No Strings Attached

She had to keep her emotions in check, not just for her own sake but for the little one growing inside her. The news that Clara was forcing herself to eat every day, only to bring it all up again, stabbed at lan's heart like needles. His fingers entwined with hers, bringing her hand to his lips for a relentless shower of kisses.

It seemed like an eternity before Clara's eyelids fluttered open. Gazing into lan's worn-out, worried face, she studied him for a long moment before her lips parted. With a raspy voice, she murmured, "lan." lan immediately leaned forward, his concern palpable. "Clara, how do you feel?"

She gave a slight shake of her head. "I'm okay. Are you hurt?"

"Not a scratch. Your man's as tough as they come. If it weren't for the bun in the oven, I could go a few rounds, no problem."

The more nonchalant he sounded, the less she believed him. Her beautiful eyes locked onto his for a few seconds, and then she opened her arms. "I need a hug."

to hold her close. The movement tugged at his wound, causing a wince to flicker across his face. Clara's hands slipped inside his suit jacket, gently caressing him.

close to lan's ear, she whispered soothingly, "lan, let's get the

couldn't hide it any longer, lan chuckled softly. "As my wife commands. But I've missed you for days. Can I steal a

shivers throughout her body. His eyes, filled with longing, never left hers as his husky voice set her

He even feared, for a moment, that if the bullet had strayed just a bit more, he might never have seen her again. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website

lips finally found hers, kissing her as if she were the rarest treasure. Holding Clara's face, he kissed her with a passion that was both

end, that they didn't notice the door opening. Sasha entered, only to cover

face was flushed. She sat up and asked, "Sasha, is it my

out about my injury. She stormed my room, caught a glimpse of Chase, and then, well..."