The starry sky roof of the Rolls-Royce looked especially romantic at night.
The dazzling lights, accompanied by soothing music, created a perfect ambiance.
The boy in the white shirt next to her gazed at her affectionately,
and Shirley Taylor couldn't help but feel her heart flutter. She stammered,
"H-How should I show it?"
James didn't speak. He simply pointed to his mouth, which had recently tasted oysters, and raised an eyebrow.
Shirley Taylor caught on to his meaning, and instantly, her face felt hot, flushing a deep red.
She stammered, unable to articulate a word.
In the blossoming age of youth, girls often have various dreamy fantasies.
A sunny, handsome, young, wealthy, and gentle prince falling for them,
and sharing a romantic love story.
Shirley Taylor was just an ordinary girl and had dreamed such dreams.
James seemed to perfectly embody the ideal prince.
After just a few hours together, his image was deeply etched in her heart.
However, her insecurities and nerves made the whole night feel surreal, leaving her a bit lost.
Like a marionette, she was at his disposal.
As they got closer to school, she felt safer and began to relax.
Now, facing James's request,
emotion drove her to lean in and kiss him,
but reason held her back, making it feel too embarrassing.
Caught in this internal struggle, her whole body felt like it was on fire, her temperature skyrocketing.
Just then, James made his move.
He wrapped one arm around Shirley Taylor, gently lifting her chin with the other.
Realizing what was happening, Shirley shut her eyes tightly, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.
She held her breath, anticipating the commanding kiss.
Her long eyelashes fluttered, her soft cheeks a rosy blush.
James, taking in the moment, leaned down and brushed his lips over hers.
Her lips were sweet, like soft cotton candy,
with a refreshing fragrance.
The kiss wasn't fiery or passionate, just sweetly satisfying, like quenching a thirst with ambrosia.
James found himself hooked, unable to resist a few more tastes.
He nearly kissed her breathless.
It felt like an eternity had passed.
When their lips finally parted, Shirley Taylor was limp in her seat.
James's boldness and intensity enveloped her in a sea of love, leaving her surrounded by its warmth, unable to breathe or escape.
She struggled repeatedly, but it was futile; she could only submit to his endless demands.
Is this what kissing feels like?
Her eyes were filled with bewilderment.
With her nerves stretched tight, his presence sent her blood racing,
awakening a nameless stirring inside her.
Her brain released dopamine, making her want to do it again.
In a moment of impulsive abandon,
where anything seems possible except solving math problems,
Shirley Taylor cast aside her shame, wrapped her arms around James's neck, and offered her lips once more.
Unlike before, this time her teeth parted slightly, clumsily mimicking James's technique, lost in the pleasure...
It was a long while later that she realized her bra was nearly undone, and only then did she snap back to reality.
Hurriedly, she pushed him away, tidying her disheveled clothes.
"Sorry, I got carried away,"
James chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I hope I didn't hurt you?"
Shirley shook her head, her face a bright pink, unable to meet his gaze.
Embarrassed by her own forwardness, she felt like jumping out of the car.
James silently marveled at how well this young woman was built, wondering what miraculous diet led to such a figure.
This realization made him even more reluctant to let her return to school.
"Shirley, did you put something on your lips? Why are they so sweet?"
"..." Shirley's face turned as red as an apple, unable to look at him.
James tilted his head, pondering, and joked,
"When you initiated the kiss, does that mean you like me?"
"No!" Shirley hastily denied.
James's smile faltered, his expression awkward.
This girl had no clue about flirting; such a blunt rejection left him without a retort.
Seeing him look like he might be upset, Shirley quickly explained,
"I don't dislike you. I just... I haven't started working yet, so I can't be with you."
"Why?" James asked curiously.
"They want me to finish school before dating. They told me to focus on my studies now," Shirley said meekly.
James guessed "they" were probably her parents or elders.
The older generation often had conflicting beliefs and educational views with modern youth.
College years are the blossoming prime of life.
If you don't date then, by the time you graduate at 22 or 23, finding an ideal partner becomes challenging.
After graduating, the chances to meet new people decrease.
Most potential partners are colleagues or through arranged meetings.
As people age, practicality increases, making it harder to find the right person.
"What do you think?" James inquired.
"I've spent a lot on education. I want to earn money after graduating to repay their support," Shirley earnestly replied.
"But you have money now," James pointed out.
"So much, I'm afraid to use it," her eyes clouded with worry.
She felt that spending his money would make her indebted and controlled.
Though she was poor, her freedom remained intact, along with her future earning potential.
Blowing through his cash would rob her of the right to speak candidly with him.
"Silly girl, you're my woman now. There's nothing you can't spend,"
James pinched her cheek, smiling.
"Don't be afraid. Use the money. Tomorrow, I'll buy you a plane, a yacht. Quit working and enjoy life with me, doing only what you love..."
James's voice suddenly broke off. He frowned deeply, pain etched on his face.
"What's wrong?"
Shirley was lost in his words,
but upon seeing him wide-eyed, sweating, and ghostly pale, she was jolted with fear.
What frightened her more was the foam seeping from his tightly clenched teeth, like a crab blowing bubbles.
"M-M-M-Master," she shouted in panic,
watching him clutch his stomach, about to collapse.
Frantically, she released her seatbelt, supporting him and patting Jay Johnson's seat up front, urgently imploring,
"Uncle, something's wrong with him. Stop the car!"
Jay Johnson slowly pulled over, glanced at James, and, with an exaggerated expression, declared,
"It's Young Master's gastritis. It must've been triggered by the snacks. We need to get him to the hospital now."
"Then get him to the hospital!"
Shirley, even more terrified, yelled back, panic-stricken.
"N-No, it's fine. Just an old issue; I can endure. Let's get you to school first," James weakly insisted.
"I'll take you to the hospital first, don't speak. Let me massage your stomach."
Shirley hastily knelt before him, gently rubbing his belly,
as Jay Johnson turned the car, heading toward the farthest hospital.