And I didn’t like it.
Marius took unhurried strides into my living room as comfortable as if he lived here. “I’ve been watching you, Pandora”
My breathing escalated. “Why?”
“Because we were good together.”
“We fell apart for a reason.”
“We could start over and be better than ever before.”
My fingers twitched, and I rubbed my thumbs against them. “If that’s why you’re here, you’re wasting your time.”
“I’d never call time with you a waste.” He stared at me from those intense eyes—eyes that still had that potent effect of making me feel naked and exposed—and alive. So alive.
“Don’t dismiss the idea before hearing me out, Pandora. I’m here to save you from yourself.”
I blinked at him. “What?”
“It’s not too late for us.”
“Indeed it is. Fifteen years and one faked death too late.” I crossed my arms. “Why would you think I would join you now after all this time?”
“Because you know better now. You’re wasting your talents at this—” He turned his hand palm up and added—”Network.” It rolled off his tongue with distaste. “You must know by now how bland that commitment is.”
“You think helping or protecting others is a bland choice?”
“Yes.” He turned his palm up. “What will they do for you? Nothing.”
“We’ve already had discussions like this years ago.” Years ago, when we were engaged. When we were in love. When we were crazy about each other. That was over. He’d chosen power over me, and I could never forget that.
“And it’s time to bring it up once more. Think of the life you’d be able to lead with me.”
Was he crazy? “One in which I pretend to be dead and use illegal magic that harms others for some questionable goal?” I snorted. “That sounds more like a waste to me.”
“There’s no question about my goal.” He stepped closer to me.
I hated the way my skin tingled with awareness.
“I’ll be quite clear about it. I want you, Pandora. I know you well, more than anyone. I know you still have feelings for me.”
I turned away with a strange mix of excitement and disgust. My body still responded to him after all this time. How he could stoke such a vibrant chord inside me. What was it about him? Was it the hint of danger and unmistakable power?
I struggled to shake off the sensation. “You might know a version of me from when we were young, Marius. That girl is gone. I’m older now. Wiser.”
He walked before me in a semi-circle. “I want you to join me.”
I sneered at him. “I should drag your ass to the Network for questioning.”
His lips curled into that decadent smile once more that was so utterly potent. “You have nothing to charge me with. No proof.”
That was true. I didn’t have a shred of evidence to back up my suspicions.
He stepped closer to me and tipped his head down. “Besides, you’d have to restrain me first.” He leaned closer to my ear, his face coming dangerously close enough that his warm breath fanned my skin. “And although we both liked being tied up in certain cases, that isn’t one of them.”
My heartbeat raced even more. Images intruded my mind; those of the past when we couldn’t keep our hands off each other and drove each other wild. That was before. Before he chose power above all else. Before it drove us apart.
Before I thought he was dead.
