Sherry blushed as her cheeks turned a rosy red. She quickly retorted, "I wasn't trying to compete with her. I just made a passing comment."

"Let's crack open these coconuts. I'm parched," Ryan urged.

He smashed open two coconuts and handed one to her. They drank eagerly, relieved as the cool liquid soothed their parched throats. 

But as the refreshing sensation faded, his stomach cramped from hunger. With no food consumed all day and the relentless sun sapping his strength, he felt utterly depleted and urgently needed sustenance. 

Stranded on this deserted island with no one else in sight, Ryan couldn't afford to remain vulnerable. Not when Sherry, a beautiful companion, was relying on him for protection.

At the same time, her stomach also rumbled, and she quickly rubbed it. She said, "Ryan, I'm starving."

"Let's eat some coconut meat first. It's packed with natural fats and protei

Ryan cursed, "Damn, I can't believe I forgot that. I left the lighter over there. 

"I was worried it might get soaked and ruin it. Now, we're stuck without a way to start a fire."

"Are we seriously going to freeze out here?" Sherry shrugged, and her eyes darted toward him. 

She licked her lips and said, "You know, in the books I used to read, they always said cuddling could keep you warm. 

"What do you think? Should we give it a shot?

"I'm cool with it. After all, you've saved my life," she continued matter-of-factly.

He smiled wryly and replied, "You might not mind, but I sure do. We're both underdressed, and it's not like our body temps are through the roof."

He added, "If we huddle together, it won't do squat. We'd just be cuddling our way to doom. We gotta start a fire."

"Ryan Quinn, are you gonna keep dissing me like this? I'm not having it! If you're not up for it, neither 

"I was just thinking about how annoying you were, hoping to get rid of you so I could chat with my great-grandma. But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I woke up," Sherry lamented.

Ryan listened to her and was utterly baffled. He said, "Hey, thanks, I guess. I mean, I did save your life back there. Isn't there a better way to show gratitude?"

She seemed to recall something and said excitedly, "You did save my life. Hold on, did I hear you say that once I woke up, you'd make me live it up like a real woman!"

Ryan internally rolled his eyes, wondering how she could remain hung up on that matter. After all, he only said it in the heat of the moment, which meant nothing. It would be ridiculous to dwell on the matter since they were not out of danger yet.

He immediately collapsed on the ground, feeling completely drained. "Remember that I saved your life, so don't turn around and s

Sherry blushed as her cheeks turned a rosy red. She quickly retorted, "I wasn't trying to compete with her. I just made a passing comment."

"Let's crack open these coconuts. I'm parched," Ryan urged.

He smashed open two coconuts and handed one to her. They drank eagerly, relieved as the cool liquid soothed their parched throats. 

But as the refreshing sensation faded, his stomach cramped from hunger. With no food consumed all day and the relentless sun sapping his strength, he felt utterly depleted and urgently needed sustenance. 

Stranded on this deserted island with no one else in sight, Ryan couldn't afford to remain vulnerable. Not when Sherry, a beautiful companion, was relying on him for protection.

At the same time, her stomach also rumbled, and she quickly rubbed it. She said, "Ryan, I'm starving."

"Let's eat some coconut meat first. It's packed with natural fats and protein," Ryan suggested. He dug out a large chunk of coconut meat and started eating.

After devouring al

Chapter 16