Page 213 of The Sinner: James

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Cream. Thank you.”

He fixes her coffee and brings the cups to the table.

He hands me mine. Black.

“You slept well?” he throws at Rain, stretching a knowing smile while taking a seat.

Blush colors her face, her lips curving into a soft grin as my heart does a little dance.

“Shut up, Lex,” I admonish him, grinning.

“No. It’s okay,” she says in a mellow voice.

She moves her focus to the plate while Lex and I lock eyes again.

“Are we doing some shopping today, or what?” he says, suddenly more upbeat, his good mood matching mine. “Have you been to an auction house before?” he asks her.

She nods, smiling mysteriously.

Lex winks at me behind her back.

I flick my finger up, signaling him to keep his mouth shut and mind his own business.

He does that, and we spend the next half an hour enjoying our breakfast, talking, and laughing about nothing.

Early afternoon, we leave the auction house after spending a few million dollars on a few collector’s cars––a Lamborghini Miura, a Bugatti from the 30s, and a Ferrari Enzo.

People glance at us as we slip out of the building and head to our car. Lex and I flank Rain, her hands linked to our arms.

“I need to make a quick stop at home to change,” she says.

“Sure.”

I motion to the driver and give him the instructions while Rain and Lex climb into the limo.

I follow their example.

The car glides away before we merge in with the traffic and take a turn on Fifth Avenue.

“That’s not what I had in mind,” she says, smiling as the car pulls to a stop in front of a building.

“It’s easier,” I say, helping her out.

We stroll into the store before the manager leads us to a private area with a fitting room.

Lex and I are sprawled on a couch while the sales clerk assists Rain.

“Pick up a few evening gowns and some summer clothes,” I toss at her before moving my eyes to my phone, avoiding her questioning look.

She follows my instructions, and we leave an hour later after arranging for the shopping bags and boxes to be delivered to my suite.

The following days fly by.

Rain and I return to the auction house, and this time, we bid on collectible art and jewelry from the last century. It turns out she is an expert in spotting a good buy.

She’s educated herself, or maybe it’s the byproduct of her occupation, something she’s learned from her wealthy clients.

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