Chapter Twenty three.

Elina’s POV

Noah’s grip on my waist didn’t loosen. If anything, it grew firmer, pulling me flush against his chest. My breath hitched at the nearness, at the familiar scent of him,clean soap, cedarwood, something that had haunted my dreams for five years.

“Not just a thank you, Elina,” he murmured, his lips brushing my temple. “I want more.”

My mouth went dry. I wanted to push him away, to tell him that this wasn’t fair— that we weren’t ready for this. But my body betrayed me. Every nerve was lit, every memory of his touch flooding back like a dam bursting open.

“Noah—” I tried, but the protest died when his thumb stroked lazy circles at the base of my spine.

“You almost died last night,” he said, voice low and raw. “Do you know what that did to me? Watching them hold a gun to your head?” His forehead pressed against mine. “I can’t lose you again.”

I swallowed hard, my chest heaving. “This isn’t the way—”

“It’s the only way I know.”

Then he kissed me.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t tenta