No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 112

lan led Clara onto the golf course, gesturing towards an ancient oak standing tall beyond the outfield. “I've lost something under that tree, he said with a smirk. “Think you can help me find it, Attorney Clara?”

Clara wasn’t in the mood for chit-chat; she strode towards the oak without a word. She circled the tree meticulously several times, but nothing caught her eye. As realization dawned on her that she'd been duped, lan’s low chuckle floated from behind her. “Aren’t you gonna ask what I lost, Attorney Clara?”

She shot him an icy glance. “If you're not serious about this, Mr. Hayes, I've got no time for games!”

With that, she spun on her heel to leave, only to find lan blocking her path, his gaze intense and piercing. His voice, a deep and magnetic timbre, spilled forth. “Three years ago, I lost my first kiss right here. Can you help me find it, Attorney Clara?”

At his words, Clara's heartbeat faltered, her fingertips trembling involuntarily. Memories of three years past flooded her mind.

Back then, lan had just recovered from an injury, and he had brought her here to play. She was clueless about the game, and he had been her patient teacher throughout.

She vividly remembered how her heart raced when lan’s hands had enveloped hers from behind. She'd been intoxicated by his unique scent, the strong beat of his heart against her back. lan had been her crush for four long years.

She'd basked in that happiness until dusk, when the sunset painted the sky pink. Exhausted, Clara had sat under the oak, supporting her chin in her hands, watching lan play solo. She wished time would freeze in that moment-with lan by her side.

As twilight settled, lan approached her through the dimming light. She reached out with a towel for him, but he grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a powerful embrace.

His masculine scent was overwhelming, and Clara, like a startled bunny, looked up at him with flushed cheeks and dewy, confused eyes

lan’s handsome face slowly loomed closer until his warm lips met hers. Her eyes widened, and her heart seemingly stopped as a tingling sensation spread from her lips. His tongue pried her mouth open, stealing her breath away. She was breathless, staring wide-eyed as lan claimed her lips in his own brazen way.

+

It was only after an eternity that lan gradually released her, panting softly beside her lips. “Silly girl, close your eyes, open your mouth.”

Clara couldn't recall how long they'd kissed under that tree, only that her lips were swollen-and so was her

heart.

That night, they'd both had too much to drink and ended up sleeping together. When they awoke, lan had held her close and suggested a relationship with no strings attached. She had agreed without hesitation, for he was the man she'd fallen for four years prior.

Now, with these memories flooding back, Clara's eyes brimmed with tears, her grip on the club pale and cold.

Jan's husky, enchanting voice echoed in her ear, “Clara, you gave up your scholarship, your dream of practicing law, to be by my side because you loved me, right?”