the stains from his sweater and jeans. And couldn’t help
noticing—or feeling—the huge bulge of his excitement.
An odd slither of feminine satisfaction ran through
her. At least he couldn’t deny his interest in her when the
evidence of it was so clearly visible.
“Will there be anything else, sir?” she said, voice a
little more breathy than she would have liked.
His smile smoked her insides. “Not right now.”
She nodded and retreated to the other side of the diner.
“Impressive move,” Ari whispered in admiration. “I’ll
have to remember that one.”
Her smile felt tight. Ari wasn’t likely to believe it had
been an accident any more than Duncan had.
The time dragged by. He finished his meal and sipped
his coffee, which she kept topped-off. Everything she did,
everywhere she went, she could feel his gaze on her—a
heated caress that promised far more than it would
probably deliver.
By three, with the crowd thinning out, she was close
to nervous exhaustion. Her dad came out of the kitchen,
folding down the collar of the jacket he now wore over his
uniform. “I’m heading over to pick Mother up at the
hospital. You coming?”
She shook her head. She didn’t need to go into that
sterile place to see her twin. She could see her anytime
she liked by simply opening her thoughts. And she would
know a lot sooner than any damn doctor when Sav had
woken.
“Your mother thinks you should.”
“I hate hospitals, you know that.” They were too full
of pain, too full of misery and hurt, and it overwhelmed
even the strongest of her shields. “Savannah will
understand, believe me.”
“Your mother won’t.”
“Mom doesn’t run my life any more.” Though she
certainly tried. Neva had images of being sixty and still
crossing swords with her disapproving parent. “I’ll finish
up here and close once the last of our customers leave.”
He nodded. “Don’t forget dinner.”
As if she dared.
“Now’s your chance,” Ari whispered the minute Levon
walked out the door. “Go chat with that delicious man.”
There were three customers still in the diner, and Ari
herself. If Neva was going to confront Duncan’s demands,
she’d rather do it when they were alone. “I don’t know.”
“Oh for moon’s sake, he’s been watching you all
afternoon. What have you got to lose?”
Nothing but my sanity, she thought. And what
remained of her self-esteem. But she took her apron off,
grabbed the coffee pot and a cup for herself, and walked
across to his booth.
“Sit,” he said, voice soft but holding no inflection.
She slid into his booth and poured herself a coffee.
She didn’t refill his, simply shoved the coffee pot his way.
A tight smile touched his full lips.
“No longer the charming host, I see.”
“I’m on a break. What do you want?” Her voice held
an edge.
“You,” he all but drawled. “Why else would I be here?”
Something in the tone of his voice sent a tingle of
anticipation crawling across her skin. Which was
ridiculous when the only pleasure he seemed to care about
was his own.
“Well, we do make the best burgers in town.”
Amusement touched his obsidian gaze, a warmth so
fleeting she wondered if she’d imagined it. “But they’re
not as tasty as the morsel I tried from here last night.”
Her cheeks flamed in memory, and she dragged her
gaze from his. It was far safer to stare at her coffee than
into his soulless eyes. “Tell me what you want,” she
repeated.
He crossed his arms and leaned forward. “Look at me,”
he demanded.
Almost against her will, her gaze rose to his. How could
a man with a face so beautiful be so totally devoid of
anything resembling humanity?
“My pack is having a fancy dress dance tonight,
separate from the main one. You will accompany me, and
She stared at him, her stomach churning. “I won’t be
shared. I don’t care what your sordid dance rules say,
you can’t demand that of me.”
Amusement touched his lips, but again held little
warmth. “Have no fear there, little wolf. You are mine,
and only mine, for the remainder of the week.”
Relief slithered through her—though it was hardly
much comfort knowing she had to submit to his uncaring
touch for the next five days. Even if that was what she
had planned.
She looked at the box, hating to think what sort of
outfit he’d chosen for her. Probably a hooker, if his recent
treatment was anything to go by. “What if the outfit doesn’t
fit?”
“You’ll try it on. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll exchange it.”
“I’ll take it into the back room and try it on now, if
you’d like.” She started to rise, but he clamped a hand on
her arm, stopping her. His fingers burned against the chill
of her skin, searing heat deep.
“No. Later, when your friend and customers have left.”
She sat back down, her gaze locked by his. And knew,
with sickening certainty, that he intended to take what
he’d missed out on last night. Right here in this diner,
where her dad would return within the hour.
“Don’t.” Her voice held a note of pleading, but she
didn’t care. “Please, not here.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you deny it is my right?”
Damn it, I promised you the nights, not the days. You
can’t make me do this.
Oh, but I can. His mind voice was silky.
Her throat was drier than the Sahara. She licked her
lips, wishing she could pick up her coffee and throw it in
his face. But she couldn’t, simply because her hands were
shaking so much most of it would be spilled over the table
long before she tossed it at him. “What do you mean?”
He reached across the table, capturing her hand,
turning it palm side up. His thumb stroked her wrist, a
gentle, almost possessive caress that sent shivers of desire
skating across her skin. God, she hated that he could do
this to her—and so damn easily.
“When you participate in certain sports, you should
always make sure you understand the rules before you
start to play.”
“Meaning?”
“Remember what I asked, and how you replied, before
our first mating?”
The first, and probably only, time of magic between
them—and one she wasn’t likely to forget, especially over
the next few days. “Yeah. So?”
“So, those words were actually an ancient spell of
binding. They allow me to enforce my will on you.”
A cold chill ran down her spine. “You’re kidding.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Am I? Shall we test the theory
right now?”
“No.” Her voice was little more than a breathy whisper
of horror. “Not here.”
His smile was mirthless. “Reach up with your left hand
and undo the top button of your uniform.”
Energy slithered across her skin, through her skin,
became a noose that slipped around her mind and pulled
tight. She fought the compulsion with every ounce of
strength she had, but her hand still rose, her fingers
trembling as they touched the button.
“Damn you to hell,” she muttered, tears touching her
eyes. She couldn’t let him get away with it, no matter
what he did to her afterward. She wasn’t defenseless, and
it was about time he realized that.
She channelled her fear, her humiliation, into a thin
lance of energy and flung it back at him.
It hit him with enough force to throw him back in the
seat. His gaze went wide, eyes filled for the briefest of
moments by the echo of everything she was feeling. Then
his shields slammed home, and the lance died.
“What the hell was that?”
“A taste of what you’ll get if you try to use the binding
on me,” she said. “You’ll pay for my submissiveness, let
me tell you.”
He studied her for a moment, then smiled. It held very
little warmth. “Thank you for warning me. I’ll be sure I
stop you from using your gifts before I issue any orders
from now on.”
She wanted to smack him. She really did. She clenched
her fists, but rose and walked away instead. This was her
doing, her mess. What sort of fool was she to believe she
could enter into any sort of sexual game with a man like
Duncan Sinclair and come away unscathed?
“So?” Ari whispered. “How did it go?”
She forced a warm smile. “I’ll tell you tomorrow. For
now, consider yourself rushed out the door.”
“Now that sounds promising.” Ari dropped a kiss on
Neva’s cheek, then picked up her bag and coat. “I want
details. Lots of details. And remember the bicarb.”
Once she’d left, Neva headed into the kitchen, checking
to ensure that everything was turned off, then walked
around the building, locking the doors and windows. The
diner’s front door was the last one she locked.
“Don’t,” he said softly when she reached for the blind.
She froze for a moment, then grabbed the base of the
blind and yanked it down anyway. A second later, it rolled
back up, clattering noisily against the frame.
“Telekinesis,” he said gravely, “can be a handy gift in
situations like this.”
She took a deep breath, but it did little to ease the
trembling deep inside. Only trouble was, she knew it wasn’t
all fear. The full moon was closer tonight, and the wildness
was raging to be free. She clenched her fists and turned
around.
Without the lights on, the diner was filled with dusky
shadows. Evening came early here in the mountains, and
of that she was glad. At least it meant if anyone did walk
by, there’d be less chance of them seeing what was
happening inside the diner.
Her gaze clashed with his and, for the briefest moment,
amusement flashed in the dark depths of his eyes. Then
it was gone, locked behind the shutters.
“Come over here,” he said, voice as seductive as the
kiss of silk against skin.
She forced her reluctant feet forward. He’d shifted from
the booth to a table, turning his chair sideways and
stretching his long legs out in front of him. The small
parcel was still sitting on the booth’s seat.
“Undress.”
He could have been asking her to clear the table for
all the emotion he showed. She stared at him, but she
knew she had no real choice. Sure, she could make him
pay, but his shields were almost as strong as hers. Now
that she’d so stupidly warned him, they’d undoubtedly
remain up and would take most of the sting of an empathic
attack. Her gift was a weapon best used when a victim’s
mind was wide open and unaware.
And she’d much rather be embarrassed of her own
free will than be forced into it. And in the end, no matter
how she fought him, he would force her.
She slipped off her shoes and slowly began undoing
the buttons on the front of her dress. Hunger slipped warm
and bright between them, caressing her mind with its heat.
She threw her dress on the other seat, followed quickly by
her panties and bra.
His gaze all but devoured her, and pinpricks of desire
skidded across her skin. Her nipples puckered, as if in
anticipation of his touch, and the longing he’d left
unquenched last night stirred anew.
“What now?” she said, crossing her arms.
He leaned forward, gripped her elbows, and pulled her
forward. “Straddle me.”
She did. He was as hard as she was achy, and she
couldn’t help the fleeting wish that he were as naked as
she.
He raised a hand, skimming his knuckles down her
neck and between her breasts. Goose bumps scurried
across her skin, and her heart hammered so loudly its
beat seemed to echo through the silence.
His hand slipped around her waist then rested against
her back, pressing heat into her spine as he gently pushed
her forward. His tongue skimmed her skin, trailing fire
and sending a delicious shiver of anticipation through her
body. He outlined a breast with that liquid touch, circling
it, gradually working his way inward. He teased the outer
edges of that dark circle, but never touched the aching,
sensitive center.
Sweat skittered across her skin, and every muscle
quivered. Ached. His whisper-soft touch moved to her other
breast. By the time he’d finished circling its center, she
thought she was going to die with frustration.
He moved on, tasting her collarbone, her neck. Kissed
her ear, her cheek, before finally claiming her mouth. It
was a long, slow possession that left her gasping for breath.
His kiss eventually made its way down her neck. When
his mouth closed around one aching nipple, she groaned
at the sweet delight of it. He sucked hard, sending glorious
waves of pleasure lapping across her skin, then claimed
her other nipple, repeating the process, leaving her
moaning in enjoyment.
“What are you doing for dinner?” he whispered, his
breath searing her skin as he kissed her throat.
She blinked at the unexpected question. “Eating with
my parents.” The slither of unease surfaced again. “Why?”
“Don’t you think they should meet the man you’re
spending the next five days with?”
She stared at him, her throat so dry it ached. “What
do you mean?”
“I mean that I want you by my side, and in my bed,
night and day.”
Horror slid through her. She tried to push away, tried
to stand, but his hand held her securely in
place. “You
can’t. I won’t.” And yet, deep down, she had to acknowledge
this was the chance she’d been looking for. It would offer
her the freedom, night and day, she needed to roam the
mansion, talk to the people within the pack—and hunt
down the killer.
But the cost would be her parent’s respect. Was that
too high a price to pay?
She remembered the torn and bloodied remains of the
woman who’d been killed last night. Remembered the way
her sister had looked, swathed in bandages, so small and
frail and pale against the antiseptic brightness of the
hospital. Relived the horror of the moment she’d shared
with her twin when the wolf had attacked her.
Was the cost too high? She couldn’t honestly say.
“You have no right to demand this.”
He raised an eyebrow, a gesture that was both eloquent
and arrogant. “No right, but certainly the will.”
“You must know my parents are old school.”
Desperation touched her voice, but right then, she didn’t
care. “They don’t believe in the dance or mating for
pleasure. Something like this will kill them.”
He still caressed her, sending tremors of longing rolling
through her. It was as if she were a well-tuned instrument
designed only for his touch. As much as she wanted to,
she couldn’t kill her desire,.
“Would you rather I wait until dark, walk into that
dinner of yours, and demand you uphold your promise to
mate with me right there and then?”
Her stomach clenched tight, and for a moment she
thought she was going to throw up. “You wouldn’t.” But
even as she said it, she knew he would. He was the wildest
of the wild, and seemed overly eager to live up to his
reputation—no matter what that might do to her.
And she had no one to blame but herself.
She licked her lips, searched desperately for an
argument that might work. “I have to work here during
the day.”
“You’ve never taken a vacation? Hasn’t anyone ever
filled in for you?”
“That’s beside the point.”
“No, it’s not. I want you, and I shall have you. I will
play the charming suitor if you wish, but you will leave
with me after dinner, and you will stay with me the next
five days.”
She stared at him helplessly. Part of her did want this—