28. CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 28
A wave of noise washed over Clara when they walked out into the foyer. She followed Taylor, unable to think for herself, still stunned that she had managed to get the final word with Jack, to say everything she wanted to without interruption, and to get a promise that he would pay her back.
She felt tears spring to her eyes at the thought of what the money would do for her. She could work a little bit less, go on a holiday, and allow herself some of the small luxuries she saw her friends buying, but she never did because she had a debt to pay off.
“Champagne?” Taylor held a glass out in front of her.
Glancing around, she couldn’t see who had given it to him. “That is a skill you share with your mum.”
“What?” He frowned in confusion.
“Making wine appear out of thin air,” she said, taking the glass gratefully. She sipped the cold, crisp bubbles and smiled. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” He squeezed her hand and tucked her tightly into his side to protect her from the crowds that flowed around them.
“Not just for the drink. Thanks for giving me some courage. He seemed so pathetic standing in front of me. But I know I wouldn’t have been able to say everything I did without you with me. So thanks,” Clara said with sincerity.
“Do you want to talk about him more?” Taylor’s hand rubbed up and down her arm, spreading goosebumps wherever he touched.
“No. I really, really don’t.” She shook her head.
“Good. I missed you. Talking to you every day isn’t enough for me.” Taylor stared down at her, a new intensity in his eyes. “Devon and I have officially broken up.”
“I know. You’ve already told me.” She didn’t add that it was also prominent in the googling she did of him.
“Taylor,” a voice called from across the crowded foyer.
Clara turned her head in the direction of the voice but had no chance of seeing the speaker over everyone’s heads.
“Quick.” Taylor tugged on her hand and began to weave through the crowd, towing her along with him. “There are some things I want to say, and they can’t wait. And I don’t want to say them in public.”
“Okay.” She followed him without hesitation. Her breath hitched, and her heart accelerated.
He pulled her through the door of the cinema next to the one where they had watched the premiere. This one was deserted. He stopped in the dimly lit room, pulling her to face him.
“First, I wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked tonight. Although I think I prefer your red plaid pyjamas, this is my second favourite outfit of yours,” he said and grinned a smile so warm it made heat spread to Clara’s fingers and toes.
“My pyjamas are pretty special, so that’s very reasonable. And you look very handsome tonight. You look good in a suit.” Her fingers itched to reach out so she could run them through his hair, but she forced them to stay at her side.
Taylor took a step toward her, tugging her closer.
She stared up into his eyes and forgot about everyone else. She forgot that she had just seen Jack for the first time since they had broken up, and she forgot that there was an entire roomful of people on the other side of the door who all wanted to talk to Taylor. Forgot that she stood in front of a famous movie star, not just a man she liked.
And when she was flush against his body, and his arms were wrapped around her, she also forgot how to stand properly, as her knees trembled. But he held her firmly in place as his eyes moved between hers and her lips.
“Hi,” he whispered to her. “Did I tell you that I missed you?”
“Yeah,” Clara whispered back.
“I haven’t been able to think about anything else since I met you. You occupy my waking thoughts and my dreams.” His head dipped tantalisingly closer to her.
“Mine too,” she replied without hesitation.
“You dream about me?” Taylor’s head moved closer, and she could feel his breath brushing over her lips.
Clara smiled and said, “Absolutely.”
“Good. You know, when I slept in your bed and woke up with you in my arms, I shouldn’t have let you go.”
“You didn’t let me go,” she breathed back. “You’ve got me right here.”
“I do.” He closed the final millimetres between them, and his lips brushed over hers in the softest of kisses.
Too quickly, he pulled back and stared into her eyes. “Is this okay?” His voice was a low growl.
Clara didn’t answer, couldn’t answer because kissing him had stolen her breath, so she just put her arms up around his neck, gently tugging him back down to her. Despite the heels, she needed to stand on the tip of her toes to meet his lips as they pressed firmly against hers.
They clung to each other in the dark, neither wanting to let go of the other; now they were in each other’s arms. They would have stayed there all night, but the door banging open, and someone walking in, made them jolt apart.
Taylor pulled her into the shadows, hiding them from the interloper. He put his forehead down onto hers, smiling into her eyes.
When they heard the intruder leave, he whispered, “So that’s a yes to going on a date with me.”
Clara bit back the laugh that bubbled up. “It’s absolutely a yes.”
“Excellent. Now, where were we?” Taylor leaned forward to kiss her again.
Clara couldn’t believe what she was about to do, but she gently pushed him away, saying, “We need to go back. It’s your big night.”
“No. We can stay here.” His head dipped towards her again, and he dropped another kiss on her lips that she fell straight into, lost in how right it felt to be in his arms.
Clara didn’t know how much time had passed when she finally managed to pull herself away from him, murmuring, “Taylor.”
“Hmmmm,” His voice was barely a whisper.
“We have to go,” she said and went to push him away from her, but when her hands collided with his firm chest, they didn’t do anything apart from rest there.
Taylor sighed deeply. “We do. I’ve felt my phone ring ten times. It’s probably my manager looking for me.” He pulled away from her reluctantly.
“You’re covered in lipstick,” Clara giggled, reached out and touched his lips, which smiled under her hand.
“And you don’t have any left on.” His thumb rubbed over her bottom lip, and she nearly melted on the spot.
“Right,” Clara breathed, lost again for a moment, until her ever-practical side took over, and she pulled a compact mirror and lipstick out of her handbag for herself and handed a tissue to Taylor. Touching up her lipstick, she shivered as Taylor watched her, his eyes full of heat.
“That’s better.” Taylor dropped a light kiss to her lips, careful not to smudge her lipstick this time. Picking up her hand again, he laced their fingers together and towed her out the door.
It took seconds for people to notice that Taylor had re-entered the room; Clara guessed it was hard not to be spotted when you were six-foot-five.
“Taylor, wonderful performance. This has Oscar written all over it,” a red-faced man in a too-tight suit exclaimed, grabbing Taylor’s free hand and pumping it hard.
“Thank you, Sir. That’s very kind of you to say,” Taylor answered politely.
After that, the floodgates opened, and Taylor was soon surrounded by people who wanted to talk to him.
Clara tugged on his hand to get his attention and whispered in his ear, “You work. I’ll go and find your mum to hang out with.”
“Stay,” he said quickly, turning his head to her, his eyes serious. “I want you to stay.”
“If you’re sure?” she questioned.
“I’m sure. Stay.”
Clara nodded, and not letting go of his hand, they made their way around the room together.
She was introduced to so many people that their names and faces were a blur. She had some pleasant conversations, but she knew that no one actually wanted to talk to her; they were there for Taylor. And that was okay; she was content just being with him.