The year someone turns 18 they have the opportunity to be injected with a serum that will produce a soulmate mark somewhere on their body. This serum is costly and the procedure to get the injection is not covered by insurance.
A rare illness cropp...
After I consider myself ready I go back into the main room of my cabin. I grab the white cardigan I purchased while in Taormina, Sicily that I had left draped over a study chair. I don't know if I will need it or not, but because it is well into the evening at this point I bet there is probably some draft coming off the water that will add a chill to the air. Then I try to decide what to do next. I debate whether I should go up to the top deck and wait for him there, or if I should continue to wait for him in the cabin. I don't realize it but while I meander over these thoughts in my head I start pacing back and forth in the room. I'm only pulled out of my thoughts and realize I have been pacing for several minutes now when a knock at the door interrupts the action.
Hobi stands there in a black suit jacket over a white button down shirt with a black floral design printed over his upper chest and abs. I briefly notice his pleated dress pants that match the suit jacket when his heated gaze captures me, and he slides his sinful tongue across the seam of his lips. "Damn, Petal. You look gorgeous." He clears his throat. "Let's go before I change my mind and decide to push you back against this door and ravish you right there."
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My cheeks heat and warmth floods my core. Nope, definitely not opposed to that idea as an alternative. But, my curiosity regarding his surprise trumps my insatiable need when it comes to him. So, I am able to reallocate my train of thought, although it's not that easy of an endeavor. He makes it even more difficult when he pulls me forward and plants his lips on mine. His movements hungry and eager as he devours me with his lips, teeth, and tongue. Had I worn a tinted lip gloss it would be smeared all over both of our lips and painted over the outside edge of them as well. I hum against his lips although I am not sure if it is an eager response or to remind him of his original plan. I find myself mildly disappointed when he pulls away from me and we both breathe in the oxygen that we had deprived ourselves of.
"Come on, Petal." He holds out his hand to me, and I eagerly take it, weaving my fingers together with his.
We leave the ship and Sang Hee trails behind us acting as our security escort for the night. Hobi leads me to the pier we took earlier where another ferry awaits us. He leads me to the upper level and we both cuddle together and look up at the night sky. While there is a chilly breeze I don't notice it much because of his warmth surrounding me. At this moment, no one can see us outside of Sang Hee. But, he is respectful enough to turn his back on us and give us privacy while still keeping us safe as he scans the area outwardly for potential security issues. I want to ask where we are going, but I know Hobi won't tell me so instead I simply curl myself even tighter against him and hope I don't have to hold onto this growing curiosity for long.
About fifteen minutes later the ferry is pulling up at another pier. Hobi takes me over to a row boat where a man is standing beside it in wait. I only just notice for a moment that there is a second boat that Sang Hee walks over to where another man stands in wait. "This is Anatole and his cousin Séverin. They will be acting as our boatmen for the next part of our journey."
