Chapter Two #2
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.
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.