"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 you will wear the outfit I have in this box."
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.