our business, Lorren,” he repeated. “We should have enough faith in Clayton to believe he won't deliberately hurt Syneda.”
He cupped his wife's chin with his hand and lifted her eyes to meet his. “Clayton loves you. He knows how close you and Syneda are. He won't ever do anything to ruin that.”
Lorren took a deep breath. “I hope you're right Justin,” she said softly in a voice that seemed to come from a long way off.
“I believe I am. Besides, I think you've overlooked one very important fact here.”
“What?”
“One of the reasons Clayton and Syneda were never interested in each other was because neither was the other's type. Syneda is nothing like those women Clayton normally dates, flashy with no substance. She's an attractive, intelligent woman who has a lot going for her. I feel confident she'll be able to handle him.”
Justin grinned. “In fact, you may be worried about the wrong person. I don't know if he realizes it yet, but I think Clayton has finally met his match. You just might want to take out the prayer book for Clayton.”
“Where is everyone?”
Justin raised his head from reading the newspaper and met his brother's eyes. It didn't take much from Clayton's brooding expression to figure out he hadn't enjoyed sleeping in his bed alone.
“Lorren and Syneda aren't here.”
“Where are they?”
“They went shopping.”
“Shopping? That's crazy. Syneda and I went shopping a few days ago.”
Justin chuckled. “Evidently like most women she enjoys it. Lorren said not to expect them back until dinnertime. I guess we're stuck with each other until then.”
Clayton gave his head a wry shake. “I could wring your wife's neck, Justin. She knew I was trying to get rid of the two of you last night, and she deliberately ignored my ploy. And now I have a feeling she's trying to keep Syneda from me today.”
Justin smiled and shrugged his shoulders in mock resignation. “She feels Syneda needs protecting.”
“Protecting?”
“Yes, protecting. Face it, Clayton, your reputation precedes you.”
The two brothers stared at each other for a long time before Clayton finally looked away. He didn't need this, he told himself righteously. Why should he defend his actions to anyone, especially his family? He and Syneda were not teenagers, they were adults. They didn't need keepers, nor did they have to answer to anyone.
He let out a disgusted sigh before turning hard eyes to his brother. “I would never deliberately hurt Syneda, Justin.”
“I know you wouldn't, Clayton.”
A faint light appeared in the depths of Clayton's brown eyes. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “I wish there was some way I could assure Lorren of that, but there isn't. Being attracted to each other was the last thing that Syneda and I planned on happening. It just did. The attraction became more than the two of us could handle last night.”
“I gathered as much when I opened the door last night on you guys.”
Clayton grinned. “Yeah, that was bad timing on your part. You and Lorren are welcome to stay here for another day but then I want the two of you out of here. The last thing Syneda and I need is outside interference. We're going to enjoy the rest of our vacation in peace and quiet without you and Lorren acting as chaperones. Now with that out of the way, let's go grab some breakfast.”
Justin chuckled. “I don't know if there's a need. You've just said a mouthful.”
A spectacular view of the yacht harbor and intercoastal waterway was the setting for the Clam Shell Restaurant, a popular favorite with locals, yachtsmen and tourists. The restaurant was renowned for its luncheon specials, which were best enjoyed while sipping a cooling tropical drink.
Syneda and Lorren had chosen a table on the wooden deck that provided a breathtaking view of the Comachee Cove Yacht Harbor.
“Isn't the food terrific, Lorren? Clayton and I had lunch here a few days ago and—” “Just what's going on with you and Clayton?” Lorren asked pointedly.
“What do you mean?” Syneda replied innocently.
“Don't act crazy, girlfriend. You know exactly what I mean. When Justin opened the door on the two of you last night, it was obvious we had interrupted something.”
Syneda's lips broke into a wide grin. “Clayton and I could have made the same assessment about you and Justin.”
“We are not discussing me and Justin. We're discussing you and Clayton.”
Syneda sighed. “Clayton and I discovered that we're sexually attracted to each other, and both feel we should explore our attraction. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a sexual encounter for no reason beyond the physical pleasures it would bring.”
Lorren didn't say anything for a few minutes. Her expression was one of total shock and disbelief. Lately, Syneda's mood swings were extreme and unpredictable. “I don't believe what I'm hearing. You've never been a woman to let a man use her casually for a little quick, easy sex.”
“And you think that's what he'll be doing?” Without giving Lorren a chance to reply, Syneda continued as her mouth curved into a smile, “Then there's no reason for me to feel guilty about using him, as well.”
For the first time since the conversation she'd had with Justin the night before, Lorren gave serious thought to the possibility that Justin could be right. Her concern just might be directed at the wrong person. “What do you mean by that?”
Syneda leaned forward in her chair and met Lorren's level stare. “I've figured out what's been happening to me for the past few months.”
“What?”
“I'm going through an emotional meltdown. Maybe it stems from the type of cases I've been handling lately or the fact that I'm approaching thirty in a couple of years. I don't know. All I know is that I'm sick and tired of being self-reliant, practical and levelheaded. This sister,” she said, pointing at herself, “wants a new attitude.”
“And you think messing around with Clayton is the answer?”
Syneda smiled. “No, but it's better than thinking seriously about getting my nose pierced, putting a tattoo somewhere on my body or shaving my head.”
Lorren couldn't help grinning. “Why not get married? You could have with Marcus. That's what he wanted.”
“But that's not what I wanted. I don't love him. I'm not in love with any man, and I'm certainly not interested in getting married. I think of a wedding ring as a neon sign flashing the words, ‘You no longer have a life of your own.”'
“That's not true. Look at me and Justin, and Dex and Caitlin. No marriage is perfect, Syneda, and it sure doesn't make everything else in your life automatically fall into place. Nor is it a protection against career crises, economic disaster or
