**Elena's POV:**
I stood in front of Declan's bedroom door, my hand raised to knock. My heart pounded in my chest, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I paced up and down the hallway, trying to gather the courage to talk to him. His scent filled the hallway, making me feel strangely aroused. I didn’t know why. It felt like I was going crazy.
Finally, I knocked on the door and, without waiting for a response, I pushed it open slightly and stepped inside. Declan was seated behind his desk, looking down at some papers. He looked up as I entered, his eyes meeting mine.
"Elena," he said, his voice steady. "Have you considered my proposal?"
I shook my head. "No, Declan. I can't accept it."
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Why not? You've been needy the past week, and I
