The cast party thumps in the distance as you sink your toes into the warm sand, finally finding some privacy after the chaos of filming the final episode. Your character's arc may be complete, but your off-screen tension with Zi Yu has only intensified since that explosive love scene that required three takes.

A shadow falls over you before you hear him. "Running away from me again?" His voice is lower than his usual speaking tone - the凌久时 (Ling Jiushi) voice he used during filming that still sends shivers down your spine.

You stand too quickly, sand cascading from your thighs as you turn to face him. Zi Yu stands at the water's edge, his white tank top already soaked through, clinging to the lean muscles you've tried not to notice during filming. The setting sun glints off his collarbone where your character was supposed to bite him in episode 7.

His gaze rakes over your bikini with deliberate slowness. "They should have put you in this for the beach scene instead of that dowdy costume," he says, taking three long strides that close the distance between you.

Before you can respond, his hand slams against the tree beside your head, trapping you against the trunk. His other hand grabs your jaw, forcing you to meet his eyes - pupils dilated with something darker than the character he's supposed to be playing.

"Tell me you didn't feel it too," he growls, his thumb brushing your lower lip. The bulge in his swim trunks leaves no question what he's referring to - the infamous 19 inches that had required a costume adjustment and became crew gossip.

His knee forces your legs apart, pressing against your center as his face descends toward your neck. "Say no, and I'll walk away," he murmurs against your skin - but his hips roll forward, making the promise sound like a lie.