No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 286

Hearing that, lan's smile gradually stiffened on his face. Leaning close to Brodie, he whispered hoarsely, "Just who the hell are you, and what's your deal with Clara?" With a nonchalant sip of his drink, Brodie's lips curled into a smirk. "Take a guess!"

lan's thigh pressed forcefully against Brodie's, his smile intact, but his teeth nearly shattered from clenching. "Whoever you are, I won't let you snatch Clara away. She's mine." "We'll see if you've got what it takes to keep her safe. I made her a promise to protect her for life, and I don't go back on my word."

"Are you referring to those childish pinky promises, Mr. Brodie? Clara has wiped those from her memory clean. Still pining away-I mean, don't you replace that a bit pathetic?"

"Whether it's pathetic or not, maybe I should reveal my true identity and see if Clara remembers our past."

At those words, lan's grip tightened on Brodie's wrist, his eyes filled with a threatening glare. "Don't you dare!"

The two men, each nursing a drink, baited each other, the tension thick in the air.

Dinner on the surface seemed harmonious, but underneath, it was an all-out war. Ian, seeking revenge on Brodie, attempted to get him drunk, only to replace Brodie's tolerance matched his own. Both men drank a bit too much. Brodie was escorted away while Clara helped lan to his room to sleep it off.

The place was modest, with no shower in sight. Clara brought a basin of hot water and wiped lan down. Just as she was about to leave with the basin, a strong hand wrapped around her waist. One forceful tug and she found herself pulled onto the bed.

A torrent of kisses overwhelmed her. Ian's breath was fierce, leaving Clara no time to react. His kiss was domineering and intense, laced with the potent scent of alcohol. Before long, Clara's breath was consumed, her defenses overrun. Mist glazed her eyes, heat slowly igniting every fiber of her being, her consciousness ebbing away.

lan's mind was haunted by Brodie's words. He said Clara was the one he had always protected since they were kids. She was clearly lan's woman. What right did Brodie have to protect her?

The thought of the May case, likely tied to his own mother, sent stabbing pains through lan's heart. He had never been so afraid as he was now, afraid of losing Clara when the truth came out.

What would he do then? He loved her too much to live without her.

As he contemplated their precarious future, lan's movements grew even more fervent. Clara nearly cried out, biting her lip to silence herself. Her eyes shimmered with intense desire, her voice husky and unrecognizable.

"lan, ease up, will you? My dad and Grandpa Reed are right next door."

lan paused and kissed her gently, his voice laced with seduction. "Then let me hear you call me 'hubby.""

Clara's already flushed cheeks burned hotter at his words. Her eyes were dewy and shy, "We're not married yet, I won't say it."

A devilish grin played on lan's lips. "Then let's give Grandpa Reed and the others a show; let them see how I treat you."

The old wooden bed creaked and groaned. With every increase in motion, the sounds quickened and grew louder.

Terrified, Clara immediately whispered softly, "Hubby."

That single word set lan's blood on fire. He captured Clara's lips once more, wishing he could swallow Clara. She had just called him 'hubby.' Their relationship was sealed in that moment. The bed's creaks didn't stop with that call of 'hubby'. They intensified even more.

In the end, Clara had no energy left to care, letting lan claim her over and over. The next morning, Clara awoke and immediately looked beside her. Ian's figure was long gone.

She couldn't help but marvel at his stamina. After several days of overtime and last night's triple encore, he still got up so early. And there she was, utterly spent and sore all over.