Chapter 144: First Love

[Chapter 144: First Love]

"Never been in a relationship?" Ryan and Taylor said in unison.

"Yeah, I'm usually really busy, and with my height, it's hard to find someone right for me, so here I am," Karlie admitted, her gaze lowered, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Taylor found it hard to believe. "Then let Ryan teach you; he's quite the expert."

"I don't have an opinion either way," Ryan said, reluctantly accepting.

"Alright, it's settled then! Karlie, you're coming with me back to Nashville..." Taylor decided.

...

Ten days later, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Taylor drove Karlie Kloss to the beach view rental house Ryan had booked.

"This place is absolutely gorgeous!" Karlie said, leaning against the railing, taking in the endless blue sea and sky. The palm trees swayed gently in the sunlight, and the fresh scent of sea salt filled the air, making her feel particularly cheerful -- such a contrast to her usual life in the high-rises of New York.

Ryan lounged on a deck chair, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops, appearing a bit carefree.

Karlie turned to Ryan, eager to share her experiences in Nashville over the past few days.

Not only had Taylor taught her to sing, but she had also stayed at Taylor's place, sharing the same bed. Of course, they were both completely straight; their bond was purely sisterly.

Ryan noticed that Karlie seemed noticeably happier, probably thanks to Taylor's encouragement.

Karlie spun around, opened her arms, and shouted into the sea, before taking out her hair tie. Her golden hair tumbled down in the ocean breeze, creating a striking visual with her tall, slender frame.

"When are we starting to film?" Karlie asked, turning back to Ryan.

"Anytime you're ready," Ryan pointed to a portable video camera resting next to a coconut.

"Is that the only camera? Where's the director?"

"This MV doesn't have a director or a script. In fact, I'm the director," Ryan replied, sipping coconut water through a straw. The MV was supposed to have a sense of spontaneity, so the lower the pixel quality, the better the feel; that's why he used this basic setup.

He suddenly stood up, walked behind Karlie, and, drawing close, wrapped his arms around her from behind, gripping the railing.

Karlie felt her whole body stiffen at the unexpected physical contact.

...

"Imagine I'm your senior who's on the football team, and you're just a regular freshman who can't find friends because of your height. We've just met this semester, encountering each other in the library while borrowing the same book..."

"Our connection grows, and you happily come to watch me play, only to find me too close with a cheerleader."

"You leave feeling defeated, and later that night on the phone, I tell you that's my sister. One rainy night, I confess my feelings, and you say yes."

"I invite you to Punta Cana for the holidays; today is our first day..."

"Do you feel it yet?" Ryan softly asked.

Karlie turned her head slightly, looking puzzled. "Feel what?"

"This is not good." Ryan felt a bit disappointed; if Karlie didn't feel anything, there would be no MV to shoot.

...

Karlie lay back on the chaise next to Ryan.

"I've never been in love, but I've noticed the spark in Taylor's eyes when she talked about you -- just like this," she said, rolling onto her stomach, staring intently at Ryan.

"Do you feel anything?" Karlie asked softly.

"What kind of feeling?" Ryan pressed his lips together.

...

As the sun set, Ryan rode his motorcycle down the streets of Punta Cana with Karlie Kloss holding onto him. This place was one of the Dominican Republic's most famous tourist destinations, filled with five-star resorts and reasonable safety. Ryan felt like he could just be another regular guy, cruising through the city.

The wind whipped around Ryan as he enjoyed the ride, while Karlie hugged his waist, one hand holding the camera, capturing moments of the ride.

"Do we look like a couple?" Karlie asked quietly.

"Well, we need to finish filming the MV in three days," Ryan replied.

After trying for a while, they realized there wasn't much "couple" chemistry, so they awkwardly began filming.

Ryan parked at a semi-open restaurant with a prime sunset view.

...

After securing the bike, he extended his hand.

"What for?" Karlie asked, puzzled.

"Just remember, the moment the camera's rolling, we're a couple."

Karlie thought for a moment but still reached out, allowing Ryan to take her hand.

This was how it felt... Karlie vaguely sensed the warmth in Ryan's grip; the sensation was a little peculiar.

Ryan chose a seat on the edge, facing Karlie. He ordered a large spread of seafood.

"That's hot!" Karlie exclaimed as a lobster slipped from her hand.

Ryan immediately helped her break the lobster apart, holding a piece of meat and bringing it to Karlie's mouth.

"What are you doing?" Karlie asked, blushing a bit.

"The camera is still recording," Ryan reminded her.

"Just because the camera's rolling doesn't mean you can do anything you want," Karlie firmly refused.

"Open your mouth; it'll get cold, and it won't taste good."

Ryan held the piece up, pausing for a few seconds before Karlie finally opened her mouth and carefully took a bite.

"Now it's your turn," Ryan said, lowering his hand.

"What now?"

"Now you feed me." Ryan raised an eyebrow, taking advantage of the moment.

Under the table, Karlie playfully kicked Ryan.

"That should be enough." She quickly snatched her hand back.

"You pulled your arm away too quickly; we need to do it again." Ryan feigned innocence.

"You're just taking advantage of me," Karlie half-laughed, half-embarrassed, but she still followed along.

"Your expression isn't right; you should smile. Let's do it again."

"Make me smile, not cry. Again."

"...Again..."

Just like that, they repeated the feeding scene more than ten times, with Ryan finishing off all the lobster meat.

"I think you're starting to get into character," Ryan nodded, pleased that Karlie was finally finding her vibe.

"I haven't even eaten yet!" Karlie exclaimed, holding a crab leg.

Ryan picked up the camera, but suddenly, he froze, slowly looking up. "It's out of focus. We need to reshoot."

Karlie threw the crab leg at Ryan, hitting him on the face, and he barely dodged it just in time.

...

The next morning, Karlie jolted awake to the sound of knocking on her door. She opened the door sleepily to find Ryan standing there in just his CK underwear.

Karlie screamed and tried to slam the door shut, but Ryan was quicker, thrusting his hand in to stop her.

"Can't miss the shot of you getting out of bed!"

Karlie heard Ryan's voice on the other side of the door.

"This should work." Ryan checked the camera's angle.

He now had Karlie Kloss in his arms, looking remarkably similar to how he had held Taylor upon waking up that morning. But this time, the girl he was holding wasn't Taylor.

"Still missing a shot."

"No..." Karlie started to protest, but Ryan leaned in. In that moment, she wished that she had tucked a knife under her pillow.

Ready to fight back, she shut her eyes tight, her lips pressed together, bracing herself for a fierce kiss.

But it didn't come...

Karlie felt Ryan incredibly close, his cheek almost touching hers, yet there remained a small gap between them.

Was he just pretending?

Karlie hesitantly opened her eyes, half-expecting him to take advantage of the situation. She had heard the stories from other girls before; it often played out that way.

But then she thought of Taylor's words.

"Ryan is someone you can depend on; he won't just abandon you..."

At least, he had some boundaries, Karlie reflected.

Meanwhile, Ryan straightened up, realizing he had been falsely leaning over Karlie, separated only by a layer of blankets, with no actual contact.

"I... I wasn't ready just now," Karlie said nervously.

"Want to rehearse again?"

"Alright." Karlie cast her eyes aside, unable to meet Ryan's gaze.

Ryan leaned down once more, and this time, Karlie didn't resist so strongly.

"Hold me..."

"Okay."

Karlie lifted her arms, gently placing her hands on Ryan's back, and in that instant of contact, she felt a slight jolt, as if she had been shocked.

"Get a little tighter. You're not just placing your hands; wrap them around," Ryan instructed.

"How about this?"

Karlie followed his lead, hugging him tighter, and Ryan leaned in closer.

Karlie could even sense a pressure against her, like a solid object pressing into her.

She realized what it was, her heart raced, and her pulse quickened.

"Do you feel it now?" Ryan whispered beside her.

"I do," Karlie replied shyly, her eyes closed.

"What kind of feeling?"

"It feels like melted cheese," Karlie murmured.

*****

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