"But I..."
"Sign the contract. Give it a week. If it doesn't work, we can end our agreement."
His eyes look so sincere, so vulnerable.
"Do we have a deal?"
Do we?
"Just a short-term, temporary contract," I confirm. "No strings, no tricks."
"With the option to go longer if it works for both parties," He smiles, sensing that he has won. "Yes."
"No s*x," I say out loud and he flinches. "If we do this, I don't want you mistaking me for some kind of prostitute."
"I would never treat you like a prostitute," he frowns, affronted. "If we..."
"No," I repeat. "Business only."
"Fine," he holds out his hand for me to shake. "Agreed. I'll have Rudy stop by this evening with the new contract."
"I can't," I apologize. "I, um, have a date."
His whole body stiffens as his canines elongate and
