Page 101 of Imprisoned with the Vampire King

My chest still tightened when she approached.

The woman slid into the booth, right across from us. In the position she would've occupied—and had occupied—when she was with my mate.

I set my hand on Dante's thigh, under the table. The alternative was to let her see the dark threads that would start flying off my fingers at any moment.

"Dante! I've been trying to get in contact with you since you escaped the penitentiary," the woman gushed, leaning over the table just enough that she didn't ruin her perfect posture. "You didn't answer my texts. How are you doing? Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine, Titania."

"There must be something I can help with. A date, to get you reacquainted with society? Or⁠—"

"I can handle my mate's needs just fine," I interrupted.

She blinked.

I'd definitely made it awkward.

Whoops.

The feel of Dante's pleasure curled through the flimsy wall between our minds. I couldn't, and didn't, pretend to dislike it.

Titania looked between us. "You're mated?"

"Happily." Dante's voice was calm.

Guilt made my stomach clench.

He wasn't happily mated. That was a lie.

"There was no announcement," she said. "Online. If you were mated, someone would've posted about it. You're always alone. I⁠—"

Dante interrupted her far more smoothly than I had. "Dark angels aren't the sort to broadcast their relationships across the city. I'm sure the news will spread eventually."

Titania blinked once.

Then again.

She finally, stiffly, stood up. "Congratulations."

She went back to her table quickly.

I leaned against Dante. "So maybe I'm a little possessive."

“I fucking love it."

“I know. I can feel how horny you are through the bond.”

“You can feel it another way, if you want.”

I smacked him lightly on the thigh, and he gave me a small grin.

My heartbeat picked up in response.

He never looked at me like that. Like he was happy to see me. Like he enjoyed being around me. No one did.

It was different.

I looked back at the table, focusing on my glass of water and lifting the straw to my lips. Whatever buzz I'd had earlier was gone.