Blood Lure (5 page)

Amazing that Marcus could tell from just shaking Joey’s hand, Jared mused, but Marcus was unique among vampires, possessing powers honed to perfection over many centuries. Jared had been a vampire for only two hundred years, and never in all that time had he given his heart to any man, mortal or vampire. Yes, there had been dalliances, some sweet and worth remembering. Even the time he’d shared with Andrew, most especially that, in the beginning. But Jared preferred the solitary life, preferring to make his way through the world alone.

BLOOD LURE

J.P. Bowie

28

Like so many fledgeling vampires before and since his changing, Jared owed his existence to Marcus, who it seemed never tired of teaching young vampires how to survive the strange, and often dangerous netherworld in which they found themselves after the change. Jared had been no different, ready to exercise his newfound strength, his sexual prowess, his ability to fly, without thought of his own safety. Michael had not deterred him from this path, feeling the blood he’d endowed Jared with was powerful enough to afford him protection from all foes.

Not until Jared had faced the possibility of the final death when a gang of vampire hunters tried to stake him, did he realise he was immortal only for as long as he used his head, not just his courage and strength. Fortunately for him that night, he was not alone. An older, wiser and immensely more powerful vampire was at his side to aid him in his fight against the hunters. With one sweeping motion of his hand they had been brought to their knees, weapons falling uselessly from their grasps, their minds cleansed of any memory of what had just occurred.

Jared had stood speechless with admiration for the stunningly handsome vampire who had saved him. “What can I do to repay you?” he’d asked. “Ask anything of me.”

Marcus Verano had smiled and stroked Jared’s face gently. “Promise me you will learn from this, and survive long enough to be my friend throughout the centuries to come.”

Jared had promised, had listened to Marcus, and had been inducted into his tight circle of friends. Something for which he would forever be grateful.

His thoughts returned again to Joey. In another hour it would be dawn, and his new young friend would still be fast asleep. Jared envisioned him that way, his sweet face reflecting the sensual thoughts Jared now sent him, his soft lips parted to receive Jared’s kiss.

Earlier that evening, Joey had hated saying goodnight to Jared. Even the promise of their date for the following night had not been quite enough to satisfy the need he’d felt build inside him each time Jared smiled at him, or gently touched his arm or hand. They had managed a goodnight kiss, standing in the shadows of the alleyway next to the Blue Moon while Jared’s friends waited patiently, or otherwise, for them to say their goodnights. It was over too soon for Joey. He could have stayed in Jared’s arms all night, kissed those luscious BLOOD LURE

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lips over and over, gone down on him right there in that alley, throwing all his good intentions to stay celibate, at least for a while, to the winds.

Joey moaned in his sleep, and his eyes fluttered open. It was as though he’d felt a hand caress his naked chest. He’d been dreaming of Jared, of holding the hard wall of muscle that was Jared’s torso in his arms. He could still feel the strength of Jared’s arms around him, the press of Jared’s erect cock against his own. His hand strayed to his aching erection. He’d been hard so often throughout the night, it was only right to give the poor thing release, or else he’d have the blue balls from hell to contend with all next day.

“Jared,” he whispered, enjoying the sound of the name. A good name—strong, vital, like the man himself. “Jared…”

With his thumb he spread the copious pre cum that leaked from the slit over the head of his cock. He pumped the rigid, pulsing shaft, slowly at first, enjoying the friction of his hand over the hard flesh. He closed his eyes, bringing the image of Jared’s handsome face into focus, only somehow he had managed to undo the leather tie that held Jared’s hair back.

Now it hung like a golden curtain around his face, down over his shoulders. It felt like silk between Joey’s fingers. He raised a lock of hair to his lips, inhaling the spicy scent caught in the strands. Like an aphrodisiac, the scent inflamed his senses, hardened his cock even more than he thought possible.

His breath rasped in his heaving chest, the movement of his hand quickened, the friction increased, and he felt a liquid fire pulse in his blood. His body shook and shuddered and he cried out as he came in great jolting spasms.

“Jared,” he whispered again on a trembling breath, before sinking once more into a deep and dream filled sleep.

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J.P. Bowie

30

Joey had just enough time after work to get home, tidy the place up, shower and change for his date with Jared. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this excited about any one date he’d had in the past. Sure, he’d known many hot guys—
too
many, as his friend Chris had told him on numerous occasions, but none of them had filled Joey with the incredible rush of anticipation he now experienced.

Jared had called earlier saying he’d pick him up at his apartment at six-thirty. He’d spent the rest of the afternoon envisaging that moment when Jared would step inside, immediately take him in those muscular arms of his and kiss him like only he could. If memory served him right, and he knew it did, the guy was one hot kisser.

Okay
, he thought as he lathered up under the shower spray,
if I play this right tonight, I
just might manage to get Jared back here after the concert.
Funny how all thoughts of going non-boyfriend for a while had gone out the window the moment he clapped eyes on Jared. But it wasn’t funny how his cock was reacting to the idea of Jared there in the shower with him, that toned muscular body pressed to his, those dark blue eyes holding his gaze with a promise of hot and sensual passion. He looked down at his burgeoning erection pulsing between his soapy hands and thought ruefully,
Better not be tempted to jerk off right now, even
thinking of him. Besides, Joey boy, you don’t have time
!

He pushed the shower door open and grabbed a towel, drying himself briskly enough to make his skin tingle—or was that still the effect of the Jared fantasy? He towel-dried his hair then ran his fingers through the chestnut brown curls, adding a touch of gel to make them bounce even more disarmingly.

“Tonight, tonight,” he hummed as he slipped on a pair of bikini briefs, pushing his still semi-hard cock to one side. “I’m gonna see Jared tonight…” God, he hadn’t felt this exhilarated in ages. He chose a blue polo shirt from the rack in his closet and a pair of khaki pants. He was just ramming his feet into his shoes when his cell rang.

“Hello?”

“Joey, it’s Jared. I’m here and I have a cab waiting for us outside.”

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31

“Oh, you do?” He tried not to let the disappointment he felt creep into his voice. “I-I’ll be right down.
Shoot
,” he muttered, closing his phone.

Now I’m going to have to wait ‘til after the concert for that kiss.

Jared was standing by the cab when Joey exited his apartment building.

Oh my God, he’s even more beautiful than I remembered
.

Jared was wearing black jeans, black cowboy boots, and a dark blue denim shirt open just enough to be sexy without being tacky. His hair, which he’d let hang loose, hung about his shoulders like a golden halo.

“You look wonderful,” Jared whispered, opening the cab door.

“You look even more than wonderful.” Joey brushed the back of his hand over Jared’s fly as he climbed into the cab.

Okay, that was tacky
…

“Hollywood Bowl, “ Jared told the driver, slamming the cab door as he got in alongside Joey. He reached for Joey, pulling him into his arms, taking his lips in a scorching, sensuous kiss that sent Joey’s senses on a roller coaster ride he didn’t want to get off.

“The cabbie…” His muffled protest was ignored by Jared who had started to unbutton Joey’s shirt, peeling it back from his shoulders and diving on Joey’s already perky nipples.

Oh, dear God.

Joey’s cock flared to immediate attention, straining the tented fabric of his khakis.

Jared’s mouth was everywhere, taking Joey to the edge of delirium. Despite his disbelief that he was actually doing this in the back of a taxi, Joey was ready to throw caution to the wind and enjoy every second of this incredible experience. The sound of his zipper being pulled down seemed to fill the interior of the cab, but Joey was beyond caring. The sensation of Jared’s lips enclosing the head of his cock, and his tongue slowly circling the slit to make teasing little dips inside, almost forced a scream from Joey’s throat.

His hips bucked, and Jared’s lips slid down the length of Joey’s shaft taking all of him in one long electrifying swallow. This time Joey did cry out, and cast an anxious look at the back of the cab driver’s head, but fortunately the man seemed to have no idea what was going on in the back of his vehicle. Joey closed his eyes and gave himself up to the exquisite feel of Jared’s lips gliding up and down his aching erection, to the touch of Jared’s hands stroking and caressing his writhing torso.

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Joey groaned, his back arching in ecstasy, driving his cock deep into Jared’s throat. His climax was explosive, the force of it almost lifting him off the seat. Jared’s hands slipped under Joey’s butt, holding him imprisoned in the wet heat of his mouth while he sucked the last drop of cum from Joey’s pulsing cock. Joey fell back as Jared released him. Panting, he stared up at the man who had just shattered all of his well-intended vows of celibacy and singledom.

Celibacy—what the hell was I thinking
?

Jared smiled at him then leant in, taking Joey’s lips in another hard, scorching kiss. His tongue swept inside Joey’s mouth, sharing the taste and scent of Joey’s own cum. Joey felt his cock jump in response.

Again so soon? This guy is sensational!

“Here we are, gents.”

The cab driver’s cheerful voice brought Joey back to reality.

How could he not have noticed what we were doing?

“Hollywood Bowl. Hope you enjoy the show.”

“Thanks.” Jared paid the driver, while Joey hastily adjusted his clothes.

They got out of the cab and joined the milling mass of people for the long climb up to the Bowl’s auditorium. Joey couldn’t shake his mind free of what Jared had done to him in the cab. He’d had sex in a variety of places over the years, but never in the back of a taxi cab with the driver possibly watching through the rear view mirror. He glanced up at the handsome man at his side, and felt a surge of longing course through him. He couldn’t wait for the time when he and Jared were alone and he could return the favour.

“Would you care for a drink before the show?” Jared asked as they approached the wine bar.

“Oh, yes, but let me get the drinks. You bought the tickets and everything.”

“And it’s my pleasure.” Jared smiled and touched Joey’s cheek lightly with his fingertips. “But a glass of Burgundy would be nice.”

“Great.” Joey ordered two glasses of Burgundy and they stood side by side enjoying their wine and each other’s closeness, oblivious to the crowds surrounding them. Joey couldn’t remember enjoying another man’s company quite as much. Maybe Chris’s, but that didn’t count in the same way. Jared was different from any man he’d ever dated before.

There was something about him he couldn’t quite put his finger on, something he’d felt the BLOOD LURE

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night they’d met, in the company of Jared’s friends, something he was drawn to, something
unique
.

He looked up and caught Jared’s intense but warm gaze. “What?” he asked, smiling at the beautiful man.

“I want to kiss you again.”

“I’d really love that,” Joey said, then stepped back in surprise as Jared leant in for the kiss.

“
Here
?” Joey all but squeaked. “There’s a million people all over the place, and—”

“They can’t see us,” Jared murmured, taking Joey’s hand and leading him to the side of the wine stand. “It is impossible for me to stand here looking at you and not kiss you, Joey.”

“Wow…” No one,
no one
, had ever said that to him before, and if Jared wanted to kiss him right there in front of everyone at the Hollywood Bowl, he’d damned well let him.

As of one accord, they set their wineglasses down on a nearby table and fell into one another’s arms. Joey lifted his face to Jared’s and surrendered to the rapture of Jared’s kiss, to the all consuming passion those luscious lips filled him with, to the burning lust that sent fire through his blood and made him harder than a steel pipe.

Jared’s hands cupped Joey’s butt and pulled him in against his crotch, grinding their erections together. God, but this was heaven, Joey thought. Obscene, indecent maybe, in the eyes of those he was sure could see them writhing together, but pure heaven, and he didn’t give a damn. Let them watch—they might learn something.

“Joey, Joey…” Jared’s breath on his lips had Joey so fired up he could scarcely think.

Oh, why the hell were they in this stupid place? They should be back in his apartment, fucking their brains out!

“Don’t worry, Joey…” He was barely conscious of what Jared was saying. “We
will
fuck each other’s brain out. I promise you.”

“Now, do it now,” Joey begged, then was brought back to reality by Jared’s soft chuckle and sweet kiss.

“Later, Joey… I promise.”

“Oh, yeah.
Whew
… you had me going there.”

Joey glanced around, relieved his unruly behaviour seemed to have gone unnoticed by the people that milled around them, laughing, talking, drinking wine, oblivious to the two men who had practically been having sex in front of them.