No Strings Attached

Hearing that, lan's smile gradually stiffened on his face. Leaning close to Brodie, he whispered hoarsely, "Just who the hell are you, and what's your deal with Clara?" With a nonchalant sip of his drink, Brodie's lips curled into a smirk. "Take a guess!"

lan's thigh pressed forcefully against Brodie's, his smile intact, but his teeth nearly shattered from clenching. "Whoever you are, I won't let you snatch Clara away. She's mine." "We'll see if you've got what it takes to keep her safe. I made her a promise to protect her for life, and I don't go back on my word."

"Are you referring to those childish pinky promises, Mr. Brodie? Clara has wiped those from her memory clean. Still pining away-I mean, don't you find that a bit pathetic?"

"Whether it's pathetic or not, maybe I should reveal my true identity and see if Clara remembers our past."

At those words, lan's grip tightened on Brodie's wrist, his eyes filled with a threatening glare. "Don't you dare!"

The two men, each nursing a drink, baited each other, the tension thick in the air.

Ian, seeking revenge on Brodie, attempted to get him drunk, only to find Brodie's tolerance matched his own. Both

no shower in sight. Clara brought a basin of hot water and wiped lan down. Just as she was about to leave with the basin, a strong hand wrapped around her waist. One forceful tug and she found herself pulled

to react. His kiss was domineering and intense, laced with the potent scent of alcohol. Before long, Clara's breath was consumed, her defenses overrun. Mist glazed her eyes,

was haunted by Brodie's words. He said Clara was the one he had always protected since

He had never been so afraid as he was now, afraid of

do then? He loved her too much

Clara nearly cried out, biting her lip

ease up, will you? My dad and Grandpa Reed

laced with seduction. "Then let me hear

words. Her eyes were