No Strings Attached

lan seemed to think otherwise. He grasped Clara's chin firmly, his voice growing colder by the second. "Clara, can you really bring yourself to leave me here all alone? Have you thought about what I'll do after you go? Have you forgotten your promise that we'd stick together through thick and thin?"

The more he spoke, the more his heart ached. His eyes reddened with the effort to hold back tears. A mist of emotion clouded his eyes.

He bowed his head, his voice a low whisper. "Clara, please don't leave me, okay?"

He didn't wait for her to respond, capturing her soft lips in a kiss that was both aggressive and vengeful. The kiss left Clara gasping for air, nearly drowning in the intensity of his embrace.

lan gave her a moment to breathe, only to unexpectedly pry her lips apart and invade deeper into her mouth.

Clara was kissed senseless. Her body went limp with a mixture of weakness and desire. A soft moan escaped her throat involuntarily. "Ian."

and the huskiness of one who felt aroused. Ian felt a shiver run down his spine, his blood rushing in response. His kiss became even more reckless, and

pushed lan away. Her eyes were rimmed with red as she faced him. "Ian, stop being unreasonable, will you? I'm just packing up some things.

her wet, emotional eyes, and reached out to gently caress the reddened corner. His voice was hoarse but imposing. "Clara, don't you dare sneak away from

he bit down on her lip as

and she pounded on

even

off with them. They must be hiding something from

of Clara, he called Dawson. "Check if Clara and Casey have booked any international

all a game, then turned to go downstairs for dinner. As she turned, her eyes couldn't help but well up. Her hands rested gently on her belly as she silently whispered to herself. "Baby, let's

lan looked at Clara somewhat reluctantly. "There's a

didn't refuse but agreed readily. "Sure. It's late.