On the night of the charity gala, Lee Know stands in my doorway, and I can hardly believe what he's saying...
"Will you be my date to the gala?"
"What happened to Sofia?"
"She can't make it. She came down with a bad case of food poisoning."
"Oh. Still...I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to take her place. Don't you think Sofia wouldn't like it?"
"It was her idea, actually."
"You're joking?"
"She said you'd know what to do, since you helped her prepare. And it was 'uncouth' for Lee Enterprises to have an empty seat at the table."
I feel a fluttering in my chest that feels a lot like hope, but...
"What about the boys? We can't leave Mason and Mickey by themselves."
"Carter already said he can keep an eye on them."
"Okay, but..."
My mind races to come up with another reason, yet you can't... But somewhere deep down, you know there's no turning back if you give in.
"Lee Know...I'd love to be your date tonight."
"Really?"
"Hell yeah! Or something more appropriate for a fancy gala... Most delightedly?"
"Honestly, I don't care if you're 'appropriate' or not. I'm just glad you'll be there."
"So...what exactly does one where to a fancy event like this?"
"Funny you should ask...I thought it'd be nice if we matched tonight."
Lee Know presents me with a stunning gold gown that glitters at it catches the light.
"It's beautiful..."
"You're beautiful. Doesn't matter what you wear. But I think you'd look particularly stunning in this."
Lee Know flashes me a mischievous grin before excusing himself to give me privacy to change. I examine myself in the mirror, feeling like I can hold my own at the party tonight. Lee Know knocks on my door.
"You ready?"
"You tell me."
I turn so he can take me in from head to toe. His gaze warmer as his eyes wander up my body, building to a fire by the time he reaches my face.
"I was right. You're stunning."
Lee Know takes two steps to cross the room, then runs his hands down the curves of my body.
"Fits like a glove."
My breath catches as my eyes meet.
"Lee Know..."
His finger strokes my cheek...then he clears his throat and steps back.
"We should head out."
"Right. Don't want to be late."
Lee Know reaches for my hand and gives me a rueful smile.
"That, and if we stay here a moment longer, I don't think I'll ever be able to bring myself to leave."
"...Oh."
"Come. The limo's waiting for us."
When we arrive at the gala, I step out of a limousine with Lee Know and are immediately taken aback by the flash of cameras from the paparazzi.
"Whoa. The press is even crazier than at your engagement party!"
"Just smile and nod. That's what I always do."
Lee Know offers me his arm. I smile and slip my arm through his, pressing myself into his side and savoring his warmth.
"Min-ho! Lee Min-ho! Who's your date? Where's Sofia Russo?"
"Uh..." I say nervously as I'm unsure if I should answer or ignore.
"She's got such style! Look at that gown..." a reporter announces.
Might as well flaunt it.
I smile and strike a pose.
"Give us a quote, sweetie! What're you doing here? What happened to Sofia?"
"No comment. Now, if you'd please excuse us..."
Lee Know moves to shield me from the invasive throng, mouthing a silent 'sorry' as I step away from the mob together.
"I can see why Sofia prepared so much for tonight...I didn't realize this party was such a big deal."
Lee Know stops along the path, and I almost bump into him. He turns and takes my hand in his.
"(Y/N), I've thought about taking you out on a night like this for a long time. Now that we're finally here, I'd really like to focus on us, not Sofia. Because you..." His eyes travel down my body, then back up to my eyes. "...are all I can think about. Deal?"
"Deal. No more Sofia talk. Let's head inside and enjoy the evening."
I enter the ballroom and look around in awe at the elegant decor. Lee Know leads me across the room to my table, where his parents are already seated.
"(Y/N)? What a delight to see you here. You look wonderful in that gown." his mom tells me with a happy smile.
"Thank you."
"Where's Sofia?" Mr. Lee asks.
"She wasn't feeling well, so she stayed home. Luckily, (Y/N) was free to help us fill the table."
"Lucky, indeed. You know how it looks to have an empty seat."
My eyes fall on the vacant chair across from me.
"Are we expecting someone else?"
"Unfortunately, Robin couldn't make it at the last minute either. But never fear, Mason's old secretary should be along soon to take his place." Vivian explains.
I nod before turning to Lee Know and lowering my voice.
"You weren't kidding about this empty seat thing."
"Yeah, if you buy a table at the event like this, you're expected to fill every seat or you might get frozen out next time."
Lee Know's eyes go distant as he tracks a stranger from across the room.
"That's Miles Houston. I recognize him from Sofia's flashcards... Why are we staring at him though?"
"I've been trying to convince him to collaborate with us on a new project, but he's notoriously un-schmoozable. Care to help me change that?"
"It'd be my honor."
Lee Know and I make our way across the room, and I can almost see the moment Lee Know slips into work mode.
"Min-ho. You're looking well."
"You too, Miles. (Y/N), I'd like you to meet Miles Houston, a fellow technophile and unrepentant geek. I'm hoping he might brainstorm with me someday."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Do you work at Lee Enterprises as well?"
"I freelance alongside the company in a limited capacity, but I'm inches away from committing full time."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
What did the flashcards say? Oh right, he likes meditation and dislikes waste.
"Waste and energy efficiency are top notch. It's important to be conscious of your environmental impact, even on a small scall. Like how after a company event, Lee Know himself stayed behind to recycle ever last can."
"It's hard to find a CEO willing to do the work instead of cutting corners."
"We do what we can. It's our responsibility to set the standard." Lee Know adds.
"It is helpful to see Lee Enterprises from a different point of view...and the way you describe it seems rather idyllic."
Lee Know's eyes widen slightly as he sees his window of opportunity.
"As you know, we'd love to bring you onboard. You could be instrumental in making sure we hit our environmental goals with the latest Nightingale update."
"I admit, I've been on the fence, but after tonight...I'll be in touch."
Miles shakes Lee Know's hand, then walks away. Lee Know turns to me with a wide grin.
"I can't believe you just schmoozed the un-schmoozable."
"Turns out, it's pretty easy when you study everyone's life story for a full day. Speaking of..."
I gesture over Lee Know's shoulder, where a woman I recognize as Selene d'Torte is in a heated discussion with Mason Sr. and Vivian.
"We'd better rescue them."
"Selene, you can't just back out like this out of the blue. It'll make the other shareholder panic!" Mr. Lee exclaims.
"That's not my responsibility. I just want to see my shares and be done with the whole market."
"Pardon the intrusion. It's good to see you again, Selene. May I introduce (YF/LN)? This is her first gala, and I'm trying to show her a good time."
I know Lee Know wants to change the subject, but I feel like I can turn this around. Her flashcard said something about a philosophy degree and being burned by MediShade.
"I couldn't help but overhear... Are you really going to sell, Ms. d'Torte? Lee stock has been so stable recently, even trending up."
"I just don't trust the game anymore. I wouldn't expect you to understand..."
"I understand, and it reminds me of something Kierkegaard said 'Life must be understood backwards, but lived forwards.' If you dump all your investments now, you'll just be living 'backwards'. "
"I did feel like I had a talent for investing, but I was so wrong with MediShade."
"Maybe you've been burned in the past, but life is about observation and adaptation. That's all philosophy is, right? Distilling education from experience?"
"Jonathan Swift did encourage us all to live every day of our lives, and I think he meant to take risks."
"Exactly. I'd hate to see you lose confidence in your judgment because of one mistake."
Selene considers my words for a long moment...then finally smiles.
"I suppose it would be hasty to make a decision right now. Lee Know, let's meet next week to discuss this further."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding as she walks away.
"That was..." Mr. Lee begins to say, stunned.
"Impressive." Vivian finishes his words.
"That was (Y/N) in action." Lee Know compliments.
Before I can respond, the music changes, and the dance floor starts to fill with couples. Lee Know turns to me, eyes sparkling as he extends a hand.
"Dance with me, (Y/N)? You've more than earned a break from all the shoptalk."
"I'd love to."
Lee Know draws me out onto the dance floor, and my heart flutters as the two of us sway together in front of everyone.
"I don't really know how to waltz...or whatever this is."
"Just follow my lead. Or I could follow yours, if you'd prefer."
"Meaning what? If I twerk, you will too?"
"Something like that."
Lee Know pulls me closer, leaning in so his lips tickle my ear.
"This is our night, (Y/N). Not theirs."
"In that case, I'll follow your lead."
I let Lee Know guide me into position, my left hand on his shoulder and my right intwined with his. His other hand settles on the small of my back, reeling me in to his body.
"Just relax. As long as you stay loose and let me take control, it'll be easy."
"You say that like letting you take control is easy for me."
"Do you prefer to be in control?"
"Mmm...I like when we take turns."
"...Duly noted."
Lee Know pulls me closer as he begins to lead me through the dance. I try to stay loose, but...
"Whoops! Was that your foot?"
"I'll survive. Don't worry about the steps, (Y/N). Just look at me."
And I do. I focus on his burning gaze and feel myself start to melt into his embrace. He twirls me round and round the dance floor, and I don't miss a single beat.
"Wow. I don't think I had it in me."
I grin, but Lee Know doesn't smile back. He's gazing at me with such intensity, my breath catches.
"What is it?"
"Walk with me?"
Lee Know takes my hand and leads me to a secluded balcony, away from the gala. The night is breezy and quiet, almost like you're in another world.
"Something on your mind?"
Lee Know joins me at the railing, and even with the distance between us, I can feel the heat radiating from his body.
"Honestly? I just wanted you to myself for a while. Ever since we got here, the other guests have been around you, drawn to you... Not that I can blame them, especially in that gown..."
Lee Know's eyes rove over my body, taking in every inch of me... I shiver as if I'm completely bare before him.
"It's not that special--"
"You are what makes it special. You've made this whole night special just be being here. It's like you've grown up surrounded by all this. You're in your element, and you shine."
"You may think I belong here...and you're right." I hesitate for just a moment...then take the plunge. "I feel like this is where I'm meant to be. By your side. Nowhere else." Lee Know cups my cheek in his hand, and he swallows heavily. I see the stars reflected in his eyes.
I can't help but wonder if you're right...like everything that's happened between us since your interview was fate. And I don't even believe in fate."
Lee Know leans closer to me, eclipsing the night sky from view. His lips are just a breath away from mine...
"What if someone sees--"
"I don't care."
His finger scoops beneath my chin, gently lifting my gaze to his.
"Right now, all I care about...is you."
My eyes scan his, but I see nothing but conviction there. The practical part of my brain desperately shouts at me to pull away, that he's my boss, that he's engaged, that I have to be mindful of the consequences... But the rest of me craves to know if he can feel the fire between us too, to know if I'm as irresistible to him as he is to me, consequences be damned. And right here, in this moment, all I can do is give in.
"Lee Know..."
I close the gap between us, pressing my lips to his. It feels familiar, like coming home... I slide my tongue along his lips. He opens his mouth in reply, moaning my name...
"(Y/N)..."
The sound shoots through me. I move against him desperately, my kiss hungry and pleading... The balcony feels like it's on fire. My head lulls back as Lee Know trails his lips down my neck... His hands slide down my back until he can pull my hips flush against his.
"Lee Know..."
He's never kissed me like this before, like he can't get enough of my body, my taste...and I know I can't either. He traps me between his hard body and the railing, and there's nowhere else I'd rather be... My pulse races as his hands find the edge of my skirt, sliding up just enough to stroke the soft skin of my inner thighs... His voice is thick, husky with need...
"(Y/N), I want you...but I can't keep stopping myself. You have to be the strong one here. If this isn't what you want, tell me to stop now."
I kiss a steamy path up to his ear, whispering...
"What if I don't want you to stop? "
He lets out a soft curse as he pulls back just far enough to meet my gaze. My breath catches as I take in his blazing eyes, the fire I see there mirroring the heat coursing through my veins...
"Lee Know...don't stop."
That's all it takes. Lee Know's lips are on mine again in an instant, his arms pulling me into his warm embrace. I lift my head, shifting the angle of my kiss, probing his mouth with my tongue and relishing his taste.
"God, you're perfect..."
Lee Know's lips move down my throat as I settle against the balcony railing, wrapping my legs around his hips.
"Tell me what you imagine when you touch yourself at night, (Y/N). Do you think of me?"
Lee Know grinds against me, and my mind races with all the possibilities...
"I imagine you being my hard, strict boss."
Lee Know's eyes darken with an intensity I've never seen before, and the anticipation thrills through me.
"I told you that I wanted your panties on my desk by midnight."
Lee Know threads his fingers through my hair and clutches a fistful of it, pulling my head back just far enough to expose my neck to him.
"Care to explain why they aren't there, Miss (Y/N)?"
Lee Know trails his mouth over my throat, nipping and licking as I moan against him. His hands slip under my dress, skirting up my thighs...
"Or should I skip straight to punishing you?"
"I'm...sorry..."
I can barely focus on his words as his fingers torture and tease me, stroking my center through my panties before dipping underneath.
"I'm going to have to discipline you for disobeying."
Lee Know gives my ass a quick sharp slap, and I gasp.
"I can...still get them for you!"
"It's too late now. I need the real thing, not just the little piece of fabric you rubbed against all day."
I moan as his lips suck my throat. A part of me hopes he leaves a mark.
"I dreamed about this, before we met...the night before our interview..."
"About us?"
I snake my hand between our bodies until I feel his hard arousal through his pants.
"This, right here."
Lee Know closes his eyes and lets out a groan that runs down to my core...
"Lee Know...touch me..."
"As you wish."
Lee Know keeps on arm behind me, holding me steady, as his other hand slips inside my panties...
"God, you're so wet for me..."
"Only for you..."
His fingers work me over with expert precision. I moan into his touch as the pleasure builds inside me.
"Lee Know..."
"As much as I love hearing my name on your lips, we should probably try to be a little quieter..."
But even as he says the words, Lee Know's fingers move faster against me, teasing me just where I need him most. I gasp just as he captures my lips with his, swallowing my moan...
"(Y/N)..."
My name is a warning on his lips, and I'm suddenly acutely aware of my own desire.
"Lee Know, I need you. Now."
Lee Know quickly shifts our positions so he can lower himself between my legs. He pushes my shirt up and tugs my panties to the side, baring me to him.
"Finally..."
Fire sparks inside me as Lee Know leans in to press his tongue to my bare skin.
"Oh my God..."
His tongue laps at me, then cups me tightly and flicks. My eyes go unfocused as the waves of pleasure build and crash, each more intense than the last...
"Lee Know, I need..."
I reach for him blindly, begging him closer...
"I need you too."
He stands suddenly, his fingers moving over my clothes, looking for a zipper. A moment later, my dress pools on the balcony floor, forgotten.
"Hurry."
I peel Lee Know's clothes off hungrily, revealing his bare skin inch by inch.
"So demanding."
I take a moment to appreciate his nearly naked body, drinking my fill...
"See something you like?" he asks with a seductive grin.
"You have no idea."
I reach for him again, pumping slowly at first, then faster, riveted by the way he groans at my touch.
"(Y/N)...(Y/N)...(Y/N)..."
Impatient, I push his boxers the rest of the way down his hips, revealing his fully naked body. My breath catches at the sight of him.
"I had no idea this was the situation we were dealing with. I..."
Lee Know reaches out to stroke my cheeks, pulling my gaze up to his.
"Trust me, it's the perfect size."
He leans in to kiss my neck as his fingers skin over my tingling nub, teasing. I gasp, bucking my hips into his touch.
"Lee Know...let me serve you."
I drop down to my knees in front of him.
"(Y/N), you don't have to--"
"Don't you dare try to take this away from me, Lee Min-ho."
Before he can respond, I lean forward and lick him from base to tip. His hands are in my hair immediately, but he lets me set the pace. He growls, his head lulling back as I repeat the action, again and again.
"(Y/N)..."
A shiver runs through him as my lips stroke up and down, his abdomen tensing as he lightly pumps against me, desperate for more, until Lee Know tugs me back, and my lips pull off of him. He brings me back to my feet, pressing me against the balcony railing.
"That felt...but I need to be inside you."
I nod. Lee Know lifts me in his arms, and I wrap my legs around him. I gasp as his arousal rubs against my entrance.
"(Y/N), are you sure?"
"Yes."
He leans in to kiss me as his hips thrust forward.
"(Y/N)..."
He pauses for a moment, letting us both get used to the feeling. My body trembles around him, until he finally starts moving...slowly at first, then picking up speed... My hips move in time with his strokes as every logical thought flies from my mind.
"Yes...don't stop..."
He pounds harder, and I can't keep up. I dig my nails into his back, trying to anchor myself to him as the pleasure crashes over me...
"(Y/N), I'm going to..."
"I'm close...so close..."
He slams into me again and again and again as a sudden wildfire overtakes me, racing down every limb. He hits just the right spot, and I explode in his arms.
"...Lee Know!"
He pumps his hips a couple more times before he follows after me.
"...(Y/N)!"
Slowly but surely, the outside world soon comes back into focus... The two of us extricate ourselves from each other and hurry to slip back into our clothes. I glance over at Lee Know.
Did that really just happen?
But the tingles coursing though my boy answer my question.
"So...now what?"
"I...guess we slip back into the gala?"
Despite everything, I smile softly at Lee Know uncertainty.
"Is that a question?"
"I don't exactly have a protocol in place for something like this."
I glance at the locked balcony doors, nothing the distant clamor of the gala on the other side.
"I hope no one notices."
I but my lower lip and glance down at myself, wondering exactly how many hairs are out of place.
"We've been gone a long time..."
I look up at Lee Know and I'm surprised to see the expression on his face.
"Yeah, we should get back in there...back to the real world."
Lee Know clears his throat.
"I'll, uh, go in first? We probably shouldn't walk back in there at the same time."
"Makes sense...I'll wait a few minutes."
Lee Know nods, smoothing his clothes one last time. He reaches for the door...then turns back to me.
"(Y/N), I--"
"It's fine. I'll be fine. We can talk later."
"...Okay. If you're sure."
Whatever he was about to say, I'm sure I don't want to hear it. Lee Know hesitates for another moment, but I pull my focus to the overlook as he slips inside. The noise of the gala assails me through the open balcony doors, louder than ever. The real world is waiting for me... But I can't face it right now. I lean against the railing and stare out at the stars, wishing the answer was out there.
"...What the hell am I going to do now?"