Chapter 11

Andrew Blake

The event came to an end, along with the departure of the media and the guests who attended the party. Ryan was engrossed in conversation with a woman, sharing laughs over God knows what while Jesse and I were leaning against the ship’s railing, engaged in a conversation. Or rather, she was doing most of the talking, sharing everything that concerned her, and I was supposed to be listening. However, my attention kept being drawn to the red bite mark on the nape of her neck.

Unconsciously, my fingers traced over it, and she immediately pulled away, brushing her hands over the spot.

“Did something happen?” she asked, chuckling.

“No, why?” I asked.

“You noticed—” she cut me off by kissing me. “I want to spend time with you. Just the two of us this time, without any business or public attention,” she said softly, her fingers tracing lightly on my body. I bit my lower lip, aware that a few years ago, I would have been thrilled a