Page 7 of The Donor’s Dilemma

His brow raised again and she rolled her eyes.

“Seriously,” she insisted. “It’s not so bad.”

He sucked again, accepting her answer and making her centre throb anew. She turned her gaze to the window. It would probably be less arousing if he’d stop watching her, but even then, she could feel his gaze on her.

Stars glimmered outside, shining over rooftops, doing a terrible job distracting her. She tried counting window panes, counting books on the bookshelf, counting flowers painted on the ceiling and soon enough he pulled away.

The moment of relief was short-lived as he held onto her hand and licked the bite mark. His eyes flicked up to her again and the image was obscene. Blood, her blood, coated his tongue as he sealed the wound, and only the gods knew why that knowledge did things to her.

Something was wrong with her, very wrong.

His thumb stroked over her wrist, ensuring it was healed before letting her go. She pulled her hand back, examining the tiny twin scars. They were almost unnoticeable already.

“How was that?” Theo asked, smiling again, as if whatever the fuck had just happened was the most normal thing in the world.

“Fine,” she answered on instinct.

He nodded, eyes alight. They were blue again and seemed brighter than before. He poured her another glass of water.

“As bad as you expected?” he asked, and she shook her head, sipping the water. “So, you’ll be coming back?”

“Yes,” she grinned. “I’ll be coming back.”

“Thank you,” he said, giving her hand a little squeeze. “I know it isn’t the most desirable job, but we really do need you, and I am so terribly grateful.”

He stood then and Verity put the glass down, ready to leave when he held out a hand. “You can take as long as you need. I didn’t take much but sometimes it causes a little dizziness all the same, especially when there are nerves involved.”

Verity shook her head and stood. “I’m fine, really, and I’m sure you have plenty of work to be doing. Don’t you have another meeting?”

He shook his head. “You ignore Stella; she just likes to boss me around.”

“Lord Mayor indeed,” she remarked.

“Hey, don’t you go telling people I’m scared of her. You’ll ruin my reputation.”

Verity scoffed as he shook her hand. “Same time Friday?” he asked.

She was smiling back when his expression faltered for a second, eyes widening a little and nostrils flaring.

No, not flaring. Sniffing.

“Same time Friday!” She sang, making for the door.

Sweet fucking Phoenar, could he smell it? Her confused, treasonous body getting all excited at being bitten. Gods, kill me now!

“Thanks again,” he called as she opened the door and raced out.

“No worries,” she replied, closing the door without looking back.

What the fuck was that?

She stood for a moment, hand resting on the handle, catching her breath.

“You good?” a voice asked, making her jump.

Stella grinned at her from her desk.

“All good,” she declared, and strutted down the corridor.