No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 100

The young celebrity was pulling out all the stops to climb into bed with the crown prince of the Hayes family. But, throughout their encounter, lan didn’t so much as bat an eyelid her way, let alone make any physical contact with her.

Feeling deflated, she stood to grab a drink but stumbled, pitching forward toward lan’s arms. With a cigarette clamped between his lips, lan watched her with icy detachment. Just as she was about to tumble into his embrace, he shifted abruptly to the side. The celebrity crashed into the back of the couch, and her nose bled from the impact.

Chase, witnessing the whole fiasco, laughed heartily. “Give it up, sweetheart. Your little tricks won't catch his eye.”

He tossed a wad of cash at her, unceremoniously sending her packing without a second thought. Then, turning to lan with a smile, he teased, “You asked me to find you a lady, and I've brought you a good dozen. You haven't touched a single one. What's your game here? Are you playing me?”

He picked up his phone, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Or maybe I should call Clara, tell her you're plastered, and suggest she comes to pick you up?”

The mention of Clara sparked a fleeting glint in lan’s otherwise dark, brooding eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. A dismissive smirk formed on his chiseled face. “As if I'm hung up on her. I've seen plenty of women, haven't 1?”

Chase snorted at lan’s stubborn pride. “Sure, you've seen plenty, all gorgeous too, but not one has made it to your bed, except for Clara.”

“Can't live without bringing her up, huh?”

“Nope, but I know you can't live without her. You've been drowning yourself in booze at bars; it's a wonder you're not dead yet!”

lan felt a sting at the jab to his pride and angrily knocked back several drinks in quick succession. Unable to watch this self-destruction, Chase dialed Clara's number. The phone rang agonizingly long time before she finally picked up.

for an

“Dr. Chase, what can I do for you?” Clara's voice, cool and distant, sounded through the speaker. lan’s heart felt like it had been struck as her voice washed over him. Shadows flickered in his deep— set eyes, his grip on the glass tightening. Yet his face remained an impassive mask.

Chase noticed lan’s féigned composure and wickedly switched the phone to speaker. “Just checking in to see how your father's doing. Is the prescription I gave him working?”

1/2

Clara replied politely, “He's doing quite well, thank you for asking, Dr. Chase.”

“Don’t mention it. We're old friends here. No need to be formal. And don’t lump me in with that jerk. Not everyone's the same, you know.”

Her voice was sweet and gentle. “Of course not, Dr. Chase. You worry too much.”

“That's good to hear. If I needed a favor, you wouldn't turn me down, would you?”

“If it concerns you, certainly not.” Her response left little to the imagination, nearly spelling out, I'm willing to help you, but lan can forget it."

Chase, aiming to play the sympathy card, was outmaneuvered. He laughed awkwardly and ventured, "Well, it sort of does. lan and I have had a bit too much to drink at the bar. I'm pretty wasted myself. If you're free, could you possibly help me get him home?”

After his request, lan, who had been the very picture of cool indifference, felt his heart skip a beat. He'd never been so anxious, even hearing his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

After a pause that stretched on for seconds, Clara's light voice finally came through the other end.