Page 195 of The Sinner: James

“I know…” I say, soaking in his beautiful grin. “You’ve waited for this for a long time...” I murmur.

He gives me a soft nod.

“Have you thought it might ever happen?” I ask.

“Maybe...” he says, smiling. “But not like this.”

He presses his lips against mine while I slide my fingers into his hair.

He deepens the kiss, burning against me, and soft moans echo in my throat.

Before long, he tears his lips away, grabs a plastic foil from the nightstand, breaks it open, and rolls the condom down.

Smoothly he eases himself in as I let out a sigh of pleasure.

The satisfaction beaming on my face must be more than telling.

“You’re...”

“Big?” he says, grinning. “Just like him,” he adds, rocking his hips slowly, filling me up.

“I may need to give you your money back,” I say.

Grinning, he locks my lips, smoothly increasing the pace and the force of his thrusts as my body becomes one with his, a shower of pulsations breaking through me soon after.

* * *

RAIN

Hours later,Lex drapes my coat over my shoulders and gives me a goodbye kiss before the door bursts open, and James storms in.

His eyes are darker and colder than the wind outside.

A scent of smoke and alcohol travels with him.

“I’ll take her home,” he says gruffly, clutching my arm.

I toss a desperate look at Lex.

“James,” Lex thunders, planting his palm on James’ chest. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, man?”

“Back off,” he rumbles, his hand still on my arm.

“You’re not taking her anywhere,” Lex barks back at him, and for a moment, they clash glares.

Tension seeps into James’ grip, and I begin to tremble.

“Don’t worry. She’s going to be okay,” James says in a softer voice, tearing Lex’s hand away from his chest.

Lex searches his eyes for a moment before shifting his gaze to me.

I nod, and he steps back while I lift my train and turn to James.

“Can you please take your hand off me?” I throw at him icily.

He tears his fingers away and motions me to the door.

“Let’s go.”

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