Page 232 of The Sinner: James

“Something wrong?”

I flick my eyes to him and shake my head, afraid to speak and give myself away.

Peeling off his T-shirt, he swaggers away. My eyes stay on him until he vanishes out of sight.

I finally snap out of my reverie and walk to the built-in closet. I open my travel bag and pull out my swimsuit.

Clad in my bikini, I climb the stairs and smoothly slide into the pool.

Crystal-clear water envelopes me as long, smooth strokes take me from one end of the pool to the other.

My body relaxes, and my mind quiets down.

It feels like pure bliss.

A few more moments pass, and I emerge from the pool and stride to the beach.

Fine sand coats my feet before I swim into the warm ocean.

Minutes later, I roll onto my back and stare at the starry sky. It’s magnificent.

Eventually, I swim back, bright lights shining around most of the estate except for our bedroom, where something catches my eye.

The glowing end of a cigarette flickers in the dark, bringing back an old memory.

The day Eve and I saw them for the first time.

We stood at the side of the road, watching their car drive by. The tinted window was rolled down, and Lex’s profile came into view first before James’ lit cigarette glowed in the dark.

He was watching me back then. Like now.

My heart races as I remember him that way.

Regrets and love that had been buried and–-I thought–– forgotten come back to me as well.

Wounded, my heart weeps, not at all empty of him.

By the time I walk onto the beach, the red light of his cigarette is long gone.

I walk up the stairs and step inside, the scent of smoke lingering in the air.

I peel off my swimsuit and slip into the bathroom.

The door closes behind me on its own.

Swiftly, I spin around.

Leaning against the door, arms crossed over his chest, he looks at me, his stare burning holes into my face.

My eyes dip to his torso. His skin glistens with sweat.

He must’ve worked out.

A few strands of hair slide over his eyes, and his sweatpants hang low on his hips.

Smiling, he beckons me to him.

His eyes drift slowly over me, creating pleasure across my skin.

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