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.
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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