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."

at his wound, causing a wince to flicker across his face. Clara's hands slipped inside his suit jacket, gently caressing him. When her fingers

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

wife commands.

His eyes, filled with longing, never left hers as his husky voice set her

even more intense. He even feared, for a moment, that if the bullet had strayed just a bit more, he might never

rarest treasure. Holding Clara's face, he kissed her with a passion that

they didn't notice the door opening. Sasha entered, only to cover her eyes at the sight.

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

head, Sasha replied, "No, it's not Casey. It's me. My mom found out about my injury. She stormed my room, caught a glimpse