No Strings Attached

Chapter 476

Clara nestled into Ian's arms, her sobs quiet but heart-wrenching.

The pain was excruciating and unbearable, and more than once, she'd thought about calling a doctor to get some painkillers. But every time the words were on the brink of escaping her lips, she swallowed them back down. The mere thought that medication could potentially harm their unborn child made her willing to endure any torture.

Ian kissed away her tears with tender affection, whispering soothingly, “Remember when I was hurt? You’d kiss it better, and the pain would fade a bit. How about we give that a shot?”

Clara lifted her tear-stained eyes, a mix of hope and skepticism shining within them. “Really? You think that could work?”

“Let’s just try it out. If it doesn’t help, we’ll think of something else,” he reassured her, his lips tracing a warm path down her cheek as he spoke.

When he reached her soft lips, his voice dropped an octave, growing huskier.

“Clara, do you remember the first time I kissed you?”

Her mind was instantly transported back to that evening three years ago, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.

She remembered sitting on the lawn, watching Ian play golf. The dying light of the day cast a handsome glow over his features, making him even more striking.

At that moment, she had wanted nothing more than to rush into his arms and tell him she didn't want to leave and wanted to stay

to be his girlfriend.

The butterflies fluttering in her stomach had tinted her already beautiful cheeks a rosy, tempting shade.

That was when Ian approached, holding his golf club. She stood up, offering him a towel, but before she could speak, he draped the white towel over her head and, with a strong tug, pulled her into his embrace.

His scent – that intense, masculine aroma – enveloped her as he leaned in closer, his deep gaze locking onto hers.

In a gravelly voice, he said, “Clara, stay and be my girlfriend, will you?”

At his words, Clara felt as if her heart had skipped a beat.

She stared at Ian, dumbfounded for what felt like an eternity, until her cool lips were enveloped by the warmth of his, snapping her back to reality.

Ian's kisses were soft and inviting, his voice a seductive whisper in her ear. “Stay with me, Clara. Please?”

Her hands clutched nervously at the fabric of Ian's shirt, her heart racing uncontrollably as she let out a soft murmur of consent.

When Ian heard her response, his tentative kisses became deeper, more passionate.

As these memories flooded back, Clara seemed to forget the pain.

After enduring countless storms, her wish from three years ago had finally come true.

She had married the man she loved the most.

Clara couldn't help but wrap her arms around Ian's neck, her voice softer than before.

“Ian, we're never going to be apart, right?”

Hearing this, a chill ran down Ian's spine. He swallowed hard, then kissed Clara’s lips. He said with a rasp in his voice.

“Yes, we're never going to be apart in this lifetime.” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

His warm tongue eagerly explored her mouth, deepening the kiss with fervor.

This kiss was gentle yet lingering.

They lost track of time until Ian finally pulled away to look at her, asking with a soft intensity, “Does it feel any better now?”

Clara blinked slowly, her voice hoarse, “Ian, have you ever wondered why I agreed so quickly when you asked me to stay and be your girlfriend?”

Ian gently nuzzled her cheek. “Was it because you were enchanted by me?”

Clara hugged him tighter, rested in his embrace, and slowly closed her eyes.

Her voice grew fainter as she confessed, “Yes, but it wasn't just that moment that enchanted me. I had fallen for you long before then.”

Later, as she murmured into his chest, her words became inaudible to Ian, b

ut he had heard enough to know that she had loved him for a very long time.