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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.”
    Syneda smiled. “How could I possibly forget something as important as that?”
    Encircling her with a protective arm, Clayton drew her closer to him. For a long moment there was no conversation between them. They just held each other. Clayton was going through pure torture. Everything about Syneda was sexy, and he felt a quickening in the lower part of his body. If he didn’t separate himself from her, he couldn’t be held accountable for his actions. “Syneda?”
    “Umm?”
    “I think we should call it a night, don’t you?”
    Syneda stepped out of his arms and peered up at him through a sweep of long lashes. A smile covered her lips. “Friends again?”
    Clayton returned her smile as a surge of warmth passed through him. “Yes, friends again.”
    “Good. As much as we argue at times, I like having you for my friend.”
    “And I feel likewise.”
    Syneda leaned up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Good night, Clayton.”
    “Good night, Syneda.”
    He watched as she turned to leave. He couldn’t help but notice how the sleeper she wore clung to her body, accentuating her shapely hips and tiny waist. He had a feeling he was in for a long, sleepless night.

Chapter 3
    “D on’t tell me we’ve finally done something that’s tired you out,” Clayton said, grinning. He handed Syneda a cold can of soda. “I was beginning to think you were blessed with never-ending energy.”
    Syneda took the soda and flopped down in the nearest chair. “Shopping always tires me out,” she replied after taking a sip of the drink. She set the can on a nearby table and began removing her sandals. “The stores at that mall were wonderful. Just look at all this stuff.”
    “I’m looking,” Clayton replied, glancing around at the bags and boxes littering the floor. “Have you forgotten that I helped you carry most of it?”
    Syneda smiled. “I really appreciate you being with me. I couldn’t have purchased nearly as much stuff had you not been there.”
    Clayton glanced around the room shaking his head. “Yeah, your Master Card company should thank me profusely. I wonder if they’ll be willing to give me some kind of a kickback since you spent a fortune today.”
    Syneda laughed. “I doubt it.” She stood to collect her boxes. “Do you mind if we order out tonight? I don’t think I have the energy to get dressed to go anyplace.”
    “That’s no problem. What do you have a taste for?”
    “How about lobster?”
    “That sounds good to me. I’ll order delivery from a restuarant nearby.”
    “Thanks, Clayton, you’re such a sweetheart.”
    Less than an hour later, a just-showered Syneda stood leaning against the railing on the terrace enjoying the view of the ocean. Clayton had left her a note saying he was going downstairs to the pool for a swim.
    From her position on the terrace she could see him below, and for some reason her eyes kept straying toward him. She became entranced by the movement of his muscular legs as he dived into the pool, by the firmness of his stomach beneath his swim trunks and by the mass of dark hair covering his chest. He looked tough, lean and sinewy. His powerful well-muscled toast-brown body moved through the water with easy grace.
    “For heaven’s sake,