The morning after the gala, I stand in the kitchen, doing my best to pretend like it's just any other day. I pour myself a fresh cup of coffee while Mason and Mickey eat their wheat germ oatmeal at the counter.
"Sorry about your breakfast, boys, but it's the best I could do with Sofia's new diet guidelines."
"It might not be so bad if it came with a side of bacon." Mickey says.
"I don't think even that would help. Besides, Aunt Sofia go rid of all our bacon, remember?" Mason reminds him.
"Good morning."
I try not to flush as Lee Know enters the room. Just the sound of his voice is enough to bring the memory of last night rushing back...
Flashback
"...Tell me what you imagine when you touch yourself at night, (Y/N). Do you think of me? ...Are you sure you want to do this? ...(Y/N)! "
Present
"(Y/N)? Are you alright?"
I shake myself out of my reverie and turn to Lee Know.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about last night."
I watch him closely, seeing if he'll take the bait. He doesn't say anything, but I see something flash in his eyes before he can control it.
"Yeah! Carter said you went to that fancy party thing with Dad!"
"Did you pull any pranks?" Mickey asks.
Lee Know keeps his expression completely under control as he looks to his kids.
"Not this time. Maybe we just needed someone to show us how it's done."
"I'd rather stay home and eat pizza, thanks!"
I glance at the boys, then back at Lee Know, dropping my voice to a whisper.
"Can we talk later? "
Lee Know stiffens, keeping his eyes glued on the boys.
"...Yes. Later."
I note the emphasis on the word, but before I can respond, Lee Know grabs his cup of coffee and heads to his home office. I watch his retreating back, trying to ignore the pain in my heart. After breakfast, I help Mason and Mickey get ready for the day when Lee Know knocks on their bedroom door.
"I'm about to go into the office, but I want to talk to you first."
My heart stutters at Lee Know's declaration...until I realize he's talking to the twins.
Get it together, (Y/N). Now is definitely not an appropriate time for us to discuss our horizontal tango.
Lee Know takes a seat, then clears his throat as Mason and Mickey put their arms around him.
"What's wrong, Dad? You look sad..." states Mason.
"I'm not...said. I just know you're not going to like what I have to say."
"Then you gotta just rip it off. Like a Band-Aid." Mickey suggests.
"Right, like a Band-Aid."
Lee Know takes a deep breath...
"I have to go to Italy for a business trip...as soon as possible."
"What? You're fleeing the country, just like that?" I blurt out realizing what I just said before I could stop myself.
"I wouldn't call it 'fleeing'. Lee Enterprises has been in negotiations for months, and after the Milan breach...well, my dad just doesn't trust anyone else to handle it."
"What about us?" Mason asks.
"Aunt Sofia isn't staying here, is she?" Mickey groans.
"No, she'll be in Naples with me. But don't worry, you won't be alone. You'll have (Y/N)."
I can feel Lee Know's gaze turn to me, but I'm focused on the twins, trying to stay upbeat.
"Let's not overreact here. It's just a flight and some meetings, right? I bet your dad will be back before you know it."
"Actually...depending on the negotiations, I could be gone for a couple months."
"A couple months?!" Mickey yells.
"But...that's the rest of summer!" Mason says in frustration and sadness.
"Seriously, Lee Know? That's so long! For the boys, I mean."
"My parents were often overseas for months at a time when I was younger. They'll survive."
"But don't you want them to do more than just 'survive'?"
"I'm trying to not let emotions cloud my judgment here. I don't have a choice in the matter."
"You always have a choice, Lee Know."
The two of us share a long look...
"Can we at least come visit you while you're gone?" Mason asks.
"Of course, buddy. I'm sure we can work something out. In the meantime, why doesn't (Y/N) take you two out for the day? I've got to prepare for my trip, but we'll have a special dinner tonight before I go. Promise."
Lee Know stretches out his arms and pulls the boys close in a hug. He doesn't so much as glance at me before he leaves. Later that day, I trudge through the Natural History Museum with Mason and Mickey, trying to lift their somber mood.
"Did you guys know that 'Tyrannosaurus' comes from the Greek words for 'tyrant lizard'? It could also eat as much as 500 pounds of meat in a single bite!"
"That's...actually kinda cool. But I'm not in the mood for learning."
"I know. It's been a tough morning."
"Dad's never gone on a business trip like this before. It's not because we fight all the time, is it?"
"No, definitely not...this trip has nothing to do with you. He clearly doesn't want to leave you behind..."
"Yeah, but he's still going to."
I sigh, then crouch down so I'm level with the twins.
"At least we have the penthouse to ourselves. We'll have ice cream for dinner and chicken nuggets for dessert and stay up late watching superhero movies..."
I know it isn't exactly realistic, but it's worth it to see their faces light up.
"With Aunt Sofia gone, we can eat regular food again!"
Mason and Mickey slap a high five.
'See? There's a silver lining to everything. Now, we'd better head home so we're not late for dinner with your dad."
I call up Carter, and soon he's driving the three of us back toward the penthouse.
"Did you boys have fun at the museum?" Carter asks the twins.
"Yeah! Did you know 'Tyrannosaurus' comes from the Greek words for 'tyrant lizard'?" Mason blurts out.
I smile to myself as the twins excitedly tell Carter about everything they learned. I pull out my phone to let Lee Know we're on our way back.
ME:
-Heading back, ETA twenty minutes.
-You need us to pick anything up on our way?
-Or do you have the special dinner all planned out?
LEE KNOW:
-About that...
ME:
-Why am I not surprised...
-This is because you M.O.
LEE KNOW:
-What's that supposed to mean?
ME:
-You're a smart man. Figure it out.
LEE KNOW:
-(Y/N)…
ME:
-I'll take care of dinner for the boys sake.
-But you'd better come up with an AMAZING apology dessert for them.
My phone keeps buzzing, but I ignore the texts and focus on Mason and Mickey.
"So about dinner..."
But before I can elaborate, I spot a turnoff with several food trucks being set up.
Maybe Lee Know's 'special dinner' is a bust, but that doesn't mean I can't do something fun for them. Plus, they haven't had any good food in weeks, not with Sofia's 'health' plan in full force.
"Carter, take this next right and find a place to pull over. We're gonna have dinner at the food truck festival!"
"Right away, Ms. (YLN)."
Mason spots a food truck called Kimchi Tacos. "I...don't know what that means, but it sounds awesome!"
The sky grows dark as the boys and I make our way through the gathering crowd around the food trucks.
"Look, grilled cheese!"
"Not just any grilled cheese... It's Mac N Grilled Cheese!" I giggle
"Oh my God...Dad is gonna be so mad he missed out." Mickey says.
"I vote we focus on filling our own bellies, okay?"
"Yeah, who knows what else they've stuffed with Mac and Cheese?"
I laugh as Mason and Mickey lead me from one truck to the next.
At least the boys are cheering up. I haven't seen them this happy since Lee Know's birthday...
"(Y/N), I know what I want!"
I'm a little surprised when I see the food truck he's pointing at, but I nod and help him order.
"Here you go. One Poke Bowl "
"Thanks!"
Mason eyes his brother's bowl suspiciously.
"Raw fish?" Mason asks with a disgusted look.
"It's just deconstructed sushi! Carter showed it to me one time when I was home sick from school."
"You have a pretty sophisticated palate, Mickey."
"Don't tell Aunt Sofia! She'll make me eat escargot or something."
"You're secret's safe with me. What about you, Mason? Anything tickle your fancy?"
I look around at the other nearby good trucks, but Mason's gaze is still focused on Mickey's poke bowl.
"Or maybe you'd like to try a bite?" I suggest.
"What? No! I mean, it looks..."
"Delicious?" Mickey giggles.
"Sure, we'll go with that."
"I can't believe you're gonna let Mickey out-eat you."
"Yeah, you're the one who's always bragging about liking fancy adult food."
"I'm just...in the mood for a cheeseburger!"
"Well, I bet we can find a fine cheeseburger somewhere around here...or maybe we'll have to head down the street to McDermot's instead.
"Wait, no! I want to eat here."
Mason takes a deep breath, eyeing the poke bowl again.
"Okay, I'll try it. But just one bite!"
"If you insist."
I scoop a bite of poke from Mickey's bowl and offer it to Mason. Mickey and I watch intently as Mason chews thoughtfully. Then...
"Hey, that's was pretty good!"
"Told ya!"
"Gimme another bite."
"What? No way!"
"Let's get your own bowl..."
Soon, I find a quiet spot near the food trucks for the boys to eat their bowls. After a moment, Mason looks over at me, a stray piece of seaweed stuck to his cheek.
"Thanks for making me try that, (Y/N). None of our other nannies used to do that."
"You're welcome. Sometimes we just need a little nudge to get out of our comfort zone, especially when it comes to food."
Mason nods, still looking serious.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking... I wish you were gonna be our stepmom instead of Aunt Sofia."
"Oh, Mason... Me too, honestly. I love taking care of you two. I can't imagine leaving..."
"Leaving? Why would you leave?"
"I have no intention of leaving right now... But...sometimes things change, especially jobs."
"Oh."
Both boys scoot closer to me on the bench, flanking me on either side. I wrap my arms around them.
"Know that no matter where I go or what I do, I'll always care about you two. And I'll be here if you need me."
"Promise?"
"Pinky promise."
"But why can't you just be our new stepmom instead?"
"Yeah! We like you, and you like us! All we have to do is convince Dad!"
"I... It's not that simple."
"But he already likes you enough to let you live with us."
"True, but that's part of the job..."
"I think it's a great plan! We'll tell him when we get home."
My heart all but breaks as I take in their smiling faces... I'm careful to keep my expression neutral as I interject.
"I appreciate the sentiment...but it's not up to us. It's up to your father, and he's already made his decision."
"That sucks."
Mickey sighs down into his bowl. I playfully nudge his shoulder until he looks back up.
"But 'stepmom' is just a title. I don't care about you two any less without it."
"Really?"
"Really really."
I playfully poke at Mickey, and he giggles, shying away.
"Hey! That tickles!"
I pull Mickey against me in a tight hug, and his arms wrap around my waist.
"Hey, what about me?"
"Get in here!"
I close my eyes as I hold the boys, savoring the moment.
"I wish we could always be like this..."
"Me too."
Eventually, I pull back with a smile.
"Alright, it's getting late. We should head back so you can have that special dessert with your dad."
"Should we bring some dinner back for him? He hates Aunt Sofia's cooking."
"And he seems pretty bummed about this business trip..." Mason adds.
"Then it's decided. Let's find something to take back to him."
I text Carter that I'm almost ready, then head back to the food trucks to find something for Lee Know.
"What should we get?"
"Anything's better than Aunt Sofia's diet." Mickey says.
"Very true. In that case, let's go with Chinese Stir Fry."
I nod toward a truck called All Fried Up.
"Can't go wrong with a classic."
"Yum!"
Smiling and feeling genuinely good for the first time today, I order the takeout for Lee Know. Back at the penthouse, the boys and I run into Lee Know as soon as the elevator doors open. He sets a carry-on bag by the wall next to a suitcase before turning to us.
"Welcome back. Did you three have fun at the museum?"
Lee Know's eyes are locked on me, but I can't bring myself to respond. Luckily, the boys do all the talking for me.
"The museum was alright, but dinner was even better! We stopped at a food truck festival on the way home." Mickey begins.
"I tried a poke bowl!"
"Really? Did you like it?"
"It was amazing!"
"And we got something for you!"
"That was thoughtful of you."
I offer him the takeout, still not meeting his gaze.
"It was their idea."
Lee Know opens up the container and grins.
"I love Kung Pao. How did you know?"
"Just a lucky guess."
"Right."
Lee Know clears his throat, then turns his attention back to the boys.
"Why don't you two wash your hands, then head into the kitchen for your special surprise dessert?"
"On it!"
The two race toward the bathroom, leaving me and Lee Know alone in the hallway. I start moving to the kitchen.
"(Y/N)."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for dinner, for both me and the boys. I shouldn't have backed out of my promise to have a special mean with them."
"No, you shouldn't have."
I stare at him for another moment...then sigh as my resolve starts to waver.
"And you're welcome."
"It really looks delicious."
Even though I'm still made at him, my heart softens as I watch him take a bite. He glances over at me and smiles tentatively, which is when I notice a drop of sauce in the corner of his lip.
"You've got a little..."
Lee Know blinks at me in surprise as I lean forward and touch his lip, gently wiping the sauce away.
"Oh..."
"...All better."
I open my mouth to say more--I'm not even sure exactly what--when the boys hurry into the room, and I step back away from Lee Know."
"Dessert time!"
"What're we having?"
"I thought you'd like to make some s'mores..."
"With the mega-big marshmallows?"
"Of course."
Lee Know points the boys toward the s'mores supplies already set up on the kitchen counter. I was so distracted, I didn't notice them before.
"I'll, uh, leave you three to it."
"Where are you going? You haven't even had a s'more yet!" Mason says.
"I don't want to intrude on father-son bonding time on your last night together."
"You wouldn't be intruding." Lee Know says with a soft smile.
"Still...you should have some privacy."
I force my lingering gaze away from Lee Know...then turn and leave before I change my mind. Later that night, I continue to pace in my room, feeling more alone with your thoughts than I have all day.
"Is he really going on this business trip because of what happened last night? That's so unfair to Mason and Mickey...and me. I can't let him fly halfway across the world without talking to me first."
I check the time to make sure the boys are already in bed. I let my adrenaline push me forward as I leave my room to hunt down Lee Know. I find him in his home office, nursing a shallow glass of bourbon. He glances my way as I enter.
"I thought I might see you again tonight."
"Lee Know, we need to talk about the boys."
"What about them?"
"They're heartbroken that you're leaving, and I don't blame them. You're hardly around as it is, and now you're suddenly going on an extended business trip?"
"I wish it didn't have to be this way--"
"You're Lee freakin' Min-ho! Make a phone call and whisk the twins away to Italy with you! I don't care if I lose my job. Just...don't leave your kids behind because of me."
"Because of you?"
I take a deep breath and look Lee Know directly in the eye.
"We had sex last night, Lee Know."
"I haven't forgotten."
"It feels like you want to. In fact, it feels like you're running halfway around the world because of it."
Lee Know looks away, and I feel my frustration raging through me.
"You're a lot of things, Lee Know, but I never took you for a coward."
That gets his attention. His eyes flash as he meets my gaze.
"A coward?"
"You heard me."
I don't back down. The two of us stand face-to-face, breathing hard.
"You could have walked away last night."
Lee Know lets out a humorless laugh.
"I wish that were true."
His expression softens as he reaches out to stroke my cheek.
"I've been trying to walk away from you since the moment we met. Yet somehow...I always end up back here."
I step back, out of his reach, and cross my arms over my chest.
"That's not good enough, Lee Know."
"Let's get one thing straight here, (Y/N). The timing of this trip may seem suspicious to you, but I don't want to go. I have to go. And every time I look at you, it's a reminder of what I'm leaving behind."
"Really? You aren't relieved to have an escape?"
"No! This is so much worse."
Lee Know takes a deep breath, trying to get himself under control. I step away and look out the window, unsure what comes next. I hear Lee Know approach from behind me. I feel his hands brace against my hips, kindling a familiar ache between my legs. I twist to face him. He plants his hands behind me on the window, pressing so close that I can feel how badly he still wants me.
"Lee Know, you should give in."
I snake my arm around his neck, pulling him close so I can whisper in his ear...
"The clock is ticking, Lee Know. You're leaving in the morning...but you can still have me tonight."
"(Y/N)..."
"Unless...you don't want me anymore. One time was enough to get me out of your system--"
"I'll never have enough of you. I need you, (Y/N)."
I grip the lapels of his suit and yank Lee Know hard against me.
"Prove it."
I kiss him with every ounce of frustration and heat in my body. But even as Lee Know's arms come around me, holding me flush against him, he pulls back with a questioning look on his face.
"(Y/N)..."
"Don't think. Just feel."
I push his jacket off his shoulders before my fingers slide along the back of his neck as I guide his wet, hungry mouth back to mine. Lee Know spins me around, pushing me back against the cold glass of the windowpane. He lifts my wrists up above my head, holding them there with one hand while the other explores my body...
"Lee Know..."
I feel exposed in a way that makes my pulse race as his fingers find a strip of bare skin at my waist, then slides up beneath my clothes to trace the curve of my breast...
"Has it really only been a day since I last touched you like this? Already feels like a lifetime ago..."
I arch my back, pressing my body against him. His tongue tangles with mine, and he moans into my mouth.
"Can you really go the rest of the summer without this?"
"I can't even go the next five minutes without it."
Lee Know picks me up easily in his arms. I lock my legs around his waist as he carries me across the office. He sweeps everything off his desk with a loud crash and lays me down. My head swims as he unfastens my clothes and pitches them across the room. His lips trail kisses all over my body, pausing to skim his teeth along my side, then against my hip.
"God, I want to eat you up..."
I look down my body at him, taking in the intense look in his eyes. I want him...but I also want to make him pay for how he treated me today.
"You've gotta earn that privilege."
I sit up, pushing him back just a few steps.
"(Y/N)?"
"You've been a naughty boy, Lee Know. And you know what that means...I'm going to tie you up."
Lee Know lets out a soft curse as I hop down from the desk and motion for him to take a seat behind it. He starts to move around the desk when I call out...
"Wait. Undress first."
I lean in and skim my fingers over the exposed skin of his chest, then tugs lightly on the open flap of his shirt.
"I don't want to have to deal with this later."
Lee Know quickly strips out of the rest of his clothes, then takes a seat in his office chair, arms on the armrests. I grab a spare cord from one of the desk drawers, then tie his wrist to the chair. I do the same for his other hand, letting my fingers trail along his bare body before I step back and admire my handiwork.
"Aren't you a sight?"
"(Y/N)..."
Lee Know tries to reach for me, but stops short as he pulls against the cords. He sits back with a pout.
"This isn't fair. I want to touch you..."
"Oh... You want to talk about not fair? Everything that's happened today hasn't been fair."
I lean over the chair, careful not to touch him. I let my breast idle near his face...so close, I can feel his breath ghost over my skin. He visibly gulps.
"And now you're being punished for it."
I hop back on the desk, facing Lee Know. I spread my legs so he can see every inch of me...and slip my fingers under my panties.
"Oh my God..."
My head lulls back as I let the pleasure course through my veins.
"Ohhhhh, YES! "
Touching myself in front of Lee Know is a power trip like nothing I've ever experienced before. I can barely control my movements as my hips buck up.
"(Y/N), please...let me touch you."
Lee Know licks his lips as he struggles against his restraints. I slow my fingers as I consider him.
"I don't know... Have you been punished enough yet?"
"No...but I can't make it up to you properly unless you let me touch you. Please."
Selfishly, I know he's right. I reach out to untie the cords, and he's all over me before they've fallen to the ground. Lee Know kisses me deeply, pressing me back against the desk as his hands work my panties down my thighs.
"I haven't been able to think about anything else all day... You drive me to distraction even when you aren't spread out in front of me..."
"And now? "
His fingers make their way back up my bare legs, stroking me teasingly until they hit just the right spot.
"And now...I can barely control myself. I want to devour you."
I lean back and let my legs fall open as wide as they can. I fight back a blush as he hungrily takes in every inch of me.
"Yes...I love seeing you open like this for me."
Lee Know bows at my feet, lowering his mouth between my thighs and working his tongue against me. I shiver and grip the desk, reeling from the sensation.
"...Lee Know!"
Lee Know's voice rises from between my legs.
"If you want me to make this up to you properly, then you can't come yet. Can you do that, (Y/N)? Can you hold back until I tell you?"
Lee Know punctuates his question with a devilish twirl of his tongue, and I gasp.
"Yes! Lee Know... Let's savor this."
Lee Know draws out his movements, licking me painstakingly slow...
"Good thinking. It's your only chance at holding off an orgasm."
"That's not why--Oh! "
Lee Know nibbles and kisses around my center, never quite touching me where I want him most...
"Lee Know...you're killing me..."
Lee Know's response is a moan muffled against me, and the vibrations send shivers up my spine.
"Oh my God, that feels... Please, Lee Know..."
But no matter how much I writhe and beg, his tongue ghosts over me, teasing me to the brink until finally...
"(Y/N), I can't hold back anymore."
"Thank God."
I moan loudly as his tongue finally licks me at my core, hard and fast, again and again. I lift my head enough to see Lee Know's hand working between his legs, touching himself in rhythm with me as he groans out my name.
"...(Y/N)! "
That's all it takes. My body clenches, and I fly over the edge, ecstasy crashing over me.
"...Lee Know! "
I sag against the desk as Lee Know's arms wrap around me, holding me close... But after a moment, my breathing returns to normal, and the two of us get dressed. I linger in the doorway, less sure what to say now than ever before.
"Lee Know, I..."
"I'm sorry, (Y/N). I didn't mean to get so carried away. It won't happen again."
I'm not sure that's what I want, but I'm too confused to do more than nod.
"My flight leaves early. I'll be gone before you wake up..."
"Oh. I see. I guess this is...goodbye."
The words feels woefully inadequate, but I don't know what else to say. I wrap my arms around myself as I make my way toward the door.
"I shouldn't have dragged you into this mess. You deserve so much better than me."
Lee Know's strained words make me pause in the doorway. I close my eyes, bracing myself as I look back over my shoulder, certain this will be the last time I ever lay eyes on Lee Min-ho...
"I can't decide what I 'deserve' for myself."
I walk away without a backward glance. The next morning, I wake up at the crack of dawn, despite barely getting a wink of sleep. I hear footsteps and hushed voices in the hallway, then silence. I restlessly toss and turn for another hour before I drag myself out of bed to make the boys breakfast.
Focus, (Y/N). Lee Min-ho is just a guy. Nothing you can't get over.
I trudge through the penthouse toward the kitchen dreading the upcoming day with every step. But I stop short as I spot a very familiar face sitting in the kitchen.
"Lee Know?! What're you doing here? I heard you leave this morning..."
"I did a lot of thinking last night, but I didn't come to a conclusion in time to cancel my car earlier."
"What conclusion?"
"That you were right. I was being a coward and running away from my problems. I sent Robin ahead and postponed my meetings to next week so I could do this right. I'm turning this business trip into a family vacation for all of us."
"You mean..."
"Pack your bags, (Y/N). You're coming with me to Italy."