Keyonna felt his hand on her shoulder as he added grimly, “You know what? You still love me. I can tell that you do. Why else hasn’t there been anyone else?”
And then his tone melted like chocolate, his fingers now caressing on her bared flesh. “Keyonna, if you want me to woo you all over again, I will. Just…”
Before he could say more, one of the hostesses for the evening appeared, her smile apologetic. “There you are, Mark. We were wondering if you’d like to make your speech now. Your aunt is thanking the guests for coming and for their generous donations to the innovative military medicine fund. Just wondering if you had a few words…”
“Of course; thanks. I’ll be right there,” Mark said with a nod, and the beautiful woman nodded, smiled and retreated back to the party.
When they were alone once more, he turned to Keyonna with a silky look. “Our discussion isn’t over, baby. But for now, let’s go in and I’ll make that speech. I’m honored that my aunt chose this occasion to also raise funds for my favorite charity. I feel much better about all the attention now.”
“Hey; you’re her only nephew and she’s so proud of you,” Keyonna said with a smile. “But you go on. I just need a moment then I’ll be joining you.”
To Keyonna’s relief, he nodded without argument and soon, she was left in blessed peace. Releasing a pent-up breath, she leaned her palms upon the balustrade and went over her present predicament as calmly as she could. From the moment she’d walked in she’d known the night would be an ordeal. First there’d been Mark’s aunt, as condescending as ever when Keyonna had politely greeted her. And then there’d been Trisha, who was Marilyn’s adopted daughter.
When Mark’s parents had died five years ago in a car crash, his childless, widowed aunt Marilyn Tucker had taken him under her wing. She’d always kept her family’s name and when she’d adopted Trisha, had raised her nephew and daughter as siblings. Keyonna knew Mark saw Trisha simply as a younger, adorable sister. But Keyonna’s feminine intuition had always told her that Trisha was more than a little attached to Mark and not in a sisterly sense.
Keyonna wondered about Trisha’s attitude when she’d arrived earlier that evening. Their meeting again had been far from cordial, and Keyonna figured the bad blood was still there between them. Was it possible Trisha could be jealous of the prospect of Mark rekindling his romance with her?
Damn. Keyonna told herself she did not need this drama. If the other girl wanted Mark, then she was welcome to him…
“Quite the heartbreaker, aren’t you?”
Keyonna swiveled round in surprise at the sound of that deep, unmistakable voice. There Nick Vitale was, standing on the balcony just in front of her. His face was shadowed in the semi-darkness, the moon not bright enough to totally ward off the gloom. Instantly, Keyonna’s heart began to pound at his somewhat overwhelming presence. His voice, the way his clothes fit to his body, the icy rings in his deep brown eyes…they hindered her breathing as she instinctively backed away when he stepped closer.
A sudden light breeze wafted over, lifting the flowing hem of her dress. But it wasn’t the unexpected chill that made Keyonna give off a shiver.
“Excuse me?” she heard herself mouth somewhat stupidly as she stared up at him. He was smiling but his dark brown eyes were as cold as ever.
“Oh, you heard me,” he drawled. He moved with long, easy strides of a panther and Keyonna had the distinct impression he might just be on the prowl. What on earth did he want with her anyway?
“Pardon me for asking, but did you get some kind of kick, from turning the poor guy down like that?” He was standing inches away from her, looking forward into the gardens beyond so that Keyonna had a clear view of his profile. She was busy admiring the aristocratic planes of his features when his words suddenly hit her.
Keyonna spluttered for a few moments, her outrage surfacing at the evidence of this man’s sheer gall. “What? I can’t believe this,” Keyonna gasped. “It’s bad enough finding out you were eavesdropping on a private conversation – but then you actually had to come out here and hound me? Do you get some kind of kick from sticking your nose in other people’s business?”
“Wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop,” Nick Vitale said with a careless shrug, still not looking at her. “There I was, sitting in the corner, when you both came to occupy the other couch. I really couldn’t block out the conversation now could I? But the fact remains that I really did hate to see a decent guy trampled in the dust by the woman he loves – the woman who, unfortunately, doesn’t even deserve him.”