By the time the credits rolled, Clara was too engrossed. To her, the movie had ended far too soon. Only when the screen went black did she become aware of how close she and Ethan were sitting. A strange awareness settled over her, and she slowly moved away, putting a bit of space between them.
Ethan, however, didn't seem to notice that the movie had long ended. His gaze wasn't on the screen, it was on her.
"I'm going to sleep," Clara declared, her voice softer than she intended.
She quickly slipped under the covers, turning her back toward him, trying to calm the sudden rush of heat in her chest. Minutes later, she felt the mattress dip as Ethan joined her.
"Goodnight, Clara," he murmured.
She echoed his words and soon after, fell asleep.
***
The morning light woke her up, warm against her face. Clara blinked awake, realizing that she had slept far longer than usual.
It took her a while to register that her head was resting on Ethan's arm. She tried to shift slightly in order to pull away from him, but his arm tightened around her.
"Don't move..Please," he mumbled in his sleep.
Feelings she had long buried stirred in her heart, and so she stayed, studying him, especially his face. His features were striking, and she couldn't look away..A strong jawline, high cheekbones, and beautiful lashes. He was a work of art.
If we were truly married, she thought, I'd have to fend off women left and right. The idea made her oddly relieved that in a year, they would go their separate ways.
Her quiet stare was however interrupted by Ethan's voice...warm and teasing.
"Good morning. Why is my wife staring at me?" His grin was lazy, but his eyes were sharp. "It's fine to look. I'm all yours."
Clara tried to wriggle free, but his hold only tightened. Without warning, he leaned in a little bit and kissed her forehead, then on the lips, softly at first, then deeper, until the room and the rest of the world faded away.