No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 285

Ian dipped his head and pressed a kiss to her lips, chuckling, "Missed you, so I came to check on you."

To see her sooner, Ian had barely caught a wink of sleep these past few days. His eyes still bore the crimson threads of fatigue.

Clara gently caressed his chiseled jawline, her voice tinged with concern, "You must be exhausted, aren't you?"

Ian's nose brushed against her cheek as he whispered in her ear, "Yeah, I'm beat, but it's nothing compared to how I spend time with you in bed."

His words sent a blush scurrying across Clara's face. She playfully thumped his chest, feigning annoyance. "Cut it out, will you? People can hear us."

Ian let out a low chuckle, "Can't I steal just one kiss, then?"

Before Clara could react, he leaned in and captured her lips again. The crisp scent of mint, laced with deep desire, swiftly drew her into its spell. Soft moans escaped between breaths.

Ian's kisses grew more fervent as if they carried days of longing. His cool fingertips caressed Clara's cheek, and his voice was husky with emotion. "Clara, I've missed you so much."

Her cheeks burned under his lips, her eyes slightly reddened, and her voice was hoarse with emotion, "I missed you too."

They were entwined in a passionate embrace in the yard when, suddenly, Casey's voice came from inside the house. "Clara, what's taking the barbecue so long? Is everything okay?"

Clara pushed Ian away, her voice still shaking from their heated moment. "It's all good. I'll be right there."

With that, she took Ian's hand and led him inside. "Grandpa Reed, Dad, Ian's here."

Reed, spotting Ian, waved with a smile. "Ian, haven't had dinner yet? Come and join us. Clara, grab Ian some cutlery, will you?"

With a smile playing on his lips, Ian walked over to the bedside, glancing at Reed's leg with concern. "How's your leg doing, Reed?"

"Much better, doesn't hurt much, and I can move it on my own now."

With just a few words, he established his place at the table.

Brodie's eyebrows lifted imperceptibly, and his gaze clouded with unspoken thoughts. He leaned in close to Ian, his voice a low murmur. "Mr. Hayes, you're in such a hurry to marry Clara. Are you afraid she'll leave you if she finds out how her mother died?"

At these words, Ian's expression faltered, his eyes dark with menace. He poured Brodie a glass of wine with deliberate slowness, a meaningful smile on his lips. "If you so much as whisper a word to her, you won't live to see another sunrise!" His words were harsh, but his face was a mask of amiability.

Brodie, too, raised his glass with a smile, clinking it against Ian's, his tone cool but laden with threat.

"If you make Clara unhappy, you'll answer to me first."

"Don't worry, she's my wife and not your concern."

"She's been under my watch since she was little, and I won't allow you to hurt her."