Blood Lure by J. P. Bowie Page B

to Jared’s in a gentle kiss, his sighing breath of contentment sweet in Jared’s mouth.
    He laid his head on Jared’s chest and closed his eyes in blissful sleep.
     

     
    “So, how’s it going with your new friend?”
    Jared turned and smiled at Roger who had come to join him on the veranda. “Very well, thank you. We’re getting to know one another. He is a very interesting young man.”
    “Interesting’s good, but what’s he like in the sack?”
    Jared laughed. “Roger, are you always this indelicate?”
    “Marcus would tell you, yes. Sorry, I just don’t have that ‘ olde worlde’ mindset you guys do. Okay, you don’t have to tell me… I just have to conjure up the memory of that first time.”
    Roger gave Jared a mischievous smile. “Long as he keeps you smiling like you have these last few days, he’s okay.”
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    He turned suddenly serious. “Bet you’re glad that Council thing is behind you.”
    Jared nodded. “Very glad. I only wish Andrew had not been so unforgiving.”
    “He sounds like a jerk to me.”
    “He really is not. When we first met many years ago, it was a joy to be in his company.
    So witty and sweet.”
    “How did you two meet anyway?”
    “The day I met Michael, Andrew joined us in… uh… a—”
    “A three-way, eh?” Roger grinned at him. “How was it?”
    “For me, probably because I was still mortal, ,it was the most incredible time of my life.”
    “Yeah, nothing quite like that first time with a vampire, is there?” Roger smiled, remembering. “My first time with Marcus blew my mind. He was the greatest kisser I’d ever met, and so fantastic looking I could hardly stand it. He was wearing the whole vampire getup – tux and cloak. I thought it was a costume—some friends of mine were throwing me a Halloween birthday bash—then I found out he was the real thing.” Roger laughed and shook his head. “I almost peed in my pants, but he was so incredibly hot—still is, of course. He can curl my toes with just a look sometimes. Sorry… Too much information?”
    “No, not at all.” Jared smiled. “I remember when I first met Marcus, I thought exactly the same thing—that he was the most handsome and elegant man I’d ever seen. I thought the same of Andrew when he joined Michael and me that day. He had, has , the most beautiful eyes. It’s as though there is an icy flame burning deep inside them. I regret that the last time they were fixed on me, they were cold with contempt.”
    “Maybe he’ll get over it in time. Let’s face it—he’s got lots of that ahead of him.” Roger chuckled at his own joke.
    “So you and Andrew were an item at one time?”
    “Yes.” Jared sighed and stared for a moment at the city lights far below. “Michael, Andrew and myself were inseparable in the beginning, especially after Michael changed me, but I’m afraid Andrew’s feelings for me ran deeper than mine for him,” he added, turning to look at Roger again.
    “That can be awkward.”
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    “Awkward, and at times, painful. I’ve never been very good at relationships, Roger, even as a mortal man. Michael understood, but it seemed Andrew did not. I tried to explain to him that I just wasn’t the companionable type. I enjoyed my freedom too much.”
    “Enjoyed—past tense?” Roger’s eyes held a teasing light. “Has a certain Joey Ryan begun to change your mind?”
    Jared’s smile was rueful. “As I said, Joey and I are getting to know each other.”
    “There’s more… I can sense it.”
    Jared nodded. “Yes, your intuition is correct.” He gave Roger a quizzical look. “Or have you been reading my mind again?”
    Roger assumed an innocent expression. “No, no, wouldn’t do that. No, sir, not allowed.”
    “Well, I have to admit that Joey’s presence in my life has made me rethink certain things I thought I had come to terms with, long since.”
    “Aha! So, you’re seeing him this