Eternally Yours - Brenda Jackson [90]
“No, he’s left and said he won’t be back until tomorrow. Why?”
“I hate to inconvenience him, but Syneda is staying over at his place tonight.”
Ignoring the shocked and surprised look on Syneda’s face, as well as that of her second-born son, Marilyn Madaris continued, “That way we can have plenty of room for the kids to sleep comfortably since your father insists they all spend the night.”
She then turned to Syneda. “Go gather your things, dear. You may use my car,” she said, placing her car keys in Syneda’s hand. “I expect both you and Clayton here in the morning no later than eleven. Understood?”
Syneda nodded before rushing from the kitchen and up the stairs to grab her things.
Dex stood, his expression wary. He didn’t know how much he could or should tell his mother about Clayton and Syneda’s relationship. “I don’t think that was such a good idea, Mom, to send Syneda over to Clayton’s for the night. Caitlin and I have plenty of room at our place. She could have stayed with us.”
He hesitated briefly before continuing. “You’ve probably been too busy to notice Clayton’s mood today. It’s been the pits. And I really don’t think you want to subject Syneda to that. You know how disagreeable they are most of the time, anyway. And with Clayton’s present mood, one little spark could cause a big explosion. Being together is the last thing they need tonight.”
A smile touched his mother’s lips. “Perhaps. And perhaps not.”
Less than an hour later Syneda stood in front of the door to Clayton’s apartment. She had come prepared for anything but his rejection. She would not settle for that. Taking a deep breath, she rang the doorbell.
A somewhat tired and angry-looking Clayton opened the door. He lifted his brow in surprise. “What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone.” There was a sharp edge to his voice.
Syneda swallowed nervously, but she refused to back down. “I need to talk to you, Clayton. Please.”
Clayton hesitated a moment before moving aside. Syneda stepped inside his living room and turned to face him. The look on his face was inscrutable, and he was so distant that a knot of uncertainty coiled within her. However, she refused to give in to her anxiety. She was determined to accomplish what she came to do.
“I came to return something to you, Clayton.”
Clayton shut the door and leaned back against it. His hand remained on the knob as if he needed support. “What? I thought you sent back everything.”
“Everything but this,” Syneda said. She opened the coat she was wearing.
Clayton’s full attention was drawn to Syneda’s outfit when she completely removed her coat and dropped it to the floor. His white dress shirt was the only thing she was wearing. His breath caught in his throat when she began unbuttoning the shirt.
“What do you think you’re doing?” His voice was harsh with no vestige of softness.
Syneda stopped and met his gaze. The eyes staring back at her were cold, remote and distant. “I had a long talk with your mom this evening, Clayton, after you left,” she admitted quietly.
He stepped from the door and came to stand before her. She could tell he was seething with mounting rage. “So?”
“And she knows about us. I told her everything.”
Clayton’s mouth hardened. “And just what do you expect from me for doing that? Some sort of medal for bravery?”
His words infuriated her, and anger flared in Syneda’s eyes. She lifted her chin. “I thought you would be pleased about it. Evidently, you’re not. Coming here was a mistake.” She snatched her coat from the floor and walked past him. She had just opened the door when Clayton’s arm shot in front of her and slammed it back shut.
Grabbing her by the shoulders, he turned her around to face him. “What do you want from me, Syneda? The only woman I’ve ever loved throws my love back in my face, and you think all you have to do is strut your behind in here and I’m supposed to fall at your feet? Sorry, babe, it doesn’t work that way. At