Finding You

CHAPTER 27

Author's Notes: Contains themes which may not be suitable for some readers (violence). Please proceed with caution.

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A familiar baritone faded in to Eon Jin's consciousness, rousing her from her nap as he called her name with urgency. She opened her eyes and the darkness of the room greeted her, making her all the more disconcerted.

Before she could even say his name to search for him, Tae Pyung wrapped his arms tightly on her belly, pulling her towards him to latch his lips on a sensitive spot on her neck. The nearness of him and the sensations ignited by his wet kisses compelled her heave a sigh of relief.

As he shifted behind her, Eon Jin felt that he was already fully clothed, the fabric of his jeogori lightly chafing her naked back.

"You should have woken me up earlier," she chided him in a breathy voice, eyes fluttering to close as the wicked gesticulations generously conducted by his decadent mouth distracted her.

"How could I rouse you when you were sleeping soundly?" his justification was a murmur against the thin skin under her jaw.

"Even so, I wanted to take care of you like a lover and a wife," Eon Jin answered in feeble protest. "Can you humor me with that?"

Tae Pyung's face broke into a smug smile upon hearing her words, especially when her fingers clung to his nape to lead his lips down to her chest.

"That would be my pleasure," he said after lightly brushing his lips on one of her supple peaks, causing her to hum in response.

Moments later, Eon Jin pushed herself off the floor to rise to her feet with palpable reluctance - and, not to mention, in spite of Tae Pyung's petty grumbling - before their prelude led to something that might keep them occupied instead of setting forth early on their journey to the port where they were expected to board a ship going to Qing.

Satiated from their intimate relations from the night before, she ambled towards the corner of the room while he took in every sway of her hips and every feline stride, gathering her long hair in a messy bun on top of her head and securing it with a wooden binyeo that she wore on a daily basis ever since her groom passed away.

Eon Jin knelt on the floor to find a fresh set of undergarments in her packed belongings, moving with subtle grace as she prepared to put each of the pieces on. Before she knew it, Tae Pyung was already standing behind her to provide assistance as she covered herself with several layers of necessary clothing.

When she finished tying the last sokchima securely around her waist, Tae Pyung held her shoulders and slowly turned her to face him.

"Would you accept a gift from me?" he asked.

Eon Jin nodded with subdued eagerness, prompting him to reach for a neatly wrapped package that was hidden under his things.

When he handed the square box to her, she smiled and cradled the side of his face to press a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Thank you, nauri," her excitement was genuinely heard in her voice as she accepted his offering, then proceeded to peel off the decorative ramie cloth that covered it. "It has been a very long time since I last received..."

Eon Jin forgot what she was about to say when she beheld his present in the silver moonlight: a lavender jeogori with a matching purple chima that was adorned with intricately embroidered floral patterns. With trembling fingers, she touched the soft fabric, lingering on the needlework that accentuated the elegance of the hanbok.

"I saw that you were fascinated by this dress that morning at the market," Tae Pyung explained. "I bought it right after you left the stall."

She lifted her eyes from the box and held his gaze firmly, then asked, "Were you always certain that I would run away with you?"