Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway:
Heart Wood
By Katey Hawthorne
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Exclusive Excerpt:
“It’s another word for ass,” Dagan said after a moment, holding up another apricot. He turned it so the seam faced Hendrik and grinned. He poked at one side of it and—yes, actually, it was vaguely ass-like.
“Apricot?”
Dagan nodded. “If I ask someone, ‘Do you want to eat an apricot?’, it sounds like I’m asking if they want to eat my ass.”
Hendrik laughed out loud. “And everyone just knows this?”
“Well, not everyone. But people who like to eat ass generally do.”
“Then thanks for letting me in on the secret.” Hen put his arm over Dagan’s shoulder, scooting closer to him on the bench. He kissed Dagan’s ear. “I adore apricots.”
“Yes, I had noticed that.” Dagan smiled wickedly and turned to kiss him.
Hendrik set aside the pit from his own fruit and turned his attention to Dagan. It was strange, being so affectionate in public, but he’d spent enough time in settlements to know that it was perfectly acceptable. People kissed lovers and friends, hugged their children and grandparents, and walked through the market with their arms around each other. No one stared or whispered; everyone minded their business.
And, thankfully, no one took it to extremes. Public sex did seem to be taboo, but displays of romance or love, not so much. It was a balance he wasn’t used to but thought he could get used to. Wanted to get used to it, even.
Was that one of the choices Piret had been talking about? Choosing a place to make a home, where the customs and people and environs suited him most?
He couldn’t do that until the settlements were safe. And he hated how right she’d been earlier today. About everything.
They closed the kiss off, and Hendrik rested his forehead against Dagan’s.
“You’re broodier than usual today, my little someone.” Dagan’s breath was warm against his wet lips. “Would you tell me why?”
He’d thought he was nothing for moons. Now, he believed Dagan that he was, in fact, someone. He just wondered who. “Talked to Piret.”
“She’s very enthusiastic,” Dagan said with a smile. “So is Kajja. But you’re still not.”
It wasn’t even a question, but Hen answered anyhow. “According to Piret, it doesn’t fucking matter if I am or not.”
“Mmm.” Dagan somehow made even this little hum sympathetic. He kissed Hendrik’s nose and then sat up and slid an arm around his waist. They sat, watching the market transform, arms around each other for another silent moment. Then, Dagan said, “I think it does matter, though.”
“Even if those fogies in the Council never come to a damned decision, my path seems clear.” He sighed.
“There’s always a choice.”
“You think that because you’ve always had one.”
“No.” Dagan squeezed him and caught his gaze again. “No, my darling. I think it because it’s true; you can choose not to be involved at all with what comes next. You can. No one can stop you.”
“Well, yes, I could. But then I’d hate myself.”
“Maybe. Maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as you think.” Dagan smiled softly. “But it’s still a choice.”
“That doesn’t make it feel much better. Fuck, I’m so tired of thinking about this.” Hendrik slumped and buried his face in Dagan’s hair, inhaling his soothing scent. “I’m so tired of thinking at all.”
“Oh, my sweet, sweet Hendrik. That’s all you had to say.” Dagan’s voice had gone slightly sing-song, lowering into something approaching sex-voice but not quite there.
Hendrik sat up eagerly to meet his gaze again.
Dagan smiled and put a finger against Hen’s lips. “No more brooding talk, then. Enjoy the party, but not too much.” He leaned in close and whispered, all hot breath again, “I’ll need your senses sharp.”
Enter the Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Heart Wood, Katey is giving away a $10 Book Voucher to the store of your choice!
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About the Author:
Katey Hawthorne loves queer romance. Originally from the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia, she currently lives in Pittsburgh with her family of one other human and many furry creatures. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, comic books, B-movies, loud music, video games, Epiphones, and Bushmills. Her favorite causes include animal rescue and bisexual representation in media. She is an unashamed fangirl and collects nerdy tattoos like she’s trying to prove it.
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