#business or pleasure

[bigdreamsandwildthings]

This book haul sums up my reading tastes well 👻💜

[biaswreckingfics]

Business or Pleasure? - Part 1

Pairing: Lee Sangyeon x Female Reader

Genre: CEO AU, Fake Dating AU, Angst, Fluff

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: None

Standing outside of the massive concrete skyscraper, you take a deep breath and try not to let the giant monolith in front of you - and everyone inside of it - intimidate you. From the reflection of the street-lined windows, you can see the hesitancy on your face. The overwhelming feeling that you just stepped into a role you're unprepared for threatens to drown you, but you do your best to shove it aside.

Wiping that look of fear off your face, you smooth down your business suit and turn your head side to side to make sure your hair is still in place. When you're satisfied you look exactly as you did when you left the house, you hike your bag up your shoulder and give yourself a small nod.

You've got this.

Before you chicken out, you move over to the revolving door and walk into one of the turning sections. You count to three before you come out on the other side and look straight ahead to the receptionist. 

His mahogany desk sits in front of a bank of elevators that are already well into being used. Employees scurry around you as you try to take in the open first floor. Stairs disappear into the walls of each side of the building - for those brave souls who refuse to wait with twenty other people for an elevator. The thought of climbing up to one of the top floors makes you want to vomit. You already know the day you have to use those stairs for any reason will be your last one as an employee because there's absolutely no way you'd put yourself through that. 

The flooring under your feet catches your attention. Flecks of gold veins run through the hard marble stone, and you're positive that this section of floor alone costs more than your apartment. That feeling of "what are you doing here" starts to bubble up again, and you force yourself to move over to the receptionist's desk before you let it take hold.

The man looks up as you approach, and you can already tell he's a little younger than you. A wide smile takes over his face, causing his eyes to crease. You can almost feel the positive energy radiating off of him.

"Welcome! How can I help you?"

The warmth in his greeting helps remove some of your stress, and you smile back at him. "Hello… I'm a new hire… I'm supposed to be starting today, but I have no idea where to go…"

"That's no problem," he smiles. "Which company are you working for?"

"Lee Technologies Incorporated…" you nervously swallow as you remember you're now working for one of the biggest companies in the technological industry. 

His eyes light up. "Hey! I have some friends that work for Lee Tech! Who's your boss?"

"Lee Sangyeon."

The smile vanishes from his face so rapidly that you almost take a step back. His suddenly wide eyes and slightly ajar mouth cause your heart to tumble down into your stomach. What the heck kind of reaction is this?

Almost like he can sense your guard coming up, he shakes himself from his stupor and focuses on his computer. "Um… What's your name?"

Once you give him your identification, your eyes fall to his nameplate. Eric Sohn. Your gaze flashes back up to him, taking in the wavy brown hair and the now hesitant expression on his face. His reaction has spooked you out even more than you already were. The urge to turn around and go right back out the exit grows until his attention comes back to you.

"Looks like you're going straight to the top floor…"

There's a look on his face like he wants to say more, but he holds himself back. You gnaw on your lip for a moment before you decide to just ask.

"I'm sorry, but why did you react like that when I told you his name?"

Eric's eyes widen like he got caught doing something he shouldn't have. He shakes his head. "I was just being… Actually, can I be honest with you?"

"Please."

He takes a deep breath. "He has a reputation around here… Everyone always talks about how mean and cold he is. He has a no-nonsense attitude, and I don't think I've ever seen the man smile. I have seen him fire five people, though, and I've only been here for three months."

All you can do is blink as he stares at you, waiting for your reaction. The spooked-out look is still on his face as you process his words. You've dealt with asshole bosses before, but you have to admit, Eric's reaction is freaking you out a little. Especially considering this mean cold man is now your direct boss… and you're his personal assistant. 

"But I'm sure you'll be fine!" Eric smiles, trying to reassure you. "They're probably just rumors."

His smile is anything but reassuring, and you can tell he doesn't even believe his own words, but you nod anyway.

"Thank you… I should probably go," you say, backing away from his desk and hooking your thumb toward the elevators.

"Yes! You absolutely do not want to be late!"

The two of you exchange goodbyes, and you move over to the bank of elevators, standing just behind a group that's waiting to go up. They silently watch the elevator come down thanks to the numbered panels above each door, and you think over everything Eric just told you.

What you've just learned about your new boss both surprises you and doesn't. Knowing that Lee Sangyeon is the CEO of Lee Technologies, you kind of expected that he would have the same kind of reputation as most CEOs out there - rude, unforgiving, an asshole - but to hear that he has fired so many people in such a short time is wild. To find out that his reputation has preceded him all the way to the building's receptionist is surprising.

An elevator door slides open, and you shuffle inside along with the rest of the herd. You find yourself pressed against the side opposite the buttons, and you watch as everyone punches in their floor numbers. Nearly every floor except for 75.

With an internal sigh, you ask the man next to the panel if he can push the button for you. His eyebrows raise, and you notice a couple of people glance over at you, but he eventually hits the button. Thanking him, you lean against the wall and prepare for the long ascent.

The interview you had for this job pops into your brain, and you replay it for any hints. Mr. Lee wasn't there, as he was apparently too busy, but you were interviewed by a couple of other higher-ups in the company, and everything seemed pretty professional. You didn't get the idea that they were trying to hire for a jackass or anything. 

As the elevator moves higher and more people get on and off, you decide to push Eric's words out of your mind. They don't need to be there with you on your first freaking day. You need to focus on the matter at hand, not the rumors about your boss.

By the time you reach the 75th floor, you've calmed yourself, and you're once again ready to take on the day. You step out of the elevator with your head held high and approach the first desk you see.

Assumingly, the friendly older lady behind the desk is another receptionist - one for this specific floor - and you smile at her. She politely greets you, and when she realizes who you are, she stands up and comes around her desk. 

"If you'll just follow me this way," she says as she begins to lead you past a series of cubicles toward the far wall of the building.

You barely get a chance to look around as you walk through because the first thing you notice is the stares from half of the room. With each cubicle you pass, more heads swivel your way. The noise of the room ahead of you gets quiet, but with each step of your foot, the murmurs behind you rise. You imagine this is the same treatment you'd get if you rolled around in a pile of pig shit and stepped into a room full of people.

Daring to meet some of their eyes, you're surprised to find pity or sympathy in them. All you can wonder is what the hell this man has done to earn such a response. Especially when you overhear someone telling someone else that you're the new mob boss's assistant. 

Mob boss? Really? What's next? Are they going to call him Satan?

"Ignore them, dear," the elder lady's words float back to you. "Most of them are afraid of their own shadows."

She comes to a stop outside of a wooden door and knocks. You glance at the windows on either side of it, but the blinds are closed, effectively sealing the CEO away from the peasants. Looking over to your right, you notice a neat, sparse desk. The only thing on top of it is a computer, a keyboard, and an empty filing tray.

The door opens, and you're greeted with the sight of your new mob boss. Your heart picks up speed as you take in the attractive man in front of you, but you keep your expression neutral. Mr. Lee looks between the two of you before he moves away from the door and walks over to stand in front of his desk.

Forcing your feet to move, you step inside his office and take in the view. It's very neat and orderly with few decorations. Bookshelves take up the entire right wall, showcasing texts on computers, the internet, etc. Some of the shelves have little knick knacks and bland decor pieces. A couple of them have picture frames featuring Mr. Lee and people you assume to be his family and friends.

His desk is just as tidy as the shelves, and you quickly make a mental note that your new boss clearly likes things to be in order. No clutter, no trash. Your eyes sweep past him - because you're absolutely not ready to take in his features again - and land on the floor-to-ceiling windows that take up the entire wall behind him. The view is impressive. The entire city seems to be sprawling at his feet, and you can't help but wonder how fitting that probably is.

When the silence of the room registers in your ears, you look back at Mr. Lee and the receptionist and find them both staring at you. Realizing the lady introduced you, you walk over and shake Mr. Lee's waiting hand. 

"It's nice to meet you, sir."

"You, as well," he murmurs.

You force yourself to take a step back and meet his gaze. The man is… absurdly attractive. 

He's a couple of inches taller than you. Not enough that you have to tilt your heads to look at each other, but enough that it's obvious who's taller. His tanned skin peeks out at his collar, and you can't help but notice how smooth and flawless it looks. His face is adorned with prominent, thick eyebrows and a pointed nose, but the real eye-catcher is his lips - full and pretty pink.

He's a handsome man, especially with his hair swooped to the sides of his face, showing off his forehead. You ignore the fact that your heart is probably going to beat out of your chest every time you see him and focus on the fact that you're most likely gonna have to kick quite a few women to the curb for him. Great. 

"That'll be all, Mrs. Park. Thank you."

Mrs. Park bows her head and turns for the door. She flashes you a smile as she goes and you find yourself smiling back. When you turn back to Sangyeon, you notice him staring blankly at you, and the smile falls from your face.

"There are a few things I expect from you as my assistant. Number one, be on time. I don't know why I have to point that out when it should be obvious, but apparently, some people just don't get it. Number two, if I ask for something once, please don't make me ask a second time. If it's something important, do it right away. Don't think it can wait for five minutes or until you're done with whatever it is you're doing."

He pauses, and you nod your head to show him you're listening. Satisfied, he continues. 

"Third, try to keep your desk neat. You're an extension of me, so please don't allow your area to look messy. Lastly, I don't expect you to learn my lunch or coffee order. Don't worry about stuff I can take care of on my own. I want your focus to be on the actual work I have you doing."

"Yes, Mr. Lee," you respond because those are all very reasonable requests and ones you already expected. Well, not the food one… You expected to be his little gopher in that area. 

He nods. "Great, then we should be all set. Everything else I assume you'll learn along the way. If you have any questions - as long as they're not moronic - feel free to ask me."

You ignore the last remark because you already know if you're coming to this man with a question… It's because it’s your absolute last resort.

"Your desk is right outside of my office. You're free to go settle in for now. I'll have Mrs. Park send someone over to give you a tour of the office.

"Thank you, sir." You turn to go, but his voice stops you.

"Mr. Lee is fine. You don't need to call me sir."

Glancing back at him, you see him move behind his desk without another look your way. Shrugging it off, you exit his office and walk the few feet to your desk. 

It's a decent-sized desk. The dark wood makes it appear expensive. For all you know, it probably is. You settle down into the cushy desk chair, and you're pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it is. The monitor and keyboard are, of course, state-of-the-art. You can't own a technology company and give your employees crappy electronics.

Remembering your shoulder bag that's been tucked tightly between your arm and torso, you pull out the few pieces you brought and start setting up your desk exactly how you want it. Along the way, you find brand-new supplies tucked in your top drawer and a sticky note with a username and password on top of them. Just as you type the information into the computer, a figure steps up next to your desk.

Looking up, you see a younger-looking man smiling at you. His dimples immediately pop out, and his smile causes the edge of his eyes to crinkle. You'd almost think he's too young to work here, but his sharp, intelligent eyes disprove that theory. 

"Hello, I'm Changmin," he introduces himself. "I've been sent to give you a tour."

His eyes flash to the windows behind you, and you feel yourself deflate just a tad more. Apparently, the entire building is convinced you work for Voldermort.

"Great! Thank you," you push your pessimism to the side and stand up. "I have absolutely no idea where anything is."

Changmin starts up the same aisle you originally came down, expecting you to follow. You quickly walk behind him as he points out the different departments that you're beginning to notice the cubicles are situated in. He shows you the supply room and where the other higher-ups' offices are, and then he shows you the break room.

Only a couple of people are in there, but they all stop what they're doing to look up at you. The sigh you make must've been louder than you meant it to be because Changmin looks back at you with a raised brow.

"Everything okay?"

Deciding to be candid, you ask, "Is everyone going to do that every time they see me?"

His lips purse to one side as he decides how to respond. "Mr. Lee has -"

"A reputation. I know."

He nods. "Look, I'm just going to be honest with you. Mr. Lee is serious. He doesn't joke around, and he won't hesitate to discipline someone. He's cold to 95% of the people who work here, and we consider it a national holiday when that man smiles."

"That's pretty much what I've been told," you glumly reply.

Changmin furrows his brows. "Who told you all of that? You've been here for like five minutes."

"The receptionist on the ground floor looked like he was going to pee his pants."

Changmin laughs and nods. "Eric. Yeah, he's heard some horror stories… Speaking of which, there's a bar down the block that some of us go to after work. You should come sometime."

Already nodding, you say, "Sure, that sounds nice… and depending on how work goes, I may need to thoroughly drown my sorrows."

Changmin shakes his head, letting a little laugh slip out before he gets serious again. "Form your own opinions about Mr. Lee because for how serious and cold he comes across, he's the best at what he does. He cares about the company and the people who work for it. He's calm, and he's got a level head. All you have to do is do your job like he asks, and you'll be fine."

Once the tour concludes, you head back to your desk. Having that conversation with Changmin has surprisingly calmed your nerves, and you feel slightly better. You're happy to know that your boss isn't a total ass. There's empathy somewhere in there.

For the next few hours, you get a handle on your job. You quickly begin to understand what Mr. Lee wants, and find that everything he has asked for is completely reasonable… You learn how to file his paperwork, he's made sure his schedule is synced up with yours, so you're aware of all of his meetings, and he's made sure you have everything you need. Everything has gone… swimmingly. Especially considering all of the warnings you’ve had about him.

Just after lunch, a nervous duo stops in front of your desk. You look up to find a pale redhead and her blonde counterpart anxiously watching you. Putting your pen down, you ask, "Can I help you?"

"We have a meeting with Mr. Lee…" The woman quietly responds. "Janette Davis and Mark Greene."

With a nod, you pull up Mr. Lee's schedule and see that he does in fact have a meeting with them. You look back up at the pair, noticing how close they're standing and how they carefully pretend not to look at each other.

Figuring you won't make them wait any longer, you stand up and motion for them to follow you. Knocking on Mr. Lee's door twice, you push open the door when he answers you.

"Mr. Lee, Ms. Davis and Mr. Greene are here."

He nods, and you back away, allowing the couple to pass you. Just before you move to shut his door and go back to your seat, Mr. Lee's voice stops you.

"Would you mind staying in here as a witness?"

Your stomach drops to your feet, but you quietly nod and shut the door. The energy of the room is tense. Mark and Janette look afraid, and you couldn't feel more awkward if you wanted to. Mr. Lee notes all of this and motions for the couple to sit in the chairs at his desk, while his gaze finds yours and he subtly nods to the couch below the windows. Quickly complying with his silent order, you take a seat and listen. 

Mr. Lee's eyes carefully look between the two employees. From your vantage point, you can see Mark nervously fidgeting. Janette is sitting ramrod straight in her chair.

"I was made aware that the two of you were caught in… less than ideal circumstances during company time." He falls silent and raises a brow until they both confirm it. "I'm sure you're both well aware that I don't approve of employees screwing around when they're supposed to be working. Do whatever you want outside of this building, but when you're here, your time belongs to the company."

The couple mumbles, "yes, Mr. Lee," and he slightly nods before continuing. 

"The next time I'm made aware of another incident, you'll both be transferred to other branches. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," they simultaneously reply.

Mr. Lee's eyes find yours, and you notice his pointed stare. You sit up a little straighter when you realize this message is for you as well. He notices your reaction and then focuses back on the couple in front of him, leaving you wondering if you truly saw the quick uptick of the corner of his lips like you thought you did.

"Now that we're all on the same page, that'll be it. You can go back to work now."

The couple jumps out of their chairs and scurries from the room like it's on fire. Mr. Lee watches them flee for a moment and then focuses his attention on you.

"Everyone here gets one warning, and that includes you. Show up on time and do what you're told, and you'll be golden. Mess around and waste my time, and you'll be gone before you can even comprehend what's happening. Got it?"

You don't know why you do it. You have absolutely zero clue why the words fall from your lips. Maybe it's because his words trigger your defensive streak, but you hear yourself replying, "yes, sir," in response. This time, you're positive you see the corner of his mouth lift.

Tagging: @jungkooksworld18 <3

[displayheartcode]

“I’m not going to tell anyone,” I say firmly. “Or put it in the book.”

This only makes him laugh more, which turns into a groan. “I can see it now. How to Make Your Girlfriend Howl with Laughter . . . In Bed.”

“Instant bestseller.”

business or pleasure by rachel lynn solomon

[tiistirtipii]

BoP Ayan (is a lawyer)

also BoP Ayan: my boss can get fired for sleeping with an intern?? 🤯

[sarcasmiclife]

[a-skirmish-of-wit-and-lit]

Book Review: Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Cute, cute, cute! Celebrity-who-falls-in-love-with-a-normie romances are always entertaining, but this one had added elements of humor, sex positivity, and good communication.

Chandler and Finn have a lovely connection, at least once you get over the awkwardness of their first intimate encounter, which moonlights as a one night stand gone wrong. So, SO wrong. ☠️ He's an actor who's famous for being on a popular teen werewolf show, The Nocturnals, over a decade ago. (It's sort of a cross between Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries.) She's hired to ghostwrite his memoir. Moreover, after he learns how disastrously unsatisfying their night was together, he asks her to give him pointers and they help each other grow inside and outside of the bedroom.

I liked the Comic Con backdrop, with Chandler and Finn traveling from city to city to attend cons. It provided an element of forced proximity while also grounding readers in Finn's profession as well as adding changeability to the plot. I also thought the story relayed an important message about communicating wants and desires in a relationship.

Though the pacing could be stilted at times, and I sometimes felt disconnected from the characters, this was enjoyable overall. I had a good time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

3/5 stars

**Follow me on Goodreads

[starryalpacasstuff]

@firstkanaphans

I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself

i don’t WANNA use this site for business this my site for PLEASURE. FUCK!!!!!!!

[jerrycummblr]

Will you be standing on business or pleasure?

[coolgirlcritiques]

Rachel Lynn Solomon's 'Business or Pleasure,' Is a Steamy, Romantic Delight — Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Rachel Lynn Solomon is one of those authors who has delivered a near-perfect rom-com experience every time I pick up one of her books. She writes strong female voices, tackles sophisticated adult struggles with an earnest inner monologue, and knows how to stick the landing with that cliche happily-ever-after. Yet when we discuss names within the ethos of the current…

[shake-your-money-maker]

[biaswreckingfics]

Business or Pleasure? - Part 4

Pairing: Lee Sangyeon x Female Reader

Genre: CEO AU, Fake Dating AU, Fluff, Angst

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: None

Previous Chapter

Sangyeon's POV

Sangyeon walks through the office at a steady pace, well aware of the stares he's getting as he passes. His eyes stay focused on the back wall, where his office - which he can see growing between the cubicles - is located. The stares he gets almost make him itchy, but he refuses to allow that to show on his face until your words come back to him.

Mob boss.

Who on Earth thinks of such ridiculous things? Even worse, Sangyeon finds himself wondering if he should smile at some of them. Would that be weird?

That'd probably be weird. Hell, by the end of the day, they might all think they're getting fired or something. 

Sangyeon feels relief when he approaches your empty desk. He's almost to his office, and then he can shield himself from everyone's eyes for the rest of the day.

Something on your desk catches his attention, and he pauses to look at it. A cup holder filled with all types of silly pens sits front and center on your desk. Sangyeon takes a minute to look at all of them, noting the giant smiley face, the multicolored flower, and the... pink-haired troll?

He feels a smile tug at his lips and shakes his head. He's not the least bit surprised you would have a bunch of random pens in a "professional environment". The more he learns your quirks, the more he's coming to expect them.

Opening his office door and immediately closing it behind him, he thinks about how you did the same thing last week and then offered to help him of all things. In the nearly ten years he's had this job, there have been very few others like you, and certainly, no one who was brave enough to outright call him a liar. It's amusing.

You've only been here for a couple of weeks, and already Sangyeon finds himself laughing at the most random and absurd things. He almost wonders if he should be worried...

A vibrating in his pocket tells him someone is calling him. Tossing his briefcase on his desk, he digs his phone out and answers without looking. A terrible mistake.

His mom's voice greets him, and his mind is already racing to come up with an excuse for what he knows she's about to ask.

"My darling boy, I hope you're not busy yet."

"No, mom. I just got to the office. I can talk for a little bit."

"Oh, good! I want to talk to you about your sister's wedding."

Sangyeon shuts his eyes and sinks down into his chair. He hates that he has this inability to lie to her. He should've attempted it anyways. He should've told her someone needed him for something. Maybe he still can...

"Do you have a date yet?"

He sighs. "No, mom. I haven't had time to ask anyone if they're available."

"Sangyeon," his mom whines, and he can almost physically see her pout. "You have to start putting yourself first! You work so much that it's going to be the death of you."

"I know, mom," he relents because he's used to this line of conversation. If he lets her go on any longer, they'll end up at the "I want grandbabies" stage. The thought alone makes Sangyeon want to physically recoil.

"You're so attractive, and you're wasting your youth in that stuffy office," she tuts. "It's a good thing you have a mother like me to help you out."

Sangyeon pauses, not liking the sound of that one bit. "What does that mean?"

"Well, I knew you were going to be too busy to do it yourself, so I found you a date," she nonchalantly says.

Sangyeon's stomach drops, and he suddenly feels lightheaded. "No! I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?"

"I mean," he pauses when his office door opens. You pop in your head, mouthing an apology when you notice he's on the phone, and quietly shut the door. The next words that come out of his mouth are done without thought. "I already have someone that I want to ask."

The silence that reaches his ears has him holding his breath. "Are you lying to your mother right now?"

"No, I'm not. There's someone that I'm planning to ask, but it's still too early."

It takes a moment, but then his mom starts squealing in his ears. He pulls his phone away, wincing at the sound. He tries to make out the words she's saying, and at some point, he's pretty sure he hears the words "My baby has a girlfriend".

"Mom," he tries to get her attention. "Mom!"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'm just so relieved," she tells him, getting ready to go on the spiel he's heard a hundred times before. "You know how badly I've been hoping you'd find someone. It's been such a long time."

"It hasn't been that long," he mutters.

His mother scoffs. "Yes, it has, honey, and that's okay! You should ask your date soon, though. The wedding is this weekend."

Sangyeon sits up in his seat, eyes shooting over to the calendar. Holy freaking crap. How is the wedding already here?! He hasn't even gotten a gift yet!

"Sangyeon?" He hears his mom calling his name, and he clears his throat.

"I'll make sure to ask her today, mom. I have to go, though. Someone's at my door. I'll see you this weekend. Love you!"

He hangs up the phone and sinks into his seat. He is so screwed. How is he going to get you to come with him? Not only is it such short notice, but it's wildly inappropriate. He's your boss! Also, why did just seeing your face give him the idea to ask you? Where did that thought even come from?

Maybe there's someone else he can ask... He pulls out his phone and starts scrolling through his contacts. His body feels heavier and heavier the further down he scrolls. All of his contacts are business related, except for a few, and those ones he's not willing to ask to be his date this weekend.

Sangyeon stares blankly at the chairs in front of him. The disbelief over his lie truly starting to settle in. He'd never intended to ask you out. Truthfully, the thought never crossed his mind because dating is so far off his radar. Then, his mom said she'd found him a date, and he panicked. When you popped into his office, it was like fate was giving him a way out, and he seized it. Quickly. ... Maybe too quickly.

He starts mentally making a pros and cons list. Pros? You're easy to get along with, you're better than someone he barely knows, and you're... very attractive - though Sangyeon will never admit that out loud. Cons? He's your freaking boss, and it's basically illegal!

Y/N's POV

The phone on your desk rings, and you immediately answer without looking at the screen. When you hear Sangyeon's voice telling you it's okay to come into his office now, you quickly disconnect the call and grab your notebook.

When you enter his office, his face appears even more strained than it did the first time you popped in. He suddenly looks like he wants to sprint out of his office unseen, but he tries to cover it up when he spots you.

"Good morning," he murmurs, and you detect a slight breathiness behind it.

"Morning," you respond as cheerfully as you can. As if your response will determine his mood change. "So, I just thought I'd go over your schedule for -"

"Are you busy this weekend?"

Your entire being freezes as you try to process his question. Mouth still hanging open, you furrow your brows and look around his office dumbfounded. Are you busy this weekend? Why? Does Lee Tech have an event or something? Nothing is immediately coming to mind.

"No?" You let the questioning tone linger in your voice.

He takes a deep breath. "I know this isn't entirely appropriate... but I'm wondering if you'll accompany me to a wedding on Saturday?"

There's a nervous glint in his eyes as he watches your reaction. Surely, you didn't hear him right... There's no possible way that your boss - the CEO of Lee Tech - just asked you to come with him to a WEDDING. The boss that says he doesn't want his employees dating. Your BOSS?

The panic starts to set in. You need to say no. You should say no. Can you say no? There's no way you can go as his date to anything, right? That's just... That's... absurd.

Sangyeon must see the emotions flitting across your face because he quickly attempts to distill your impending freakout. "This will in no way affect your job. I'll even pay you if you want."

He winces as he hears his words, and you pause long enough to consider if he's offering you a job as an escort or something. 

"That's not..." he sighs, one of his hands coming up to rub his temple. "My mother is trying to set me up with a blind date for my sister's wedding. In a moment of recklessness, I told her that I already had one. Now, I have to find someone to be my date, and it'll either be you or some stranger off the street."

Some of your panic dissipates. At least there's a reason behind why he's randomly asking you, and it's not that he's into you or anything. Still, you can't help but wonder why you're an option.

"There's no one else you can take?"

He only looks slightly uncomfortable when he responds. "There's no one else that I'm willing to take. No. I suppose if you tell me no, I can make one of those dating profiles, but... that seems more complicated than just asking you."

There's a part of you that's trying to figure out if you should be flattered or insulted by this entire situation. Not that it matters, but still.

"So, I can say no?"

He gives you a serious look. "Your answer will absolutely not affect your work in the slightest. If you say yes, that's great. Nothing will change. If you say no, I'll make one of those dating profiles and hope for the best."

Sangyeon's face, as he thinks about the second option, is comical. He looks like he'd rather have a root canal than get on a dating profile. That, paired with his claim that this changes absolutely nothing, helps relax you the rest of the way. One thing you've learned about him is that he means what he says.

"Okay."

"Okay?" He repeats with wide eyes like he's not sure he heard you properly.

You nod. "I'll be your fake date, but you have to come up with a cover story because I'm not doing that."

"Done. Fine. That's... great." He abruptly stands up from his seat. "Thank you."

Seeing Sangyeon so bent out of shape pleases you for some reason. It makes you feel like you're on the same playing level for once, and a part of you is dying to find out the backstory behind it and why he has an extreme aversion to dating. Hopefully, you'll find out when you get around his family.

----------------------------------

When you get home that night, you very much find yourself needing some bff time to decompress everything that's happened since you started the new job. Thankfully, you had the insight to text Kevin before you left work and asked begged him to come over asap.

What you didn't count on - though you one thousand percent should've - was him absolutely living for all of the mess you're telling him.

"Wait. Wait. Wait." Kevin waves his hand, his wine frighteningly close to spilling on your couch. "Which one did you sleep with?"

You sigh for the tenth time. "That's Sunwoo. Sangyeon is the one that asked me to the wedding."

"And which one is the sexy one?"

You purse your lips, already irritated by your answer. "Both of them."

Kevin lightly touches his face like he's going to cry. "I'm so proud of you. I always knew I raised you to be a hoe."

"Kevin! I am not being a hoe!" You toss our throw pillow at him, no longer caring if he drips some wine onto your plush couch.

"Shh," he holds up his hand. "Let me live in the moment."

You fall back until your head lands on the arm of the couch. Looking up at the ceiling, you contemplate how this is your life right now.

A hand pats your thigh, and you glance down at Kevin, who's giving you a look of fake sympathy. "It'll be okay. The wedding will be over before you know it, and everything will go back to normal."

"Do you really think so?"

He bites his lips and stares at you before it finally comes out. "Girl, you're going to a wedding with your boss! No! It's never going to be simple again."

You whine because you know he's probably right - no matter how much Sangyeon claims otherwise.

"What you need to do is take advantage of the situation."

Furrowing your brows, you ask, "How do I do that?'"

Kevin takes a small sip of his wine before he nonchalantly says, "You need to find out who has the bigger dick."

This time, the wine spilling all over your couch is your fault, but it's worth every single stain.

Tagging: @jungkooksworld18 @sungbeam @jenowithjaem @ilovechanhee @maybeifyoutrieddd @winterbeartaehyungbestboy @dontflailmenow @winterchimez @belle643

[art-in-distress]

Partner (business or pleasure)

[stardustandrockets]

How did your reading in September turn out?

I read more than I thought I would this month. Though I don't know why I'm surprised by that when five of the six books I read were audiobooks. Five of the six books were also books I own, so I'm slowly whittling down my physical tbr.

Books read:

• Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry

• Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca

• A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

• So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

• Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

My favorite this month was definitely Down Comes the Night! It's Crimson Peak (sans incest) with a magical twist. The paperback edition comes out on Tuesday, and there's still time to get in on the pre-order campaign.

[leleslibrary]

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

There are several things that I enjoyed about this book, and one of them is the mental illness representation—in the form of generalized anxiety in the FMC, Chandler, and OCD in the MMC, Finn. Few books tackle a MMC with mental health issues and I really appreciated the way that this one did. I have no experience with OCD, so I cannot speak to its veracity, but the anxiety rep was pretty close to my own experience, and felt like it was treated respectfully.

I also liked the subversion of expectations regarding Finn’s skills in the bedroom. It’s nice to read something where it’s not all 100% orgasmic from the start, and the couple grows together to learn what they need and like in that regard.

As far as the couple goes, they seemed so healthy in their communication, and in how they treated and respected one another. I love that there wasn’t a traditional third act break up. My only issue is that it all felt a little tepid, chemistry wise.

[wahlpaper]

Business or Pleasure Review

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

CW: Sexual and Kink Content, Swearing, Drinking, Unhealthy Pining, Work Stress, Abusive Parent, Parental Abandonment, Mental Health Struggles, Creepy Dolls, Snow Storm, Ableism (Deliberate and Unintentional), Described Panic Attacks, Past Abortion with Protesters

4.5/5

I think this book found me at just the right time, and I do mean that it found me. I had no idea that Rachel Lynn Solomon was releasing a new book this month. When Libby notified me that the audiobook for Business or Pleasure was available, I jumped on it! I'm happy for Solomon that I was not the only one. I ended up second in line and others filed in after me. I didn't read what it was about until the book got to me. I was wary of the amount of sex it was sure to include, but I don't say no to Solomon's books.

Recently I have been thinking more about where I fall on the asexual spectrum and have been considering demisexuality again. Much of the sex in the book is treated in a healthy and informative way, providing me with information I feel that I needed to hear. Business or Pleasure is what I had hoped The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang would be.

The main character, Chandler Cohen, is a ghostwriter for celebrity memoirs, but this isn't what she really wants to do. Her third book is for an influencer who can't remember Chandler when she shows up for the book signing. After this leaves her feeling more ghostlike than author-like, she heads for the bookstore bar and bumps into a struggling actor. Not realizing who he is, they have a one-night stand. Unfortunately for Chandler, he's bad in bed. What's worse is that he ends up being her next client. When it comes out that he thought it was a great time and she didn't, she starts to give him lessons. Will they be able to keep things professional?

If you're looking for a lot of Jewish content in your contemporary adult romcom, this is not the book for you. I'd recommend Weather Girl or The Ex-Talk for that, both by Solomon. There is positive Jewish representation and content in Business or Pleasure, as both main characters are Jewish, but it's not a lot. It was joked about that Finn, Chandler's love interest, starred in a Christmas Hallmark-like movie, but that he snuck a menorah in the background. There were a few other small references like this. I would have liked more, but the book was still very enjoyable with the level of Judaism incorporated into it.

I love that Solomon always features mental health in her books. In Business or Pleasure we witness Chandler's anxiety, which is shown to involve panic attacks, imposter syndrome, and a fear of sticking up for herself. Finn has OCD, diagnosed and being treated before the book starts. Through the writing of his memoir, the audience learns more about his relationship with it and what it was like for him as a child. Both Chandler and Finn talk about going to therapy and loving it. It's unclear if Chandler is neurodivergent, but the romance in this story shows that it's beneficial to have a relationship with someone who can empathize with your own mental health struggles and experiences.

I'd like to circle back to the sexual content of Business or Pleasure now. The lessons that Chandler gives Finn are on things that make sex more enjoyable and healthier. As per usual, I found myself tuning out some during the more hard-core sex scenes, but the more informative ones caught my attention. Some of the important things were that you need to listen to your partner, penetration is not the only way to have sex and doesn't need to be the "main event", do not open a condom with your mouth, and that different people will like different things. Chandler is working on writing a book of her own. When she talks to her parents about it, she jokingly asks them to skip certain parts. These are all the sex scenes, of course. I wish I could have a guide like that for each romance book I read! Not for this one, though. As hesitant as I was, I believe I needed the information.

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a great romcom. All the best tropes, healthy romance, very nerdy, and a trip across America! It has a good plot and pace with well-developed characters all around! I definitely recommend this book to those who are looking for something like it and those who don't think they are. You may just find something you need!

[queenvreads]

REVIEW: Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

*Contains Spoilers*

2/5 ⭐⭐

This was interesting, to say the least.

The premise was fun.. but the execution of it was not.. fun.

Finn & Chandler. What an odd couple. I was drawn into their chemistry and then disaster struck and he was awful in bed.

Finn - how could he be so terrible while nailing the dirty talk? That had me scratching my head. And Chandler giving him sex lessons? 😅 It was strange.

I did like was the Comic-Con theme, where Finn is a former teenage heartthrob from a supernatural show. I was invested, but by around 40% into the book, things started to get confusing. Did they have chemistry or not? It felt like a constant back-and-forth. Sometimes, it seemed like they did, but then the author would throw a curveball, making it seem like they didn't and had to work on it.

I hate to say it, but I couldn't bring myself to finish the book. Maybe I'm just more into straightforward alpha males who know what they're doing in the romance department.

While it didn't quite hit the mark for me, I'm sure there are readers out there who might enjoy the unique dynamics and unusual twists in the romance plot. It just wasn't my cup of tea, but hey, different strokes for different folks, right? If you're into complex relationships and don't mind a bit of a confusing ride, this might be right up your alley. For me, though, I prefer my romance stories to be a bit more straightforward and less of a seesaw of emotions. 🙈 🙈

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