Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance 2(106)

Besotted, Keyonna had gazed up at him and said softly yet fervently, “Yes, I’ll wait for you. For as long as it takes.”

Now, just a few years later, Keyonna felt grateful that Mark had been so level-headed. She knew without a doubt that if they’d married then like she’d tried to convince him, it would all be a shambles by now. Because now she knew she had no clue about what love was, or passion that could be between a man and woman. She’d had glimpses of it with men she’d met over the last couple of years though she’d never really let herself get too deeply involved. There’d always been that one vital ingredient missing but so far it had been enough to just know that there was a part of her that was vibrantly feminine and needed the right spark to bring her inner flame to life.

And that spark couldn’t come from Mark, of that she was sure. One thing was for certain, she’d never really loved him or else why had it been so easy to let things go? Sure, they’d kept in touch for some months and she’d been hungry for his calls and letters letting her know how he was doing though she never knew exactly where he was or what mission he was on. But then the communications thinned until it got to a point that she didn’t even notice because she was so busy chasing her career and living her life.#p#分页标题#e#

And now this.

Damn!

Keyonna chewed on her bottom lip and then exhaled deeply. Just when she felt so focused, accomplished – unfettered. She was living the good life, with great friends, top connections and a healthy, vibrant state of mind and body. She couldn’t help but wonder what in the world Mark had planned for them now. Not that there was a ‘them’ – but she couldn’t help going over his words again, about them catching up on old times. She sure hoped he wasn’t going to hold her to her silly promise of those years ago.

Suddenly, Keyonna felt a laugh break through her throat at the very thought that she might be taking things all wrong. She was certain Mark had moved on just like she had. He must have figured out for himself that their cute little romance had just been that, nothing more.

And it was history. He had to know that, right?





Chapter Two

Turned out she was dead wrong.

Lowering her thickly coated lashes, Keyonna placed down her glass of wine on the table next to where she was seated with Mark in the palatial ballroom of the Tucker mansion. Mark’s aunt, his father’s older sister and now the matriarch of the family since Mark’s parents died over ten years ago, had managed to make the night’s event an elaborate one.

There was live music playing all the classic tunes, and what Keyonna had thought would be a simple, formal affair was actually a full-blown welcome home bash, complete with a fabulous buffet, themed settings and all the champagne you could drink.

The many guests were all gorgeously dressed, and as classy as one would expect in such a glamorous gathering. Mark’s family were serious old money, built upon a massively successful manufacturing and supermarket chain spreading over key cities in the country.

Keyonna was glad that she’d followed her instincts and taken more effort than usual with her appearance. She’d done her hair in long, wavy tresses swept over one shoulder, and had on one of her most flattering evening gowns in a deep shade of purple. It was knee-length and showed off her sleek legs to their best advantage, her feet shod in elegant, bling-studded high heeled sandals.

All around them were Mark’s friends, relatives and special guests and icons from both the military and business community who had close ties with the family. Everyone was busy having fun power chatting, dancing or helping themselves to the flowing food and drink.

Thankfully no one seemed to be paying attention to her and Mark right then, seated on one of the corner sofas while the party swirled around them. Despite the sense of seclusion, Keyonna still felt far from comfortable with the line their intimate conversation was taking just then.

Keyonna quietly slipped her hand from where it had lain beneath his, between them on the plush cushions. The bubble of conversation and music from the crowded room stayed in the background as Keyonna tried to gather her thoughts to respond to the question Mark had only just put to her.

“Will you marry me?” he had asked, catching her off-guard.

“I can’t marry you, Mark,” she told him as softly as she could. “I can’t believe you’re actually asking me to. Here. Now. After all this time.”

He burst out in a quizzical laugh. “Do you think I’m joking? It may seem too soon since I only just got back, but I was so sure that now that I’m home you’d want us to get it over with and get on with our lives.”