During Lee Know and Sofia's engagement party, I look over my shoulder as Robin dances me away from Lee Know. His eyes remain fixed on me, even from across the room.
"Robin, what was so important that you had to cut in?"
"You looked like you could use a save... That dance seemed a little too intense for the public eye. Besides, making my brother mad is a surprisingly fun pastime."
"Robin, I can rescue myself. And I'm not some object you can use to rile Lee Know up."
"Look, I don't know what's going on between you two, but whatever it is, it doesn't look fun. And adult relationships should always be fun."
Robin spins me around, then dips me suddenly! I laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.
"See? You're having more fun already, and Lee Know knows it."
I resist the urge to glance back even though I can feel the heat of Lee Know's intense gaze on me... After a few more songs, everyone gathers around for Sofia and Lee Know's toast.
"Thanks for coming to our fabulous party. This night is a dream come true for me. Min-ho is a dream come true for me."
Sofia lifts her champagne flute in Lee Know's direction, fluttering her eyelashes. I scoff under my breath.
"Is she for real right now? "
"Oh, yeah. This is serious business for Sofia. She even hired a ghostwriter for her toast."
"A ghostwriter? That's pathetic. How hard is it to write a loving toast about the person you're engaged to? "
Especially when that person is Min-ho.
"It's only easy if you actually like him."
"Min-ho and I have only been officially dating for..." She checks her notes. "...About eight months, but we've been the best of friends for much longer."
"I swear, she has 'I love Min-ho' written down too. Imagine what we could've tricked her into saying if we'd swapped out her cards."
"I'm picturing it right now..."
As Sofia drones on, Robin continues to provide me with a whispered commentary. I fight the urge to giggle and interrupt the whole toast.
Gotta keep it together, (Y/N).
Finally... "Min-ho, would you like to say a few words?" My eyes trail after Lee Know as he joins her, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you, Sofia. And thank you so much to all of you for joining us as we celebrate our engagement."
"I think he means 'arrangement'..."
"I don't want to make fun of Lee Know, okay? It's not...it's not the same."
"Cheer up, (Y/N). The torture is almost over."
"As you all know, I lost my first wife about five years ago...and for a long time, I didn't think I would ever meet someone else who made me feel the way she did."
His eyes lock with mine.
"But now...I feel as if I've gotten a second chance at happiness. I finally met someone who gets me. Someone I can't stop thinking about. Someone who lights up the whole room with her passion..."
Lee Know...
"Oh, I love you too!" Sofia grins wide
" 'Passion' is one word to describe Sofia...but not the one I'd use."
"...Right."
Sofia wraps Lee Know in a long hug that makes the room spin around me. The longer I stare at her perfectly manicured nails and dazzling ring, the dizzier I get.
Does Lee Know really think I can just sit back and watch him with her? I'm not that kind of girl!
I turn to Robin, who starts to make another snide remark but stops short when he sees the determined look on my face.
"What? You finally want to join in the fun? 'Cause you know I'm up for anything..."
I glance back to Lee Know who is still caught in Sofia's embrace.
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, boo-bear!"
Adrenaline, and maybe a bit of alcohol, surges through my veins as I come up with a plan on the spot.
Robin is definitely willing, and I already know he likes to push Lee Know's buttons... Maybe it's time to show Lee Know what it'd be like if I were with another guy.
Lee Know continues his toast as I force my eyes away from him to fully focus on Robin. Reaching out, I finger his lapels, and his eyes widen, fastening on me.
"What would you say to upping the ante on your little game with Lee Know? See how far we can really push him? All in good fun, of course."
Robin gives me a thoughtful side-eye while poking his tongue against the inside of his lip. Finally, he chuckles.
"I like where your head's at, (Y/N)."
Robin wraps an arm around my waist, and I lean into him.
"As I was saying, Sofia is an incredible woman..."
"Forget Sofia, you're the easiest woman to pretend-flirt with I've ever met."
"Really? I kinda thought you were to experienced to notice me."
I bite my lower lip, and glance up with a doe-eyed look.
"I'm just such a simple girl. All I have going for me is being ready to learn and eager to please."
"You'd be surprised how far those traits can get you in life."
Robin turns me a bit, putting himself between me and Lee Know. He smirks.
"Let's take this up a notch, shall we? " Robin smirks with a evil chuckle.
"...Sofia always makes the time fly by, like the most pleasant dream."
I giggle, slapping Robin's shoulder playfully. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lee Know struggling to get a visual on what's happening between us two.
"But, uh, what I like most about Sofia is...ugh, move, you big oaf."
"What?"
Sofia wipes around wondering if she heard Lee Know right.
"Whoops." Robin says under his breath.
"I said...You're 'smooth as merlot'? Because you've always had such sophisticated taste in everything...except me, I suppose."
The crowd chuckles at Lee Know's joke, and Robin shakes his head.
"Always manages to stick the landing."
"I know I'm a lucky man, for someone like Sofia to pick me..."
"Maybe, but we're just getting started."
"I like the sound of that. What'd you have in mind?"
Lee Know taps the mic, scowling in Robin's direction. "A-hem. I know some of you are busy smooth-talking your 'flavor of the week', but all eyes need to be up here, thanks."
Robin raises a hand in apology as he shifts to face the couple again, but his lips find my ear once more.
"Uh oh, I think we're making the boss mad. But you know what would make Lee Know really jealous?"
"Enlighten me."
"Seeing us leave together."
I pull Robin's drink out of his hand with a coy little smirk.
"As much...fun as that sounds, I think I got what I was looking for, actually."
Robin reaches to take the glass, but I pull it back. He's so close, I can smell his cologne all around me. Across the room, I catch Lee Know glaring at me, his speech forgotten. He seems to have eyes only for me...and Robin. I throw back the drink as Robin reaches around me again. Both of his arms are wrapped around my waist by the time I slam the empty glass on the table.
"Too slow."
"I can think of a way to still get a taste..." Robin's eyes are hungry for a taste as he stares at my lips, wanting me to invite him in.
"Robin, can you please focus for one moment? Is that too much to ask?"
"I was focused!"
"Not on the right thing. Just try to behave yourself, alright?"
Robin's hands leave my waist, and he turns to glare at his brother.
"Sorry."
The crowd murmurs uneasily, glancing back and forth between Lee Know and Robin...and me.
"Sorry, everybody. We'll be good. Don't mind us."
"Can we please get back to the toast? Boo-bear, you were talking about all the things you love about me?"
"Right. Sofia has always been a friend-I mean, a woman- of utmost grace, and I only hope this night lives up to her high standards. To you, Sofia."
Everyone raises their glasses to Sofia, who glows as if the outburst at Robin never happened.
"To me!"
I swipe a glass of champagne from the nearest serving try and drain it in one gulp.
"To the happy couple."
"You mean the other happy couple?"
"Don't push your luck."
I look back across the room and see Lee Know's eyes still trained on me... I set my now-empty champagne glass down, harder than intended.
"Excuse me."
"Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, I just...need a break from all this excitement."
Resisting the urge to glance over my shoulder, I slip out of the back of the room. I find the women's restroom like it's an oasis in a desert. At long last, I can be alone.
"Okay. Deep breath in...out...in...out... Everything's going to be fine." I look at myself in the mirror and really try to believe the words I'm saying. "...Somehow." I grab my purse to look for my mascara when the door bangs open and Sofia glides in.
"Oh, it's you."
She joins me at the sink and begins touching up her makeup without missing a beat.
"So, have you been enjoying yourself tonight? It certainly seemed you and Robin were getting cozy."
"I've...been better."
"Hmm. I'd be lying if I said that you didn't seem a little overwhelmed."
"Yeah...must be something I ate. That would probably explain why my stomach's in knots."
"You don't have to make up excuses for me, (Y/N). I told Min-ho I thought this might be too much for you."
"What do you mean?"
"He wanted you here, but I told him he doesn't realize how hard it is to run in our circle. We've been training for nights like this our whole lives, but someone like you... Well, it's just not fair to expect you to swim when you've been thrown to the sharks...even if you do clean up well."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it. I've got your back. Once Min-ho and I are married, we won't be bringing the kids to events like this, so you can stay home with them where you're comfortable."
Sofia reaches out to me, crinkling her nose and giving my arm a patronizing squeeze.
"I'm sure you'd kill for some sweatpants right now, huh?"
Wow. She doesn't consider me a threat at all.
"You know what, Sofia? Lee Know loves a girl in sweatpants."
"He does have a weakness for some of the more pedestrian things in life, doesn't he? But I love him anyway!"
Sofia leans forward and ghosts a kiss against each of my cheeks.
"Feel free to leave early if you want to. I won't be offended, and I don't think Min-ho would even notice. Ciao! "
Sofia strides out of the bathroom, and I slouch against the sink.
"I need some air."
A few minutes later, I emerge onto the rooftop, dragging in a deep breath and bracing my hands on the ledge. I bow my head, relishing the cool night air caressing the back of my neck.
"Come on, (Y/N). Pull yourself together!"
Behind me, the door creaks open. "There you are." Robin joins me by the railing casually leaning beside me. I envy his casualness. "You okay? I know I'm not the most mindful man in the universe, but even I noticed Sofia was getting to you back there."
"Yeah, right. You were just hoping I came up here for that good time."
"You may be hot, but hooking up with woman who are heart broken over my brother isn't my style. Seriously though, if you need to talk, I'm here, okay?"
"Thanks, Robin. I know you don't have to be so nice to your brother's nanny."
"You're an easy woman to be nice to, (Y/N)."
"If only everyone felt that way..."
Robin puts a friendly arm around my shoulder. "Any guy who doesn't treat you well doesn't deserve you." I'm about to respond when I hear the door creak open again.
"Seriously, Robin? What did I tell you about spending time with (Y/N)?" I hastily step away from Robin at the sound of Lee Know's voice. "She's not one of your dates. I won't let you take advantage of her just because she's upset."
"Who said he's taking advantage of me?" I glare and grit my teeth at him.
"Yeah, calm down, Mr. Big Shot. I was cleaning up your mess."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"Don't play dumb. It's not a good look on you." Robin turns to me, his eyes softening. "You okay if I leave you two to talk? Or do you want me to kick his ass before I go?" Despite my whirlwind of emotions, the visual image makes me crack a smile.
"I'll be fine. Thanks, Robin."
"Anytime, beautiful."
Lee Know huffs as Robin walks past him. Now with just the two of us alone, I turn to Lee Know, unsure of what to say.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine...Robin's actually a good man. You just judge him because he lives a spontaneous, free-spirited life."
"I wish it were that simple. You've only just met Robin. You haven't seen his patterns. He's like this with all the women he dates..."
"So? Who cares if Robin treats me like one of the many? He's single, and so am I."
"I know that."
"In fact, the only person on this rooftop who has any romantic obligations to anyone is you! "
"I...I know that too."
I step closer and angrily jab a finger against Lee Know's shoulder. "One minute, you pull me onto the dance floor, then the next, I'm watching your engagement speech!" Another jab.
"And I can't stop thinking about that dance..."
"You said we needed to talk then, yeah? Well, here's your big chance! Let me have it! Tell me all about how sorry you are and how wrong this is." And another one. "Why did you even ask me to stay tonight? Did you want me to see her all over you?" Before I can jab him again, Lee Know grabs my finger and holds it tightly.
"No! Of course not. I just...I just wanted you to stay. For once in my life, I wasn't thinking ahead..."
"Yeah, well...you'd better make up your mind soon. I'm not going to wait around forever."
"I'm trying, (Y/N)."
Lee Know's touch runs down my arms, changing from hard restraint to a gentle caress. I feel myself start to wilt...wanting him to come closer, wanting him to touch me everywhere...
"Every day, I'm fighting not to let myself get carried away. I'm fighting not to touch you. I'm fighting not to do this..."
His fingers trail up to the back of my neck, and I tilt my head back. My eyes close in anticipation. My lips part to take him in...
"Lee Know..."
His arms wrap around me, tighter than I've ever felt them. His fingers travel up into my hair and clutch me close. Our mouths brush together, tentatively at first, but the kiss quickly avalanches as we passionately embrace... I pull back just far enough to push his jacket from his shoulders and unbutton his shirt...
"I need you..."
"We shouldn't do this here... Anyone could walk up and see..."
But even as he murmurs against my ear, he hitches my thigh up on his hip, a fire smoldering in his gaze.
"This was all I could think about doing on that dance floor..."
His lips rake up and down my throat, pressing hot kisses and an occasional nibble to my flesh.
"Tell me what you want, (Y/N). I'll give you anything."
I can feel exactly what he wants to give me, throbbing between my thighs.
"Kiss me."
Lee Know smiles as he cups my face tenderly in his hands, smoothing a thumb down the side of my cheek.
"How do you have such starry eyes all the time?"
"I don't. Just when I look at you."
Lee Know slowly leans in, pressing his lips to mine. Our mouths open together and gently experiment with tasting one another. His arms come up around me and hold me tight against his body as the kiss deepens.
"(Y/N)..."
The wind picks up, and with it, I can hear the din of the party drift up from an open window below... I'm reminded exactly where I am...until Lee Know pulls my hips flush against his, causing a surge of ecstasy through me. I can't help but throw my head back and call out his name as he touches me...
"Lee Know...yes! "
"God, I could listen to that all day..."
I lean in for another kiss as my hand slithers down between his legs... My eyes widen at his size, rigid against my hand. I lick my lips at the thought of touching him skin to skin... My other hand teases the band of his underwear, pulling it back with a snap. Lee Know groans against my ear...
"You're killing me, (Y/N)..."
I stroke him again... Faster, harder, reveling in his intense reaction.
"But what a way to go, right?"
He moans again, but something in his voice shifts... I can feel him start to lose control... When he reaches down to grab my hand, halting my movements.
"Lee Know?"
He holds me still, forehead pressed against mine as he tries to catch his breath.
"I want to, it's just..."
Lee Know clears his throat and pulls back. His eyes are guarded as he speaks.
"We have to stop. I have no idea how long we've even been up here."
"I know you're right. I wish we weren't."
"People will start to look for us soon, if they aren't already."
Lee Know starts to fix his hair and clothes.
"Lee Know...just one more kiss? That's all I ask .And then...I'll leave you alone."
Lee Know runs his finger tenderly along my cheek.
"Don't say that."
His lips brush against mine one last time... When I feel his tongue slide past my lips, I wrap my arms around his back again, as if to make it last forever... Down below, I hear Sofia's voice.
"Min-ho! Where'd you go, boo-bear? "
"Sounds like Sofia needs you."
Shaky and breathless, I adjust my disheveled clothes and fi my hair, stepping away.
"(Y/N)..."
He reaches for me, but I take another painful step back, wrapping my arms around myself.
"You'd better leave."
"...Right. See you at home."
I turn to look over our city, unable to watch him walk away. A moment later, Lee Know emerges onto the sidewalk below. The sight of him brings a fresh pang to my chest.
"Finally." Sofia puts her fingers beneath Lee Know's chin and tilts his gaze to her. She presses her lips against Lee Know's. "I had a fabulous night, darling. I can't wait to spend even more time with you, now that I'm back in New York for good."
"Yeah, me too..."
As they get into the limo together, I realize it's the first time I've ever seen them kiss.
"Well, that's a sight I'll have to get used to. Lee Know and Sofia are engaged...even if I have to remind myself of it every moment of every day."
I take a deep breath and feel surprisingly...resolved.
"I know Lee Know cares about me too. It's not all in my head. And there's still a lot of time before the wedding, even if Sofia will be around more. Which means... This is far from over."