3

Chloe Johnson braced her hands against the seat, leaning in cautiously until her lips brushed against Ryan Carter's warm ones.

Absolutely divine. Better than any delicacy she'd ever tasted—and somehow, she never got tired of it.

Her tongue darted out, tracing the outline of his lips before slipping inside.

Heh. She'd learned all these moves from Ryan himself.

Ryan couldn't take it anymore. In one swift motion, his arm hooked around her waist, pulling her close as his other hand cradled the back of her head, claiming her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. A month's worth of longing poured into that single moment.

The intensity of his own desire startled him. His mother had been right—he was the type to either never fall in love or dive in headfirst, completely and irrevocably.

"Did you go to France for work?" Chloe gasped when she finally had air to speak again, leaving Ryan utterly baffled.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because your kisses got all… French." She squirmed in his arms, oblivious to the effect she had on him.

"You know about French kisses?" So she wasn't as clueless as she seemed.

"Don't treat me like an idiot!" She waved a fist in mock threat—though it held zero intimidation.

"I didn't go to France. I was in Japan." Ryan unfolded her fist, interlacing their fingers instead.

"Ooh! Did you see the cherry blossoms? The way books describe those pink showers—it must've been magical!" Her eyes sparkled with wistful excitement.

Some authors had described cherry blossoms with such vivid artistry—painting them as heavenly wonders—while photographers captured their ethereal beauty, making them seem almost otherworldly. No wonder Chloe was utterly enchanted by them.

"You like Japan?"

"I like Japan's cherry blossoms." Though she generally disliked the country, she made exceptions for its cutting-edge tech, attractive celebrities, hot springs, and of course, those iconic pink flowers.

"It's peak bloom season right now. Want to go see them?"

"I wish—but I can't." Chloe slumped in disappointment.

"What if I took you along on my next business trip?" He'd be heading back to Japan in a week anyway. Bringing her would spare him this unbearable longing.

"But I have school! Plus, college entrance exams are this year..." Her voice dripped with even deeper gloom.

"Just one week. I'll help you with any coursework you miss."

"Seriously?" The light instantly returned to her eyes.

The air smelled sweeter. The world felt brighter. And Ryan Carter? Damn, he was fine.

"Absolutely. But we'll need your parents' permission first," Ryan said, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. ​"Not sure if they'll approve of you skipping school for a trip—especially with a guy you barely know."

"Oh, that's no problem!" Chloe beamed. ​"I used to beg Dad to take me to see the cherry blossoms, but he'd just tell me to save up and go alone. Said he'd never set foot on 'those Japanese devils' land' or whatever."

"Passport?" Ryan chuckled. Her father sounded like a character.

"Nope." She popped the 'p' unapologetically.

"ID card, then."

Only when handing it over did Chloe notice Ryan had been holding her hand this whole time—and she hadn't even thought to pull away.

Hehe. Having a hottie hold your hand? Best. Feeling. Ever.

"You just... trust people this easily?" Ryan waved her ID card, eyebrows nearly in his hairline.

"Should I not trust you?" She tilted her head, genuinely perplexed.

"You think I'm trustworthy?" His voice dropped half an octave.

Friendship was about trust, period. What was the point if you had to second-guess each other?

"You're as reliable as my big brother!" she declared cheerfully. ​"Well, except when he steals my pudding."

A brother. Ryan nearly groaned. After all this effort, she saw him as sibling material?

"Sure I'm just like a brother? Nothing... more?" Ryan pressed, unwilling to let it go.

"Actually, now you're reminding me of my dad with all this nagging! Just drive already—our feast is waiting!" Chloe shot him an exaggerated eye-roll.

With a resigned sigh, Ryan leaned over to buckle her seatbelt.

If she really saw him as a brother, would she let him kiss her like that? Clueless girl.

Getting through to her clearly wouldn't be easy—but that just made it more challenging. The real test would be surviving the process without losing his mind.

He could wait. Wait for her to grow up, to experience love, to finally understand his feelings.

There was no rush. She was still young, and he had all the time in the world to help her navigate love at her own pace.

Chloe Johnson turned to watch Ryan Carter driving. Wow. Even his profile is unfairly handsome!

"Why so quiet?" Ryan asked when they stopped at a red light. This girl was never this still.

As he turned, he found himself staring straight into Chloe's wide, admiring eyes. When will this girl ever learn to be shy?

"You look so focused when you drive—it's seriously hot!" Chloe never held back compliments.

Hot, huh? Yet you're still dense enough to see me as a brother.

But it didn't matter. One day, he would make her heart race the way she made his.

Ryan Carter made this silent vow as the light turned green.

"Dad, can you call my professor and tell them I'm sick? I need a week off." After dinner, Chloe Johnson gave her father a heads-up.

"What's wrong with you?" Dad Johnson set down his newspaper, looking concerned.

"Yeah, what's going on? Why didn't you tell us?" Mrs. Johnson asked anxiously.

"I've got lovesickness." Chloe Johnson said with a straight face.

"My daughter finally has a suitor!" Dad Johnson sighed in relief, then joked.

"Who's the unlucky guy my sister fell for?" Ethan Johnson, Chloe's older brother, teased her.

Truth be told, his sister was actually quite the beauty—just a little scatterbrained and clueless. She'd interpret any special attention as simple friendship, so most guys eventually gave up and moved on.

Because loving her? That was just asking for trouble!

"I've got lovesickness for Japanese cherry blossoms!" Chloe Johnson yelled in frustration.

"Wow, the little lioness from the east side of the river sure can roar," Ethan Johnson said, picking at his ear.

"Brat, are you trying to make your mom go deaf?"

"Bottom line—are you gonna call my professor or not?" Chloe demanded, sounding every bit like a mob boss.

"Do you even have enough money saved up? And we're not comfortable with you going alone," Dad Johnson said, turning serious.

"Money's not an issue." She'd already found someone to mooch off—and they were even coming with her!

"How about letting Ethan go with you, then?" Mrs. Johnson suggested. Jokes aside, she still worried about her daughter traveling alone.

"Go see cherry blossoms with him? I'd rather stay home and stare at four walls," Chloe shot back, sticking her tongue out at Ethan.

"Do you at least have someone to go with?" Dad Johnson pressed.

"Yep! Just make the call to get me excused—I'll handle the rest."

"And this friend of yours… are they reliable?"

"One hundred percent. Relax, Dad," Chloe said with a yawn, ready to hit the sack and meet the Sandman.

"Good morning. Sleep well last night?"

The moment Chloe Johnson stepped out of her house, she was greeted by Ryan Carter's warm voice.

"Morning. Don't you have work today?" Chloe asked, surprised to see Ryan waiting for her so early.

"I'm here to drive you to school," Ryan said, opening the car door for her.

"I haven't even had breakfast yet," Chloe replied, pushing her luck as she got in.

"We'll grab breakfast first."

Ryan started the car and sped off.

When they arrived at the park, Ryan parked the car.

The morning park was lively—a few elderly people practicing tai chi, others doing aerobics, all buzzing with energy.

"Breakfast in the park? Are we eating leaves or fresh air?" Chloe teased as she stepped out of the car.

Ignoring her sarcasm, Ryan pulled a small basket from the back seat.

Holding the basket in one hand and Chloe's hand in the other, he led her toward a stone bench under the shade of a tree.

"What delicious treats do you have?" Chloe Johnson asked excitedly, eyeing the bamboo basket in his hands.

Pulling her down to sit, Ryan Carter lifted the napkin covering the basket.

"Wow! Chocolate cake and red bean pastries!" Inside were an assortment of desserts. Chloe reached for them eagerly, only for Ryan to grab her wrist.

"What's the big idea?" Chloe snapped, her temper flaring.

Anyone who stood between her and food was dead meat!

"Didn't your teacher ever tell you to wash your hands before eating?" Ryan wiped her hands clean with a wet wipe, scolding the greedy little cat in front of him.

"All I know is, 'A little dirt never hurt.'" The second her hands were free, Chloe dove for the treats.

Sitting under the tree, bathed in the soft spring breeze, breathing in the fresh air, admiring the delicate blossoms, listening to the cheerful birdsong, gazing at the eye candy of a man beside her—and most importantly, savoring heavenly desserts.

Ah. Was there any greater joy in life?

"Why aren't you eating?" Chloe asked between mouthfuls, noticing Ryan watching her devour the food.

"I already ate," Ryan replied, cracking open a can of soda and handing it to her.

Chloe stuffed the last bite into Ryan's mouth before freeing her hands to take the drink.

After washing down the food with a sip of soda, she looked up and spotted a smear of cream at the corner of Ryan's lips. Instinctively, she leaned in, her pink tongue darting out to lick it away.

Ryan sucked in a sharp breath at her boldness. Before she could pull back, he cupped the back of her head and crushed her lips to his, pouring all the heat she'd ignited back into her mouth.

Mmm. The desserts were delicious, but Ryan Carter? Even better. She wouldn't mind switching flavors at all.

Ryan Carter released her lips, then pressed a few more kisses to the corner of her mouth before helping her sit upright.

"I think you're even tastier than the desserts," Chloe Johnson declared, stunning him with her boldness.