Eternally Yours Read online

  Syneda gave him a rueful smile. “For starters, thanks to your sisters, I know all about that case of condoms in your closet. Do you deny it?”

  He chuckled, thinking he needed to have a talk with his sisters for getting into his business. “No. I don’t deny it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  “Have you ever given any thought to just doing without?”

  He gave her a slow grin. “I’ve been doing without for a couple of months, and I don’t like it too much.”

  She laughed. “Poor baby. What’s the matter? The women are finally resisting that Clayton Madaris charm?”

  Clayton laughed. “No, that’s not it. Would you believe for the past couple of months, I’ve had a totally insane idea running through my head.”

  “What sort of insane idea?”

  “I’ve been thinking that maybe it’s time for me to stop playing around and get serious about someone.”

  Syneda almost choked on her wine. “You gotta be kiddin’. I can’t imagine you ever getting serious about any woman.”

  Clayton grinned at the startled expression on her face. “Neither can I, and that’s the reason I desperately needed a vacation. I needed to get away to rid my mind of such foolish thoughts. I must be going crazy to even consider such a thing.”

  “I totally agree.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad someone does. However, my family would disagree with you. They think it’s past time for me to settle down.”

  Syneda shook her head. “The reason I agree with you is because I understand completely. Falling in love isn’t for everyone. I know it’s definitely not for me.”

  Clayton raised a brow. “Really? I thought most women dreamed of their wedding day.”

  “Well, I’m not like most women. I have no intention of ever falling in love,” Syneda said matter-of-factly. She stared at him, eyes bright with curiosity. “What has held you back from ever getting serious with a woman?”

  “Fear.”

  “Fear? Fear of what?”

  “Fear of becoming bored with the relationship. Because of my parents’ rather close relationship, marriage to me means ‘forever after’ and ‘till death do us part.’ The thought of spending the rest of my life with the same woman is enough to give me nightmares. I’d be afraid of eventually becoming bored with her and feeling trapped. For Pete’s sake, Syneda, forever after is a hell of a long time. Any kind of routine would drive me nuts.”

  He then smiled. “I enjoy spontaneity, creativity and excitement. I don’t want to be tied to a woman who would eventually have me settled into a dull life.”

  He lifted his dark brow. “What about you? What’s your hang-up about falling in love?”

  Syneda took a long, deep breath before answering. She met his inquiring gaze. “As far as I’m concerned, falling in love means becoming dependent on that person for your happiness. I did that once and will never do it again.”

  She stood. “I think I’ll go unpack and turn in early. Our flight wore me out. What would you like to do tomorrow?”

  Clayton set his glass on the table next to hers and also stood. “How about if we go on one of those sightseeing tours around town.”

  “That sounds like fun. Well, good night, Clayton. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Good night, Syneda.”

  Clayton watched as she walked off through the living room and toward the bedroom she had chosen to use. He couldn’t help wondering about the man who had evidently hurt Syneda to make her feel the way she felt about falling in love.

  Leaning against the balcony Clayton took his first sip of morning coffee and then released a satisfied sigh. “Ahh, good stuff,” he commented as he looked out at the ocean to enjoy the early-morning sunrise. He had gotten up before dawn to make coffee, and had tried to be quiet while moving around in the kitchen. He hadn’t wanted to awaken Syneda.

  Rest, unwind a bit, have some fun and clear his overworked mind were the only things on his agenda this week. He turned and was about to go back inside when his gaze caught sight of a lone figure walking along the beach. The first thing he thought was that the woman, dressed in running shorts and a halter top, probably had the best body he’d ever seen. He couldn’t make out her face because she was wearing a big straw hat and sunglasses, but he suspected any woman with a body like that had to have a terrific face to go along with it.

  He stood transfixed, mesmerized, as she strolled along the beach apparently looking for seashells. A fragment of something teased at his consciousness. Had he met her before somewhere? There was something about her walk that was familiar to him for some reason.

  He momentarily closed his eyes thinking his mind was playing tricks on him. There was no way he could ever have met this woman and not remember it. He reopened his eyes in time to watch her lean down to pick up a seashell and put it in the basket she was carrying. From his position high on the balcony, he could see the shorts she was wearing, which were already cut close to her hip bone, had ridden higher and showed a very good-looking backside.

  Clayton drummed his fingers against the railing. Perspiration began forming on his forehead. For crying out loud, he was on vacation to unwind and just looking at the woman had him all wound up. He wiped his forehead thinking this wasn’t good. Women were supposed to be off limits to him this week.

  He was just about to leave when the woman turned and looked up in his direction and waved. He frowned, not understanding the friendly gesture. He had not known she had seen him watching her and had definitely not expected her to acknowledge it. Not knowing what else to do, he waved back.

  Only after she’d taken off her sunglasses and removed the big straw hat from her head did he recognize her.

  The woman was Syneda.

  Clayton turned and whispered in Syneda’s ear. “Our tour guide has the hots for you. He’s been checking you out ever since we boarded this train.”

  Syneda ungraciously shoved a handful of popcorn into her mouth, followed by a big gulp of cola before responding. “You’re imagining things.”

  “No, I’m not. I know when a man is interested in a woman.”

  Syneda giggled. “I guess you would, being an expert in womanizing and all.”

  Clayton frowned. “It’s not funny, Syneda.”

  “Yes, it is. Men have been girl watching for ages. Will you stop being so uptight? What’s wrong with you?”

  Clayton took a deep breath. He was asking himself that same question. It had all begun that morning when he had seen her on the beach. Then later, things had gotten worse when they had decided to take an early-morning swim before breakfast. She had joined him by the pool wearing the sexiest bikini he had ever seen. He had always thought she had a great pair of legs, and the bathing suit only made how great they were more obvious. His mouth, along with every male’s around poolside, had watered as they gazed at the sight of her delectable breasts swelling out of her bikini top and her well-rounded hips filling the bikini bottom. For one brief moment he’d experienced the oddest sensation—a heat flowing through his body and settling down toward his midsection. He had also felt something else, too: possessiveness. He hadn’t liked the idea of the other men looking at her. Then he’d shaken off the feeling, but now it was coming back. And he knew at that moment, without a doubt, he was in serious trouble.

  “Clayton?”

  Unwilling to consider just what was happening to him, he took a deep breath and met Syneda’s bemused gaze. “What?”

  “I asked what’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing is wrong with me,” he replied, placing a hand in the small of her back and leading her toward the nation’s oldest jail. “By the way. Where’s the rest of your outfit?”

  Syneda took a quick look at herself. She was wearing a printed backless skort set. The sides were held together in a few places by snaps. A wide-brimmed straw hat whose band matched her outfit covered her head. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”

  Clayton raised his eyes heavenward. It was
obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra, and from the cut of the garment one would question if she was wearing underwear, as well. He was tempted to ask her but thought better of doing so. “There’s not much to it.”

  Syneda laughed as she eyed Clayton from under her hat. “That’s the idea, Clayton. This is Florida. It gets too hot for a lot of clothes. The fewer the better.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” Clayton replied drily.

  Syneda raised a brow. “Why?”

  “I’m going to be spending all of my time keeping the men around here in line.”

  The guide led them back to the sightseeing train and then on to the next stop. After touring the Fountain of Youth, Zorayda’s Castle and the Lightner Museum, they caught another bus to have lunch in a popular restaurant in the Lincolnville Historical District.

  Lincolnville constituted the heart of the city’s black community. It was a large residential neighborhood whose occupants could trace their ancestors’ origins to the city’s sixteenth-century founding.

  After lunch they took a carriage ride through the Colonial Historical District before doing some extensive walking while touring the old homes along George Street.

  It was midafternoon when they decided to call it a day. Clayton draped his arm across Syneda’s shoulder as they walked from the bus stop in front of the condos.

  At the door Syneda turned to face him. “I can’t believe all the sights we took in today. There is so much to do and see here. And I can’t believe how architecturally grand the buildings are. They were simply amazing.”

  “Yeah, amazing,” Clayton replied, feigning interest as he unlocked the door and ushered her inside. The only thing that had held his attention all day was her and that outfit she had on. He had been ever mindful of more than a few male stares sent her way. She hadn’t noticed but he sure had.

  Syneda dropped her purse onto the entry table. “Where do you want to go for dinner, Clayton?”

  “I’ll let you decide. The only thing I want to do right now is rest my poor aching feet.”

  Syneda laughed. “Aren’t you used to walking?”

  “No.”

  “How do you stay in such good shape?” she asked as she eyed his masculine body outlined in the shorts and top he wore. He was in great physical shape. “Surely all those nights spent in bed with women didn’t do it,” she teased.

  Clayton gave her a wan smile. “I keep in shape in a lot of ways. I work out at least twice a week at the gym, and I play basketball with the guys every chance I get.”

  “Oh, I see.” She looked down at her watch. “It’s four now. How about if we go out for dinner around seven. That will give you a couple hours to rest up.”

  “That sounds good to me. What will you be doing while I’m resting up?”

  “I think I’ll go to the beach and build a sandcastle. The beaches around here have the whitest and silkiest sand I’ve ever seen.”

  Clayton frowned. “What will you wear?”

  “Where?”

  “To the beach.”

  “Clayton, that’s a silly question. I’ll be wearing a bathing suit.”

  “The one you had on this morning?”

  “No, not that one,” Syneda replied, turning toward the direction of her bedroom. “But it’s one similar to it. Why?”

  “Wait up. I think I’ll build that sandcastle with you.”

  Syneda turned around and gave him a surprised look. “I thought you were tired.”

  “I’ve suddenly found myself with a new burst of energy.”

  Later that evening Clayton and Syneda entered a restaurant that the condo’s management had recommended. It was a place on Anastasia Island known for fresh seafood and tropical drinks. After enjoying a feast of assorted seafoods, they left the restaurant section of the establishment to enter its lounge. They were led by a waiter to an empty table in the back that had a wonderful view of the ocean.

  After the waiter departed with their drink orders, Clayton rested back in his chair. “I’m curious as to where you buy your clothes.”

  Syneda raised a brow. “Why?”

  “Just curious.” In fact, he was more than curious. He was having a difficult time keeping his eyes off her long, smooth legs that were showing from the outfit she had on, a minilength sundress with three tiers of ruffles on the hem. The outfit was blatantly sexy. Too sexy.

  “I buy my things from a number of places. I don’t shop at any one particular store. That reminds me. I need to go shopping while I’m here. I want to get something for the kids.”

  Clayton knew what kids she was referring to: his nieces and nephews who called her Aunt Neda. “Are you enjoying yourself, Syneda?”

  “Yes. I’m feeling more relaxed than I have in days,” she replied with a smile. “I want to thank you again for inviting me.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Syneda smiled. “When the waiter returns with our drinks I want to propose a toast.”

  “To what?”

  “Our friendship.”

  Clayton swallowed hard. Friendship was the last thing on his mind and he felt guilty as sin. His mouth was watering over the sight of her, and she wanted to toast their friendship. And if her outfit wasn’t bad enough, the perfume she had on was drifting around and through him. If only she knew how enticing the fragrance was. Her light makeup was immaculate and her hair appeared soft to the touch. He had taken this trip to clear his mind, but being around Syneda was beginning to turn his brains to mush.

  “Do you want to dance?” he asked abruptly.

  “The waiter hasn’t returned with our drinks yet.”

  “He’ll hold them,” Clayton answered tersely, reaching across the small table and taking her hand. A slow-moving song was playing as he led her to the dance floor, which was crowded with other couples.

  He knew it had been a mistake to ask her to dance the minute he took her into his arms and pulled her close. Her hands automatically folded loosely behind his neck, which caused her breasts to press against his chest.

  Syneda tilted her head back and looked up at him. “What about you, Clayton? Are you enjoying yourself?”

  Clayton looked down at her. She looked absolutely stunning. “Yes.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive,” he replied, pulling her closer.

  They continued the dance in silence. He was so engrossed in the feel of having her in his arms that at first he didn’t notice the tap on his shoulder. When he did, he turned and looked into the face of a man he’d noticed eyeing Syneda when they had first entered the lounge.

  “May I cut in?” the man asked with a deep southern accent.

  “No, you can’t.”

  “Why not?” the man asked gruffly, obviously put off by Clayton’s rudeness.

  Clayton faced the man squarely. “Because I said so, that’s why. Now back off.”

  “Clayton!”

  “Excuse us,” Clayton said to the man he’d been tempted to bring down a notch moments earlier. Taking Syneda’s hand he led her back to their table.

  “Clayton, what in the world is wrong with you? That was downright rude.”

  “I was protecting your sweet behind since you don’t seem to notice it needs protecting. That guy’s been drooling over you ever since we entered this place. He’s just one of many men who are undressing you with their eyes.”

  “They’re not!”

  “They are, too! Just look at that outfit you’re wearing. It invites stares.”

  Syneda stared at him with anger reflecting in her eyes and her mouth open. “I don’t believe you, Clayton. There’s nothing wrong with my outfit.”

  “Not if you’re a woman looking for a pickup.”

  “How dare you—”

  “You didn’t want to come on vacation with me for fear of cramping my style. Maybe I should have made sure I wouldn’t be cramping yours,” he said curtly.

  Syneda stood. “I’m leaving.”

  Throwing more than enough money on
the table to cover the drinks they had ordered but not yet gotten, Clayton followed a fuming Syneda out of the door. Leaving the lounge, they rode in silence along the shoreline road that led back to the condos. As soon as he opened the door to the condo, Syneda entered and went straight to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

  Clayton let out a disgusted sigh as he poured a drink and stepped out on the terrace. He stood transfixed for an hour or so looking at the ocean that was lit only by the moon’s glow. He turned around when he heard a movement behind him. Syneda stood before him. She had changed into a nightshirt.

  “Clayton, I’m sorry. I can’t believe we had an argument after agreeing not to.”

  Clayton held open his arms and she walked into them. He pulled her close to him. “I’m the one who should be apologizing, Syneda. I behaved like a jerk tonight and I apologize. There was nothing wrong with the way you were dressed. You looked sensational. I guess I’m so used to eyeing women myself that I know what goes through other men’s minds when I see them doing it. And I don’t want them thinking about you that way. I guess I’ve taken it upon myself to be your protector while we’re here.”

  “Yeah, so I’ve noticed. But Clayton, you don’t have to protect me. I’m twenty-eight and old enough to take care of myself. Have you forgotten that I live alone in New York?”

  Clayton smiled down at her. “Deep down I know you can take care of yourself, but that doesn’t keep me from wanting to do it for you.”

  Syneda grinned. “I guess with three younger sisters you’re used to it.”

  “Maybe so,” Clayton replied, although deep down he had a feeling the root of his problem was jealousy, plain and simple.

  Syneda stepped back out of his arms. “I’m really enjoying myself, but I don’t think you are. Maybe I should leave tomorrow and return to New York. You’re so busy looking out for me that you’re not relaxing at all.”

  Clayton brushed a stray curl from her face. “No. I’m fine, and I don’t want you to leave. I enjoy your company. Like today, for instance. I had a great time building that sandcastle with you on the beach. And tomorrow is our day to spend shopping at the malls, remember.”