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Theatre of Shadows #1.5
Interlude I: Martinis by Moonlight
What happens when a werewolf takes a demon out on a date?
During the murder investigation that brought them together, Detective Rick Slade made Ash Hunter a promise: “When this is all over, you and I go out on a proper date.” Now, with the Sculptor case finally behind them, Rick intends to keep his word.
What should have been simple—dinner, drinks, maybe a walk through Calgrave after dark—quickly spirals into reckless flirting, moonlit confessions, public indecency, a near-arrest in the middle of the park, and enough sexual tension to short-circuit the city’s power grid.
Because when two men who don't do vulnerability attempt something dangerously close to romance, and the line between lust, affection, and genuine intimacy begins to blur, “simple” stops being an option.
Tender, chaotic, funny, and deeply sensual, this novella-length interlude continues the story of Rick and Ash between Drop Dead Gorgeous and its upcoming sequel, offering one thrilling, unforgettable night in the shadowed heart of Calgrave.
During the murder investigation that brought them together, Detective Rick Slade made Ash Hunter a promise: “When this is all over, you and I go out on a proper date.” Now, with the Sculptor case finally behind them, Rick intends to keep his word.
What should have been simple—dinner, drinks, maybe a walk through Calgrave after dark—quickly spirals into reckless flirting, moonlit confessions, public indecency, a near-arrest in the middle of the park, and enough sexual tension to short-circuit the city’s power grid.
Because when two men who don't do vulnerability attempt something dangerously close to romance, and the line between lust, affection, and genuine intimacy begins to blur, “simple” stops being an option.
Tender, chaotic, funny, and deeply sensual, this novella-length interlude continues the story of Rick and Ash between Drop Dead Gorgeous and its upcoming sequel, offering one thrilling, unforgettable night in the shadowed heart of Calgrave.
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2026
About the author
S.H. Azanon
13 books87 followersSebastian Hayden Azanon is a worst-selling author of thrilling, emotionally charged MM romances steeped in smoke, shadows, and moonlight. He likes his smut extra spicy, full of complex characters, dangerous desires, and choices that only make sense after midnight. When not immersed in worlds of seduction and intrigue, he can be found hiking, working up a sweat at the gym, or arguing with his cat about life, the universe, and everything.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 29, 2026
I really like this little interlude; it's absolutely wonderful that the two of them were able to find time for a real date.
The author just has a thing for words. Some might say they had sex, but no—when you're S.H. Azanon, it sounds like this:
Their bodies had found their way into each other again, Rick sliding inside Ash with measured resolve, and Ash welcoming him the way a shore takes a wave—inevitable, breaking, pulling him under. 🫠🫠🫠
The author just has a thing for words. Some might say they had sex, but no—when you're S.H. Azanon, it sounds like this:
Their bodies had found their way into each other again, Rick sliding inside Ash with measured resolve, and Ash welcoming him the way a shore takes a wave—inevitable, breaking, pulling him under. 🫠🫠🫠
May 25, 2026
Rick shook his head, chuckling despite himself. “You’re trouble, kid.”
Ash’s smile turned devilish. “And you like it.”
After walk through the park, a romantic candle light dinner at the aquarium, a little primal play, nothing like a rough fuck in the middle of the woods were they would get caught… romance it’s more alive than ever in Calgrave ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I can’t wait for book 2 and I hope Sebastian keeps giving us some crumbs until that one comes out! 🖤❤️
Rick’s grip locked at his hips, securing him in place, the force of it keeping him from slipping forward as the pace broke apart. “God… Oh God… Ash…”
“Rick…” Ash’s words came out breathless, strained, his head falling back against Rick’s shoulder, the tension cresting, stretching thin. “Aaaaahhh…!”
The final thrust drove into him, electric and decisive, Rick’s cock pushing impossibly deep, the motion stuttering, then holding as release exploded. Ash gasped, the orgasm pulling a shudder out of him in response, his own spunk spilling with his cock untouched. But the strongest pleasure was the one within, where their bodies merged, caught in the aftershock as everything slowed, unraveled, and finally broke.
[…]
For a while, there was nothing else. No forest. No city. No distant ocean. Only the press of bodies, the fading euphoria, lips against skin, pulse against pulse. The park seemed suspended in time around them.
Ash’s smile turned devilish. “And you like it.”
After walk through the park, a romantic candle light dinner at the aquarium, a little primal play, nothing like a rough fuck in the middle of the woods were they would get caught… romance it’s more alive than ever in Calgrave ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I can’t wait for book 2 and I hope Sebastian keeps giving us some crumbs until that one comes out! 🖤❤️
Rick’s grip locked at his hips, securing him in place, the force of it keeping him from slipping forward as the pace broke apart. “God… Oh God… Ash…”
“Rick…” Ash’s words came out breathless, strained, his head falling back against Rick’s shoulder, the tension cresting, stretching thin. “Aaaaahhh…!”
The final thrust drove into him, electric and decisive, Rick’s cock pushing impossibly deep, the motion stuttering, then holding as release exploded. Ash gasped, the orgasm pulling a shudder out of him in response, his own spunk spilling with his cock untouched. But the strongest pleasure was the one within, where their bodies merged, caught in the aftershock as everything slowed, unraveled, and finally broke.
[…]
For a while, there was nothing else. No forest. No city. No distant ocean. Only the press of bodies, the fading euphoria, lips against skin, pulse against pulse. The park seemed suspended in time around them.
August 17, 2026
I missed these two so much, this novela was so cute. Can't wait fot the second book!
June 1, 2026
Fun and quick novella to keep us entertained while waiting on the second book.
May 30, 2026
This was a very fun and sexy little glimpse into Rick and Ash’s blooming relationship. We see them get to spend quality time together outside of the fraughtness (is that a word?) of book 1. I’m actually really looking forward to another full length feature with them.
June 27, 2026
They had fallen into each other with a kind of reckless inevitability, and then…stayed. Mornings turning into more than habit: monogamy, of all things.
While Ash Hunter and Detective Rick Slade have…made time for one another since book one, the moment has arrived for their first official date.
Drive, walk, carnival… 🐠
The open affection between them is gorgeous. Embracing, hand-holding…kissing.
The magnetism is still there; stronger than ever. Crazy sexual tension.
Very romantic location—a unique surprise by Rick. 🍱
“You went to a lot of trouble for this.”
“You’re worth it.”
Illuminating conversation; glimpses of Rick’s past—and into his psyche.
The park; the woods; the grove. Chase. Their intense version of rough-housing… (yes, please) 🙌🏻
There was something in the way Rick filled him, in the cosmic certainty of it, that made his chest tighten, a warmth dangerously close to belonging pulsing within him alongside the ecstasy.
Stellar prose that would make Cornell Woolrich green with envy.
But the strongest pleasure was the one within, where their bodies merged, caught in the aftershock as everything slowed, unraveled, and finally broke.
Excellent Male Gaze writing. Gorgeous anatomy, physiology, verbiage, and descriptive detail. Scorching hot intimacy.
Domesticity looks good on them, too.
Solid work. Fun, intimate, elucidating, sexy, and even…sweet. 😍
“You know, you’re gonna have a real hard time topping this.”
“Thought I already did. Twice tonight.”
“For the second date.”
🙊
While Ash Hunter and Detective Rick Slade have…made time for one another since book one, the moment has arrived for their first official date.
Drive, walk, carnival… 🐠
The open affection between them is gorgeous. Embracing, hand-holding…kissing.
The magnetism is still there; stronger than ever. Crazy sexual tension.
Very romantic location—a unique surprise by Rick. 🍱
“You went to a lot of trouble for this.”
“You’re worth it.”
Illuminating conversation; glimpses of Rick’s past—and into his psyche.
The park; the woods; the grove. Chase. Their intense version of rough-housing… (yes, please) 🙌🏻
There was something in the way Rick filled him, in the cosmic certainty of it, that made his chest tighten, a warmth dangerously close to belonging pulsing within him alongside the ecstasy.
Stellar prose that would make Cornell Woolrich green with envy.
But the strongest pleasure was the one within, where their bodies merged, caught in the aftershock as everything slowed, unraveled, and finally broke.
Excellent Male Gaze writing. Gorgeous anatomy, physiology, verbiage, and descriptive detail. Scorching hot intimacy.
Domesticity looks good on them, too.
Solid work. Fun, intimate, elucidating, sexy, and even…sweet. 😍
“You know, you’re gonna have a real hard time topping this.”
“Thought I already did. Twice tonight.”
“For the second date.”
🙊
May 25, 2026
A delightful detour from the main storyline, this novella follows Ash and Rick on their long-promised first date, and what should have been a simple night out quickly spirals into chaos, intimacy, danger, and hilarity in the best possible way.
Though the story unfolds over the course of a single evening, it feels rich with emotional movement and character development. Beneath the flirtation, banter, and simmering sexual tension lies something quieter and more vulnerable: two deeply damaged men attempting to navigate the terrifying possibility of genuine intimacy after everything they’ve survived together.
Anyone familiar with Azanon’s work will know what to expect: lush prose, noir atmosphere, vivid imagery, emotionally complex characters, and enough spice to make my glasses steam up. The writing is consistently evocative, balancing tenderness, humor, and sensuality with remarkable control.
A funny, heartfelt, deeply satisfying interlude that somehow manages to feel both intimate and cinematic at once. I can't wait for Book 2!
Though the story unfolds over the course of a single evening, it feels rich with emotional movement and character development. Beneath the flirtation, banter, and simmering sexual tension lies something quieter and more vulnerable: two deeply damaged men attempting to navigate the terrifying possibility of genuine intimacy after everything they’ve survived together.
Anyone familiar with Azanon’s work will know what to expect: lush prose, noir atmosphere, vivid imagery, emotionally complex characters, and enough spice to make my glasses steam up. The writing is consistently evocative, balancing tenderness, humor, and sensuality with remarkable control.
A funny, heartfelt, deeply satisfying interlude that somehow manages to feel both intimate and cinematic at once. I can't wait for Book 2!
May 26, 2026
Nice snippet to whet the appetite until the proper sequel arrives. Ash and Rick are everything, and watching them slowly catch real feelings for each other is an absolute delight.
*cue Celine Dion's Falling Into You*
*cue Celine Dion's Falling Into You*
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews