Craving The Forbidden - The Billionaire's Secret Obsession - Ongoing

A muscular arm wrapped around her soft body, ready to protect her like he did earlier. “Fang, Dash, Thor, go to your room now!”

The beasts whimpered like puppies and trotted away, making throaty sounds of protest. 

“They’ve gone now. So, were you escaping without meeting me?” growled the man, making her feel guilty. He sounded annoyed at her, but why? She hadn’t bothered him at all! Well, maybe twice! Was he angry because he had to save her?

Liana immediately released him and staggered backward, hanging her head down. She was too embarrassed to face him now. What he might think of her? She could feel Mr. Bancroft’s hawk-like gaze pinned upon her, but didn’t have the confidence to meet his eyes.

She wasn’t in the habit of clinging to guys, as he might have thought. She wasn’t desperate, neither was she an extrovert. All her life, she had preferred staying in the background and observing everyone and everything around her. That was how she had felt attracted to Zed. To her inexperienced self, he was the most charming and good-looking guy on earth. At twenty, he had everything money could buy, yet he didn’t show off like his friends did. He treated them instead!

“I don’t have the time to stand here with you all day!”

Liana blinked out of her thoughts and looked up at him with a blank look on her face. Her posture immediately stiffened the moment her eyes met his. Last night, she was too traumatized to see him properly, but now in broad daylight, Liana couldn’t help but check him out.

His flashing, near-black eyes seared into hers, making her breath settle near her collarbone! The short, black hair, the thick, dark brows and the exceptionally long eyelashes framing his stunning eyes didn’t resemble Zed’s even a bit. His proud, prominent nose and full lips gave him a model-handsome look straight out of the glossy magazines she had seen. He didn’t look flirty or immature like Zed but cold, arrogant and very annoyed! How could he be related to Zed when he didn’t have any similarity to him? 

Then she remembered what he had asked. Yes, she was fleeing. Would he get more annoyed if she told him the truth? 

“Yes, I didn’t want to disturb you. Your housekeeper told me you were busy.” 

“I am, but you owe me an explanation! What were you doing on my property last night?” Liana opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. What would she tell him? Would he believe her? He might have judged her already. 

“Zed called me to meet..” Before she could complete her sentence, Mr. Bancroft seethed with fury and glared at her with intense hatred. 

“Is that what you do for a living?” Liana gaped at the man as his words registered slowly in her brain. Was he implying that she sold her body for a living? 

“No. How could you judge me without knowing the facts?” Mad fury coursed through her veins, and she glared at the man with disgust. These rich men were all the same! She would never associate with such people in her life! She had learned her lesson. 

“Then explain yourself. I’m listening Ms… What should I call you?” He watched her minutely and Liana sighed, determined to be honest about it. She wouldn’t see him again after this, anyway. 

“I’m Liana Ashford. I am Zed’s girlfriend!” The man rolled his eyes with a scoff, yet he didn’t intervene. “Last might he asked me to attend a dinner at his parents’ house. He gave me an address. When I went there, I realized he had a bet on me with his friends. Zed never loved me! He just used me!” Tears pooled in her eyes at the memory of it all. 

The man softened and sighed, but Liana couldn’t stop herself. The tears cascaded down her cheeks as she struggled to hold them back and bury them in her heart. She hadn’t meant to break down in front of a stranger. 

“Do you love him?” His jaws clenched, as if the thought made him want to murder someone. Liana nodded, wiping her tears away. 

“I did for the last two years, but he broke my trust.” She couldn’t look at him in shame, trying hard to regain her composure. 

“You shouldn’t have trusted him. Do you realize what could have happened to you if I hadn’t arrived?” He trembled with fury, as if the thought alone was unbearable to him. Why did he care? 

Liana looked up at him with an apologetic look on her face. Yes, he was right. She shouldn’t have fallen so fast for someone who didn’t deserve her love. 

“Yes. I realize it now. Thank you, Mr. Bancroft. I’m indebted to you for saving my life.”

He gazed at her upturned face, his eyes scanning her features. He didn’t reply, but just watched her in silence. Maybe he was waiting for her to take the hint and leave. Yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his gaze and leave. There was something that held her back. Finally, he cleared his throat and looked away. 

“I won’t delay you any longer.” Liana whirled around and walked away towards the main door as fast as her legs could carry her while he watched her with a brooding look on his face. 

“Wait!”

Liana froze mid-stride and whirled around slowly. Now, what did he want? 

She watched him warily, noting the brooding look on his face. She wondered what was going on in his head. 

“You might need this!” He took out something from his pockets and held it out to her. Liana gasped at seeing her college identity card in his palm. It was there in her sling bag. How did he get it? Did he check her bag without her knowledge? She gave him a disapproving look as she snatched it back. 

“You shouldn’t have taken it without my permission.” 

“I wouldn’t have if you were conscious last night.” 

“I’m sorry for the trouble I caused to you, Mr. Bancroft.”

He didn’t reply, but watched her with the same brooding look on his face. Liana hurried towards the door. This time, thankfully, he didn’t stop her. 

She walked out of the mansion to the driveway and gasped with awe at the 5-story luxurious home she had spent a night in. Every detail of Mr. Bancroft’s home exuded luxury. The man might be very powerful indeed! 

The children’s statement echoed in her head.

He was the most eligible bachelor in the city!

Should she look him up? Liana walked out of the property and looked around. The address engraved indicated she was at Waverly Place. Now she needed to figure out the way to the nearest bus stop. 

After ten minutes, Liana boarded the bus to take her home. She took out her mobile phone and frowned at the three missed calls from her roommate, Dana. What made Dana call her up? They weren’t exactly close! Anyway, she could find out when she reached home. Her stomach grumbled for food and she repented her decision last night. It made her miss out on her college today. It was her final three months at her community college before she completed her Associate Degree in Early Childhood and Education. Now she would have to struggle to catch up. 

As the bus sped towards Bronx, she absent-mindedly typed the keywords. 

The most eligible bachelor in NYC! 

Immediately, the search engine flooded her with pictures of Mr. Bancroft, her savior! She read his name. 

Axel Bancroft! 

Below it was his fact file! He was the youngest, self-made billionaire at thirty and the CEO of Axe-sys Global, the country’s leading manufacturer of innovative, automotive systems! With branches all over the world, he was a force to be reckoned with. 

No wonder Zed and his friends cowered at the sight of him!

Liana searched for his personal details, but there was nothing. Her questions remained unanswered! 

The bus dropped her off at her bus stop and she trudged home absent-mindedly. However, as she reached her street, she had the uncanny feeling of being watched. Liana looked around but found no one. Surely she was mistaken. Who would stalk a person like her? 

She dashed into her building and took two steps at a time to reach her second-floor apartment. Digging into her sling bag, she found the keys and unlocked the door. Her flat mates, Dana and Fiona, looked up at her.

“Oh! Where were you, Liana?” Dana exclaimed as they got up and approached her. 

“Why? Anything wrong?” asked Liana, seeing the stressed look on their faces. 

“Your boyfriend and his friends were here twice since morning, asking for you.”

Liana’s heart constricted with fear at the mention of the jerk. Why was Zed here with his friends? How did he know where she lived? What could he want now? Was he here to seek revenge? Who would save her now from her jerk of a boyfriend? 

She was right about her suspicions. Maybe it was Zed and his friends stalking her on her way home. A shudder went down her spine and she didn’t have the courage to go to Jimmy’s Café and Diner tonight. What if they caught hold of her?

Just then, the doorbell rang, and the girls gasped with fright. Liana knew they were here for revenge! She wouldn’t open the door at all! 

“They’re back, Liana!” whispered Fiona.