[Elena's POV]

I smoothed down the silk of my dress and gave Noah a small, deliberate smile.

"You look incredibly tense," I teased, stepping closer to him. "Are you worried your mother bullied me?"

Noah shifted his weight. For the first time since I met him, the terrifying Boss of Velgrave actually avoided my gaze. He looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"My mother does not bully women," Noah muttered, running a hand through his dark brown hair. "I was worried she would be... overly enthusiastic. ...