[Elena's POV]

"There is one more thing," I said.

I stared at him, my fingers still wrapped loosely around his dark silk tie. The exam room suddenly felt suffocatingly small, the air thick with the smell of medical alcohol and his cold mint cologne.

Noah waited. He kept his hands planted on the vinyl mattress on either side of my hips, caging me in. It gave me the illusion of space while ensuring I couldn't retreat an inch.

"If you ever force me out again," I said, my voice steady, "do not use a ...