Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 156

Isadora met Victor's gaze, searching the depths of his eyes.

His lashes were dark and thick, casting shadows over irises so deep they seemed almost black, catching flecks of light that shimmered with her delicate reflection.

"Kiss me, Isadora," Victor murmured.

Without a hint of hesitation, Isadora slipped her arms around his neck.

She leaned in close, pressing gentle kisses across his strong brows, down the elegant bridge of his nose—soft, lingering pecks, one after another.

Finally, her lips found his, leaving her mark there-tender, claiming.

Victor hadn't expected her to kiss him like this-not with such fervor, not with such abandon.

His eyes darkened, breath catching in his throat; in the quiet darkness of the rooftop, the sound was impossibly loud.

As Isadora started to pull back, Victor's hand caught her at the nape of her neck, drawing her in. His lips came down on hers, fierce and hungry.

The kiss deepened, turning wild and intoxicating as he tasted her sweetness, teasing and devouring in turns.

They traded soft breaths, each touch leaving Isadora dizzy, lost in his embrace. Fireworks still bloomed in the night sky, a riot of color above them.

In a shadowed corner of the rooftop, Magnus watched. His eyes burned scarlet, like a wolf's—fixed on the couple locked in their passionate kiss.

His hands clenched so tightly by his sides that the veins stood out starkly against his skin.

Tonight was Isadora's birthday party.

Magnus had driven, almost on autopilot, to the Vaughan family estate. But he hadn't gone inside.

He didn't want to ruin her happiness on her special day.

On the passenger seat beside him, nearly a dozen cell phones were scattered.

Isadora had blocked his number.

Every time he'd tried to reach out-every message, every call-she never replied.

So he bought more phones. Ten of them. Every time he missed her, he'd send a message from a different number.

Today was her birthday, and Magnus couldn't help himself; he sent her a simple, "Happy birthday."

sooner had he pressed send

He didn't pick up.

didn't need to be by

then—every year around this time, he'd always left Isadora

guilt

out of the Vaughan estate,

someone spotted Magnus sitting in his car, the gossip

demanding to know what had happened that

he

to rush inside, to

out of

trailed them all the way

the woman he once thought was his melt into another man's arms, kissing him with all the love she used to give him-Magnus

muscles spasmed, his whole body shaking as if every ounce of strength had been

see Isadora's smile, the light in her eyes-affection he'd once known

all,

never known jealousy or hatred like

he'd believed she still

realization was absurdly

fighting the urge to

teeth, he took one heavy step toward

the end, he turned and

Victor finally released Isadora when she was breathless, her face flushed and

eyes

thundered

things go any further-not here, not on a rooftop under the

and tucking loose hair behind her ear as she tried to steady her

distract herself, Isadora asked, "Why are you so sure it wasn't

hadn't even checked the security footage-just supported her, believed in her,

watching the redness creep up her neck. His voice was low and rough with desire. "Whether you did it or not doesn't matter. You're my girlfriend. No one gets to hurt you and get

drifted to the dazzling night sky. Her voice was barely above a

this dream that I'll never find my way back out

don't be so good to

back, lazily. "Alright then, Miss Vaughan. Why don't you be good

drew her hand toward him,

her

whole body flushed. Her voice was