No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 106

Her gaze quickly dropped, and she muttered an apology, “I'm sorry.”

As she turned to leave, her wrist was suddenly grasped in a firm grip. With a forceful pull, she stumbled into a set of broad, muscular arms. A deep, hoarse voice resonated from above her head.

“You're willing to get tipsy for him-how much do you like him, Clara?”

lan's arms were like vices, trapping Clara against his chest, leaving her no room to move. His dark eyes blazed with anger as they fixed on her.

She'd never been encouraged to drink much when she was with him. Yet just moments ago, she had downed three shots in a row to help Anders land his first deal. How deep must her affection for Anders be that she'd go to such lengths?

lan's heated gaze bore into Clara as though it could ignite a flame and consume her.

Lifting her head, Clara met his eyes with a blank stare. “Didn't you claim I could hold my liquor? If I hadn't drunk, wouldn't that have been an insult to you?”

Her fair cheeks were tinged with a faint blush. Her moist, almond-shaped eyes had taken on a reddish hue from the alcohol.

Her soft lips parted and closed, prompting an involuntary swallow from lan. He chuckled lowly. “Isn't this what you brought upon yourself? You should have known I wouldn't let you off easily when you betrayed

me."

Clara scoffed coldly, “If you've already decided I've betrayed you, then surely you must think I've been “tainted. So why, Mr. Hayes, do you still hold me and refuse to let go?”

“Clara, don’t you owe me an explanation for that night?” lan tightened his embrace.

“I was willing to explain. Did you ever give me the chance? Even if I told you nothing happened, would you believe me? lan, if you had trusted me just once, I wouldn't despise you so.”

Facing Clara's accusation, lan felt a pain sharper than a needle prick in his heart. His mind was haunted by the images of that night.

He had seen desire in Clara's eyes. She and Anders were both drenched and wearing the hotel's robes—how could nothing have happened?

He gripped her chin, his foreboding face suddenly closing in. His hot breath fanned over Clara's delicate neck. His voice was thick with barely contained desire. “Clara, you're the epitome of shamelessness. That mouth of yours is just begging to be put in its place!”

With that, he captured her soft lips in his, kissing her with a relentless ferocity that left no room for resistance. He was like a wolf that had gone far too long without a meal, greedily and mindlessly devouring its prey.

No matter how fiercely Clara fought back, he showed no intention of stopping. Over and over, he nibbled on the lips that had driven him to obsession. His blood roared, urging him on, making him lose all sense as his hand crept beneath Clara's clothes.

Clara had never felt such indignity. Seizing the opportunity, she bit down hard on lan’s lip.

Blood soon mingled with their shared breath. Only then did lan slowly release her. His breathing was low and ragged against her face.

Clara shoved him away and slapped his face with all the force she could muster. Her eyes burned with

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unprecedented loathing. “lan, If you ever do this again, believe me, I'll sue you for sexual harassment!”

Still feeling unsatisfied, she kicked him repeatedly in the shins before storming off.