I must have heard Minho wrong--did he just say he wants me to join him at his important stud contractor meeting?
"You want me to come? Why not Jisung?"
"You've been chompin' at the bit to prove yourself. Figure I oughta give you the chance. If you're up for it, that is."
"You can bet your hide I'm up for it! Bring me up to speed. Where do we stand with this fella?"
"He likes the fundamentals, but he wants to know our long-term plans. I may've mentioned we got ourselves a fancy accountant."
"Your accountant thinks we have this in the bag! Sounds like it's our deal to lose."
"Exactly my thinkin'. Way I see it, this is a sure thing. And we're lucky it is. Foals from our mare and this sire might sell for two, three times the normal rate. Securing these studs rights at a good rate could set us up for the next five...hell, maybe even ten years."
"No wonder you're feelin' so good about it."
"I'll feel better after you freshen up. No offense, but a night sleepin' rough ain't the look we're goin' for here."
"I'm sure Pip'll clean up just fine. She knows better than to show up to an interview in dirty clothes" Jisung points out.
I hurry upstairs and rifle through my closet, eager to show Minho how seriously I'm taking this. I smooth out my outfit, smiling at my reflection in the mirror.
It's about time this ensemble saw the light of day. Who wouldn't take me seriously if I shou up in this?
Once I'm ready, I head down to the kitchen to find Jisung cooking breakfast at the stove. Minho has changed for the meeting already. He glances up as I enter.
"I'll be damned! She looks ready to take some names, doesn't she, Jisung?"
Jisung's eye linger on me for a moment too long.
"She looks...good. Real good."
"Must be true if it's enough to drag a compliment outta Jisung." Minho smartly says as he laughs. Which means he misses Jisung's eyes blazing over me again.
"We better hop to it. Don't wanna be late for our very important meeting." I tell Minho.
"Least take somethin' for the road. I can turn this into a couple killer egg sandwiches in no time." Jisung suggest as he gets them prepared.
"Thanks, Jisung. Stay outta trouble while we're gone, y'hear?"
Minho's busy taking a bite of his sandwich, so he doesn't notice Jisung's eyes darting back to me. His gaze drops to the curve of my lower lip.
"I'll do my best." Jisung chuckles.
For once, Jisung can keep that promise...but only because we'll be a hundred miles apart.
I climb into Minho's ancient truck and set out on the highway heading west.
"If you'll play navigator for me, I'll let you pick the radio station."
"Really? What about Dad's rule? Driver always picks music!"
"I'm feelin' generous today."
I turn the dial till I find 95.5, then sit back and watch the landscape pass me by, brain whirring.
"Lee Know...tell me about the man we're meeting."
"He spent most of his career ridin' broncos on the circuit. Took up breedin' once he retired. Clearly it's workin' out for him. Oh, and he's crazy 'bout his grandkids. Couldn't hurt to ask after 'em."
"A rodeo rider, an entrepreneur and a family man. I like him already."
"Let's make sure that by the end of today, the feelin' is mutual."
Sometime later, I arrive at the breeder's. I gape at the pristine buildings, paddocks filled with magnificent horses and sprawling pastures.
"Holy hell...I never knew ranches could be so fancy. Minho, can we really afford to make a deal with this guy?"
"He wouldn't ask us here otherwise. Enough chatter. That's him comin' over, now. Stand up straight, will ya?
I square my shoulders just as the man approaches. He smiles wide when he sees me.
"Minho, so glad you could make it. And this must be that sister you told me about?"
"That's right, Mr. Robinson. This is (Y/N)."
"Pleased to meet you, (Y/N). Minho wasn't lyin' about you bein' a bonfire businesswoman."
"(Y/N) always has known how to dress to impress."
"Color me impressed. You look like you could own this ranch one day."
"I don't know about that, but I could own some stud rights, Mr. Robinson." I tell him.
"Enough of all that mister talk. My friends call me Kenny."
"It's nice to meet you then, Kenny. And don't worry, we called a ceasefire for all sibling squabbles today."
"Sounds like y'all are just like me and my brother. No one can get under your skin like family."
"Ain't that the truth. But then, no one can make you feel more at home, either." Minho laughs.
"Couldn't agree more. But we should head to the stables. It's high time y'all met Sulton in person.
Mr. Robinson leads us down to the stables as he shows us his ranch.
"This right here is our man of the hour!" He tells us patting the horse on the head.
"What a beautiful horse. And Minho told me his rodeo record is beyond comparison. We'd love to talk details."
"In that case, why don't we head into town for lunch. I've found a full stomach makes me much more pleasant to treat with."
"You pick the best spot, Kenny. Lunch is on us. We're happy to treat our business partners, after all." Minho smiles.
As Kenny grins and pats Sulton, I lean closer to Minho.
"We're not partners yet. Maybe it's better if we all just--"
"Leave this to me, (Y/N). I've been at this a hell of a lot longer than you have."
"True...but I'm the one with a business degree. We're lookin' to negotiate stud rights, not blow our capital on fancy meals and splashin' out."
Minho clears his throat as he notices Kenny listening in our bickering.
"I'm sorry about my sister, she's new to all this..."
"Coulda fooled me. She's clearly got a mind for business. And I prefer to pay my way. Wouldn't feel right otherwise."
"Excellent. In that case, let's get you that full stomach."
Before long, we arrive at one of the nicest restaurants I've ever seen. As I scan the menu, I can't help but remember the fence I mended with Jisung, the wood so rotten it had disintegrated in my hands.
We could hire a ranch hand for the cost of a meal here! It doesn't seem like the best way to spend what money we have...
"Welcome to Quelle Couteuse. Have you decided on what you'd like today? I'd be happy to suggest wine pairings if you'd like."
"I'm still full from breakfast, but a coffee sounds good for now." I tell the waitress.
Kenny eyes my professional attire, then closes his menu.
"I'll keep it classy, since I'm in such esteemed company. Just a summer salad for me, Marge. That one with the little oranges."
I catch Minho scanning the menu for the cheapest item.
"I'll take the club sandwich with chips."
At least I can breathe a little easier about how much today is costing us!
As the waitress hoists away the menus and leaves, Kenny rests his elbows on the table.
"I'll be straight with you. Contracting my horses out is a new territory for me. I only make that sorta deal with folks I trust."
"Wouldn't have it any other way. Trust is everything to us. We know we're not the biggest name in horses, but we strive to be the best." Minho tells Kenny.
"I know you do, which is why I'd like us to reach a deal. For the stud rights, I'm asking for..."
He pulls out a piece of paper and scribbles a number on it, passing it across the table. When I glance at it, I have to do a double-take.
"For stud rights? This looks like a sum we'd pay to own the horse." I tell him.
"This is a long-term play. Think of what foals from Sulton's line will sell for. And consider all the deals I'm missin' out on with this contract."
"But we need to think of our other animals, upkeep on the property. A fee that high upfront, a year before we'd even see returns..."
"It would take a big ol' chunk outta our workin' capital." Minho says.
"I hear ya. In fact, I'd say some sort of alternate arrangement's a damned smart idea...for y'all. I wanna work with y'all, but this animal's special and I'm a small operation. I have to protect my assets here."
"What about a trade in kind? I have a top-notch birthing mare you might like. You could have Agusga as soon as we get a healthy foal."
"Minho, wait! Let's talk about this in private."
"Don't worry. I got no intention of actually sellin' her. Play up the attachment angle."
Luckily, the idea of losing Agusga already has me misty-eyed. I turn to make sure Kenny can see.
"But Mom and Dad gave me Agusga. Right before they passed...
"I know, Pip. But think about how proud we could make them if we make our ranch something great?"
"I know about special animals. Let's take Agusga off the table for now. There's gotta be somethin' else." Kenny suggest.
So quickly I almost miss it, Minho flashes a wink my way.
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that, and I think I've actually got an even better offer. See, Han Jisung's a close friend. Between our more and your sire, we'd have one hell of a bronc. If Jisung rode it on the circuit, it'd get tons of press." I inform Kenny.
"Course if the sire didn't come from you, they'd all be chatterin' about your competition."
"I have to say, that's in interestin' proposition. Han Jisung is almost better advertisin' than the horse itself."
As Kenny starts mulling this over, an irritatingly familiar voice cuts in behind me.
"Sorry I'm late. You know how busy it can get when you're running a successful business."
"Colt, do you know Minho and (Y/N)? I believe they're from your neck of the woods."
"Oh, we know each other. Can't say we run in the same circles, though."
"Hello, Colt. If you could give us some privacy... We were just finishing up some business, I'm sure you understand." I tell Colt.
"Not without me, you're not finishin' it."
"Colt here's interested in rights to the same stud y'all are lookin' at. Figured I might as well fill you both in on my terms." Kenny tells us.
"Y'all can stop talkin' terms. In fact, y'all can just stop talkin'. I'm not interested in rights anymore. I want the whole horse."
The stock of cash that Colt slaps onto the table is so large, it rattles my coffee cup.
"That's gotta be four times what that animal is worth. What any animal around these parts is worth."
"Besides. Your family doesn't even breed horses!" I say.
"I have hobbies. And Monroe's don't do anything if we can't do it right. But this is up to Kenny. So? Do we have a deal?" Colt says looking to Kenny.
"I'm sorry, Minho. I liked (Y/N)'s idea, but I've got grandkids to put through college. I can't say no to that much hard cash."
"It's fine, Kenny. We understand."
With one last nod, Kenny departs. Free from prying eyes or listening ears, Colt leans in, so close I can smell his sour breath.
"Hope you realize now, (Y/N)...leading a fella like me on has consequences."
"Seriously? You're doing this to get back at me for the bar? "
"I'm doin' this to show you who's boss around here. You and Jisung may have won that little bar battle, but I've won the war."
"You're about one false move away from getting your ass handed to you a second time, Monroe." Minho growls at Colt.
I stand up, putting myself between Colt and my brother.
Minho's too keyed up right now. If I'm going to put Colt in his place, I need to do it my way.
"Minho, I need your help with something..."
I turn to Minho, leaning close to whisper.
"Colt deserves to come down a peg or two, but if we're gonna pull this off, we need to team up."
"I'm listenin'..."
"I'm the one he's got a bee in his bonnet over, I think I can get him to act a fool. I need you to catch it on film."
"Public embarrassment, huh? Perfect way to take the stuffin' out of a fella like Colt. I'm in."
With a parting wink, Minho makes a show of getting control of himself, turning to Colt with a face like a thundercloud."
"Right. I'm just gonna go settle up the bill. You'll be followin' on, (Y/N)?"
"Yup, in just a moment."
"Go on, puppy. Scurry off." Colt smirks waving me off.
Minho stomps off...but once Colt's back is turned, he moves to a corner of the restaurant, hiding himself behind a ficus tree. He pulls out his phone, trains it on me and flashes a thumbs up.
Phase one, complete. Now to take this jerk down.
I suck in a deep breath, moving a few steps away to get Colt on his on own and force myself to soften my tone so he won't blow me off immediately.
"Colt, let's just take a step back and be professional."
"You finally ready to eat some humble pie?"
"Actually, I need a little advice."
"Oh? About what?"
"I've fought with Minho since day one about how to run the ranch. He won't listen to me...but you clearly know what you're doin'."
"That's...not what I expected to hear you say."
"I don't know why not. I mean look at you. Waltzin' in here with a wad of cash. You showed us up in about ten seconds flat."
"Mama always said I had a flair for drama."
"You don't just have flair. You have business sense. That play was masterful and we never even saw it comin'. All I've ever wanted is to be on your level. So? Will you help me?"
I look up at him through my eyelashes, which seems to disarm him.
"The thing is, you can't get to my level unless you have capital."
"Riiiiight. But where do I get it? Where'd you get it, Colt?"
"Dad's petty cash fund. Easier than askin' for a loan. He's so uptight about 'approved' purchases."
"Swiping money from your dad. That's genius."
"It does help me make the deals I want. Besides, he'll never miss it. I've been doin' it for years and he's never caught on yet."
"Really? I have a feeling that might be about to change."
I turn to where Minho's hidden and beckon him over with a hand.
"Minho, you can come out now. I think we've got everything we need."
"Sure do, Pip. Never been happier I splashed out on the phone with the high-end camera and microphone."
"Get ready to go viral, Colt!"
"What're you sayin'?" Colt looks up at me in shock.
"That your Dad's about to discover you've been playin' rancher by pilfrin' from his piggy bank. I'm sure that won't be a problem, though. You said yourself, he'd never miss it."
"I, for one, can't wait to read the comments." Minho laughs.
Colt makes to snatch the phone but Minho tosses it to me over Colt's head.
"Hey, now. Don't you want the world to see the real Colt Monroe? After all, you're such a catch, right?"
"What do I have to do to get you to delete that video?"
"I might do it for those stud rights."
"Hell no. I was provin' a point."
"Provin' a point, huh? I think I'll go ahead and do that, too."
I raise my phone above my head, thumb hovering over the 'upload' button. Colt lunges for me.
"Give me that thing...or else!"
I've gotta make sure he doesn't get this phone...
"I said give me that!"
"What, this? Come and get it, Colt."
Colt rushes me, but I'm ready, sticking out a leg at the exact right moment. He topples to the floor with a loud THUD. "Oof!" It's a little alarming how much joy it brings me to see Colt laid out on the floor for a second time. Luckily, I caught it on video.
"Way to stick the landing, Colt. I bet that stunt looks even cooler on a larger screen."
Colt stares, stupefied, as I click 'publish' on the video. I hold the screen to his face so he can count the views as they go up.
"You may have won the horse battle, Colt, but you haven't won the war. Not by a long shot."
"Oooh, boy, she's got you there." Minho says to Colt with a laugh.
"You don't...I'm not... My dad's going to hear about this!"
"I hope he does. Someone oughta let him know what you're doin' to his family name."
Sputtering, Colt stomps out of the restaurant. As I pocket my phone, I see...
"I can't tell you how much it tickled me to see you give him what for."
"Kenny! I thought you'd be long gone."
"I may've clued him into our little plan. Thought he might get a kick outta it." Minho tells me.
"I will say, I was surprised to hear you were considerin' somethin' like that."
"Oh, right. You have to understand..."
"That Colt Monroe's a puffed-up jackass with dollar bills where his heart should be? Don't worry, I know. You've got spirit, I'll give you that."
"Somethin' we're never in short supply of on the Lee Ranch, no matter how lean things get." Minho tells him.
"I just wanna say, I'm real sorry we couldn't work somethin' out today. I do admire what y'all are workin' towards. Just because this deal didn't go through, that doesn't mean others won't. I've got friends in this business. You can call on me."
"Thanks, Kenny. We appreciate that."
Kenny claps him warmly on the shoulder.
I have a feeling a man like Kenny doesn't say that lightly. We may not have that horse, but we have a powerful ally in our corner!
Minho and I ride home in silence. By the time we pull up to the ranch, I can practically feel the weight of it.
"Look, Minho. We'll get 'em next time. We were damn close this time."
"Yeah, well, five-dollar words don't matter as much as actual dollar bills."
"Minho, words are about all we've got right now. I tried to get creative--"
"Just stop a moment and listen to me. You have no idea how much was ridin' on us landin' that deal. Now we're back to square one."
"Honestly, Minho. It's a miracle I have any idea about what goes on around here. You've shut me out!"
"When would I have filled you in? You were off partyin' while I watched what Mom and Dad built fall apart!"
"Partyin'? I was studyin' my ass off! So I could come back and help you. Why send me at all, if you're just gonna sneer at my degree? Sounds like an awful waste to me."
"Because I didn't have a choice! Ever since Mom and Dad died, raisin' you has fall to me."
"So what, you...regret it?"
He shakes his head, sighing heavily.
"No. I'd send you to college a hundred times if it meant you got a chance to be somethin'. It's just... Sometimes I wish I had the chance to be somethin', too. We couldn't both go to college and keep the ranch, so I made the choice. For both of us."
"I had no idea you felt that way. Now that I do, we can work through it. But in order to do that, we have to work together. We can't keep lettin' the past dictate our future."
"Dammit, (Y/N)! Don't you see? I'm not clingin' to the past. I'm trying to dig us out of it."
"I get that. But I don't get why you refuse to let me help."
"If you have so much to offer, make yourself useful and muck stalls. I'll be figurin' out how the hell to get us outta htis mess."
Minho stomps off across the yard, head down. He walks into the house and slams the door behind him.
Jisung, Minho...even Colt. All these stubborn mules are really startin' to piss me off.
My skull feels like a gasket ready to blow. I head to the stables, but not to muck stalls. I hastily gear up and mount my horse.
"Hyah!"
And take off toward the one place that's always been mine. Breathless from the ride, I dismount from my horse into the ocean of prairie grass. Out here, I can almost pretend it'll all work out.
Is it always gonna be like this? Am I really just the useless kid sister to Minho?
"(Y/N)? Are you okay?"
Jisung slides off the young bronco as I stare towards the horizon.
"What are you doing here? You're followin' me now?"
"Saw you tearin' outta the barn like a bat outta hell, I figured somethin' must be goin' on. What happened at the meetin'?"
"It was bad, Jisung. The whole thing was a mess from beginnin' to end. Minho and I thought we had a chance, until Colt Monroe showed up and swiped the deal out from under us."
"What in the--Colt? Why?"
"He bought the stud outright. Like it was nothin'. But he's not the only rancher with deep pockets. We can't keep up. I can't keep up.
"Don't say that. So the meetin' was a bust. The (Y/N) I know never let gettin' thrown stop her from gettin' back on the horse."
"But it's worse than gettin' thrown...Minho resents me."
"I don't believe that. There's nothin' that fool loves more than you."
"He said as much, Jisung. He said I stopped him from bein' somethin'."
"Minho says all kinds of horseshit he doesn't mean. He owes you an apology if he made you doubt yourself for a second."
I feel the tears come, and I blindly wipe them away, desperate to avoid Jisung's look of pity.
"I'm just makin' things worse. I shouldn't have come back at all."
Jisung's voice roughens as he moves closer. He reaches a hand up, softly cupping my face to wipe a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
"Please don't cry. I know it's not much, but...I'd be a damn mess if you left now."
My breath catches in my throat. Jisung's hand falls to the nape of my neck, pulling me toward him.
"Jisung."
Heat blooms through my chest as his lips press to mine. The kiss is tender, gentle. So different than the heated moments we've shared until now. Jisung doesn't pull away from a long time, but when he does, he rests his forehead against mine.
"You don't know how long I've been wantin' to do that. To do it right."
"However long it was, I've been waitin' longer."
"Then I suppose I oughta make it up to you."
This time his kiss is hungry, more insistent. My lips part as his fingers dance along the small of my back.
"Dammit, (Y/N), what are you doin' to me? Whenever I'm with you, it's like I can't help myself."
"Jisung...don't stop."
I pull him closer and deepen the kiss. Jisung's lips against mine are fervent, his need obvious.
"I can't stop thinkin' about you, (Y/N), even though I know I oughta try..."
"That makes two of us..."
I press my lips to the base of his throat. He groans softly. The sound makes me throb with need. Covering his hand with my own, I press his palm between my thighs so he can feel the heat of me.
"Can't you feel how badly I want you."
His thumb dips lower, running over me softly, and I gasp at the touch.
"You have no idea how hot that is..."
His breath is warm against the hollow of my throat.
"I'm yours, Jisung...however you want me..."
He sucks in a sharp breath and pushes me back onto the grass. He hovers over me, drinking in the sight of me.
"First things first..."
Jisung loosens my belt, then draws the hem of my dress over my hips. He pushes the garment up over my belt, exposing my soft skin to the evening air.
"Oh..."
Jisung lowers his lips to my ribs, kissing the spot just below my breasts. He doesn't linger, blazing a trail down to my navel. As his lips move lower, he reaches one hand up beneath the lacy cup of my bra to squeeze my breast. My nipple hardens at his touch.
"Oh, Jisung..."
His fingers lace with mine so he can raise my hands above my head, pinning me. I squirm with the force of my need.
"You aimin' to misbehave?"
"I think we're both after that, Jisung..."
His eyes are hooded with desire. He leans in to kiss me again, lips hungry. When he finally pulls away, he's breathless with want.
"You get the feelin' that there's too much fabric between us?"
I nuzzle my mouth against his neck, whispering into his skin.
"Let's do something about that...how about you help a woman out of her clothes."
I push lightly at Jisung. Getting the hint, he moves off of me and I sit up.
"I appreciate the invitation."
I shiver as he slips my clothing off me, the sensation of his fingertips grazing my skin like an electric shock. While one hand caresses the sensitive skin at my waist, the other slips into the cup of my bra. Jisung rolls my nipples between his fingers.
"Oh, God, Jisung..."
His whisper warms my skin.
"I could touch you forever and still not get enough."
I press against him, my blood coursing through me, leaving me throbbing with desire. It's not enough.
"Jisung, please...touch me."
"Where should I...?"
"Anywhere. Everywhere."
Jisung quirks a brow. As eager as he's been to touch me in the past, he seems to want to take his time. Jisung slides one hand eagerly over the skin of my stomach, but his fingers stop when they reach the edge of my panties. Instead of slipping his hand inside, he rubs his thumb over them...lightly at first, then rough enough to make me pant.
"Oh my God..."
"Shhhh..."
His hand finally slips under the waistband of my underwear. I break away from him mouth to moan.
"Ohhhhh, God..."
"Do you like that, (Y/N)?"
I nod and cling to his shoulder for support, biting my lip as he curls his fingers upward. His mouth, his hands...they're all-consuming.
"Please...don't stop...!"
He maintains pressure, but picks up speed, sending me careening toward the edge.
"Jisung, I'm gonna--"
"Don't worry, I got you."
His kisses grow fiercer as my breath comes shorter. My skin grows hot as I near the edge. And then suddenly, feeling rushes over me, and I come undone in his arms, gasping, quivering, but smiling. As my breathing slows, we lay together in the grass, my head against his chest. Below me in the valley, the sun falls below the horizon.
"Thank you." I smile.
Jisung pushes a stray hair off my forehead. His expression is surprisingly soft.
"For what?"
"For being there for me. I didn't realize how much I needed to talk 'til you showed up."
Jisung presses a kiss to my temple.
"Just talk, huh?"
I tilt my face toward him to press a gentle kiss to his lips. The sun dips lower yet and I sigh, taking Jisung's hand in mine.
"As much as I'd like to stay here forever..."
"We should head back. You're right. It's gettin' dark." Jisung smiles at me.
As I quickly get dressed, I find that I already miss the sensation of Jisung's skin against mine. Whatever this means for the two of us, the world is still turning, the sun setting, and my brother still needs me. By the time we return to the house, night has already fallen. I see a light in the kitchen. Bracing myself, I step inside.
"Finally. I was just about to send out a search party..." Minho says with a sigh of relief.
"Broken record here, but I'm an adult, Minho. You don't need to worry about curfew."
"I know that. And I know I was outta line today. I guess I thought I could buy us some time."
"Time for what? Why are you actin' like this deal is the end of everything?"
"Because it is, (Y/N). If we don't find a way to turn a profit, and soon...we're gonna have to sell the ranch."