James, still a novice in these matters, was overwhelmed by Tailsa's advances.
His body burned, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Clinging to a shred of self-control, he gritted out, "You're playing with fire, you little vixen."
"And what are you going to do about it?" Tailsa giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Don't think I won't make you regret this," James warned, his voice thick with suppressed desire.
"Hmph, or are you just scared of scaring away your dear sister?" Tailsa challenged, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.
The flush on her cheeks, however, betrayed her own nervousness.
A tremor ran through James. He lowered his head, gazing at the girl in his arms.
He couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her cheek playfully.
Tailsa gasped, quickly pushing his hand away.
Her eyes darted around nervously, her face now a deep shade of crimson. She relented, whispering a soft, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry."
James wasn't falling for it this time. "Weren't you having fun just a moment ago?"
"I... I won't do it again, I promise."
"So, what are you going to do to make it up to me?"
Tailsa's eyelashes fluttered as she bit her lower lip, murmuring shyly, "Let's talk about it... in a hotel room."
The movie theater was dimly lit, visibility low. The high armrests of their plush sofa provided a degree of privacy, making it difficult for others to see what they were doing unless they were really looking.
James whispered, "Are you sleepy? Why don't you lie down and rest in my arms for a bit?"
Tailsa shook her head slightly. Falling asleep during a movie?
How could she ever face his sister again if she did that?
Her heart pounded in her chest as wild thoughts raced through her mind. Just then, James gave her a gentle squeeze.
"Ah!" Tailsa couldn't help but cry out.
The small outburst caused Amanda to frown.
She had been trying to ignore them, but their escalating interaction was becoming too much. She glanced at Timmy beside her and calmly interjected, "James, this is a public place. Don't tease the girl."
Initially, James had only intended to tease Tailsa a little.
But her responses had gotten him a bit carried away, leading to his suggestive request.
Amanda's disapproving tone brought him back to his senses, and his rational mind began to take over, extinguishing the flames of his desire.
"She's the one teasing me," James protested, feigning innocence.
Tailsa, shocked that he would throw her under the bus like that, huffed indignantly, "You're shameless!"
"No, you're shameless."
Tailsa's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You jerk!"
James retorted with mock seriousness, "Let's just watch the movie, okay? Where is your mind wandering off to?"
Tailsa's eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at the man who had been practically drooling over her just moments ago, now acting all innocent because of another woman's wordsâand even turning the tables on her.
Furious, she narrowed her eyes, scrutinized him for a moment, then grabbed his arm and sank her teeth into it with all her might.
She found that the flesh on his arm was surprisingly more satisfying to bite than his shoulder, so she bit down even harder.
James let out a muffled groan, stoically enduring the pain.
He decided he absolutely needed to unlock Tailsa's super strengthâmaybe then he could finally be immune to her bites.
Amanda glanced at James, who was now wearing a pained expression, and a slight smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Serves you right for teasing her. Now you know what pain feels like, huh?"
James forced a brave smile. "It doesn't hurt at all."
Amanda's voice took on a teasing lilt. "Tailsa, why don't you try shaking your head while you bite?"
Tailsa obediently shook her head, still firmly biting his arm.
"Aaaahhh!"
...
After the movie ended, James felt utterly isolated.
Tailsa was now walking ahead, arm in arm with Amanda, chatting and laughing like old friends.
Meanwhile, he trailed behind them, holding Timmy's hand like some kind of chaperone.
Just moments ago, they had been at each other's throats, and now they were acting like besties.
He just couldn't understand the female mind.
But at least a better relationship between them was a good thing, right?
The group wandered around for a while until it was time for dinner.
They picked a random restaurant in the mall and sat down at a table in the main dining area.
Jay Johnson, ever the dutiful bodyguard, stood by the entrance. James called him over and told him to sit at the next table and order whatever he wanted.
Jay Johnson, being his usual frugal self, ordered a simple plate of fried rice.
James, feeling that Jay's choice reflected poorly on him as a boss, took his phone and ordered seven or eight more dishes for him. Just as he was about to pay, his phone rang.
The caller ID read: "Killer Body."
Oh, right... it's Monroe Anne, the one who gave me $300,000 and dropped my affection level by 20 points.
He suddenly remembered that he had promised to have dinner at her restaurant tonight.
James hesitated for a moment, then hung up the call.
He hadn't even sorted things out with the two women beside him; he could deal with Monroe later.
He casually looked up, only to find Tailsa staring at him with a suspicious look.
Amanda had also lowered her voice while talking to Timmy, clearly intrigued by the call.
"Haha, it's just a friend. We were supposed to have dinner today," James explained offhandedly.
"A man or a woman?" Tailsa asked pointedly.
"Uh... I haven't actually met them," James mumbled evasively.
It was trueâhe had only seen her picture.
But his vague answer only confirmed their suspicions: it was definitely a woman, and they probably had a complicated relationship.
Amanda felt a flicker of annoyance.
While she didn't mind James having other women, she did mind him messing around indiscriminately.
A man who fell for every woman he met was unlikely to be sincere about any of them.
It made her feel like she had been deceived.
In just one day, there had been an ex-girlfriend, a current girlfriend, an online acquaintance, and herself, the "older sister."
Seriously?
"Timmy, let's go home and eat. Uncle has something to do tonight."
Amanda took Timmy's hand and said to James in a neutral tone, "Go ahead, little brother. It's not good to stand someone up after making plans."
[System Alert: Amanda's Affection Level -5]
James was startled, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
Amanda seemed calm on the surface, even considerate of his situation.
If it weren't for the system's alert, he wouldn't have noticed anything amiss.
These women are way too sensitive! Getting upset over a simple phone call?