Page 83 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Theo heaved a sigh, running his hand through his hair and turning to her. “I’m trying to say that… I know we said we’d… try, but…”

Her eyes widened. Was he breaking up with her? Pre-breaking up?

“Don’t you dare!” she demanded. “I told you to cut this hot and cold bullshit. This doesn’t change anything!”

“I have failed in my duties…”

“Oh please!”

“Humans are in danger because of my lax…”

“You’re going to fix it,” Verity said, stepping up to him and fisting his shirt, forcing him to look at her, listen to her. “I’ve seen you at work Theo. You’re being pulled in every direction. It’s no wonder something slipped your notice. Especially if someone is trying to hide the truth from you.”

He shook his head, ready to disagree, but Verity ran her hands up his chest, leaning into him. Dark, hungry eyes watched her, fixing on her mouth as she moistened her lips.

“I don’t like you for the fancy job you know,” she said. “I like you because you care. Because you’re sweet… and kind of a nerd.” He relaxed a little in her arms, lip quirking at her words.

“And you like nerds?” he asked, hands finding her hips.

She nodded.

Before Verity truly knew a vampire, when it was only passing in the street or a reluctant interview for the paper, she always thought they looked perfect. Irritatingly so. Immaculate skin, manicured hair and nails. The picture of poise and indifference. Emotionless. What was there to care about when you had eternity on your side?

Only Theo wasn’t emotionless. He cared. Not just in his words but the pale lilac circles beneath his eyes, the way he somehow looked older when he worried. His eyes crinkled with his words, accentuating fine lines that she realised weren’t always there.

“Remind me Theo, why exactly are we waiting for Abe to leave?”

“Because I don’t want you rushing into anything.”

“Rushing? You know what that word means, right?”

Theo rolled his eyes, leaning in until his lips brushed her cheek. “I’m not human,” he murmured against her skin.

“I know,” she gasped, heart pounding, core clenching as he buried his fingers in her hair.

“I worry, my angel, that you think me more virtuous than I am.”

His voice was raw, full of need and want as those lips trailed down, cool breath and soft lips ghosting across her neck. A quiet moan escaped her when she felt his teeth, fangs lightly grazing her.

“Bite me,” she whispered.

“No,” he whispered back.

“Please…”

He kissed her neck. Once, twice. Firm and slow, lips lingering against her warmth until he pulled back, looking down at her again.

“You deserve more, Verity. There are differences in… the dynamics of mixed-species relationships and I won’t lead you into it blind.”

“Well,” Verity said, stroking a finger along his neck, the mirror of the spot he’d just kissed. “That sounds awfully virtuous of you.”

He smiled. “The problem isn’t the start, it’s the fact that once you let me in, I’ll be a nightmare to get rid of.”

“And what if I don’t want to get rid of you?”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down, and to her surprise he let her, pausing when their lips threatened to touch.

“Then I shall cherish you forever,” he promised. “If you know exactly what you’re signing up for, and you still want me, then I’ll cherish you forever.”