No Strings Attached

lan slumped against Clara's shoulder, recounting the whole ordeal from beginning to end. Then, with a weary expression, he murmured, "Clara, if it hadn't been for your heads-up that day, I might still be in the dark. It's not Heidi's betrayal that cuts deep, but the fact that my mother was in on it all along. How much must she despise me to torture me like this, to keep me living in perpetual guilt?"

While he spoke, his breath, warm and damp, gently traced the contours of Clara's ear. It sent shivers down Clara's spine. Her voice grew husky. "Ian, let go of me."

Instead of releasing her, lan pulled her closer, his teeth lightly nipping the soft flesh behind her ear. A low, pleading groan escaped his throat. "Clara, I've missed you so much. Can I just hold you for a while?" "lan, if you don't let go now, I'm going to fight back."

Just as Clara was about to knee him, her legs were swiftly entangled by his, immobilizing her. Before she could react, lan lifted her onto the kitchen island. His chiseled face loomed closer in her vision until their lips met in a hot, urgent kiss, and only then did she fully grasp what was happening. "Ian, you-mmmph!"

lan's legs pinned her restless ones. One hand cradled the back of her head, and the other gripped her wrist, claiming Clara's territory with dominant fervor.

tumultuous. Ian's whole being roared with an uncontrollable desire. Between kisses, he gasped out, "Clara, I've missed you, truly, deeply, madly missed you." He was consumed

reminisced about their three blissful years

poured all her love onto him. She loved him so fiercely, recklessly wanting to be with him at all costs. And yet, he had failed to cherish it,

kiss. Tender pecks landed on

them gently, his voice deep and rough with emotion. "Clara, I'm sorry. I just

come back to haunt me? Wouldn't it

know I've hurt you in the past, and you're scared to face this relationship again. What if this time, I'm the one chasing you-would that

to fall for you again, lan. Can't you

bear to put herself through that ordeal again. Once was more