Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

and clean. In fact, as he noticed walking through the home, there wasn't a hint of dust to be found or a single thing that looked misplaced.
    After showing him to his room, a servant brought him to the bath, and as he stepped into the wooden room and saw the massive wood tub filled with steaming water, he nearly melted. The servant insisted he sit on a stool and wash himself before getting into the tub, which he thought was odd at first, then realized it made perfect sense. After all, getting clean in your own dirty water wasn't truly getting cleaned.
    After his bath, he was shown to his room again, where his futon was laid out with the expectation he'd want to sleep, and his breakfast awaited him. He devoured the fresh rice, the bowl of soup with bits of vegetables, seaweed, and tofu floating in it, the grilled fish, and guzzled the tea. Even his clumsiness with the chopsticks couldn't slow him. As if anticipating he'd want more, a servant returned just as he finished his meal with a tray holding second portions. After finishing that, he collapsed to the futon and slept a dreamless sleep, his first in many months.
    Now that he was awake, his mind was filled with one and only one thing; Kazuhiro.
    He sat up, looking toward the sliding door. Sunlight illuminated the rice paper. He pushed to his feet and went to the door, sliding it open. Beyond, the manicured garden shone in the afternoon sun. The heat and humidity of the day crept through the open door to invade his room. He closed the door again, and made his way to his satchel. As he pulled out his clothes, something fell out from one of his rolled up shirts and landed on the floor with a soft thump.
    Jonathon stared down at the black velvet pouch. Revulsion tightened his throat. He didn't want to touch it even to pick it up, but he had to. He snatched it and stuffed it back in his bag, pushing it to the bottom. He closed his eyes tight. He couldn't think about that now. He would know when the time was right, and it wasn't now.
    He dressed quickly, and after a stop at the privy, he began a search for Kazuhiro. He spied a young female servant carrying an armful of linens and called out in Japanese, "Excuse me, miss. Have you seen Lord Takezaki?"
    The young girl startled, nearly dropping her bundle, and averted her gaze. She bowed to him and pointed toward the front of the mansion.
    "Thank you." Jonathon gave her a smile, but she kept her gaze cast downward until he passed. Was he so fierce looking to the people here that he could frighten a young girl? He certainly hadn't been back home. If anything, people often commented on how he was as pretty as a girl. But he understood here he was different, and while there was no reason for it, different often frightened people.
    Jonathon found his boots in the entryway where he'd left them and pulled them on. He stepped out the front of the mansion to the sight of the courtyard filled with men, all standing in neat lines as Nakano paced in front of them and spoke of fighting maneuvers. He realized this must be a training session, and scanned the courtyard for Kazuhiro. He spotted him instantly. Among all the men, he stood out, not only for his beauty, but also for the aura of confidence and strength that emanated from him.
    Kazuhiro looked toward him. Even across the distance of the courtyard, his dark gaze stirred arousal in Jonathon, and it hit him stronger than it had the day before. Now rested, cleaned, having eaten a good meal, his body could think of only one other need it wanted satiated.
    His cock hardened within seconds. Jonathon tried to will it go down, but that was impossible when all that filled his mind was images of his body pressed to Kazuhiro's, lying beneath him while Kazuhiro thrust inside him, pushing them both to climax. He knew how Kazuhiro would be, confident and in command, like he was now.
    Though, there was no guarantee Kazuhiro would be a considerate lover. He hoped Kazuhiro would be. It'd been so long since he was with someone who was concerned for his pleasure, too. It seemed all the men he'd been with lately only wanted their own. It'd been so long - so very, very long - since he'd been with anyone who made it truly enjoyable.
    Kazuhiro looked to the samurai near him. Jonathon saw him excuse himself, then start in his direction.
    Jonathon moved to meet him. He bent forward in a deep bow. "Good morning, my lord."
    "Morning has long since passed."
    Jonathon straightened and smiled. "I'm in the