The tone between them was almost intimate, like the kind of yful banter couples might share before parting ways.


    They were already parked in front of her apartment building. Was he not nning to leave?


    Did he expect her to invite him upstairs for tea and y the gracious hostess? Isadora blinked, trying to keep herposure. "Thank you for saving me tonight."


    He said nothing.


    Flustered, she added quickly, “Let me buy you dinner sometime to make it up to you."


    Then, remembering who he was, she added, "Of course, that''s only if you''re willing."


    Victor tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. His eyes-dark as polished obsidian studied her, but he didn''t respond to her offer.


    He smirked. "Usually, after spending the night together, don''t most people share a goodbye kiss?"


    Thement made Isadora ufortable.


    She shot back, "Victor, do you always turn farewells into some sort of romantic ritual with your dates?"


    His gaze was allzy amusement, voice low and undeniably maic. "I don''t date women, Isadora."


    "But, if you want to be my woman, I could think about it."


    He leaned in a little, his tone teasing. "We do have great chemistry in that department, after all."


    Isadora forced an awkward smile. "I-I don''t want to be your woman!"


    She was certain Victor''s definition of "his woman" wasn''t the same as her idea of a girlfriend.


    She''d already failed miserably at being Magnus''s girlfriend. Why on earth would she jump from one disaster straight into another?


    Escaping one burning building just to run headlong into the next wasn''t an ident-it was just in foolish.


    Victor leaned closer, his voice dropping to a deliberately suggestive whisper. “Really? That''s not what you saidst night. You begged me to be gentle with you


    Before he could finish, Isadora''s slender hand shot out to cover his mouth, cutting him off in a panic.


    Victor''s handsome brows lifted in amusement; heughed softly, and the sound vibrated against her palm.


    With her hand covering half his face, his eyes seemed even more intense, a deep blue burning straight through her.


    Isadora felt her heart stumble.


    She quickly averted her gaze, withdrew her hand, and stammered, "Well-I should go. Goodnight."


    Before Victor could say another word, she pushed open the passenger door and mmed it shut behind her.


    She fled without looking back.


    Victor watched her hasty retreat, a faint, knowing smile ying at his lips.


    His expression turned shadowed, almost predatory, as he watched her disappear into the building—like a hunter watching prey that thought it had gotten away.


    Isadora.


    This time, you''ve caught my interest. Don''t think you''ll slip away so easily.


    Isadora let herself into her apartment.


    It was a simple, two-bedroom ce-nothing morous, just about a thousand square feet. One bedroom, a small study. Cozy and unpretentious, the kind of ce any ordinary person might call home.


    There were no floor-to-ceiling windows or extravagant finishes, but she did have a sunlit balcony overflowing with flowers and nts.


    Magnus had alwaysined about how cramped it was here, which was why he''d never bothered to visit. In fact, he''d gone so far as to buy her several new apartments, practically begging her to move.


    But Isadora had always preferred this ce. She''d bought it herself, with her own hard-earned money. That made all the difference.


    She nced around, then headed to the storage closet and pulled out arge cardboard box.


    Time to pack up everything Magnus had ever given her.


    Piece by piece, she filled the box-until, to her surprise, it was overflowing.


    Looking at it, she realized it made sense.


    These were the remnants of five years loving a man who never loved her back.


    There were still plenty of things she''d left at his house, gifts she hadn''t bothered to bring home.


    Isadora sank onto the floor, staring nkly at the box''s contents.


    An old photo album, a few property deeds, some expensive jewelry, and an engagement ring.


    The apartments were all in prime locations-she could sell any of them for millions, easy.


    She''d spent years hopelessly chasing after Magnus, foolishly thinking she''d finally melted his icy heart.


    But then his one true love, Elise, came back into his life.


    What a surprise, Isadora thought bitterly. The original me always burns brightest.


    She was ready to sell everyst thing he''d given her.


    If nothing else, she''d treat it aspensation for all those wasted years.