No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Chapter 62

She didn't feel a thing, not until Anders saw the blood trickling down from her clenched fist.

"Clara, let go!"

Her whole body quivered as Anders tried to pry her hand open, but the tighter he pulled, the tighter she held on. All Anders could do was soothed her softly. "Clara, be a good girl and relax your grip. Even without that video, I'll help you win the case."

By the time Clara's hand opened, the paperclip had buried itself deep into her flesh. It made Anders' heart ache to see it. He pulled out a tissue from his pocket and said in a low voice, "Bear with me. I need to pull it out."

Whether it was removing the paperclip or applying the antiseptic, Clara didn't make a sound, as if she couldn't feel the pain at all.

After Anders had bandaged her up, Clara spoke up, "Anders, I could really go for a drink."

Elsewhere.

After work, lan was dragged out by a few buddies to hit the local bar. It was just after ten when the phones started buzzing nonstop. It was either girlfriends urging them to come home early or wives advising to go easy on the booze.

Only lan and Chase's phones lay silent.

Chase slapped him on the back with a laugh, "I'm a free agent, man. But you, with a lady at home, and not a peep? Could it be that Clara isn't taking you seriously? Maybe she's off having the time of her life while you're not around."

lan was seething inside. The orgasms last night were amazing. He had even indirectly acknowledged their relationship at the office today, and wasn't that enough for her? With a heavy heart, he lifted his glass and downed the drink in one go.

As one after another got called home, lan's chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton. He pulled out his phone and called Clara, but it just rang and rang with no answer.

Chase watched him with a roguish grin, "Ooh, looks like I hit the nail on the head. Maybe she's out chasing some young stud."

lan kicked him lightly, "She's not like that." After saying that, he headed outside with his phone in hand.

But no sooner had he stepped out than he saw a graceful figure in the neighboring booth. And beside her, a young, handsome man.

lan's eyes narrowed. His fists clenched tight, his temples throbbing fiercely.

11:45

Chase too saw the scene and let out a boisterous laugh. "That must be Clara and Anders; right? They look so cozy together, and I heard Anders was sweet on Clara back in school.

Then he went abroad for some reason, and Clara ended up with you. Could be they're. rekindling an old flame. That campus romance is always the purest, isn't it? Your thing with Clara, that's just lust, not love. Just a game."

Every word Chase said was like a dagger to lan's gut.

lan had never held himself in check like he was now. Though he was seething, he kept it in, not wanting to hurt Clara.

He quickly composed himself, his expression indifferent. He strolled over to Clara and gently ruffled her hair, his voice deep and husky. "Had enough to drink? If so, come on home with me."

Clara looked up at him with bleary, drunken eyes, her lips curling slightly. Her voice was slurred but seductive. "Go to hell, lan. I never want to see you again.”