I rein in my horse, closing my eyes to breathe in the early morning breeze rolling gently over the Oklahoma plains
Mmmm...it even smells like home. College was incredible, but no place will ever mean more to me than the ranch.
Beneath me, my mare nickers, as eager to set off across the fields as I am. I bend over to pet Agusga's neck lovingly, my heart swells with the beauty of the day, and the pure joy of finally being home.
"Ready to feel the wind in your mane, Agusga?"
She nickers at me as if to respond that she too is ready.
"Thatta girl. Now let's get a move on- Yeehaww!!"
Before I can even position myself in the saddle, Agusga rears violently, eyes rolling with fear!
"Easy, Agusga..."
I'm gripping the saddle horn tight, but Agusga doesn't show any signs of settling! She races across the field!
"Please, Agusga. It's me, (Y/N)..."
I'm starting to think I'll be thrown any moment when a figure appears, silhouetted against the rising sun. I squint against the sun as the mysterious stranger reaches up to grab hold of the horse's bridle.
"No you don't, missy."
He tugs sharply on the reins, and for an instant, Agusga seems to calm. Taking advantage of the lull, the mysterious stranger grips my waist, pulling me down expertly. I gasp as I stumble against his warm body.
"Thank you. I'm not sure what would've happened if you hadn't been here."
"Always have had good timing. And besides, I'm happy for the excuse to meet a beautiful lady like yourself. What brought you to the Lee Ranch? And more importantly, what can I do to entice you to stay?"
It's then that I realize the man who saved me is my brother's best friend Jisung. I've had a crush on him since we were just kids.
He doesn't realize it's me! And it sure seems like he's feelin' the same spark I always have...
He tilts his hat against the glare of the sun, flashing the careless grin that always made me swoon.
"I don't think you're gonna have to work too hard on that front. I'm here for the long haul."
"Oh yeah? Where are you bunkin' up? Because nights out here on the prairie can get pretty chilly..."
Jisung's eyes go hooded as he loops a hand around the saddle horn. It makes it hard not to notice the lean, chiseled muscles of his torso.
"Is that right? And how do you propose I prepare myself for that?"
"Well, I've always found the best way to stay warm on a cold night is to--"
As Jisung leans closer, something shifts in his eyes. He steps back sharply, swallowing hard.
"Wait, (Y/N)?"
"In the flesh. Didn't you recognize me, Jisung?"
"I mean I do now, but... You gotta know, I never woulda said that stuff if I'd realized..."
"Really? I didn't mind it..."
"Well your brother sure as hell would. And I have no intention of crossin' him that way."
Jisung shakes his head, stuffing his hands deep in his pockets.
"Trust me. It's not worth it. So...you're back home from college? For good this time?"
"That's right. But what are you doing here? I thought you were busy bein' a big rodeo star these days."
"I need a little break from all that. When Minho said he could use a hand around the ranch, I figured I might as well make myself useful for a short spell."
I try not to feel too disappointed when I hear that he won't be staying long. Jisung, meanwhile, only has eyes for me. He runs his tongue over his top lip as he looks me up and down, eyes lingering just a moment too long as he takes me in.
"It's hard to square the (Y/N) standin' in front of me with my best friend's kid sister. You...sure have grown up."
"Grown up, huh? I have. In more ways than one..."
"Oh? What ways are you referrin' to?"
"Can't you guess?"
I lean a bit closer, relishing the way his throat works as I near him. I lower my voice to a whisper.
"You can learn a lot of things in college...and most of them don't come from a book."
Jisung draws his lip between his teeth, cocking his head to the side in a way familiar way. It sets off a whole cascade of feelings I haven't experienced in ages.
"Oh yeah? Pretty sure you've been wearing that same ratty pair of jeans since high school."
"That's just my clothes. It's what's underneath them that's changed the most."
Jisung glances down at the jeans slung low over my hip bones, a wicked smile spreading over his face...then he catches myself again, jerking away.
"Same kid sister you've always been. You never did know how to look after yourself."
"Oh? Because I coulda sworn you were seein' me somewhat differently just now."
He clears his throat awkwardly, then tugs a t-shirt out of his back pocket and pulls it swiftly over his head.
"I was just playin' around. Anyway, you've got more important things to focus on. Like what to do when your horse spooks."
Jisung turns to Agusga, laying a hand on her neck. She whinnies appreciatively at his touch.
"I know you're a big city girl now, but I figured you'd remember how to hold a set of reins. Lemme show you. Take 'em in hand."
"Hey, now...I know exactly how to use my hands."
Jisung shakes his head, but I catch a flicker of fire in his eyes. When he speaks his voice is rough.
"I bet you do, at that."
"I promise you, today wasn't a proper demonstration of my skills. But I'd be happy to show them to you another time. Maybe somewhere private?"
I take a step toward him, hand on my hip. His gaze is intense but unreadable.
"I'll have to take your word for it."
Jisung's eyes darken with desire as they move over me again.
"It's strange, I've known you since you were just a kid, but seeing you now, like this..."
Jisung leans closer, eyes dropping to my mouth. A strange feeling swirls in me. I lean towards the man I've been dreaming of for years.
"Jisung, there's something I should tell you..."
Suddenly, the wind shifts. Agusga snorts, standing at attention. With a terrified whinny, she bolts across the meadow towards the woods. Within moments she's out of sight between the trees.
"Damn cougar's been prowling around the edges of the ranch these last few days. Agusga must have caught its scent."
"Is it safe for her to be out here?"
"Cougars lay low during the day. But we should find her before she gets too far. That is, if you're willin' to chase after her with me."
"He glances over at me, thuminb a belt loop as his eyes roam over my body."
"I'd like to get to know this new, grown up (Y/N). I have a feelin' there's a lot to...discover between the two of us."
"Are we gonna get going or what? No use wastin' time."
"Lot of confidence comin' from someone who nearly got thrown from her horse.
He flashes a maddening grin, the one that's gotten my heart racing since I was a teenager.
"To be fair, no one bothered to tell me there was a cougar on the loose. And for what it's worth...confidence is sexy."
"I'm gonna have to get used to hearin' you talk like that."
"What? Is that too much for your virgin ears to handle?"
Jisung cocks a brow at me.
"I think you know enough about the world by now to know that accusation ain't anywhere near true."
"Interesting. Sounds like you and I might've been gettin' up to the same sorta trouble these last few years."
"Let's just say I ain't been lonely."
"Oh yeah? And who's warmin' my bed these days? Because I know someone who'd be a perfect fit for the position. Or any other positions you might have in mind..."
Jisung cups the nap of his neck with a calloused hand, his eyes dropping to my mouth. I can't help but notice the way his muscles ripple under the fabric of his t-shirt. Not to mention the obvious effect I'm having on him.
"Don't let Minho hear you sayin' stuff like that. You'll give him a heart attack."
"Relax. It'll be our little secret."
Jisung shakes his head and takes a shaky breath.
"Secret, huh? Okay...I can play that game."
Together, we make our way into the woods where the horse bolted. I stand on the edge of the tree line, contemplating my next move.
"You swear I'm not gonna get mauled by some daytime cougar?"
"You'll be fine."
"Promise to protect me if you're wrong about that?"
The electricity that's been flickering between us crackles to life.
"Of course. I'd never let anything happen to you."
Jisung lifts a hand to the small of my back almost instinctively, only just managing to catch himself before giving into his urge to touch me. With a quick shake of the head, he pulls his hand away forcing myself to turn back to the tree line.
"You've been away a while. Maybe long enough to forget more things than how to handle a skittish horse. So? How would you find her?"
"She was running fast and wild, I doubt she stuck to the trail. If we look for broken branches, they might tell us where she's gone."
I scan the forest floor for any disturbances. Jisung hums a tune as I search.
"That melody is nice. Do I know it?"
"Maybe. My Mom used to sing it to me. The horses seem to like it."
My eyes are starting to blur from staring so hard at the terrain...when I spot a large broken branch between a stand of trees!
"Bingo!"
I punch the air in triumph, then beckon to Jisung to follow. He nods acknowledgment.
"Guess you didn't forget everything while you were away."
I turn to grin at him, but my smile dissolves when I see him in the sunlight. It's the curve on his muscles through his shirt, the sharp cut of his hips just above his jeans, the confident smirk he seems to save just for me.
Dear Lord, just the sight of him is getting me hot...
Jisung's eyes snap to mine, and there's a fire there I haven't seen before. He takes a step towards me, almost unconsciously.
"Still with me, (Y/N)?"
"Oh, uh...yeah. I was just wondering how the rodeo career is going."
"Really good, actually. Won my fair share of purses. More than, accordin' to some."
"That must have been hard to walk away from."
Jisung shrugs. If he feels any unease about his decision, it doesn't show.
"The timin' was right, I needed a break from that whole scene. Anyway, I'll be back at it soon enough."
The certitude of his statement makes my heart ache.
"You know, for someone who was in such a rush to greet me this mornin', you sure sound eager to leave."
"Not sure that's how I recall it goin'..."
"I remember it perfectly. You just had to welcome me home. And you were in such a state, you scared Agusga right into the woods."
I playfully press my shoulder to his. A reluctant smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
"Sure. Sounds like me."
Jisung stuffs his hands in his pockets. Something about the way he looks at me makes me feel exposed.
"You know, I was pretty surprised to see you. Not just because I didn't realize you'd be back home today, but because..."
He pauses.
"Because what?"
"You really have grown up. In ways I...should've expected, I guess. But you did always have a way of knockin' me off my feet."
A large branch blocks my path, forcing me to stop. Minding his manners, Jisung steps in to pull it aside. As I move to pass him, our bodies brush against each other. Even that slight touch sends a jolt of electricity through me. I lean closer, until the curve of my breasts presses against Jisung's warm body. All the heat in me seems to rush between my legs, My desire is a throbbing ache so intense it's almost painful. I can feel the muscles of his chest, hard and smooth beneath the thin t-shirt. I run a hand over the taut muscles of his abdomen. Jisung draws in a sharp breath, his stomach tensing under my touch.
"Dammit, (Y/N), you make me want to..."
Jisung's free hand moves to my face. He brushes a thumber over my cheek, the roughness of his calloused hand making the touch even more exciting.
"What, Jisung? What do I make you want?"
His gaze drops to my lips. He leans closer, close enough that his breath grazes my cheek. The anticipation is almost too much is bear... Then a chill rushes in as he pulls himself away from me.
"You gotta understand. Just becasue I wanna, that don't mean..."
He sucks his lower lip under his teeth, clearly as startled by whatever just passed between us as we are.
"What I mean is...after you."
There's definitely something between us. I can feel it, and I think Jisung can too.
Not trusting myself with words, I simply nod, moving past him in a bit of a daze, emerging in a small clearing. The sun filters through the canopy of tress. Streaks of light illuminate fallen leaves, blooming flowers, and finally...
"Agusga! There you are. What got into you, girl?"
I carefully make my way over to her, making sure not to startle her again, until I'm close enough to run a hand down her strong neck.
"Well you scared me, too."
As Agusga nuzzles my hand, I turn to Jisung, relief flooding through me.
"She's much calmer now. We shouldn't have an trouble bringing her back."
"We should take the path around the pond, it's faster. Unless you forgot that, too, Pip?"
I bristle at his use of my childhood nickname.
"Pip? Seriously?"
"You always were the pipsqueak. Don't see how that's changed."
Is Jisung really going to try to pretend nothing happened just now? That he didn't feel what I did?
Jisung tilts his head in the direction of the pond, carefully avoiding direct eye contact with me. With a sigh, I nod my agreement.
"Sure. Sounds like a plan."
Jisung clips a lead to Agusga's bridle and hands me the rope. The two of us make our way around the pond in silence, eventually emerging from the woods in the wide field that borders up on the ranch house.
"Here, lemme take care of her. I have chores to finish in the stables anyway."
"I don't mind taking her back."
"Naw, you head back to the house. I'm sure Minho's itchin' to see you by now."
Jisung reaches for the lead rope and I pass it to him wordlessly. I watch as he crosses the field, but he doesn't look back at me.
He's right, I should see Minho. I just wonder if he'll insist on treatin' me like a kid still, too...
Heart fluttering anxiously, I throw back my shoulders and stride towards the house, where the brother I haven't really seen in years awaits. I find my brother Minho sitting at the kitchen table with a newspaper and a steaming mug of coffee. He doesn't glance up as I enter.
"Hey, big brother. Why the hell didn't you tell me about the cougar?"
"Did somethin' happen out there? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It's Agusga who had the daylights scared out of her. Jisung has her in the stables now."
"That cougar has become a menace lately. But forget that... Damn, it's good to see you. It's been too long, (Y/N)."
"No joke. Luckily, I'm here now, and ready to help."
"Shoot, looks like things have changed at college. Here I thought you wouldn't be outta bed before noon."
"And here I thought you'd have retired that joke by now."
"Don't worry. I've got plenty of new material, too."
"You know, we would have had a chance to talk about all the ways I've changed if we'd ridden home together."
Minho's expression falters when he sees how much it meant to me.
"I'm sorry about that. My meetin' ran late and I couldn't step away. It was too important to the ranch."
"Oh yeah? What was the meetin' about?"
"Just ranch business. Nothin' you need to worry yourself over."
"Actually, we should probably talk about how I can put my agricultural business degree to good use around here. What needs doin'?"
"Nothin' me and Jisung can't handle. You can't learn ranchin' from a book."
"At least give me a chance! I want to help. I love the ranch as much as you do!"
"I know. But the square root of pi, or whatever it is they teach at college, ain't useful here. Just leave the tough stuff to us, alright?"
"I'm plenty tough! It'll take a lot more than four years in the city to make me soft. Let me prove it to you. I can work as hard as anyone else. I promise."
"It's not that simple, (Y/N). Don't you remember that summer when you tried to break the filly? You knew horses, but, well..."
He sniffs out a laugh, clearly thinking back to that day so many years ago...
FLASHBACK
I'm in the paddock, desperate to get the filly into a bridle so she can take a lead. I've already failed more times than I can count.
"Can't you just settle down for a minute, girl?"
Jisung approaches, but keeps his distance. He stands outside the paddock, resting his forearms against the fence, watching.
"You have to make her want to come to you."
"I know what I'm doin'!"
"Coulda fooled me. This ain't like ridin' a mare that's already broken, Pip. You can't come at it the same pigheaded way."
I can see Jisung working himself up, then he notices my frustration and relents, pulling an apple from his pocket and handing it to me.
"Go on, take it. She's scared, and she doesn't trust you...yet. Forget the bridle for a minute, just work on that trust. Hold this out to her."
I hold the treat out tentatively, giving it a friendly wave. The filly tilts her head, regarding the apple with curiosity, then nibbles the side.
"Perfect, Pip! Now pull it a little closer. Make her want to come to you."
He moves up behind me, running his arm along mine to guide my hand with his own, his stubbled cheek almost touches mine. He whispers.
"When she thinks of you, you wanna be sure she only ever thinks of good things..."
Emotions more intense than anything I've ever known burn through me as Jisung helps me tame the frightened creature.
PRESENT DAY
"That day in the paddock I realized I was lucky Jisung was there to help."
"Jisung always has become a lady-killer. Even when the lady is equine."
"And...is he still that way?"
"Far as I know. But don't worry. He knows better than to bring that mess back here. To your point, we'll get you trained up for ranch work eventually. In the meantime, start by gettin' changed. Time's a wastin'."
Minho drains his mug, then returns to his paper. I head towards the stairs, determined to prove to him that I'm an asset to the ranch. Through the window of my childhood bedroom, I spot Jisung crossing the field toward the house. The sigh of him makes my heart stutter.
Everyone keeps insistin' on treatin' me like the kid I was years ago. Maybe it's time I show them how much I've changed.
I turn around in the mirror, admiring the way my new outfit shows off my assets.
No one's goin' to be seein' the person I used to be when I walk in wearing this.
As I'm heading down, Jisung strides into the kitchen. I can't help but notice the way his sweat makes his shirt cling.
Why does he have to walk in lookin' like that and makin' it impossible to keep my head on straight?
I see Jisung notices me, and I force myself to pull my eyes away from him as he makes his way to the stove, pulling off his hat and dropping it on the table as he passes by. As I step into the kitchen, Minho lets out a whistle.
"Look at you! Didn't realize you'd be classin' up the place so soon."
"Just one of the many skills I picked up while I was livin' it up in the big city."
"Glad you learned at least a couple useful things while you were gone."
Jisung leans against the counter, heat simmering in his eyes as he takes me in.
"You look--" He swallows hard as he drinks me in, then seems to remember where he is, and who's next to him. "...Nice. You look really nice."
With one last, lingering stare he turns back to the stove, flipping on the burner and throwing a part of butter into the waiting pan.
"The usual for me, Jisung. Three eggs, bacon and toast.
I remember Jisung making snacks in high school, but it's clear from his ease in the kitchen that cooking is a daily routine.
"(Y/N)? What're you in the mood for?"
"I'll have the same."
"Two Lee specials comin' right up. I'd almost forgotten how much y'all have in common."
"Maybe when it comes to breakfast. But for the record, I'm the pretty one."
"Won't argue with you there."
Soon, Jisung places a plate before me and takes a seat. We all tuck in...and I can't hide my delight at how delicious it is!
"Jisung, this is incredible. What did you do to these eggs?"
"I ditch the milk. And I cook them in butter over very low heat. Otherwise, they dry out. The rest is just practice, I guess."
"Jisung had to learn to cook. Helped him win points with all those bunnies he brought home, ain't that right?" Minho points out with a laugh.
"I don't know about that..."
"Don't be fooled by the aww-shucks look. Jisung's an irredeemable player. You even think about bringin' someone like him home... Well, don't think it, y'hear? I'm a peaceful man, but I have my limits."
"I'm not sure how your limits are relevant, given it's my life." I tell him.
"You're my kid sister. I refuse to let you throw yourself away on a man like that. Jisung gets it, right?"
"I do. Some folks aren't built for stayin'."
"Exactly. But enough chatter, I gotta go water the horses. Y'all think you can handle clearin' up in here?"
"Sure thing, buddy."
Lee Know heads out, leaving me and Jisung alone. At first we move around each other warily, but before long we're both at the sink, me washing, him drying.
"Already earnin' your keep, huh?"
"You know me. Just here to help."
Our fingers brush as I hand him a plate, and the same electricity I felt earlier crackles to life in an instant. I think Jisung will pull away, but he runs a hand up the inside of my wrist, making me shiver.
"You always have been helpful. But other things...other things about you are different."
"Oh yeah? Like what?"
Jisung turns his head to take me in, gaze dark and intense in the soft light of the kitchen.
"You know what you want, for one thing."
"That's true. And I'm not afraid to go after it, either."
"I twist my hand to slide it into Jisung's, tugging him closer. He leans in, neither of us able to resist the pull of our feelings, when...
"Everything good in here?"
"Minho! How long have you been standin' there?"
"Why, worried I'd catch the two of y'all bickerin' like you used to?"
Jisung swallows hard, dropping my arm and subtly moving away from me.
"That's about the long and short of it." Jisung replies to Minho.
"Well figure out how to play nice. Jisung's gonna be here for a long spell, and I can't stomach the two of y'all goin' at it every damn day."
"A long spell. Uhh, right..." Jisung says nervously.
Jisung and I glance at each other, the surprise and anxiety I'm feeling mirrored in his eyes...
Clearly Jisung's as surprised to hear this is a long-term gig as I ma. But if he's stickin' around indefinitely, how will we ever be able to resist this thing?