Eternally Yours - Brenda Jackson [115]
Clayton thought his heart had stopped beating when she smiled at him. “Causing problems, Madaris?”
He returned her smile. “Don’t I always where you’re concerned?” He locked the door before walking over to her. “I had to see you, Syneda.”
“You weren’t supposed to see me until the wedding.”
Clayton raised his hands to cup her face. “I know, and I’m sorry if I’ve ruined this day for you by not sticking to tradition, but I had to see you. It doesn’t matter when I see you, Syneda. Your beauty will always have me spellbound.”
Syneda’s heart burst with happiness. She thought he looked so handsome dressed in his white tuxedo with tails, and didn’t hesitate to tell him so. “You look so good in a tux.”
“Thanks. I have something to tell you,” he said quietly, taking her hand in his.
“What?” Syneda asked. A nervous tremor touched her.
“I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. So much has happened since you agreed to marry me. We really haven’t had a chance to spend a lot of time together lately.” He placed her hand over his heart. “Every beat you feel under your palm is for your heart only. I love you very much and will spend the rest of my life showing you just how much. From this day forward, I am eternally yours.”
Tears glistened in Syneda’s eyes. “And from this day forward, I am eternally yours.” She repeated the words he had just spoken. “I love you so very much, Clayton.”
Slowly Clayton pulled her into his arms. He couldn’t help looking at her lips, full and sensuous. A shock of overwhelming heat spread through him. He suddenly felt hot and hungry for the woman he was about to marry.
“Clayton Jerome Madaris! Open this door!”
The sound of his grandmother’s demand from the other side of the locked door echoed loudly in the room.
“I think I’m in trouble,” he said to Syneda as his mouth hovered closely over hers. “I may as well make it worth my while, don’t you think?”
Syneda nodded, smiling. “Definitely. There’s no trouble like big trouble,” she replied seconds before placing her arms around his neck to bring her body more fully against his.
Clayton’s mouth moved hungrily over hers as Syneda’s lips parted for him. She made a small, soft sound when his tongue entered her mouth and rubbed against hers. The byplay was deliciously erotic and promised things to come later.
The heady taste of Clayton made a glowing heat blossom deep within Syneda’s belly. The masculine scent of him was embedded in her nostrils, and the desire for him was an ache deep within the core of her.
“Clayton Madaris, if you don’t unlock this door, I’ll have your father and brothers break it down!”
Abruptly Clayton ended the kiss and looked down into Syneda’s passion-filled face. He enfolded her tightly in his arms. “I’d better do as she said, or she will have them break the door down.” He leaned down and kissed her again. “Remember how much I love you when you walk down that aisle to me.”
Syneda nodded. Love was shining in the depths of her sea-green eyes. “I’ll remember.”
Clayton smiled as he unlocked the door to discover not only his grandmother, but his parents, the minister, Mama Nora, Syntel and the entire wedding party crowded around the door. His grandmother had an annoyed and a disgusted expression on her face.
Before she could say anything he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “She’s all yours now, Gramma, but in just a little while, she’ll be all mine.”
Whistling the tune of the bridal march, a much happier Clayton Madaris walked past the crowd of stunned onlookers.
Reverend Moss checked his watch. He then smiled at the faces of the men lined across the room all dressed in white tuxedos. Everyone was accounted for. He frowned when his gaze came to rest on Clayton. He shook his head. Even after the ruckus he’d caused a few hours earlier, Clayton Madaris didn’t have the decency to look guilty or ashamed.
“Well, then, gentlemen, it’s about that time,” he said, adjusting his glasses and smoothing his white robe. “If you’ll just follow me, we can get things started. We don’t want to keep the bride waiting.”
Before