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 f lung 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.
