Page 97 of Imprisoned with the Vampire King

OPHELIA

I ordered two mimosas as soon as the waiter came to our table. Dante just grabbed two waters. I was pretty sure one of his drinks was for me, even though neither of mine were for him.

"Don't most people on dates sit across from each other?" I asked.

"There are no rules for dates."

"I'm pretty sure there are."

"Not for us." He stretched his arm over the back of the bench. "You're the one who told me I have too many rules."

"Fair point." I nodded.

"I have a question," Dante said.

"Can we just not talk? That could be a rule."

He chuckled. "You wouldn't survive it."

I feigned upset. "Don't be an ass."

"Alright. Let's try not talking."

He mimed zipping his lips.

I pressed mine together.

I managed thirty seconds before I spoke up. "Fine, I hate silence. What's your question?"

His mind brushed mine again. "Who knotted you the first time?"

"I'm not stupid enough to answer that. That kind of question gets people killed."

"Were you in a relationship? You must've trusted him a lot, to try it."

"God, no. I've never been in a relationship before. I've never even been on a date before." I turned my gaze to the napkin holder. It was cute, like everything else in the restaurant. The style was quirky and fun, with bright colors and eclectic decor that all looked like it belonged together despite its uniqueness.

Dante didn't respond.

He was waiting. I knew that. I just wasn't enthusiastic about telling him anything else.

Thankfully, my mimosas were delivered then, buying me a few more minutes of freedom from the discomfort.

I drained one before setting the glass down. The alcohol burned, but I hoped it would ease my discomfort a little.

Dante silently passed me one of his water glasses.

I drained half of that too.

The waiter came back to take our orders, buying me a few more minutes before I finally, reluctantly, kept talking.

Mentally, obviously.

I wasn't sharing that story out loud.

And as much as I didn't want to admit it, some part of me liked that Dante enjoyed having my voice in his mind.

"A few years after the prison shit happened, I decided to have a sexual awakening. It was uncomfortable at first, but there are apps for casual hookups. I eventually ended up at a sex club. Figured I might as well go big or go home, so I wanted to try everything. Knotting was one of the last things I went for."