Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Tonight's charity gala was a spectacle-reporters everywhere, even the police showed up.

No surprise it caused such a stir; the whole thing was trending at the top of every news feed online.

Victor knowing about it didn't shock Isadora in the least.

She pressed her lips together, then decided to come clean. "When I came with Nanette that day, I asked her to help me find someone to tail Olivia and her friends. I bugged them and listened in on their conversation. Then I used the recording to expose Olivia's crimes-that's what tonight was about."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"At the time, I wasn't sure it was really Olivia. I was just suspicious, so... I kept quiet."

Victor let out a noncommittal hum.

Isadora glanced up, searching his face for any hint of emotion, but the moonlight streaming in from the window only made his expression harder to read. His lashes cast shadows, concealing whatever he was feeling.

"I made sure I wasn't in any danger when I did it," she added, almost ready to raise three fingers and swear it was the truth.

Victor snorted and tapped her forehead, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

Seeing his expression finally soften, Isadora felt herself relax too.

Emboldened, she shot back, "You were so scary just now, do you even realize?"

Victor arched a brow. "That was scary?"

She drew herself up, feigning indignation. "What else would you call it?"

"If I were really angry, you wouldn't have made it into the study."

“So you actually wanted to keep me out? And to think I was nice enough to bring you some pumpkin soup!"

Victor's dark eyes flicked over to the bowl on the desk, and he let out a short laugh.

"Piggy Vaughan, you know I don't like sweets. Did you bring that pumpkin soup for yourself or for me?"

He'd caught her red-handed.

Isadora wasn't about to admit defeat. "If I eat it, that means the baby gets it. If the baby gets it, shouldn't you be happy too?"noveldrama

Victor's lips curled into a smile, his tone a low, indulgent rumble. "All right, all right, your logic is as crooked as ever."

He walked over, his clean, elegant fingers picking up the bowl. Scooping up a spoonful, he held it out and fed her.

Isadora reveled in the attention, opening her mouth and letting him spoon the sweet soup past her lips.

The pumpkin soup was rich and velvety, laced with cinnamon and cream, a little too sweet but comforting all the same.

She couldn't resist licking a hint of coconut from the corner of her mouth.

Watching her tongue dart out, Victor's gaze darkened, his voice dropping. "Is it sweet?"

She assumed he wanted a taste. "Mm-hmm, do you want some? It's really good."

"Sure."

The next moment, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, tasting the sweetness right from her lips,

savoring her as if she were the only

dessert he needed. fo

"Definitely sweet," he murmured as he pulled away, his eyes glimmering with mischief, dark as polished obsidian.

Isadora's pale cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

Between the two of them, the bowl of pumpkin soup quickly disappeared.

Outside, a gentle breeze stirred the

garden, sending waves of floral fragrance drifting through the open window, filling the study with a

heady scent.

A thought struck Isadora. She looked at Victor.

"Even though Olivia got taken in by the police because of the recording, the Walshes will bail her out for sure. Can you put some pressure on the police department for me?

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Did you really think you needed to ask?"

She remembered the phone call he'd just made. "So that call earlier was to the station?"

He gave a nonchalant grunt.

Grinning, Isadora wrapped her arms around his neck, her tone suddenly earnest. "Thank you."

Victor slid his arms around her waist, pulling her close, his voice lazy and teasing. "Thank me for what, exactly?"

What was that supposed to mean? Did he expect something in return, even now? Isadora blinked, playing dumb. "Thank you for what?"

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Victor's eyes. "Last time you thanked me, what did you say next?"