Amanda was clearly not used to wearing such a youthful and innocent style, and she felt a bit awkward in front of James, especially with him giving her such a blatant look.
She gently nudged him, signaling him to stop staring, then led Timmy, who was now dressed in a sweet pink princess-style swimsuit, towards the beach.
With such beauty before him, James was stirred, wanting to get a closer look. He quickly came up with a plan, pulling Amanda back, saying, "Sis, the sunscreen on your back isn't evenly spread. There are still some white patches. Come back inside, and I'll help you reapply it."
Amanda looked at James, seeing his serious and righteous demeanor, and began to doubt herself. She didn't have much confidence in her daughter's sunscreen application skills. It would be quite unsightly to have a white patch on her back.
Timmy piped up in her defense, "Timmy already spread it evenly. Uncle is lying."
To prove his point, James used his index finger to dab a bit of sunscreen from Amanda's back, showing it to her.
Seeing the sunscreen on his finger, Amanda was convinced, falling for his trick.
She went back into the room, turning her back to James, and casually said, "Just wipe off the excess. No need to reapply."
"That won't do. The sun is so strong. It'll clump if it's not even. Why don't you lie down on the bench, and I'll reapply it properly?"
James closed the door, smiling slyly, "Timmy's right here. What are you afraid I'll do?"
Timmy, with her efforts dismissed, stood in the room with her hands on her hips, pouting. She was certain there had been no sunscreen left on her mom's back.
"Alright," Amanda thought for a moment and then lay down on the bench, her body forming a soft curve.
James, his plan successful, grinned. The internet was indeed full of useful tricks.
He squeezed out some sunscreen, rubbed his hands together, and then placed them on Amanda's back.
The smooth, soft sensation, with a hint of coolness, made him aware of a slight shiver from Amanda as she tensed up.
"Sis, relax. It won't spread evenly if you're tense."
James gently slid his hands across Amanda's back, his touch as tender as if he were caressing a precious piece of jade.
"Okay," Amanda took a deep breath, slowly relaxing.
Even though she was prepared, the physical contact still made her sensitive, perhaps because it had been a long time since a man had touched her. Her heart raced.
To ease the tension, she said casually, "Your technique is quite skilled. Which girl taught you that?"
"Besides you, I've never applied sunscreen to any other girl like this."
"Ha, do you expect me to believe that?"
"Well, I gave you my first time, so you decide what to do about it," James said shamelessly.
Amanda chuckled softly, ignoring him. She turned her head slightly, closed her eyes, and, feeling the pressure of his hands, found it unexpectedly pleasant. She murmured, "You can press a little harder."
Encouraged, James became bolder, his touch turning from a gentle caress to a gentle kneading.
To ensure even coverage, he even slipped his fingers under her dress, reaching towards her ribs.
"Stop!" Amanda exclaimed, startled, and quickly sat up, swatting James's hand away with a glare.
"Hehe, didn't you ask me to give you a massage?" James scratched his head, grinning.
Amanda wasn't angry, just whispered a gentle rebuke near his ear, "Timmy's here, you know."
James was thrilled.
So, if Timmy wasn't here, it would be okay?
He suddenly wished he could send Timmy away at that moment.
But he knew if he left Timmy alone outside, Amanda would definitely be furious with him.
So, children were both a bond in a relationship and a hindrance to marital bliss.
Having gotten a little taste, James smacked his lips, wanting more.
But he knew he couldn't do much at the moment. He'd have to wait until tonight, after sending Timmy to her grandparents'.
The four of them arrived at the beach.
Although a tourist destination, it was the start of the school year and not yet the Golden Week holiday, so there weren't many tourists.
The temperature in September was just right, slightly warm but cooled by the sea breeze.
At two in the afternoon, the golden coastline curved into a crescent.
The distant sea was calm and serene, shimmering under the sun, merging with the sky in a vast expanse of blue.
Closer to shore, the waves bustled, occasionally surging onto the beach and crashing against the rocks with a joyful sound.
The sand further from the water was scorching, heated by the sun to temperatures of 60-70 degrees Celsius.
It was too hot to walk on barefoot.
Timmy, without shoes, tried to run across but quickly jumped back, clamoring for James to carry her.
James, wearing flip-flops, carried her and led Amanda to the water's edge.
Gazing at the vast ocean, James marveled at its grandeur.
On the other side of the sea was surely the other side of the sea.
The waves occasionally lapped at their feet, leaving the sand damp before shyly retreating.
The wet sand here held its shape well.
Nearby, some children were building sandcastles.
James set Timmy down, letting her dig for sand and search for crabs in a safe area, with Jay Johnson watching over her.
Then he strolled along the beach with Amanda, hand in hand.
Moving closer to the sea, the water cooled the sand and also cooled James's desires.
They chatted about everyday things, mostly concerning Timmy.
With the sea as their companion, the breeze brought a coolness and a hint of saltiness.
Their mood became calm and peaceful.
"Sis, you live in New York City, haven't you been to the beach?"
"No, I haven't."
"You should get out and see the beauty of the world."
"I wanted to when I was younger, but I never had the chance. Then Timmy came along, and I had even less time for myself."
"Didn't anyone take you out?"
"No."
"What about... him?"
"That man was obsessed with making it big, always busy with his grand plans. He had no time for leisure and romance."
"Was 'Big Bro' in a high-risk profession?" James asked, surprised.
"Yes, he died in a gang fight," Amanda said, her expression calm as if talking about someone else's husband.
"Damn," James said, acknowledging the inherent risks of such a life. Had he survived, he would have likely been a wealthy man like Leo. "That's too bad."
"It's alright, just the way things go. What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You seem like you haven't been here before either."
"Haha, that's true. I haven't. I've passed by here before and thought it would be nice to bring someone I love to the beach someday."
"So, have you found someone you love now?"
"I'm holding her hand right now."
Amanda's eyes curled into a gentle smile as she softly asked, "Besides me, is there anyone else you love?"
Without hesitation, James uttered a name, "Tailsa."
"Anyone else?"
"No one else."
Amanda smiled. She could sense the sincerity in this young man, just like the night he promised to support her family.
"Brother, there are a lot of bad women out there. If you trust me, you can bring the girls you like to me next time. I'll help you vet them."
"Aren't you jealous?" James studied her expression carefully, trying to discern if she was sincere.
"I am, but jealousy is useless. It's better for me to help you screen them, so you don't get tricked by some woman," Amanda said, her face showing only a hint of concern.