No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 

After a passionate rendezvous, Clara’s skin shimmers with an understated glow lan held her close, his slender fingers tracing the contours of her delicate features. In the depths of his mesmerizing eyes, there was a tenderness that she had never seen before. 

Clara was left utterly spent by their lovemaking, but at this moment, she felt deeply cherished. 

However, before the afterglow of their desire could fade, lan’s phone began to ring. Clara’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of the caller ID. She tightened her grip on lan’s arm and looked up at him with pleading eyes, “Can you not answer it?” 

The call was from Heidi, lan’s long–time sweetheart. Since she’d returned stateside less than a month ago, there had been several cries for attention, masquerading as suicide attempts. 

Clara knew all too well that Heidi’s antics were deliberate, but lan didn’t seem to care about Clara’s feelings. He pushed her away without a second thought. The warmth of their recent intimacy was completely gone as he eagerly answered the call. 

Clara couldn’t make out what was said on the phone. She only saw the waves of emotion churning in lan’s deep–set eyes, darker than the night outside. 

After hanging up, he quickly dressed. “Heidi’s causing a scene again, threatening to hurt herself. I’ve got to go check on her.” 

Clara sat up in bed, her skin now flushed and marked with the evidence of their love. Her gaze was intense as she watched him. “But today is my birthday. You promised to spend it with me, and I have something important to tell you.” 

lan was already buttoned up, his brows sharp and his gaze cold. “When did you become so unreasonable? Heidi could be in real danger.” 

Before Clara could react, the bedroom door slammed shut. Soon after, the sound of a car engine roared to life outside. 

Clara reached under her pillow and pulled out a small, exquisite box. Inside were two matching rings, which she stared at with misty eyes. 

Three years ago, when a thug cornered her in an alley, it was lan who came to her rescue, and he got injured in the process. She had volunteered to stay and care for him. 

One night, after a bit too much wine, he slept with her. Ian had asked her then if she wanted to date him, but he made it clear he wasn’t offering marriage. Without hesitation, Clara had agreed, because lan was the man she had secretly adored for four years. 

From that day, she was lan’s efficient and attractive secretary by day, and by night, his obedient lover. 

She naively thought that lan loved her and that he was hesitant about marriage because of issues with his family. She spent a whole day preparing a proposal setup, hoping to break through his emotional barriers. 

But Heidi’s call shattered Clara’s illusions. 

Perhaps lan wasn’t against marriage. It just wasn’t Clara he wanted as his wife. 

With a bitter smile, Clara packed away the rings. She dismantled all the decorations on the patio herself. 

Driving off alone, she had not gone far when a sharp pain struck her lower abdomen, followed by a warm flow running down her thighs. 

She looked down and saw that the white leather seat was stained with blood. A bad premonition washed over her. She immediately called lan. 

“lan, my stomach hurts. Can you come get me, please?”