Chapter 1
Liam Vergil! Isabella groaned lightly she finished off her lunch underneath the maple tree where she was sitting for the past two hours preparing for her final paper before she went home with Liam. Another groan escaped her lips as she saw the immaculate man came out from the flashy black and slick car that had everyone goggling. The man never ceased to amaze her with his presence. He always attracted attention and he wasn’t even trying to. He was tall, dark and sinfully handsome. He was like a stalking panther when he walked. He was perfect in every way, from the Greek god body to the fallen-angel face.
That morning he wore grey trousers and a black shirt. She knew he was straight from work and he stashed his jacket and tie somewhere in the car. She knew almost too much about this man. She had known him forever. He was her guardian after her parents died. He was as shocked as she was when the lawyer read out the will to them. He was her father’s business partner and also a filthy rich family friend with a playboy reputation.
Isabella was only twelve when Liam took her under his wing. He put her through school in the best institutions. She studied German and French, the violin and art and now she was taking her degree in business, something she knew her father would be happy and proud to learn. Even though she was well above eighteen, Liam still looked after her and she didn’t mind at all. She had an outstanding reputation at the university and at times it made her wonder if it was because of Liam that people liked her.
Liam was a business mogul. He was very well known and highly respected. He reeked of power, wealth and arrogance without even trying. He was the force itself.
Since she was a campus boarder, he made sure to visit her once every month to make sure that she was well provided for. He had a company credit card made especially for her to have access to his accounts whenever she needed money. She hardly touched the accounts and he noted that so he took higher measures and got her a personal assistant that came once every week. She reported everything to Liam, told him what she lacked and what she needed and he provided.
There was nothing that was hard for Liam to accomplish. He was just very good at what he did and to him it was the most natural thing, like breathing.
Now, he couldn’t help catching the attention of the student body that sat out in the open discussing about the exams. She knew what an honor it would be to have an internship with Liam Vergil and if she wasn’t wrong, that was what most of the students were hoping for but she knew the man better than anyone else. No one would last even a day under his authority! With one hand in his pocket while the other held his twenty thousand dollar sun shades, he made his way towards her with sure strides that ate up the distant and got him closer to her.
Isabella closed her book and got up as he got closer. Goodness, the man was utter perfection. He had always affected her but now that she was older, she understood that her crush on him was deeper than she expected.
“Did you ever take time to think that maybe you are the last person I want to see before my final paper?” Isabella silently counted to ten to keep herself calm.
Liam’s lips curved into a sensual smile and Isabella felt her insides turn into soup. “That’s the nerves talking. Of course I’m the one person you need to see before your final paper. Usually it’s your father or brother but with your situation, I’m the next best thing.”
Isabella rolled her eyes and looked around her. “You are attracting attention again.” She murmured.
“It’s in my nature.” It wasn’t bragging but genuine admission.
“So, what did Christy tell you about me this time that you had to fly across the ocean in the morning to scold me; eating from the cafeteria?” She asked him trying hard to sound sarcastic.
Liam didn’t flinch at the sarcasm. He merely shrugged and said. “Christy is just doing her job...and I can see she hasn’t been as efficient as I expected.” He swept his eyes from her black tousled curls coming down her shoulders and back, down to her plain pink blouse, down to the dark blue skin jeans to the grey ankle boots. The only thing he saw fashionable on her was the pair of gold bracelets he bought for her on her birthday two months ago and the silk scarf he gave to Christy to bring for her.
“This is a university campus, Liam, not a Paris runway.” Isabella scowled.
Again, Liam shrugged. “My point exactly.” Before she answered he produced a small red velvet bag. “This is for you.”
Isabella rolled her eyes again. “I’m not twelve years old anymore, Liam. No more jelly teddies and glittery stickers for my books.”
A slow smile appeared on his face. “I can see that. Here, take it.”
Isabella groaned and prayed it wasn’t something embarrassing now that the whole campus was watching. If she didn’t know better, she would have yet another uploaded video of this moment on YouTube come evening. She shook the contents into her hand and out slipped a silver chain with a pedant she last saw around her mother’s neck. “Where-how-” she stuttered as her hands shook in utter surprise.
“It was among the belongings brought back before the burial. I kept it and got it fixed. I knew Agnes would have wanted you to have it.” Liam said.
Isabella looked up at him with so much emotion he thought he was going to explode. “Why now after all these years?”
“I know how important these finals are to you and I felt this was the right time to give you the chain. You need to feel closer to her, to them both. It helps.”
Isabella smiled as she wiped away a stray tear. Liam was cold and detached at times. At times he was charming and warm but that morning, he was exactly what she needed to go through her finals. He was her strength and she was grateful to have him in her life.
“And what about the house, is it...”
“The new owners moved in last week. All the belongings are in one of your father’s empty lofts if you want go through them. And all the financial records are with the family lawyer if you want to go through those as well.”
“Liam.” Isabella groaned. “You’ve been my guardian when I was young and even though you aren’t anymore I still trust you completely.”
Liam’s eyes darkened and his expression changed into something Isabella didn’t understand. “You shouldn’t trust me like that, Belle.”
Isabella shrugged her shoulders. “Well I do. I have no one else.”
Liam quickly changed the subject and took the pedant from her. “Turn around.” When she did, he fixed it around her long elegant neck.
Isabella felt the warm fingers on her skin and almost jumped away. Her heart skyrocketed and her face flushed scarlet. His fingers lingered there for a little longer than necessary before he turned her to face him.
“I should get going. I have a very important contract to sign in two hours.” He looked down at his expensive watch.
“That’s too bad it’s a four hour drive back to the city to the airport. You’ll just have to settle with the few billions you already have.” She tried to tease him a little, to clear the dense atmosphere around them.
A glint of wickedness appeared on his face. “You know me better than that, Belle.” He drawled.
Isabella looked at him pensively then rolled her big hazel eyes at him. “Your jet is waiting for you at air-strip down the road, isn’t it?”
“Clever girl.” He touched her cheek and placed a kiss on her forehead. “See you next week.”
She frowned. “Next week! I need to be home by tomorrow. I can’t stay any longer than that. I’ll go crazy!”
“I know. Someone will come take you to the airport tomorrow morning and Robert will pick you up and take you home. I’m leaving for Paris this afternoon. Won’t be back till next week.” He assured her.
“Oh.” Part of her heart was happy that he wouldn’t be around to torment her senseless with his wickedness and his arrogance but a part was disappointed that she was going to last the whole week at home without him around.
Isabella always looked forward to his monthly visits. Though it was like having an interrogator for a visitor, he tried as much to make her comfortable as possible. He would take her for lunch out of campus and spend the day with her before taking her back. Her friends envied her senseless and she couldn’t help having rivals in the university but that was what life with Liam meant. No woman was happy to see the hottest cake with any other woman. So far, Liam was the hottest cake in the market and already the granddaughter of the Mayor made sure her grandfather secured an internship position for her in Liam’s city company office building. Isabella didn’t mention it to him but she could almost see his expression; eyes dark with anger, mouth thin and one hand in his pockets while the other drumming his desk. A smile touched her lips. It was a rare sight to see Liam showing any emotions and when it happened, Isabella thought it was priceless.
“I know that smile is because you think you have the penthouse all to yourself for one week. Christy, Abe and Stella will be your roommates. See, just like campus.” His teasing brought a frown upon Isabella’s face.
“Christy?” She groaned. “And who’s Abe and Stella?”
“Abe’s my personal cook and Stella is my housekeeper.”
“Oh, fun!” Isabella said without the enthusiasm making Liam chuckle.
“I knew you’d like the arrangement. Now, go kick ass.” He saluted her and walked off to his car, placing his shades on.
Isabella watched the man drive by and when he waved, she waved back and turned towards the hall. So, she and Liam were going to share his penthouse? That man affected her like the way light affected a moth. Just being close to him with his beautiful, masculine cologne teasing her nostrils was hard enough, she could only imagine how it would be waking up in the morning and sleeping at night knowing he’s within the same four walls as her!
Liam couldn’t help but steal another look at Isabella through his rearview mirror. At twelve, Isabella was fearful, doubting and very cautious of him. She was beautiful with her mother’s midnight locks, her oval face and her father’s stubborn chin, hazel doe eyes and a perky little nose. Then, Liam saw nothing but a scared girl that needed guidance. He wanted to protect her from everything bad in the world especially from men like him. At twelve she had already sparked his interest yet no matter how wicked he sometimes he acted, he still had morals and it was wrong feeling like that for a child. Instead, he concentrated on getting her educated while protecting her the best way he knew. If he was able to see how beautiful and attractive she was, what of other men or the boys she met at school?
Liam made sure Isabella was constantly watched over...at first Christy was just going to be a close friend around college but when opportunity presented itself, he took it and she was efficient. Isabella was a virtuous woman and she never had a serious relationship with a boy but that information was given to him weekly. He didn’t know what happened in the parties she went to, not that he could stop her. She needed to taste life just like he and every other university student did but he didn’t want her used and abandoned.
He didn’t know if she still was a virgin or not. She wasn’t naive anymore. She knew what happened when two people were attracted to each other. Though he never sat down with her and explained how men really viewed women, he knew she had a pretty good idea.
Isabella was now twenty-two years old, eight years his junior and yet, she ignited a fire that he never thought existed in him. She made his insides tremble with excitement and his heart clench uncomfortably. When Isabella laughed, she brought his world to its knees and when she pouted he wanted to kiss that pout away. He loved touching her though he rarely did but when he did, he didn’t want to stop. Her skin was as soft as silk and warm as the morning sun. She was refreshing, especially with all the stress he got from work. Whenever he saw her face, he knew he was able to pass the day well.
Her body was perfectly molded. Her height was perfect for him to place kisses on her forehead. She had a small body, fully breasts that he noted blooming slightly between the opened button of her blouse. She had a small waist and Liam knew his hand could go right around it but he never tried it. He didn’t want to scare her away with his advances. Her hips were flared enough to fit her jeans around them snugly and her bottom was perfectly round. She had beautiful legs that were always hidden inside jeans.
Good God he wanted her badly! His hands twisted hard against the steering wheel as he drove down along the university’s main administration building. He was already missing that beautiful face of hers. He knew many men were interested in her at the university and if he had his way, they would have all lost their eyes by now. But she was a very attractive and sensually enticing woman and men like him would do whatever it took to trap her, use her then leave her.
His knuckles whitened against the steering wheel. No one was going to hurt his Belle. No other man was going to touch and even as much as look at her. He was going to make sure of it. He was always a winner, always got his way and he knew he would succeed but this was something new and he had to rethink his strategies well.
A slow devilish smile appeared on his face as he arrived at the airstrip. The jet was already fired when he got out of the car. He threw the keys to the waiting chauffeur and saluted the man before ducking into the jet and soon he was in the air. Isabella was his still under his protection whether she was grown or not. This was a second chance given to him to do right what went wrong in his past. A dark shadow passed his eyes as he remembered it and he quickly pushed it away. Isabella was his and his alone.
