Chapter Sixteen #2
All too soon, it was bedtime again. Sam really hoped he’d sleep better tonight, but with the constant distraction of Clara beside him, it was hard.
Clara fluffed her pillow, glancing over at him.
‘Night-night, my lovely.’ She pushed up on her elbow and gave him a peck on the cheek again.
It took an ocean of willpower to force down the urge to return the kiss.
If he gave into that, who knew where it might lead his mind?
And he couldn’t afford to go there because one thing was sure, if he kissed her back, there would be nothing fake about it.
‘Night, Clara.’ He rolled over and closed his eyes. A comfortable silence fell over the room, and he relaxed to the sound of her breathing.
He must have dozed quickly because the next thing he knew was when he woke with a start.
It must have been a dream, but he’d heard something.
He listened, his heart beating a little faster, but everything was silent, except for Clara’s light breathing.
And he was very warm. That was when he realised she was right up against him, nestled at his back, her head tucked against his shoulder.
His pulse quickened, and he lay perfectly still.
He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the rush of blood surging through him.
The steady rhythm of her breathing whispered on his back, her hand curling slightly against his side, making him freeze.
He ground his teeth. Just sleep. That was what he had to do. And definitely not turn over and—
No, he couldn’t ruin everything by thinking below his waistband. It had been a long time since he’d been with anyone. That was all. This proximity was messing with his mind and body.
He forced himself to breathe… in, then out. But sleep wouldn’t come.
After what felt like hours, he must have dozed again, but the night passed in scattered, broken intervals, until the first light of dawn crept through the window. Sam had never been so glad for the excuse to get out of bed, even if it felt far too early.
Clara didn’t get up for sometime after by which point Sam had fallen asleep again sitting on the sofa.
‘Are you ok, sleepyhead?’ she asked.
‘Oh… yeah, sorry. I woke up really early and thought it would be best just to get up, then obviously fell asleep again.’ He shook his head. ‘Strange beds and all that.’
‘I hope it’s not me.’ She tilted her head, and her eyes widened.
‘No, no, of course it isn’t.’ And if it was, it was his fault, not hers, because of the crazy way his body reacted to her.
The ceremony wasn’t until after lunch, which gave them plenty of time to get themselves ready. Clara had her hair wrapped in a towel as she dotted about in a lightweight dressing gown with make-up bags.
Sam stood at the mirror, buttoning his shirt and adjusting his tie until it sat just right.
Clara had taken over the living room for her hair – apparently the light was better there and there was more space for all her gadgets.
He smiled to himself at the faint sound of her humming drifting through the door.
He lifted his jacket and slung it over his arm. Would he get too hot in this today? Dominic and Astrid had been blessed with a beautiful day for their wedding, but the air outside looked heavy, a little muggy
A soft knock came at the door.
‘Hello.’ Clara’s voice was chirpy, almost like she was still singing. ‘Can I come in? Are you decent?’
‘I don’t know about that, but I’m certainly dressed.’
She slipped inside – and for a second, he forgot how to breathe. Clara beamed, her hair swept up in an elegant twist that made her cheekbones stand out. Her dress was a deep rose-pink, bordering on plum, simple yet graceful, and it brought out a warmth in her skin that made her look radiant.
Sam cleared his throat. ‘You… you look incredible.’
She grinned, giving him a playful twirl. ‘Why, thank you, kind sir. And you…’ Her gaze trailed slowly over him, and he fought the urge to fidget under her inspection. ‘You look rather delicious yourself.’
His cheeks heated. ‘Delicious?’
She giggled. ‘Totes. Everyone will gobble you up, especially your fake date.’
He laughed, shaking his head. ‘You’re so crazy. But it’s good crazy. I like it.’
‘Thank you.’ Clara’s smile softened as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He held her for a moment, aware of how naturally she fit against him – how real it felt, and if he dared admit it, how right.
‘Shall we go?’ he murmured, giving her a light pat on the back to steady himself.‘Yeah,’ she said brightly, pulling away with a sparkle in her eyes. ‘Let’s go party.’
Sam drove them along the winding country lanes towards the church in the nearby village of Upper Mayscombe.
Clara had the window cracked open, letting in the scent of spring blossom and freshly cut grass as fields rolled past in a blur of green and gold.
They passed some thatched cottages, and Clara ‘oohed’ at them, proclaiming them the cutest things she’d ever seen.
When they reached the church nestled at the far end of the village, the bell tower stood proud against the pale sky, the air alive with birdsong and the distant chatter of arriving guests.
Sam parked beneath a flowering chestnut tree, turned off the engine, and glanced across at Clara.
‘It’s so cute.’ Clara smiled at the ancient stone walls covered in climbing ivy. Groups of people were milling about in suits, dresses, hats and fascinators. Sam vaguely recognised some of them, but the majority were complete strangers.
He parked, and they got out, making their way up the path. He glanced at Clara, then put out his arm. With a broad smile, she hooked her wrist through it.
‘Thank you, Mr Darcy.’
‘Any time, Miss Bennett.’ He chuckled.
‘Sam!’ a man called out, waving as he jogged over. Sam smiled, recognising a friend he’d been at school with. ‘Look at you. Hardly aged a bit. And—’ his eyes flicked to Clara, and he gave a warm smile. ‘You must be Sam’s wife.’
Sam shook his head. ‘No. We’re not… married. Just, um… well, this is Clara.’
‘Delighted.’ The man shook her hand. ‘So many people are here. More, I think, than he had at his first wedding.’
Sam looked around the churchyard, nodding at a few people, but unable to stop his mind from straying to the beauty on his arm. She was just so perfect, but introducing her as his girlfriend made him feel like a fraud. If he could get through the day without saying it, that would be a bonus.
The light made her hair shimmer, her face glowed, and her smile sparkled. It didn’t matter that she was small. Her physical size was nothing next to her aura.
‘How did you meet Sam?’ a friend asked her as they mingled.
‘Oh, we’re colleagues,’ she answered.
‘Nice.’ The man nodded. ‘Have you been together long?’
‘Not too long, no.’
The man nodded.
‘Let’s go inside,’ Sam said, as they headed through the crowd. ‘This fake dating thing is weird, isn’t it?’ he whispered.
‘Fake dating and one bed. I just can’t cope,’ Clara fanned her face. ‘I’m not sure what’s stopping me from jumping your bones.’
He let out a little laugh. ‘Didn’t you try that last night? You were stuck to me like a leech.’
‘Oh god, was I?’
‘Yep.’
‘Hell. That’s my subconscious desire for physical contact kicking in. I’m so sorry if it was annoying.’
‘I’m not sure annoying is the word I’d use.’
‘Oh? What word would you use?’
‘Hmm… I don’t know.’
She eyed him over, and he winked at her. She burst out laughing. They found seats on the pew in the middle. The church filled up quickly, and they were a little squashed. So many people had shown up.
Dominic and his brother, who was best man, arrived and stood at the front as the organ music played.
Then the vicar held up her hands, and everyone fell quiet. ‘Please stand.’
They all got to their feet, and the bridal march started. Everyone’s heads turned as Astrid made her way down the aisle beaming. Clara raised her hands to her lips, and Sam looked at her. Her eyes were welling up. She hadn’t even known Astrid that long.
Bless her, such an emotional person.
Clara blinked hard, lifting a finger to brush away a tear. Sam leaned a bit closer, lowering his voice. ‘You ok?’
She gave him a nod, letting out a soft laugh at herself. ‘I’m fine… weddings always make me cry.’ She moved closer, and the warmth of her arm pressed against his. Lifting his hand, he put it around her. Leaning against him, she smiled through her tears.
Sam breathed deeply, inhaling her sweet perfume, and trying to force himself out of his own head. But even if he moved his mind to a place of detached calmness, that place still had Clara in it. And there was no getting away from her.