Returning to the party, she kept her head low as she made her way around the dancefloor. What was she even doing? Sinful thoughts about Sam had taken upfar too muchof her brain space tonight. Maybe she was manifesting now.
‘There you are.’ Sam smiled up at her as she reached her seat. ‘You ok?’
‘Fine.’
He took a sip of his drink, the curve of his throat catching her attention. ‘You had enough dancing, or do you want to go again?’
‘I can keep it up all night. You?’
He raised an eyebrow, a slow grin tugging at his mouth. ‘I’m not entirely sure how to take that.’
‘Oh my god.’ Clara clapped her hand to her mouth, feeling her cheeks flame. ‘I so didn’t mean that.’
Though… maybe subconsciously she had.
Manifesting again?
He laughed – a low, rich rumble that rolled right through her. ‘I was joking, though I’m sure I’d have no trouble right now.’
Before she could even process what he’d said, he was on his feet, holding out his hand. ‘Come on. Let’s dance.’
His palm was warm against hers as he pulled her up, and her pulse tripped a little faster. They stepped back onto the dancefloor, the music thumping gently through the floorboards. Sam twirled her, his hand sliding along her back as he caught her again, close this time – closer than before. Clara’s laugh came easily, but underneath it, heat coiled low in her stomach. The tension in her head melted away, replaced by something heavier and much sweeter.
Everything was so easy and fun with this man – but alsohot. The way he moved, the way his hand lingered for just a second too long, the way his eyes caught hers and held them – it all left her breathless.
‘My sister’s wedding reception was hilarious,’ she said. ‘We played games like musical statues and the hokey cokey. It was such fun.’
‘Sounds amazing.’ Sam spun her again. ‘I would have loved it. I used to be addicted to the hokey cokey.’
‘Seriously?’ Clara stared at him.
‘Oh yeah. But thankfully I turned myself around.’
Clara slow-blinked and looked away. ‘You get worse. But it’s better than a pun about putting in and out and shaking it all about, I suppose.’
That cheeky smile of his spread across his face before he burst out laughing. ‘Ok, you win.’
His laughter faded, but the sparkle in his eyes didn’t. It stayed as his hand lingered at her waist. The air between them stretched thin. Clara’s breath caught. His warmth filtered through the fine fabric of her dress, and her pulse raced in response.
She looked up, unable to break the connection and not wanting to. Her heart skipped and stumbled, everything inside her leaning forward, waiting. The more time she spent with him, the harder it was to ignore the pull – or the ache that came with it.
Maybe he felt it too. Maybe this was the moment everything changed.
But before she could say a word, someone called Sam’s name across the dance floor. He blinked, turned his head, and the moment slipped, leaving Clara suspended between hope and uncertainty.
Was she imagining it? Or had he been about to close that last, impossible inch?
Either way, she suddenly knew one thing for sure.
If she wanted answers, she’d have to find the courage to ask.
Chapter Eighteen
Sam
‘There you are.’ Dominic clapped Sam on the back mid-dance. Clara pulled back, and Sam felt the loss immediately. Perhaps it was for the best. They’d got a bit carried away. But he was enjoying it, and so was she – so why shouldn’t they? Carpe diem and all that.
‘I’ve been so busy dancing I’ve hardly had a chance to talk to anyone,’ Dominic said.
