Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel 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.

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

His voice was almost a whisper. "It's always been yours."

Isadora ran her fingers over the smooth stones. "It isn't mine anymore."

Victor gently tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Isadora, I know you don't believe how much I care about you. That's all right. This time, let's take things slow. I'll wait for you."

I'll wait for you to fall in love with me, he didn't say, but the promise was there in his eyes—deep, calm, and impossible to look away from, like a whirlpool that threatened to pull her under.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Victor's phone rang. He excused himself to the study for a video conference.