No Strings Attached

Clara was enveloped in a tight embrace. Ian's arms constricted around her with such fervor it left her struggling for breath. She had never seen lan so unglued, so completely stripped of his usual poise. He was the master strategist, the king among men in her eyes, always in control no matter what the world threw at him. Yet now, he clung to her like a child gripped by fear, begging for promises.

Clara was at a loss. Whatever was gnawing at lan's nerves was beyond her knowledge. She reached out, her delicate fingers brushing his hair, her voice a soothing whisper. "Okay, I'm not going anywhere." The moment he had risked his life to save her father, she had made up her mind. Clara knew that she and lan were inseparable, now and forever.

Her resolve shone in her eyes. The soft cadence of her reassurances seemed to break down his defenses, and in a moment of raw emotion, lan pulled her close. He lowered his head and claimed her lips in a kiss that was as fierce as it was impatient-as if he was trying to consume her, to make her a part of him.

The kiss was possessive and urgent, leaving Clara gasping for air. She felt lan's passion, wild and relentless, as he pressed his lips to hers over and over, each caress a silent promise and a poignant goodbye They were lost in the moment until a knock on the door echoed through the room. Clara, her cheeks flushed, extricated herself from lan's embrace to answer it.

Edwin stood at the threshold, holding a bag filled with what looked like takeout. His gaze briefly faltered upon seeing Clara, but he quickly recovered with a smile. "Just checking in on lan, heard he woke up." "Come in, Edwin," Clara said with a nod. Her feelings towards Edwin were cool, tinted by her dislike of Heidi's antics. She led him into the room and excused herself, leaving the two men alone.

until lan's gruff voice snapped him back to reality.

chuckle escaped Edwin's lips. "So, you

with a smug grin, replied, "Yeah, get your

an eyebrow. "That was quick. You sure it's not a shotgun

If it weren't for Heidi's meddling, I'd be a father

my family's actions-I was clueless. I can't ask for forgiveness, but I need you to know, they are them, and I am me. Let's not

the breakfast sandwich from Edwin's offering, a peace offering of sorts. "Fine. You made me breakfast, so I'll

drunk. He did time, and now he's out. No strange contacts or

death of their nanny. All drunk drivers, all dead ends. It was too much of a coincidence. There had to be