No Strings Attached

Chapter 278

The world was a canvas of endless white, throwing Ian into sharp relief, his deep black eyes serene and steady. There was a coolness in his brows, but nestled within them was the faintest glimmer of passion.

Ian looked up at Clara, his voice tender and warm. "Clara, before I fell for you, marriage was never on my mind. I saw it as a chain, a burden, and I didn't believe that wedded bliss was a guarantee for any couple. It was you who drew me out of that shadow, you who ignited this deep craving I've never felt before. I want to keep you close, and for all the joy that the future holds, I want to walk through it with you.”

“Clara, will you marry me?"

As his words sunk in, tears welled up and spilled over Clara's cheeks. She gazed downward at Ian, who was always so cold, proud, and untouchable. Now, he was kneeling before her like a devoted worshiper, his eyes brimming with longing for her answer.

This was the moment she had yearned for three long years. The scene that had frequented her dreams was now unfolding before her eyes.

She wanted to reach out without hesitation and slip on that pink diamond ring. She longed to utter the words 'I do' immediately, but the thought of her own frailty made her retracting hand hesitate.

Slowly, she crouched down, her cool fingertips gently brushing the snowflakes from Ian's hair. Her warm lips pressed a kiss upon his face.

The pain in her voice could not be hidden. "Ian, can I give you my answer in a little while?"

Ian's eyes darkened, his chiseled jaw clenched tight. His hand gripped Clara's waist, pulling her fiercely into his embrace, his voice brooking no argument. "Are you waiting to confirm you're

pregnant before you say yes?"

Tears cascaded down Clara's cheeks, her eyes helpless and filled with an indescribable sorrow. Ian's icy hands cradled her face, his voice hoarse. "I traveled over twenty hours to surprise you, and this is the response you give me?"

"Ian, I'm sorry." Clara's hot tears trickled onto the back of Ian's slender hands, carrying with them her grievances, her helplessness, searing a sharp pain in his heart.

Without another word, he pressed forward, pinning Clara to the snowy ground. His lips, though chilled and tinged with purple, captured hers without hesitation.

The fiery, frantic kiss consumed all of Clara's breath. In the icy world around them, she found herself succumbing.

They kissed for what seemed like an eternity, oblivious to how many times they tumbled in the snow.

Only when Clara murmured softly, lost in the throes of passion, did Ian slowly release her. His eyes, glistening with a watery sheen, fixed intently on Clara. "Do you want it?"

Clara's body was weak and aching from his touch. She lay in Ian's arms and gave a small nod. Ian's grip tightened once more, his voice seductive, "Say yes, and I'll satisfy you, deal?"

Lost in his spell, Clara let out an involuntary gasp. "Yes."

With her word, Ian finally relented. He casually pulled a wipe from his pocket, cleaning each finger before Clara's eyes. Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

Watching his long, deft hands, Clara shivered involuntarily. These were the hands that unraveled her senses.

In a daze, she had said yes to Ian.

Before she could gather her wits, a cold sensation slipped onto her finger. The pink diamond ring nestled on her ring finger, its brilliance set against the snow, glinting spectacularly.