Eternally Yours

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.