Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance 2(108)

Mark drew in a ragged breath, and seemed to square his shoulders before asking gravely, “Is it another man?”

He was actually glaring at her now and Keyonna started, pulling her hands from his. But he went on before she could think of replying. “You can tell me, Keyonna. I won’t be mad, I promise. After all, it’s been two whole years. I really shouldn’t have expected you to wait that long.”

Keyonna gasped in shock at the injustice of those words. How dare he try to make her feel guiltier than she already did? It wasn’t like he had made her any true promises. Hell, he’d barely even kept in touch in all this time and she was meant to be hanging on for his return? What with the way he’d let communications fade out between them, was he really so surprised by this outcome? The last thing he should be doing, Keyonna felt, was trying to guilt trip her for something that was his fault.

And yet, she did feel a pang of conscience. They had been a couple and had never officially broken up. So maybe she shouldn’t be so hard on him. After all, he did look deeply sincere and heartbroken.#p#分页标题#e#

If only I still had feelings for him, Keyonna thought with an inner sigh. Or even better, if only there was another man…

Unable to help herself, Keyonna permitted her eyes to rove and seek those of Nick Vitale and to her chagrin, she found he was still very much present. He hadn’t budged an inch, and was still pointedly looking, if not listening to every word they were saying.

Damn, it was so frustrating! Why did he have to be here tonight of all nights? This wasn’t his usual setting. How could he have received an invitation? And then she remembered noticing that many movers and shakers in the city had made it in deference to the very influential Marilyn Tucker, Mark’s aunt who, though in her sixties still straddled the family’s many business concerns.

Keyonna sent the offensive man across from them a dirty glance which caught a thin, careless smile slant his beautifully curved lips. Piqued beyond endurance, she turned once more to face Mark.

She squeezed his hand gently. “Please, Mark, I feel like I’ve ruined your night so much already. But I don’t think we should continue this discussion here. For one thing, there’s the music and then there’re so many people around.” Smiling lightly, she drew them both up to their feet. She fully intended to get them away from their present location and if possible, get him to forget his track of thought in terms of a proposal.

As they made their way out of the crowded room, they were intercepted several times by guests wanting to give their good wishes and warm words. It took long minutes before they reached the privacy of the balcony. Once they were alone in the night air, Mark began to pursue the dreaded topic again to Keyonna’s deepest dismay.

“I can take the truth,” he began, turning them face to face as he took hold of her bared shoulders. “Maybe I was a fool to think I still held your heart. If you’re in love with someone else, then say so.”

Keyonna rolled her eyes expressively. “You’re mistaken, Mark. There’s no one else in my life. I’ve been far too busy for any romantic involvement and certainly for anything serious with anyone.”

“I don’t believe you,” Mark said in a suddenly chilly voice. “My aunt Marilyn and Trisha have told me how successful you’ve become. And a woman with your looks has to have someone in the background, keeping you happy. Don’t tell me no one has even tried?”

Keyonna’s lips twisted wryly as she thought of Marilyn and what the old woman might have said about her. She’d spoken to Mark’s aunt earlier in the evening and was glad that unlike in the past, Keyonna didn’t feel so intimidated by the domineering woman’s persona. Keyonna wasn’t the insecure young woman of back then who’d felt out of place around Mark’s loaded family which was one of the richest in the city while Keyonna had a far more humble upbringing.

“Of course I’ve had offers – and some of them not so honorable,” Keyonna finally replied as she tried not to feel offended by his words. And I won’t deny I’ve tried out the dating scene a number of times but no one has been interesting enough to tempt me.”

“So you’re saying you’re still unattached?” Mark pressed.

“Yes, dammit!” Keyonna snapped before she could hold back. She really was sick of repeating herself.

“There’s no man in my life right now and there hasn’t been. Why can’t you just accept that I don’t want to be with you or marry you?”

“But why?” Mark went on relentlessly, causing her to let out an exasperated breath as she turned away from him.