Page 48 of The Donor’s Dilemma

He still took her hand though, massaging her palm like he did before drinking. Running his fingers over her veins.

“Anything I can help with?”

A humourless laugh. “Not unless you actually want to organise a festival Madam Mayor. I’ll be fine; just need to catch up this weekend.”

“The Ostara Festival? You do that yourself? I thought you were joking.” This was the Lord Mayor, not a glorified party planner. Surely, he had more important things to do. He didn’t have time for that.

“Staff cuts,” he sighed. “The High Council is advising to cancel festivals. If people want to go, they’ll have to go to a bigger city.”

“Well, that’s shit.” Verity loved the festivals, some of her fondest childhood memories were making flower crowns for Ostara and going on hayrides for Mabon. Ashhaven was a nice town, but it wasn’t the most affluent. If the festivals were cut, most families wouldn’t take their kids to another city just to see dancing and bonfires.

“I’ll work it out,” Theo said, looking up at her, at her pinched brow and downcast eyes. “You needed to see me? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” His cool hands warmed against her, heat seeping from her flesh into his. “I’m going to see my friend…”

“Cora?”

“Yeah. She’s going to ask about my date last night…”

“You told her?” His eyes snapped to her and she shook her head.

“She saw me dressed up and asked if I had a date. What was I meant to say?”

He nodded.

“I thought,” she went on, “that I could tell her it’s another donor. She’s wary of the Exchange, so I don’t think she’ll ask too many questions, and I already mentioned a guy I met at induction to her…”

“You did?” His hands tightened around hers. “Who?”

“Just the guy I sat next to, Adam. He…”

“Have you seen him since?”

“Yes,” Verity smirked. Jealousy had never been a trait she found particularly attractive, but the way Theo pulled her closer, wanting to know details of her other imaginary boyfriend made her pulse quicken.

“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” she asked, voice low and filled with want. “Just a little nip?”

He stood, trapping her against the desk and raising her wrist to his mouth. “Tell me and I’ll think about it.”

“We go to the same support group, and I saw him at the club that first time. His vampire’s called Bea.”

Fangs dragged against her wrist leaving tiny scratches stinging in their wake. He hummed. “Fine,” his lips brushed against her as he spoke. “I’ll mention it to Bea, just in case. But you stay away from him.”

“Theo,” she crooned, but without warning he bit; sinking his teeth in deep and pulling her body hard against his. A gasp of shock and pain and pleasure escaped her. She tried to look away but he grabbed her by the jaw, forcing her to watch as he withdrew.

“No other men, Verity.” Blood oozed from the twin wounds, threatening to drip on his perfect white shirt as he waited for a response.

She nodded. “There’s no one else.”

Satisfied he licked, slow and purposeful, healing her. Tasting her.

His phone buzzed, breaking the spell. Shoving him off her, she moved out of his reach, putting the desk between them.

“That isn’t fair.”

“What isn’t fair?” he asked, leaning towards her, watching her every move.

“You!” she said, yanking her sleeve down and grabbing her coat, trying her best not to shout. “We can’t be together, but we have to pretend, but I can’t see anyone else, but you don’t want me.” Her chest felt tight, breaths too thin.