Billionaire's Black Runaway Love (BWWM Romance) Read Online Free Page A

came to mind.
    Emily closed her eyes and recalled how his dark brown hair had felt silky beneath her fingers as she clutched the locks while they’d kissed. Chace’s kiss . Emily had been so sure it would mean nothing, but even now her knees quivered slightly and a knot formed in the base of her stomach just thinking about it.
    There was no doubt he still turned her on – even more powerfully than ever before. But Emily knew she was right in resisting him.
    Emily’s cell rang hours later as she headed home from the dance studio. She smiled when she saw it was Ciara. “No, I haven’t forgotten about the benefit dinner. Of course I’ll make it. Um…I think coming with a date is going to be somewhat problematic.”
    She shook her head at Ciara’s reply. “Absolutely no need to hook me up, girl,” Emily said firmly, but with a good-natured tone. She knew Ciara meant well, always trying to fix Emily up with her husband Zane’s friends. Much as Emily liked the idea of netting someone hot, charming, and rich like Zane, she hadn’t wanted Ciara to feel responsible for her. Ciara had enough on her plate after recently delivering her second child, an adorable boy named Jason Zander Maddox.
    Emily sighed. Time to get home…to her lonely little apartment. No use daydreaming about how perfect her best friend’s life seemed compared to Emily’s uneventful one. She could fill her hours with exciting pastimes, but the truth was, there was a lot missing. Not like she was getting any younger, either.
    She wondered if maybe she’d been too hasty brushing Chace off all those nights ago. It had felt good being in his arms. Why hadn’t she let things reach its logical conclusion? Why had she become too afraid? If she hadn’t, at least she’d have had something worth remembering.
    Too late . Emily had pushed Chace away and he’d followed her wishes, backing off completely. Was that why she had this strange feeling of loss lingering in her heart?
     

Chapter 4
    “You look stunning, Em.”
    Ciara’s words had Emily smiling as she came to stand beside her friend. Around them, dignitaries circulated while a pleasant hum hovered over the elegantly decorated ballroom.
    Both women could almost pass for sisters, though Emily was lighter skinned and had a mass of curls while Ciara’s hairdo was a tamer, wavy look. They had similar curvy figures and both wore dresses that swept the floor. It was almost as if they’d planned it, but it wasn’t the case. Perhaps they subconsciously shared style tastes. Whatever the case, they drew admiring eyes from those around them.
    “Thanks,” said the beaming Emily to Ciara who handed her a glass of wine. “Love your look as well. Only you could pull off wearing white so beautifully.”
    Ciara chuckled. “You are as daringly eye-catching as ever in red. Just who are you thinking of tempting away tonight?”
    Emily shrugged, burying her nose in her flute as she tried to hide a smile. “Who knows? I won’t say no to some spontaneity if I happened to meet someone…interesting. You’re sure my whole get-up isn’t too over the top?”
    “Of course not. It’s perfect,” Ciara said quickly. “Most of the young men in the room can’t take their eyes off you.”
    “I agree,” said a deep, resonant voice behind them. Both women turned with smiles to face Zane. He was as handsome as ever, dressed in a white tuxedo. His dashing blond hair was severely styled, yet softened by his warm blue eyes and charming grin.
    He slipped a hand around his wife’s waist, kissing her cheek. He then turned to Emily with warmth in his smile. “Will I have to play protector tonight, I wonder? I have a feeling I’ll be doing a lot of fighting off unwanted admirers on your behalf.”
    Both women were laughing, and then Emily said, “There’ll be no need for that. A big girl like me can always take care of herself.”
    Zane gave a humorous nod, before turning to see Ciara’s pout. “No compliments for me,