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.

the surface seemed harmonious, but underneath, it was an all-out war. Ian, seeking revenge on Brodie, attempted to get him drunk, only to find Brodie's tolerance matched his own. Both men drank a bit too much. Brodie was escorted away while Clara helped lan to his room to sleep it

modest, with 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

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

was haunted by Brodie's words. He said Clara was the one he had always protected since they were kids. She was clearly lan's woman. What right did Brodie have to

stabbing pains through lan's heart. He had never been so afraid as he was now, afraid of losing Clara when the

would he do then? He loved her too much to live without

contemplated their precarious future, lan's movements grew even more fervent. Clara nearly cried out, biting her lip to silence

up, will you? My dad and Grandpa Reed are

her gently, his voice laced with seduction.

his words. Her eyes were dewy and shy, "We're not married yet, I