Free Blood Talisman by J. P. Bowie Page A

the
    change?”
    “Tempted, yeah, but one of these days, I’m going to have to. The option will be taken
    out of my hands. Probably fairly soon.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Because a mortal cannot live forever, even on vampire blood. I joke about finding grey
    hairs, but it really means it’s a sign that my time is near. I either let Andorra change me, or I eventually will die.”
    “I see.” Tommy fell silent as he thought over what Tony had told him.
    “I can tell you’ve been doing some deep thinking about your situation,” Tony said
    looking at him over the beer bottle he lifted to his lips.
    “Yeah, something Andrew and I have to work out one of these days.”
    Tommy studied Tony’s homely face and rangy physique. He didn’t want to be unkind,
    the guy was nice, but he seemed like an unlikely match for a woman as beautiful as Andorra.
    He imagined her on the arm of some dashing, charming man of influence and power instead
    of—
    “Know what you’re thinking.” Tony grinned at him.
    “Huh? You do?”
    “Yep. It’s the blood. You’ve probably been getting some flashes of Andrew’s mind now
    and then.”
    “Yeah. Jeez, I’m sorry, Tony. That was just way outta line of me.”
    “Hey, I get it. Don’t think I haven’t thought the same thing many a time. Andy could
    have just about any guy she wanted, so why’d she pick a putz like me?”
    “You’re not a putz. She probably sees the good guy in you. After all you’ve been
    together, what, a hundred years? How many couples can say that?”
    “Not many. But remember, in vampire years, that’s not such a long time!”
     

     
    Back in their room, Tommy wasn’t about to let his and Andrew’s earlier exchange go
    unresolved.
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    BLOOD TALISMAN J.P. Bowie 52
    “I was serious about what I said, Andrew. You don’t get to leave me behind and go
    diving underground and God knows where else without me. And just so you know, Roger’s
    told me how to avoid those little mind games you guys like to play sometimes.”
    Andrew arched his eyebrows. “Oh, really? And just what did he tell you?”
    “He said it’s like when he was human and didn’t want to come too soon when he was
    having sex, he would think of weird things, like his granny’s underwear or his mom and dad doing it, so it would slow him down some. Now, of course, he can vampire control it, but he said if I fill my mind with other thoughts, not like those, but other things, any other things, you can’t penetrate the jumble and I don’t get zapped.”
    “How interesting.” Andrew quirked the corner of his lips and took a step closer. He
    fixed his eyes on Tommy’s. “Why don’t we try it out now and see how it works?”
    “Okay.” He stared back into Andrew’s eyes and tried to fill his mind with anything
    except— Oh God, how beautiful those eyes are, how hypnotising they are, how quickly under their spell I could fall.
    “Whoa! Stop. Jeez…” With an effort he dragged his gaze from Andrew’s. “Oh, that
    wasn’t fair, Andrew. You did something before I could get ready.”
    Andrew drew him into his arms and kissed him tenderly. “Roger was pushing your leg,
    my love. No human can resist a vampire’s will, especially up close like this.” He kissed Tommy again. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t zap you. You’re right, we should do this together. I just ask again that you never leave my side for a moment.”
    “That’s an easy promise to make.” Tommy pressed his muscular body to Andrew’s and
    held him tight. “By the way…” His lips vibrated sensuously on Andrew’s as he murmured
    with a soft chuckle, “It’s pulling your leg, not pushing.”
    “I knew that,” Andrew said, laughing lightly. “Now shut up and kiss me.”
     
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Chapter Seven
    Andorra and Tony made their way to the Presidential suite early next morning, before
    the sun was up. The Secret Service men had