Page 41 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Don’t moan. Don’t moan! She told herself, lip trembling with need. Oh gods!

As if it was bad enough that Theo knew, every vampire in the room would know exactly how turned on she was too. The want in her core. The desperation in her heart. But she couldn’t find it in herself to care.

These were their people. They would accept her, accept them. They understood.

The tranquillity that brought was almost overwhelming and in that moment she understood. This wasn’t just about feeding, about blood and sex, it was belonging. Stigma didn't exist in that room. They weren’t humans and vampires, prey and predator, they were just people, doing as nature intended. How could anyone feel ashamed of such a thing?

They stayed like that, curled in a life-giving embrace until Theo was satisfied. Carefully, he healed her with licks and kisses until peace filled her veins and she was languid in his arms.

Chapter Twelve

The blue returned to his eyes, bright as a summer sky, as she watched from mere inches away. That was all it would take, a couple of inches and she could catch his lip between hers, press her body hard against his, taste her blood on his tongue.

Then his eyes darkened again, pupils dilating and she had no doubt he knew what she wanted. That he saw the blush of her cheeks, felt the quickening of her pulse. Sensed her need.

His eyes closed as he pulled her to his chest where, to her surprise, she heard the slow thrum of his heart, felt the rise and fall of his breath. She melted into him. Peace. Pure and perfect.

Low murmurs of conversation picked back up but Verity couldn’t bring herself to join in, nestled against Theo as he toyed with her hair. They discussed trade and politics but nothing exciting enough for her to tear herself away.

Soon enough Ed declared that he had work in the evening and needed his beauty sleep. Charlie disagreed but took him home all the same. Verity stood, feeling a little dizzy, to hug them both goodbye. Telling them how lovely it was to meet them and meaning it.

Theo walked them to the door but as they left another vampire appeared in the corridor.

“Is that Theodor?” the woman exclaimed, throwing herself at him in an embrace.

Verity’s lip curled at the familiarity, at this woman hurling herself at him.

“Hello, Petra,” Theo said, sounding less than excited.

“And Elliot!” She burst into the room. “Teddy’s here somewhere, you should come sit with us.”

“We were just heading out,” Elliot said, nodding to Marcy who stood with a smile that no longer met her eyes. She seemed taller than Verity first realised.

Petra looked past Marcy and spotted Verity.

“Theodor, have you found a new human to play with?”

Her dress was short, feet bare, and hair so long it swayed against the backs of her knees. Beautiful, and from the way the others moved away from her, old. Really fucking old.

Theo cleared his throat and nodded for Verity to join him, reaching for her hand, his eyes darting between her and Petra.

The woman took Marcy’s seat, picking at the leftover food. “Sit with me,” she said to no one in particular and everyone froze. “Have you already fed?”

“Yes,” said Elliot. “We should really be going.”

“But I said, sit.”

Petra found the last half-full bottle of champagne and drank straight from the bottle as everyone moved back to the couches. Marcy sat beside Verity and staring at Petra like a mother hen ready to attack. Theo on her other side placed a possessive hand on her knee, while Elliot sat on the arm of the chair beside Marcy.

Petra looked at the hand on Verity’s knee and pouted. “So cute! He gets so possessive over his little humans you know.”

“Isn’t it what we’re made for?” Theo asked.

“It is!” The vampire exclaimed. “You know I’ll never forget…” she clicked her fingers, “…that baron’s daughter, what was her name? Idabell?”

“Isabella,” Theo said, his hand gripping Verity a little tighter.

Whatever the fuck was happening Verity wanted out. She wanted to go home. Now.