Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 365

Summit Crest Estates.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, rain blurred the world into a gray haze. Thunder split the midnight sky, lightning illuminating roiling clouds as if the heavens themselves were at war.

Isadora stood in front of the window, arms crossed, quietly watching the storm rage outside.

Victor appeared behind her without a sound. He wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin gently on her hair.

"I thought you were afraid of thunderstorms," he murmured. "So why are you watching?"

Isadora blinked, trying to slip from his too-intimate embrace, but Victor's arms only tightened, holding her fast.

For a moment, she simply watched the downpour. "I'm not really afraid of storms," she admitted, her voice soft. "That night, I lied to you."

"Oh?" Victor's voice was low, teasing.

"I just... wanted you to stay with me."

Victor remembered the message he'd missed that night-a pang of regret flickering in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I missed my chance that night."

With that, he swept her up into his arms and carried her over to the sofa. Sitting down with her in his lap, he fixed her with a gaze so dark and intense it seemed to swallow the room's dim light.

Under the weight of his stare, Isadora felt a warm flush creep up her neck and into her cheeks. She made a move to get up.

Suddenly, something cool clasped around her wrist. She glanced down and saw a sapphire bracelet encircling her arm, catching the lightning's glint.

"Wear it," Victor said softly.

at the sparkling gems. "I already gave it back to

was almost a whisper. "It's always

her fingers over the smooth stones. "It

tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Isadora, I know you don't believe how

he didn't say, but the promise was there in his eyes-deep, calm, and impossible to look

a long moment, neither of

rang. He excused himself to the study for

warm bath soak away her fatigue. Only after a long while did she feel her tension begin

she came out, Victor

in the living room, then headed to her guest room

by the kitchen counter, a glass of water in hand. The muscles in his throat moved as

the sound

hush of the

Isadora, gaze as deep and wild as the howling wind

lip. "I'm

voice rumbled low and warm. "All

and walked to

steps growing

without looking back, she could

guest room door, stepped inside, and glanced back at him. "Good

didn't move, his eyes tracking her until the door clicked

pressed a hand to

it to quiet down.

how to make her lose

closed door, Victor stared