Page 11 of Baby Love
You’re thinking too much, Spin.
Jitters erupt in my stomach when Khun Aat and the director, P’Big, announce that we are going to practice the first kiss.
Already?
“I hope that isn’t going to be a problem.” Khun Aat notices my panic. “Normally, we wouldn’t jump into a kiss so early on, but we don’t have much of a choice.”
“No problem,” I say, swallowing hard and avoiding P’Park’s gaze.
P’Big stands in front of us. “When the scene begins, Khao has just walked through the front door, and you are across the room from each other. By the time we get to the kiss, you will have made your way to each other so that you are standing close together.” Taking each of us by the arm, he tugs us so we are only a breath apart. “I want it to be a soft touch of the lips. Barely there at first. Then more.”
“More?” I ask, my voice a squeak.
“Just go with it this first time. We’ll discuss it after.” P’Big motions for us to begin, and I finally meet P’Park’s gaze. Clearing his throat, he stares at me for a long moment, and I realize he’s getting into his role. I try to do the same, running through Khao and Boom’s history in my head. By the time P’Park closes his eyes and leans in, my heart beats a drum solo in my ears, but I’m Boom, and I want this kiss.
His lips gently glide over mine.
“Again,” P’Big says. He’s still standing really close to us—so close, I wouldn’t be surprised if he could hear my heart slamming against my ribcage.—and it should be weird, but now that I’m in my role, I barely notice.
P’Park brushes his lips against mine again, this time with more intention, and our mouths move carefully over one another. I realize I’m holding my breath when I start to feel a little faint. When P’Park moves away from me, I try to mask the big gulp of air I take.
“Work with them,” P’Big says to Khun Aat before starting off across the room toward P’Daeng and Aod.
Does that mean we didn’t do it right? Concerned, I look at P’Park, but he doesn’t seem bothered, so I tell myself not to be.
Khun Aat approaches us. “Sit on the floor and get comfortable. Relax. No, sit closer.”
I scoot forward until my knees touch P’Park’s.
“Hold hands,” Khun Aat instructs us.
Placing my palms in P’Park’s, I’m hyper aware of how cold they must feel against his skin. But I’m also aware that touching him like this is much easier than it was even just this morning. Skinship work really does help a lot.
“Good. Now, steadily look into each other’s eyes, working past the awkwardness. When you feel more comfortable, you can let your eyes roam, but for now, keep them on each other’s faces.”
It takes a while for me to get past the feeling that an army of ants are crawling all over me as I stare awkwardly into P’Park’s inky black eyes. Breathing deeply, I concentrate on the details. Their shape is slightly elongated, with a mono-lid, giving him an exotic look. His brow is heavy, his nose long, and his cheekbones high. Those features, along with a sharp jawline, form a decidedly attractive whole that undoubtedly is the reason he has so many fans.
“Okay,” Khun Aat says, and I startle slightly, having forgotten about the acting coach. “Lean a little closer to each other. Spin—or, rather, Boom. I want you to gently kiss Khao’s forehead.”
Breath catching in my throat, I hesitate a moment before slowly leaning forward and doing as he says, softly planting my lips on the slope of P’Park’s forehead where a few strands of midnight-black hair hang into his eyes.
“Good,” Khun Aat says. “Now his cheek…and his other cheek. Now under each eye, the tip of his nose, the corner of his mouth, his chin.” The faint stubble on P’Park’s face feels electric against my lips. On impulse, I run my tongue along it with my next kiss, a barely-there touch, and then hover there, letting my warm breath tickle his damp skin. My face heats at my boldness.
“Good.” Khun Aat sounds pleased. “Now Khao. Kiss Boom’s forehead.”
Curling my fingers against his wrists, I watch as P’Park leans closer and closer until he’s just a blur and my eyes threaten to cross. I close them as his lips brush my chin, each cheek, my forehead, my nose, each eye. It feels nice. Swaying a little, I open my eyes to meet P’Park’s gaze. I mean Khao’s. He’s Khao, and you’re Boom. Remember that.
He smiles at me, and my heart jumps in my chest.
P’Big returns. “How’s it going?”
“Very well,” Khun Aat says.
“Let’s try the kiss again, then, this time running through the scene first.” P’Big motions for us to get up.
Standing, P’Park and I fall into character more quickly this time. When we begin the scene, I feel the awareness Boom has for Khao, then the rising tension as they quarrel, and the rush of adrenaline as the argument escalates. Emotion chokes me by the time P’Park lowers his mouth to mine, the moment a million times stronger than before we did the touching exercise. Boom’s emerging feelings and overwhelming desire for Khao pull a gasp from my throat at the first brush of his mouth against mine.
“Good,” P’Big says.