Asks her to meet him at a café

Josh's grin widened, triumph gleaming in his eyes. "Wonderful. How about we meet at the café down the street in an hour? Your friends won't miss you for that long."

Almost trance-like, Erin agreed, the locket's influence making her pliant and suggestible. "Okay."

Josh's thumb brushed along Erin's cheek, his touch lingering just a bit longer than strictly necessary. The intimate gesture sent a shiver down her spine, her body reacting instinctively to his dominant presence.

"Good girl," he purred, his voice low and hypnotic. "I'll see you soon, pet."

With that, he stepped back and sauntered towards the exit, throwing a heated glance over his shoulder. Erin watched him go, a strange mix of excitement and trepidation swirling in her gut.

She quickly purchased the locket, clutching it like a talisman as she rejoined her friends. They chatted and laughed as they browsed, but Erin's mind was elsewhere, already anticipating her upcoming meeting with Josh.

True to his word, Josh waited for Erin outside the cafe exactly one hour later. He leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed yet somehow commanding, drawing appreciative glances from passersby.

When Erin approached, he straightened up and offered her a dazzling smile. "Right on time. I like punctuality in a woman." He placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards the entrance. "Shall we go in and get that coffee?"

As they entered the bustling cafe, Josh kept his hand resting possessively on Erin's lower back, steering her towards a quiet corner booth. He slid in across from her, his intense gaze never leaving her face.

"So tell me, Erin," he began, his voice smooth and enticing, "what brings a lovely thing like you to this part of town?"

Erin fidgeted slightly under Josh's penetrating stare, acutely aware of his proximity in the intimate booth. "I-I was just thrifting with some friends," she explained, unconsciously touching the locket at her throat. "We like to explore the local shops."

Josh leaned forward, his elbows on the table, closing the distance between them. "Thrift shopping, huh? A woman of eclectic tastes. I like that." His eyes flicked down to the locket, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Erin blushed at the compliment, feeling oddly flattered and flustered. "Thank you. I'm glad you noticed." She sipped her coffee, trying to calm her suddenly racing heart.

Josh's eyes glinted with mischief and barely concealed desire as he studied Erin over the rim of his coffee mug. Setting it down, he leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur.

"You know, Erin, I have a feeling that you and I could have a very... special connection," he said, his gaze intense and unwavering. "Have you ever thought about what it might be like to dedicate yourself fully to someone? To have them guide you, protect you, and show you pleasures beyond your wildest dreams?"

He reached across the table to take her hand, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "Someone who could help you discover parts of yourself you never knew existed? Who could mould you into the perfect version of yourself?"

His words washed over Erin like a soothing balm, the locket's influence amplifying their effect. She found herself leaning in, captivated by the promise in Josh's eyes and the seductive timbre of his voice.

"It sounds... intriguing," she admitted softly, her cheeks flushed and her breathing shallow. "I've never really considered anything like that before, but the way you describe it..."

Josh squeezed her hand gently, his touch electric against her skin. "It's not for everyone, I'll grant you that. But for those rare souls who are brave enough to embrace it, the rewards are immeasurable." He held her gaze, his expression equal parts challenging and enticing. "So I'll ask you again, Erin - have you ever dreamed of surrendering yourself completely to another person? Of placing yourself in their capable hands and trusting them to shape your destiny?"

Erin's heart raced as she listened to Josh's words, a part of her thrilled by the idea even as another part trembled at the magnitude of such a decision. She swallowed hard, her tongue darting out to wet her suddenly dry lips.

"I... I don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "It's a big step, and I've never met anyone who made me feel this way before." She looked down at their joined hands, marveling at how natural it felt to be touched by him. "But there's something about you, Josh. Something that makes me want to trust you, to see where this could lead."

Josh's smile widened, triumph and dark promise dancing in his eyes. "That's all I needed to hear, pet," he purred, his thumb continuing its maddeningly sensual circles on her palm.