The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 72 - 72 72 Liking

72: Chapter 72 Liking 72: Chapter 72 Liking James Brown shook his head slightly to keep his emotions calm and said, “Alright then, let’s sleep.”

Emma Campbell gave a hum of acknowledgment, but she remained standing, hesitating and fidgeting.

Although it was her suggestion to stay here, when it actually came time to sleep, she was extremely nervous.

This time was different from the last; previously, it was purely out of a sense of gratitude, or perhaps she had even resigned herself to the notion of selling herself, so she harbored a fearful attitude toward that sort of thing.

But her thoughts were not so simple this time.

She truly did not know what would happen next.

James Brown saw that Emma hadn’t moved and knew she was very nervous.

He couldn’t help but find it a bit funny, so he patted her shoulder and said, “Hurry up and sleep.

Stop overthinking things.”

“Okay,” Emma responded softly, then bit her lip and slowly began to remove her outer garments.

“Okay, stop being shy.

I’ll go turn off the light, and you can undress in bed,” James said and then turned off the light.

The room was immediately plunged into darkness.

Then he indeed heard the sound of Emma undressing, and she sped up the process, “James…

I…

I’m done undressing.”

James replied, climbed into bed beside her, quickly took off his clothes, and lay down in his undershirt and pants.

Emma lay flat on the bed, just like that day, with rapid, nervous breathing; it seemed she was even more nervous than before, her body shaking—not out of fear, but as if she was on the verge of making some decision.

James definitely didn’t want her to make any decision; that would put him at a disadvantage and could also easily hurt this gentle girl’s heart.

So he extended his arm under Emma’s neck and said, “Okay, I’ll hold you as we sleep.

Let’s get a good night’s sleep.

Tomorrow is a new day.”

Emma obediently turned her body and nestled in James’s arms, her body rigid, completely unsure where to place her hands.

James also turned to his side, placing his other arm on Emma’s back and gently patted her twice, softly saying, “Sleep.”

Hearing those simple words, Emma suddenly relaxed.

At that moment, her mind stopped racing, and she felt comfort and warmth, as if she were nestled in her father’s embrace—a feeling she’d rarely experienced.

She closed her eyes, listening to James’s steady heartbeat, feeling his body warmth, and even his faint smell of tobacco.

Emma quickly fell asleep, her sleep peaceful and sweet.

James, however, had a somewhat troubled sleep that night.

Holding such a beautiful girl in bed, if he had no thoughts at all, he would not be a man.

Fortunately, he had undergone so much training and his self-control was particularly strong.

Eventually, he too forced himself to sleep.

The next day, James awoke without opening his eyes; he could feel Emma’s gaze fixed on him.

As soon as he fluttered his eyelids, Emma quickly closed her eyes, but her uneven breathing gave her away.

James chuckled softly and said, “Awake so early?”

Emma’s face instantly blushed to her ears.

She opened her eyes but buried her face in James’s chest, coquettishly saying, “James, you’re awake too.”

James patted Emma on the back and said, “How could I sleep with you staring at me like that?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Emma suddenly panicked.

“Silly girl, I’m not blaming you.

It’s still early; we can sleep a bit more.” It wasn’t even half-past six yet, and James really didn’t want to get up yet.

This gentle and tender place had its own allure for him.

Even if he couldn’t do anything, holding Emma, soft and fragrant as jade, he found it quite hard to let go.

At that moment, Emma couldn’t sleep any longer.

Being in James’s arms was inexplicably comforting.

While she had felt a bit awkward earlier, having spent the night with James had greatly emboldened her.

Looking up at him, she asked in a whisper, “James, can we talk a bit?”

“Of course,” James said, opening his eyes again, Emma’s face just inches away.

Emma’s cheeks reddened as she said, “James, my classmates say that boys…

tend to be impulsive.

Why aren’t you impulsive?”

James really hadn’t expected Emma to ask such a question.

Smiling slightly, he said, “When you’re young, everyone is impulsive, but I’m already so old, so I’m not as impulsive anymore.”

“That’s not right; you’re only twenty-six, just six years older than me.

You’re still young, not some middle-aged uncle.”

James could feel Emma’s seriousness and met her gaze as he said, “Maybe it’s because everyone’s experiences are different, as are the ways they think about problems.

Most people don’t consider the consequences when they act, but I always consider the consequences in whatever I do.”

Emma bit her lip and said, “But I…

I wouldn’t expect you to take responsibility.”

James rubbed Emma’s hair gently and said, “You’re not going to hold me responsible, but can I get past that in my own heart?

I can tell you, your James isn’t exactly a good man, I’ve had relationships with so many women over these years that I can’t even keep track of them all, but I’ve never taken responsibility for any of them.”

“Ah?

No way, James, you don’t have to lie to me.

I’ve slept with you for two nights, and not only did you refrain from doing that with me, you didn’t even touch me.”

James instantly broke into a cold sweat and said, “Of course, I couldn’t touch you.

You’re so pure, and I’m just a wanderer.

If something really happened between us, I would get attached to you, but I don’t want to tie my life down to one woman so soon, which is why I couldn’t do it.”

“James, do you…

do you mean you like me a little?” Emma asked with wide eyes, blush, and anticipation.

James couldn’t bear that innocent gaze any longer and said, “Yes, I do have some feelings for you, but it’s just fondness, not love.

Emma, please don’t fall in love with me, it would definitely hurt you.

If you see me as a friend, that’s fine by me.

Do you understand?”

A hint of disappointment flashed in Emma’s eyes, but she quickly put on a sweet smile and said, “James, I understand.

I won’t cling to you.

You can do whatever you want, but on the weekends, could I maybe help you with your laundry or something?

I just want to do something for you.”

With such a simple request, what reason did James have to refuse?

He smiled, rubbed Emma’s hair again, and hugged her a bit more firmly, saying, “How could I refuse such a nice gesture?”

Emma immediately hugged James tightly and said in a coquettish voice, “James, you’re really nice.”

James felt warmth in his heart.

He’d only agreed to such a simple request, and Emma was so happy.

She was truly a good girl.

If it weren’t for…

Emma would indeed make an ideal partner.

Thinking of the knot in his heart, James sighed to himself, wondering when he would be able to untangle it.

The two of them lay snuggled up like that for half an hour before James got out of bed.

Emma served him as she did before, helping him get dressed and then putting on her own clothes.

She was much more open about dressing in the morning, putting on her clothes one by one naturally, not minding James’s gaze.

After getting dressed, Emma brought James water to wash his face and squeezed the toothpaste for him.

While he was brushing his teeth, she suddenly asked softly, “James, do you think I’m cheap?

A girl with no restraint at all?”

James took the toothbrush out of his mouth and said, “Silly girl, in my heart, you are as pure as the driven snow.”

“But I…”

“There are no ‘buts.’ James understands everything in his heart.”

Emma smiled sweetly again, hugged James’s waist from behind, and rubbed her face gently against his back, murmuring, “James, you’re so nice.”

James patted Emma’s hand and laughed, “Alright already, you hugged me all night, haven’t you had enough?”

“I can never get enough.

I don’t know how long it will be before I can hug James again.”

“Okay, okay, then keep hugging,” James shook his head and continued brushing his teeth, with the clingy koala on his back.

After having lunch at James’s place, Emma left reluctantly, her parting figure and demeanor tugging at everyone’s heartstrings in the warehouse.

“Manager James, that girl is really good to you,” Brandon Cooper said, watching Emma’s retreating figure, reluctant to blink, and uttered enviously.

James smiled faintly and said, “Yeah, she’s pretty great.”

Brandon Cooper continued, “You know, Manager James, I think this girl is really wife material – gentle, caring, capable, and she’s so beautiful.

She doesn’t seem to have a single flaw.”

James was well aware of that, but he wasn’t the fortunate one.

If Emma ever wanted to find a boyfriend in the future, James would have to vet him carefully.

A girl like her would be wholehearted once she was good to someone, but if she met someone who didn’t know how to cherish her, Emma might have a very tough life.

Without realizing it, James too had become very concerned about Emma.

On Monday, the warehouse manager returned and James completed the handover.

The manager was very grateful and wanted to take James out for some fun that night, but James declined because Gina Lopez had called him that morning, asking him to visit her at home after wrapping up things on his side.

Although James no longer needed to pretend to be Gina Lopez’s boyfriend, when he had borrowed money from her the last time, she lent it to him willingly.

So when Gina Lopez asked for him, he had no reason to refuse.

Besides, it was also a good opportunity to repay her.

Borrowing and repaying made future loans easier, and James didn’t know when he might urgently need money again.

It was better not to alienate such a financial backer like Gina Lopez.

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