Page 56 of The Donor’s Dilemma

At the mention of his name Theo’s fingers dug into her waist, and she looked up to find him surveying Adam across the room.

“You still go to group?” Lois asked.

“Yeah, haven’t been donating for long enough to stop yet. Would you mind?” She asked Theo who looked back, lips pursed, making Verity stifle a laugh. Grabbing his shirt, she pulled him down to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll behave,” she said before taking Lois’s hand. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Dr Smythe glared at Verity but nodded to Lois, dismissing his human. Verity couldn’t stand the way the humans obeyed their vampires, like pets being allowed out to play.

“What was that about?” Lois asked, taking Verity’s arm as they headed for the cool kids.

“What?”

“Lord Chapel,” she said, looking over her shoulder and smirking. “If looks could kill!”

Verity looked. Both Theo and Dr Smythe had moved so they could keep an eye on them and sure enough, Theo was glaring daggers, but not at her, at Adam. She laughed.

“I’ve had to use Adam as my cover story, or cover boyfriend I guess.”

“You haven’t told anyone about you two?” Lois asked and Verity shook her head. Was that an option? She had no idea how anyone would react. Besides, they weren’t really dating, she’d be lying either way. At least this lie wouldn’t get anyone in trouble.

“V!” Adam called, throwing his arms around her. “Who’s your friend?”

Verity made introductions as the group danced on the edge of the floor by a table where Sienna sat with Harris. The vampire watched her, eyes roaming her, the short dress and the diamonds at her neck, before shaking his head and leaning in to say something to Sienna.

Dick. Phoenar knew what Harris’s problem was, but he was making Theo’s life hell. He sat there, arm slung around his donor, and staring down Verity as if she was doing something wrong. Fucking hypocrite.

She watched as the pair stood to head over to the bar and Verity’s eyes caught Theo’s, still watching. Well, if he was intent to watch she might as well give him a show.

Downing the last of her drink, Verity took Lois’s hands. One pointed look towards the boys and Lois understood the assignment. They found the beat as a new song started, dancing close, flicking hair and rolling hips.

Adam whistled, shouting encouragement until Lois fell into fits of giggles when Dr Smythe stared her dead in the eye and pointed at the floor in front of him.

“I think it’s home time,” she laughed, hugging Verity and practically skipping towards the solemn doctor.

Verity continued to dance as she watched, her hand skirting over her hips when she found Theo still staring. Dr Smythe turned his attention to Lois and someone else started talking to Theo, but he barely acknowledged them, his attention taken up by the woman dancing in front of him. The woman dancing for him.

“May I?” Adam asked, taking her hand and twirling her. Laughter bubbled up as Theo’s nose scrunched at the sight.

“As long as you keep your hand where he can see them,” she said, and Adam mocked outrage.

“But I thought that I was your fake boyfriend!” he demanded and Verity winced.

“Sorry about that, I needed an excuse and…”

“Say no more,” he said. “It would be my honour to be your alibi.”

“Thanks.”

She smiled and laughed as they danced, less sexily than with Lois. Within two songs, Verity was fanning herself, the people clustered around them leaving her hot and sweaty.

“Need a break?” Adam asked, nodding towards the table Sienna and Harris had vacated.

“No Georgie tonight?” Verity asked as they found seats. A few donors from the group there, but she couldn’t stop worrying about Georgie since seeing her with her vampire the last time.

“No,” Adam said, taking a sip of his cocktail. Gods, Verity was thirsty, her mouth feeling dry and sticky. She glanced towards Theo to ask for another drink, but he had finally torn his eyes away from her. “She said something about a cabin in the woods for a couple of nights.”

Verity nodded, lips pursed. “Sounds romantic,” she murmured, but didn’t mean it. She watched Theo but suddenly he’d lost all interest in her.

“You good?” Adam asked.