Page 306 of The Sinner: James

“I don’t want to know about your men. Tell me about anything else. What you write and what you read. But no men. Okay?”

I nod.

“I finished writing my first real book,” I say.

“What kind of book?”

“It’s autobiographical,” I say, stroking his chest through his shirt. “And it’s loosely based on my life,” I say, glancing up at him, smiling naughtily.

“Oh, shit.”

A playful grin tugs at his lips.

“Am I in it?”

“What do you think?” I ask, amused.

“Hmm... What’s it called?”

“Owned,” I say, gauging his reaction.

His eyes narrow with a smile as he softly bobs his head.

“Good title,” he says. “Suggestive, although it goes both ways.”

I crush a grin before smoothly tearing away from him.

“Okay then, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say in a different voice.

His expression shifts, and suddenly, he’s all business again.

“Sounds good. The staff is already here. Your things will be brought to the house within the hour,” he says and pauses for a second. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” he adds, yet he doesn’t move.

I ponder and then close the distance between us. Pushing up on my toes, I wrap my arms around his neck.

He tilts his head down to me, and I softly kiss his cheek and then... his lips.

We still for a moment, our lips connected, my heart bursting in my chest, his hand gripping my waist.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say before pulling away from him.

10

JAMES

My eyes followher to the top of the stairs, where she turns around and waves me goodbye.

Spellbound, I nod.

She pushes the front door open and walks into the house while I spend a moment trying to adjust to the new reality.

Is this really happening?

Am I so lucky to get another shot at her?

I slip into my car, turn the ignition on, and smoothly veer away. Moments later, I roll my ride through the open gate and leave the property behind.

Within minutes, the town comes into view.

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