.

  Twisted Erotica Publishing

  www.twistederoticapublishing.com