Page 6 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Verity smiled. “Just tell me what to do.”

He nodded, rubbing his hands on his trousers as if to warm them before holding a hand out. “May I?” he asked.

Verity mirrored his action, but for different reasons, wiping her sweaty hand on her trousers before placing it in his, palm up, wrist exposed. His hand was cool but not cold, fingers soft as they grazed over her veins making her heart pick up again.

“You’ve been following all the rules?” he asked. “Fluids and supplements?”

“Yes.”

“You ate something before you came?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve never been bitten before?”

“No.”

He watched her wrist as he spoke, thumb circling over the skin he was waiting to bite into.

“Do you have any questions?”

Verity shook her head.

“Any at all? There are no stupid questions, I can guarantee I’ve heard them all.”

He looked up at her, humour gone from his expression. She swallowed.

“Does it take long? They said it varies.”

“Well,” he said, gently bending her hand back and pressing his thumb into her palm, gently kneading. “It can be fast, but the slower the blood is taken, the less it hurts. And I’d rather not cause any more pain than is necessary.”

“Thank you,” Verity said, and he raised his eyes to meet hers.

“No, Verity. Thank you, you don’t have to do this. The absolute least I can do is try not to hurt you.” He sighed, holding her wrist in his hands, seemingly finished with his inspection. “It will hurt, though, initially. I’m told it eases rather quickly but if it’s too much just say. You’re in control, you say the word and I’ll stop, okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded again. “Ready.”

He held her gaze, lifting her wrist to his lips. His pupils dilated, further than she had ever seen a humans. Eyes consumed by the depthless dark until almost none of that frosty blue remained. For a moment, fight or flight kicked in, her hammering heart telling her she was in danger.

“Don’t forget to breathe,” he murmured into her flesh, and she took a deep, shaking breath.

As she breathed out, he bit.

Those eyes never left hers, watching as she winced.

His mouth was warmer than she expected, fangs sharper. She felt them break her skin, felt a sharp sting of pain, and felt something else. Something unexpected. As the fangs pulled out of her flesh, his tongue moved, a rhythmic lapping as he sucked softly, and she tried to ignore the lightning it sent to her core.

He watched every second of it.

Her thighs clenched on instinct and she looked away, finally breaking eye contact. She tried to think about anything but the vampire currently feeding on her, and the fact that her body seemed to think this was foreplay.

His hand moved to her knee in a light tap and her eyes snapped to his again. His sucks slowed and he raised his eyebrows in question, lips not leaving her skin.

“It’s fine,” she said, well aware of her racing heart.