No Strings Attached

Marian's laughter filled the room, the corners of her mouth reaching her ears. "Ah, you remembered how much I love a good drink. What a sweet girl. Pour one out for me, please."

Clara poured a generous glass for Marian and then proceeded to serve everyone at the table. When she got to lan, her mouth watered with envy. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Um, lan, can I have just a tiny sip?" Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Without missing a beat, lan firmly declined, "Sweetheart, pregnant ladies shouldn't be drinking. Have you forgotten? Do you want our baby to come out asking for a bottle of beer instead of milk?"

"But just a teeny taste won't hurt! Or I could just lick it. Bueberry wine isn't going to knock me out." As she spoke, Clara ran her tongue over her lips, clearly yearning for a taste.

lan chuckled and playfully pinched her nose. He brought the glass to her lips, teasing, "Just a lick. Any more, and you're getting a spank."

instincts, she let her tongue graze the liquid. The rich, sweet flavor, laced with a subtle hint of alcohol, tantalized her taste buds. Just that little touch

the glass in wonder, she couldn't help but take another sip despite lan's protests. The cool liquid slid down her throat, leaving a lingering, mellow aftertaste. It was the flavor she had cherished for

Casey, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable excitement.

caught on immediately, taking a small sip himself, his eyes widening in disbelief. "It's got the same taste, Clara. Could Brodie really be little Nine?" Putting together all the ways

were too good... How could they just die? I need

on her wrist held her back. Ian watched her get so worked up at the recognition of Brodie as her childhood friend, and he felt a chill in his heart.

"Granny's been slaving away in the kitchen to make this meal for you. She'd be heartbroken if you didn't eat. We can deal with everything else after dinner, okay?"

Brodie and his mother had survived all these years and why they

"Clara, had enough to eat? If you're full, I'll take you to

nodded impatiently. "Yes, let's