Victor had only meant to tease her, nothing more.


    But the woman in his arms was soft and delicate, her petite frame pressed trustingly against him. It had been so long since he''d felt this, and the unfamiliar ache of longing stirred inside him, catching him off guard.


    His dark eyes fixed on her-tracing the delicate lines of her brows, the gentle slope of her nose, and finally her rosy lips, parting and closing with a tempting rhythm that drew him in.


    Isadora nced up, her gaze lingering on the sharp line of his jaw before drifting higher to his eyes. They were fathomless and calm at first, then growing turbulent like a whirlpool threatening to pull her under.


    The air in the room seemed to heat up, growing thick with anticipation.


    Isadora''sshes fluttered as she found her voice, barely above a whisper. "Didn''t you say you were going to... take a shower?"


    Victor didn''t move, his eyes never leaving her. His voice was low and intoxicating. "I did."


    Her heart thudded for reasons she couldn''t name. "Then... what are you waiting for?"


    He reached out, brushing his fingers along her chin, then up her cheek, tracing the delicate curve of her earlobe with a gentle pinch.


    His eyes followed the path of his hand, exploring every smooth inch of her skin.


    The slow, deliberate touch sent a shiver through her, and a part of her wanted to pull away-just a little, just to catch her breath.


    But Victor easily lifted her, setting her down on the elegant table by the window. He parted her legs and stepped between them, his presence overwhelming.


    Isadora''s breathing quickened, her senses filled with the heat and strength radiating from him.


    "Isadora..." Victor murmured, lowering his head, drawing closer.


    She turned her head away, biting her lip. "Don''t... don''t do this..."


    His lips brushed her earlobe, his breath hot against her skin. "Don''t do what?" he whispered, his voice teasing and husky.


    His breath on her ear sent a tremor down her spine, making her heart flutter uncontrobly.


    Isadora''s protest was weak, almost pleading. "I don''t want to..."


    Victor nipped gently at her ear, his words rough with desire. "But I do. I want you, Isadora. I want you so much."


    She squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lip hard to keep a helpless moan from escaping.


    Victor took her hands and wrapped them around his neck.


    With her back pressed to the cool ss and his body burning against her front, every inch of her skin


    heat.


    d with anticipation an


    His lips traced from her ear to her cheek, his breath betraying the depth of his


    longing as he prepared to im her further.


    And then-


    The shrill ring of the phone cut through the tension.


    Victor''s brow furrowed in frustration.


    Isadora''s eyes snapped open. rity returned in a rush as she pushed him away


    and hopped off the table to answer the phone.


    "Hello?"


    It was Eleanor Vaughan on the other end.


    "Isadora, why didn''t youe home tonight?"


    Isadora''s mind raced, realizing she''d


    been swept up in the chaos of the evening-after Victor brought her home from the hospital, she''d forgotten to let Eleanor know.


    Just then, Victor''s body pressed against her from behind, his arms circling her


    waist. He nipped her neck in yful punishment.


    "Ah!" Isadora gasped, unable to suppress the electric jolt that ran through her.


    "What happened? Isadora?" Eleanor''s anxious voice crackled through the phone. That startled gasp sounded so strange.


    Isadora shot Victor a re, mouthing, Get off.


    She took a steadying breath. "Work


    rante tonight, so I just stayed over


    at Brocade Heights. I think I just saw


    use run by-that''s all. Gave me


    a bit of a scare."


    "A mouse? In that building? You shoulde home tomorrow," Eleanor insisted, concern coloring her tone.