[Elena's POV]

"That's good to know." Aris just offered a polite, deeply knowing smile, picked up his leather bag, and walked out to his sports car.

Noah tossed the expensive art book onto the console table. He stepped into my space, backing me up until my spine hit the cool plaster wall.

His long fingers gripped my hips, pressing into my skin through the thin cotton of my shirt.

The sharp scent of burnt gunpowder and cold mint washed over my face. His breathing was a low, measured rasp against the quiet hum of the house.

The heat radiating off his solid body completely suffocated the cool air in the...