Page 21 of The Donor’s Dilemma

He took the box and unwrapped it, his smile faltering when he saw the contents.

“There was an excavation near the Albion border a few years ago and they found a whole load of these,” Verity explained, as he pulled the small framed coin from the box, details smoothed with time. “That’s where you’re from, right? It’s Roman so while you were human, you might have been living right on top of it.”

Theo’s face remained unreadable. The only thing she knew was that he was not smiling.

“It’s lame…” she started.

“It is not lame,” Theo answered. “It’s err… I love it.”

“You wanna tell your face?” Verity laughed and he rolled his eyes before smiling.

“I really love it, Verity. Thank you.”

“Good,” she smiled back before pouring them both some water and taking a seat. “Got any exciting birthday plans?”

“Seeing some friends tomorrow, but that’s it,” he said, before taking the chair opposite her and giving her dress another pointed look. “What about you? Any special plans today?”

She shook her head. “No, just thought I’d try something new.”

He cocked an eyebrow and gave the hum of someone unconvinced.

“What?” she asked, trying not to sound too defensive as she offered her hand.

He took it, caressing her skin like he always did, and asked again. “So, no plans after this?”

“Nope.”

“Liar.”

She felt her pulse pick up at the accusation before yanking her hand back. “If you can tell that from my heartbeat, that’s cheating.”

He laughed. “Cheating? Perhaps I’m just better at this game than you.”

She pouted, biting back her smile.

“Come on,” he said, holding his hand back out. “I’ve got a hot date with a book, and you’ve got a hot date with…” he waited for her to finish.

“No one,” she insisted. Okay, that time she sounded defensive. She placed her hand back in his.

“Fine,” he said. “Don’t tell me. But if he messes you about…”

Verity laughed. “You gonna beat him up for me?”

“Oh, I have my ways.”

He finished his usual massaging then raised her wrist to his mouth. For a moment he paused, looking at her as though he might say something, but instead waited for her nod like always.

She nodded and he bit.

She squeezed her eyes shut against the lightning his bite awakened in her and counted. On three he released his teeth. On five she felt his tongue. On seven he started sucking. And on ten she opened her eyes, head turned to the window.

He was predictable and that helped. It didn’t stop the fire in her veins or the steady throb of need in her core, but it helped. It also helped not looking at him. So, she never did anymore, training her eyes on the window instead. Thinking about anything but the vampire feeding on her.

When he finished drinking, he seemed to spend longer than usual healing her, licking and massaging her wrist. For a moment he was somewhere else entirely, holding her hand in his, skimming gentle fingers over the tender skin. Feeling her blood beneath.

She dared a glance at him, but he snapped out of it at her movement, releasing her and standing.

“Well,” he said, circling his desk. “I shouldn’t keep you.”