No Strings Attached

Clara gently stroked his back, her voice laced with confusion. "Ian, did Dad say something to you?"

lan quickly shook his head. "No, it's just... I suddenly got scared you might leave me."

"Why would I? Our baby is about to arrive, and I'm counting on you to bring home the bacon for the little one. Come on, stop worrying your head. You've been under a lot of stress lately. Why don't you go out and have a beer with the guys tonight?"

With a tender touch, Clara massaged lan's cheeks, and then, rising on her tiptoes, she planted a kiss on his face. "Feeling better now?" she asked with a smile.

lan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, his deep, dark eyes swirling with undisguised emotion. His warm lips gently brushed against Clara's cheek as he murmured in a hoarse voice, "As long as I have you, I have nothing to fear."

deep, passionate kiss. They stood on the lawn, bathed in the radiant midday

joy of holding Clara in his arms. The kiss grew more fervent, and he found himself not wanting to let go. Eventually, it was Clara who had to put a stop to it. "lan,

quite strong. Have I not been working hard enough lately?" Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

"How about after the

punched his chest. "Stop

cheek and said, "Let's go

headed back towards

standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, watched the entire exchange. Sipping his tea, he said in a low voice, "They look so perfect together. If they ever split up, lan would be devastated." Katherine, standing

spoke, her eyes couldn't help but gleam with unshed tears, her mind flashing back

they part ways when things had been so good between them? What exactly was their relationship, and