"Tsk, you say one thing and mean another." Hearing Jiang Hai's words, Afra couldn't help but stand up and playfully pat his thigh, nearly hitting a sensitive spot. Ignoring Jiang Hai's reaction, she strolled toward the distant ocean without looking back.
Jiang Hai, startled by her boldness, sat up from his lounge chair, watching her retreating figure. Before he could fully process what had just happened, Dinah Taylor approached him. Unlike Afra's directness, Dinah was more reserved. She lightly patted Jiang Hai's arm and left with a cheerful smile. With those two leading the charge, the rest of the girls took turns approaching Jiang Hai—patting his shoulder or back in passing—before they too ran toward the sea, giggling as they went.
The group of girls splashed into the water, their laughter carried by the breeze. Since most of them couldn't swim, they stayed close to the shore, content to play in the shallow waves.
Once the girls had left, Jiang Hai reclined back on his chair. About ten minutes later, he put his sunglasses on and settled in again. However, Darlene and Marian lingered nearby, hesitating before approaching him.
"Jiang, do you think this is sexy?" Marian asked shyly, biting her lip.
"If it is, then we can wear it too!" Darlene chimed in confidently, far more brazen than Marian. She plopped onto Jiang Hai's recliner, raising her face to him with an impish grin.
"Don't get cocky. Just stay put," Jiang Hai replied, shaking his head at her antics. He reached out and ruffled their hair with both hands, eliciting playful protests. Satisfied, he reclined once more, ignoring their mock glares.
The girls eventually joined Afra and the others in the water, leaving Jiang Hai to enjoy the peaceful scene. Though he had his phone in hand, he wasn't particularly interested in browsing. Watching the group of beautiful women laughing and playing in the water was an entirely different kind of entertainment. He wasn't so much of a gaming nerd that he'd prefer his screen over such a sight.
After about an hour of splashing around, Darlene and Marian were the first to return, exhausted but smiling. They flopped onto the recliners next to Jiang Hai, sipping juice and chatting briefly before dozing off, their steady breathing soon reaching his ears.
Jiang Hai looked at them, curled up like kittens, and couldn't help but shake his head. "You really can't take care of yourselves," he muttered softly.
He stood up, grabbed the bath towels nearby, and draped them over the sleeping girls. Glancing at their peaceful faces, identical yet distinct in subtle ways, a smile tugged at his lips.
Just then, Afra's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Jiang, can I ask you for a favor?" she said softly, walking up to him.
Curious, Jiang Hai turned to look at her. "What is it?"
"Pra Walton said that sunbathing is good, but you need sunscreen to avoid burns. Can you help me apply it?" she asked shyly, holding out a bottle of sunscreen.
Jiang Hai hesitated, but seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. He nodded stiffly, and Afra's face lit up with a smile. She led him back to her chair, lying down on her stomach.
Jiang Hai couldn't help but swallow hard at the sight of her flawless back. Suppressing his nerves, he squeezed some sunscreen onto his hands and began applying it. His fingers trembled slightly as they made contact with her smooth skin.
"Start with the neck and apply it thickly," Afra instructed, her voice a little unsteady. "It says in the directions that it needs to be at least two millimeters thick to be effective."
Jiang Hai nodded silently, concentrating on the task. This was his first time doing something like this, and it took all his willpower to keep his mind from wandering. Slowly, he worked his way down from her neck to her back.
As he reached halfway, Afra suddenly reached back and unhooked the clasp of her swimsuit top. The fabric fell forward, and from his angle, Jiang Hai caught a glimpse of her side profile. His breath hitched.
"Don't miss this area either," Afra said, her voice soft but firm.
Jiang Hai hesitated, swallowing hard again before continuing. His forehead glistened with sweat as he focused on completing the task. After finishing her back, he paused, unsure how to proceed with her lower body.
"Keep going. Apply it evenly," Afra murmured, taking his hand and pressing it to her waist. To his shock, she untied the strings on both sides of her swimsuit bottom, leaving him with an unobstructed view of her curves. Jiang Hai froze, completely out of his depth.
Afra guided his hands briefly before letting him continue on his own. Though flustered, Jiang Hai managed to finish applying sunscreen to her legs, determined not to let his imagination run wild.
"Alright, I'll go wash my hands now," Jiang Hai said quickly, eager to escape the situation.
But just as he turned to leave, Afra sat up and grabbed his wrist. "Wait! You still need to do the front. I'll cover myself," she said, biting her lip. She lay back down, using her arms to shield her chest.
Jiang Hai stood frozen, torn between staying and fleeing. As if sensing his hesitation, Afra shifted slightly, turning her back to the ocean and fully facing Jiang Hai. With a deliberate motion, she let her arms fall to her sides, revealing herself completely.
Before Jiang Hai could process what was happening, Afra reached out and lightly touched his waist, sending a jolt through him. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Need help relaxing?" she teased, her tone seductive.
Jiang Hai's mind raced. He felt two voices arguing in his head—one urging him to embrace the moment and the other warning him to stay true to his principles.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a sharp voice called out from the distance. "What are you doing? Get away from her!"
Jiang Hai immediately turned toward the source of the voice. Sheila Rodney, one of the other girls, was standing nearby, glaring at a group of five men who had approached the girls on the beach. Trouble was brewing.
(To be continued.)