Page 116 of The Sinner: James

Smoothly, he lowers his mouth… And kisses my lips softly.

His gesture takes me by surprise.

I freeze, my heart untethered in my chest.

He straightens, his eyes tangled with mine as Ed’s stare sears my face.

“You’re a stunning woman, Rain. I hope you are who he thinks you are,” Lex murmurs, Ed’s eyes still on us.

I grip the doorknob with a trembling hand, my skin burning from his touch.

His lips brush over mine again, and then… as if he's changed his mind, he kisses my cheek instead.

The air zaps with electricity between us.

“Try not to disappoint him. Okay?”

He takes his hand off me and walks away with Edward.

My gaze follows them, my stomach tied in knots.

* * *

RAIN

I walk in.

Moonlight drapes over the walls and light streams in from outside.

An antique desk sits by the window, and leather-bound books are stacked on engraved shelves.

Old paintings hang on the walls.

A wall of ceiling-height windows stretches from side to side.

One of the windows is open, a soft breeze blowing the sheer curtains.

A river of lights, colorful gowns, and pressed tuxedos brims with life outside.

The door opens behind me, the unmistakable scent of his cologne traveling to me, draping over my body, preceding his footsteps.

He curls his arms around my waist, making me melt.

“Hey,” he murmurs in my ear, instant pleasure soaring through my body.

He slides his hands inside my dress before grabbing my bare breasts, fueling the tension between my legs.

He squeezes my chest, kissing my neck, his hard-on pressing into my lower back.

“Damn it... James,” I murmur.

Smiling, I lean back against his chest, into his hands, lips, and cock, vibrating with need for him.

I clench my thighs, my flesh tingling, warm wetness lining my panties.

He flicks my dress open and lets it fall to the floor before moving his hands over me, touching me as if he owns me.

In many ways, he does.

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