"You were marked to be mine, and I never forgot that," he said softly.

"Listen to me, Darius. I have a new life among the Skins. I don't do wolves..."

"Good, because the only one you will be doing is me, darling."

Samantha ignored that comment. "I'm in Skin now for good. I don't hold to Lupine traditions and they don't hold me. I'm here on business with you, and we will behave professionally for the next few days, just as you'd deal with any other Skin."

"Those Skins usually get drunk and then they sign the contract. I don't want you drunk, Sam." He leaned forward and encased her palm with his large, warm one. Callouses rubbed against her skin. Despite the silk suit, he was a working man, and it was proven by these marks of labor. For a moment she relished the feel of his hand protectively covering hers. Darius was real, someone not afraid of hard work, a man who would keep his woman safe and protected and...

Stop. It. He was Lupine. Not a man, and a Lupine who only thought of taking her back to a life she no longer wanted.

"I want you alert and aware. I want you fully knowing what's going to happen to you." His smile, oh, so sexy and slow, made all her female parts sit up and pay attention.

"Happen?"

"When I undress you, very slowly, and then take you to my bed. I want you awake and aware, feeling every inch of my naked body against yours, my hands stroking you, down your hips, between your legs...but no, I can't wait for the hotel. I'd tear off your clothing and bend you over this table right now..."

Yes, yes, yes, her wolf whined. Now!

"Stop it. We're in public," she whispered.

So? This booth has curtains.

He withdrew his hand. "Sorry, darling. Around you, I forget to be a gentleman. You drive me wild, make me think about only one thing."

She gave a nervous laugh. "I gather it's not water pumps."

"No, but a cold shower might help."

All these years, she'd tried to get Skins interested in her, saying the words Darius had just uttered so softly, seductively. And the one male she needed interested only in business?

He wanted to remove all her clothing and take her on the table, here and now. Heat flared between her legs. She squirmed in her seat at the image of Darius bending her over the table, spreading her thighs wide, his big, muscled body standing between them, his hard cock touching her wet center...

She picked up her water glass and drank deeply. Funny how she tried to sell him a water project and all he did was make her hot and thirsty.

He watched her. "But a cold shower wouldn't help. Not with you. Unless you joined me."

The graphic promise in his smoky voice evoked an image of them tangling together, water cascading down his chest as he soaped her body, so vivid it felt like he'd slid a hand between her legs. Samantha clenched her thighs and watched him smile, as if he knew.

Of course he did. He was a wolf, and could smell her arousal.

But sex wasn't enough. Having spent ten lonely years pining for his touch, wishing he were there to hold the coldness at bay, she needed more. Maybe other Lupine females would be satisfied with orgasms. She wanted a shining vision of her reflected in his eyes when he looked down at her as they made love.

Remembering the grunts and moans of pleasure on the tapes the detective had made for her, Samantha stifled a regretful sigh. How could he be exclusive? Not with that earthy, driving sensuality that sent women into ecstasy in his bed.

She fiddled with her napkin. "You were going to tell me what a mating rite is."

Darius drew in a deep breath. "I know I've asked you this before, but didn't you learn anything about Lupine rituals when you were growing up?"

"My mother..." She felt a familiar pain knot her stomach. "She was overprotective. She said there were aspects of Lupine pack life I didn't need to know."

For a long moment he said nothing. Then he drained his wineglass and filled it again from the bottle on the table.

"A mating rite is final. There is no going back. Lupines who engage in one can't live in the Skin world. They have to live in a pack or they wither and die."

Dismay filled her. Live among wolves for good? "They can't live among humans?"

"No."

"I don't understand. You said it was sexual?"

She felt stupid, like a child asking a parent about the mechanics of sex. But deep inside, instinct urged her to explore this idea. Because once they had shared a deep connection and she'd broken it for good. And deep inside, her dormant Lupine self was curious about such a secretive and ancient ritual.

Darius rubbed his lower lip with a thumb and she suddenly wanted to trace his mouth with her tongue...trace his whole body with her tongue.

Samantha locked her legs together.

"Ah, with a mating rite, after the couple exchanges vows, they have sex. In front of at least one witness to prove the female is willing to undertake this very extreme vow. The specifics are usually dictated by the male's preferences. That way the female fully knows what the male enjoys during sex and there are no surprises after the rite. After the male Lupine demonstrates his preferences, the female dictates what sexual acts will take place. Most times, the sex turns slightly kinky. Or very kinky."

He took a deep breath and locked his darkening gaze to hers. "Such as blindfolds, velvet ropes and other restraints."

"That's what's expected?"

"That's what I enjoy."

Heat suffused her face. Certain her face was bright red, she sipped her wine. But she did not look away.

"Kinky. What else? A threesome? Or more?"

Darius' mouth quirked in apparent amusement. "No, darling, a mating rite is exclusively between the couple, because the couple must bond."

"Two Lupines proving their love through sex. It doesn't sound too weird. Except for the witness."

"The witness is usually the pack alpha, and the alpha is very discreet. It can be as open or as private as the couple wishes. The sex can be rough. That's why a mating rite carries a distinct risk if the female isn't strong enough. Many times the male will turn feral when the couple shifts into wolves and have sex in wolf form..."

Samantha's heart nearly stopped. "Bestiality?!"

Darius winced as a few other diners glanced their way. "Lower your voice."

"Sorry."

"Sex in wolf form. Not the same."

Dear gods. Fear slid down her spine as she recalled seeing Maxim shifting into a wolf while he had sex. She thought of the amber flashing in Darius' eyes as he went to mark her as his mate.

Lupine sex seemed ferocious and savage enough. Maybe she could handle it in Skin form, but shifting into a wolf to have sex?

He saw her expression and sighed. "Sam, it's our Lupine nature. Your nature. You'll find out. Don't be scared of what you truly are," he said quietly. "It's perfectly normal and natural for our kind."

"Normal? Natural? Not for the life I've chosen." She took a huge gulp of wine. "Darius, I accidentally saw it when I was fourteen. Your father and a female were having sex in the woods. Not a nice sight. It was pretty rough. But then they shifted into wolves and it was...brutal."

Sympathy filled his gaze. "Seeing my father have sex in any form would traumatize a young female. You were young, Sam. Not old enough to comprehend our lifestyle. Sex in wolf form bonds together the couple and is the most erotic pleasure you can imagine. Or so I've been told, as I've reserved that experience for my mate."

For you, his gaze hinted.

Suddenly she felt lost and more alone than when she'd first arrived in Portland, not knowing a single person.

"I can't do this. I'm not a good wolf. I want to live as a Skin. Not a Lupine. I've never truly fit into the Lupine world." Her voice dropped, and her stomach knotted with tension. "Sometimes I don't know where I fit in. I like living as a human, and I don't know if I can ever go back to being wolf."

His mouth tightened.

Their entrees arrived, to her huge relief. Samantha redirected the conversation, asking about the ranch. Keep it brisk and impersonal. Nothing about me, or his lifestyle.

Certainly nothing more about sex or mating.

When the meal was finished and Darius signaled for the check, she brought out her credit card. He shook his head.

"I can't let you pay, Sam."

"Don't do this to me," she said quietly. "If I let you pay for dinner, it's a date and it will look bad for me. I have enough trouble at the office, competing with all those men, trying to prove myself."

He gave her a thoughtful look, but when the check arrived, slid it across the table to her. Relief filled her as she handed the waiter her card.

"Thanks," she told Darius.

"I don't want to make things difficult. I want to make you happy, Sam." He glanced at his watch. "It's still early. How about hitting up a club for drinks and dancing?"

Smooth moves, wolf. Let me pay for dinner, keep it business, but then party afterward. "I have to get up early."

"I'll get you home in plenty of time to get your beauty rest. Let me take you to Jones. One drink, a few dances."

Jones, a popular nightclub featuring 90's music. She'd wanted to go there for a long time, but never had. "Is that a favorite haunt for you to pick up women?"

Darius shook his head. "Never. That's why I'm offering to take you there."

Samantha felt torn. She longed to share good times with Darius. Like the old days with him, when they'd laughed and talked for hours, thinking the world was theirs.

How nave they'd been.

"C'mon, Sam. I promise to behave." He gave her an adorably sweet look from beneath those impossibly long, dark lashes.

"Behave like a Skin or a wolf?"

"Depends. Which one will get you into bed?"

She laughed. Darius was a rogue, but honest. And his charming smile, the dimple in his left cheek made her melt. Just a little. "All right. One dance. But not a slow one."

"Deal."

Success in small steps. She'd remain with him. Triumph filled Darius. Although he wanted to keep her with him all night, he knew he had to take it slow.

Several men turned to watch Sam walk by. Darius put a hand at the small of her back, a gesture intended to claim her. But as they neared the bar, he felt her stiffen. "Todd," Sam whispered under her breath. "He must have arrived after we did. Let's get out of here."

Todd? Her bad date? Darius controlled himself and started to guide her away from the bar and all the men. But the one named Todd spoke up.

"Hey Fat Ass."

Sam did not look. Darius did. The man was balding, with pale eyes, sitting close to an attractive brunette.

"You, with the polka-dotted dress. Samantha. Fat-assed bitch who threw soup on me. I'm talking to you."

Color flushed her face, but she held her head high and ignored him.

But like the dumb-fuck he was, the guy couldn't leave it alone. "Who's your date? You must have paid him real good, because that's the only way you can ever get laid. The only sex you probably ever get comes from a battery-operated instrument."

Darius froze. He felt his wolf rise and knew his eyes flashed amber. Then he lifted Sam's hand, brushing a kiss against her knuckles. "Sweetheart, will you wait outside for a moment while I deal with this garbage?"

"No, Darius." Sam shook her head. "Let me handle this. It's my problem."

Without waiting for an answer, she strolled up to the jerk, hips swaying in a sensual motion that made Darius' mouth water. Sam spoke in a loud, clear tone above the bar's chatter.

"Are you following me around like a hurt puppy, Todd? Because it's terribly coincidental you're here the same time I am."

The man flushed red. Bingo. Darius' temper rose. Why the hell was this ass stalking Sam? To taunt her in public?

Sam shook her head. "Let's face it, Todd. I would have a better time with my vibrator than on a date with you. At least the batteries wouldn't run out before I got satisfied."

Todd picked up the brunette's drink.

"Hey, that's mine," the woman protested.

He threw the contents into Sam's face.

Sam reeled backward, shock paling her face, clear liquid running down her cheeks. Darius swore softly and placed his hands on her shoulders. Very gently, he turned her face and withdrew a handkerchief from his jacket pocket. He blotted the wetness, smelling vodka and something odd beneath the strong liquor. As she took the cloth and wiped her face, a murderous urge overcame him. He fought the Lupine instinct to show claws and teeth and tear the bastard apart. The brunette had left her seat and went to join other women, whispering as they all watched the drama.

"Sweetheart, you okay?"

She nodded, looking shaken, but lifted her chin as she handed back his handkerchief.

"Pretty boy," Todd taunted. "Wanna try something?"

Temper rising to boiling, Darius glanced around. "Not here." He nodded at the concerned bartender. "Can you get her a glass of water? And get that woman another one of whatever she was drinking?"

"I'm okay," Sam said in a shaky voice.

He ignored that remark. "Sam, stay here."

Fisting a hand in Todd's shirt, he took a deep inhale. He smelled beer, stale breath, whiskey and something not human. Darius looked at the bartender. "Is he a local?"