I sit on the sand, wearing my sando and beach shorts, just watching the waves crash softly against the shore. The crew is bustling around, preparing for the next part of the shoot, but I’m zoning out, staring at the horizon.
I'm waiting for Lan, he the last to get fixed up by the stylists. I haven’t seen him yet, so I’m just chilling, waiting for everything to start. But then I hear a gasp from the crew, and that pulls me out of my thoughts.
Curious, I turn to see what the commotion is about and holy shit.
I nearly fall out of my chair. My eyes widen, and my mouth goes dry instantly. Walking toward us is Lan, but not just walking—he’s walking like he owns the damn world. he is topless. The guy is wearing nothing but a beach short, and his body? Fuck, it’s like something out of a magazine—no, scratch that, he looks better than any model I’ve ever seen. His skin glistens under the sunlight, every muscle defined, like he was sculpted for this exact moment.
I swallow hard, trying to get my attention. The way he’s walking—it’s like he’s on a runway, confident, smooth, like he’s been doing this his whole life. The crew can’t take their eyes off him, and neither can I.
He’s always been good-looking, but this? This is something else. He’s radiating this quiet confidence that makes it impossible to look away. Every step he takes toward the set is like he’s owning the whole island, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.
My heart’s racing, and I’m sure I’m staring way too hard, but I can’t help it. "Shit," I mutter under my breath. Lan presence is overwhelming, and suddenly, this shoot feels a whole lot hotter than it did a few minutes ago.
He reaches the set, casually wiping his face with a towel as if he doesn’t notice the attention he’s drawing. But I know better—Lan is fully aware of the effect he has. He just doesn’t show it. That’s part of what makes him so damn captivating.
I tear my gaze away, trying to compose myself, but it’s no use. I glance back at him, and my stomach flips.
The call for the next shoot comes. pulling me out of my thoughts, but my mind is still racing from the sight of Lan. I stand up, adjusting my beach shorts, trying to shake off the flustered feeling that's been building since he walked out like that. I take a deep breath, trying to focus.
We're called over to the set. and the cameraman gives us the instructions. "Alright. Xian, you'll be in front. Lan. stand behind him and put your arm around his shoulder. I want this shot to feel natural, casual. Got it?"
I nod, but as I feel Lan moving into position behind me, my heart skips beat. His presence is so close, too close, and then I feel it-his arm slides over my shoulder. his skin warm and slightly slick from the heat. His chest brushes against my back, and suddenly, all the air in my lungs feels too heavy. I swallow hard. trying not to let it show, but damn, this is harder than I thought.
I glance sideways at him, and of course. Lan is perfectly composed. His expression is calm, his arm draped over me. His skin is against mine, and every little touch is sending my mind into haywire. I can feel the heat from his body, the steady rise and fall of his breathing.
The cameraman moves around us. snapping photos, but I'm trying to stay in control. My thoughts are drifting, and I'm fighting them off. telling myself not think about it. not to let my mind wander into dangerous thoughts it's hard-so damn hard. His arm is heavy on my shoulder. his fingers brushing the bare skin of my upper arm. and all I can think about is how close we are.
"Okay, guys. Xian lean into Lan a bit more. Xian, relax into Lan's arm. Lan, tilt your head slightly toward him. like you're just chilling together."
I do as I'm told. shifting my weight into Lan's arm. feeling his muscles tense slightly as he adjusts. His chin hovers near my temple, close enough that I can feel his breath on my skin. My heart's racing, and I'm doing everything in my power to focus on the shoot and not on the fact that Lan-this beautiful, calm and completely topless guy is pressed against me.
"Perfect, keep it up." the cameraman says. moving in closer to capture the shot. "Lan. bring your hand a little lower on Xian's chest."
I tense up as Lan hand moves down. his fingers grazing my chest lightly and I swear I almost lose it. I clench my jaw, forcing myself to stay professional. to not let my thoughts spiral out of control.
But with every little movement, every subtle shift of his body against mine, it's getting harder and harder to ignore the way I'm feeling.
I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. trying to steady myself. This is just a shoot. I remind myself again. Focus! But with Lan's arm wrapped around me, his hand resting on my chest, and his breath warm against my neck, it's hard not to think about something lewd.
The cameraman finally calls. "Cutl" and I exhale, stepping forward quickly. breaking the contact. My skin tingles where his touch lingers, and I'm left feeling a little breathless. I glance back at Lan who is already wiping the sweat from his brow as calm and unaffected as ever.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to shake off the heat building in my chest.
