But is it a Miracle?

Chapter 3- Be Free

Marigold POV

The man that sat next to me was ridiculously attractive. The kind of man that made my ex-husband look especially pathetic. If Colton was pathetic, what the hell did that make me? Ugh. I wanted to forget all this s**t, not remember with vivid clarity I didn't need. I had been one of those who had proudly announced that if a man ever abused me, I'd be out of there. No way would I let myself stay in a relationship that was toxic.

Right.

I had totally failed myself and all of womankind on that one.

I might have had time to watch more than a few Korean dramas over the last few years, once I was no longer restricted by Colton after the divorce. I have my favorite actors, of course, but this guy? Dead ringer for Cha Eun-Woo, I swear. I totally loved him in True Beauty. I love those nerd-to-beauty tales, though I admit it's not good to be superficial. Not like it did you any real good if there's nothing behind it.

As my eyes drifted over the most beautiful man I'd personally met, I realized he was staring right back. Okay, I had to play it cool. No way was this man actually interested in me. After a few minutes of just... well, it was eye-f*****g, really, who am I kidding? I knocked back the rest of my Negroni and gestured to Mike, the over-friendly bartender, for a refill. He hurried to do so, seemingly much more subdued since the hot Korean (I think? I mean, I'm American so I'm not really great at knowing the subtle differences) sat down.

As he slid me my glass, I snatched it up and gulped it back, hoping this would soothe the jitters I felt with this stranger's dark brown eyes on me. He had this energy that drew me in, and I could smell him from here, a bright, masculine, yet refreshing scent led by lime, sea air, and cypress. I was more sensitive than most to scents, and his was absolutely perfect. I was getting ready to stand when he finally spoke, in a deep, smooth voice, holding out his hand in greeting.

"Hello, I'm Kang Jin-Yeon. May I have the pleasure of your name?" Well, that was certainly the most polite greeting I'd ever received outside of the office! Maybe even in the office. I cleared my throat, but boldly grasped his proffered hand. Sparks and tingles zapped up my arm, but not in a bad way. Liquid courage is definitely a real thing. I straightened my shoulders, nearly laughing when the poor man's eyes were inevitably drawn to my chest. They were like eye magnets for most men.

I didn't blame them.

"Hello, I'm Marigold Brenner. Pleased to meet you." I felt my face crack in a relaxed grin, totally not my usual expression. He couldn't help but smile back. "So, pardon my presumption, but... you're Korean, right?" He tilted his head but nodded. "I'm glad I guessed right. Although it's not like white people guess where white people are from, is it?" I was slurring just a little but sure I was holding it together. Maybe it was the three Negronis I had, but I decided to go big. "Wanna dance?"

He smirked, but pulled me up with the hand I still held. I wonder if he ran his hand along a bunch of fabric because everywhere we touched was so electric. I didn't want to let go either, but it was very different. Then again, I wasn't attracted to many men. Certainly not enough to touch them. He pulled me close as we hit the dance floor, rather than standing apart like most of the dancers. He apparently knew salsa, and that was what we did, weirdly fitting with the techno beat. I was glad I'd taken lessons and my body remembered what to do.

After a couple songs, he led me back to our spots at the bar. I was shocked they had not been taken, but it seemed like Mike was holding them. Didn't think bar stools were like that, more of a first come, first served, kinda thing. A Negroni awaited me, and I sipped it happily. Another hot Korean man approached Jin-Yeon, looking pissed.

Oh no, did I accidentally ask a gay man to dance that had a partner? s**t!

"I'm so sorry." I blurted out. Both men just stared, though Jin-Yeon once again tilted his head as if trying to figure me out. I looked at the second man who, damn, looked just like Lee Jae-wook. The women of the world were missing out with these two as lovers, let me tell you. Shame to not have babies with faces like that. Hopefully they plan to do some in vitro or something later. "I didn't realize he was taken." I said to the Jae-wook look alike. His jaw dropped as he turned to Jin-Yeon, who looked frozen. "Oh, I'm sorry, are you guys, you know, not out yet? My bad." Jin-Yeon cleared his throat.

"Actually, this is my brother, Kang Tae-Yeon." Oh. My. Goddddd. Where is the hole that's supposed to be opening up and swallowing me right now?

"Oh." Was all my alcohol-addled brain could come up with. Tae-Yeon grinned suddenly after some sort of glaring contest with his brother.

"Nice to meet you...?" He put a hand out, which seemed to make Jin Yeon annoyed. I took it anyway.

"Marigold Brenner." I supplied, though how I was ever going to live down such an embarrassing scene, I had no idea.

"A pleasure, Marigold. In case Jin-Yeon failed to mention it, we own this place. He's actually here with work to do." He smiled, but it was clear he was gritting his teeth as he directed his comments at his brother. It was hard to tell which one was older, since they both looked damn ageless. "Well, hyung, go enjoy your night, but don't forget what we need done, please." Tae-Yeon snipped as he walked away. Ah, so that makes Jin-Yeon older if Tae-Yeon is calling him hyung. I nodded to myself unsteadily.

"Marigold, I need to have a chat with the bartender. Wait here for me, please?" Jin-Yeon said. It was my turn to tilt my head at him and lift a brow.

"But why do you want me to wait?" I think I was still slurring but another Negroni had appeared and I was once again happily sipping. Jin-Yeon slid up next to where I was still standing and leaning on the counter. His hands landed on my hips from behind, something I would normally have immediately shut down. but for once, I was enjoying a man's touch without faking anything. He leaned forward until his back was flush with mine and his lips touched my ear.

"Because if it wasn't obvious, I want you to be mine, Marigold." His nose ran along my neck sensuously. Damn if I didn't want to explore more of it.

"Yours." I whispered in response. I watched as he took Mike aside, after which Mike looked a bit chagrined, but otherwise fine. He seemed like a sweet guy despite the flirting, so I was glad he wasn't getting fired. I was really feeling it after five Negronis. Like, a bit unsteady on my heels.

Just when I thought I was going to lose my balance, Jin-Yeon was there to catch me. I poked his cheek as he pulled me to his chest with a grin.

"Aren't you pretty tall, though?" I was on the tall side myself at 5'8", but even in three-inch heels I was looking up at him. Colton never let me wear heels because I was always taller in them, and we all know he had a height complex already being the same height as me. Jin-Yeon's dark eyes burned into mine. Was this what desire felt like?

For the first time in my entire life, I identified that this man was making my panties wet. Moisture had always been an issue for me during intimacy. I looked it up after Colton and I split, turns out I was just not that turned on. This man though, was turning me on just looking at me and holding me to his chest.

How nice would it be to let go of all my hang-ups and enjoy a man like this?

I mean, I've been using an IUD since I turned eighteen to control my periods without taking pills. I still had two years on my current one, since you changed them every eight years. It's not like I wasn't protected from accidents, if you will, though obviously it didn't protect you from diseases. Hmm.

Jin-Yeon smirked as if he somehow knew what I was thinking, leaning in and once again running his nose along my neck and jaw, sniffing. It made me tremble, and an actual rush of moisture hit my thong. Since there wasn't much to it to begin with, my thighs were already wet. He set me aside for a moment and gestured to Mike.

"We're closing out her tab, charge it to me." Jin-Yeon said, making Mike nod and retrieve my card.

"You don't have to do that." I protested, but Jin shook his head.

"It's my honor to take care of your needs." His voice was husky, and the double meaning clear. Was I really considering this? I mean, really, what reason did I have not to? A hot man like this wanted me, even if just for tonight, and I was beyond lonely.

Suddenly, I wondered if I should tell him my age or not. He looked young, and while I was aware that I looked like I was still in my twenties, it didn't mean that a younger man would be okay with it. Oh my goodness, I'm turning into a cougar! My family would be scandalized and say all kinds of hurtful things if they knew.

I lifted my eyes to his. f**k it. It was only one night, right? He didn't need to know if he found me attractive, that was all he needed to know. Just me and him, and hopefully, the s****l adventure of a lifetime. One night of freedom in a life that felt bound by a million chains. Having made a decision, I felt much better. It's my life, and I had the right to decide if I wanted to be wild and crazy for once.

After forty years of being the good girl, it felt ridiculously free to do something just because I wanted to.

Jin pulled me close, his eyes searching mine.

"Let's go to my place. It's right next door, above the florist." I dared to put forth. His eyes widened, but he nodded. This time it was me leading him through the throngs of people towards the exit, strangely urgent now that I'd made my mind up. Dozens of girls were glaring at me a we left, but I shrugged it off. If Jin wanted any of them, he'd have approached them.

The same way he approached me.

Me. He wanted me.

Out of all the young and beautiful patrons, I was the only one he seemed to have eyes for.

We quickly made the exit, and I pulled him around the small corner to the door leading upstairs. I was lucky it was only my apartment above the store, but then, the store wasn't exactly large either. For a moment, I thought to be slightly embarrassed that I was taking the man that owned Sanguinity up to my studio. I decided to ignore what was probably a hefty income gap.

As soon as I locked my door, Jin was on me, kissing me deeply and passionately, something I can honestly say I'd never experienced. He licked and sucked hungrily at my mouth, nipping lightly.

"Delicious as I suspected." He quipped before diving back in.