Page 15 of The Sinner: James

Smoothly, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest, making things better and worse at the same time as I get flushed with heat, my blood moving faster through my veins.

Barely breathing, I sink my nails into his skin and lock his eyes, soft gasps falling from my lips.

He tightens his embrace, burying me in his arms.

“Breathe, baby, breathe... You’re okay,” he says softly, holding me tight and touching my hair with his lips.

There is something powerful in his voice, and it courses through me, working its magic.

I hang on to him as the brunt of my apprehension starts to fade, and I progressively relax.

Sliding his hand up and down, he strokes my neck gently, his tender motion warming my body even more.

I get drunk on that feeling as if indulging in hard liquor for the first time.

Palming the back of my head and pushing it toward his torso, he presses my temple against his shoulder while his cologne infuses the air around me.

A few more moments pass before he breaks away.

Shivering, I try to pull myself together.

I glance at Lex, who leans against the wall, his hands tucked in his pockets, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, fueling that hungry heat inside me.

James steps back and slightly widens his stance, folding his arms over his chest.

“So... Are you going to tell us how old you are?”

“I’m… um… eighteen,” I say, my voice faltering.

Head barely tipped to the side, he brings his hand to his chin and slowly rubs it with his forefinger and his thumb.

“Mmm...” he says, crushing a smile. “Eighteen, you say...”

He trades looks with Lex before shifting his eyes back to me.

“You’re not supposed to be here. You know that,” he murmurs in that deep gravely voice of his that makes my skin break out in goosebumps.

“No... no... I’m not here for myself...” I rush to explain as if talking to my mom.

And then I stop as I glimpse their amused grins.

“I’m not...” I say and pause, disappointed that I’m not taken seriously. “I’m looking for someone.”

“Who are you looking for?” Lex asks, both studying me, intrigued.

“My sister.”

“Oh... okay.”

They both chuckle.

That can’t be good.

“No. It’s not what you think... She doesn’t work here,” I say.

“Mmm-hmm,” James rasps. “How old is she?”

“She’s twenty-one.”

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