Page 315 of The Sinner: James

“I want to see it. You’ve made me curious.”

“You’ll see it... Don’t worry,” he says, curling his arm around my shoulders, unable to hide his grin.

* * *

RAIN

Moments later,we climb into his LaFerrari.

“You still like cars, I assume,” he says.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Good. We’ll go car racing this afternoon.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

He glances away while handling the wheel, the car rolling slowly toward the gate.

The scent of roses envelopes us.

Soon, the property stays behind, and the car speeds up onto the open road.

“I love it,” I murmur, relishing the freedom that comes with it.

“What’s with you and cars?” he asks.

I laugh softly.

“Are you asking me this question?”

He slows down and glances at me, smiling.

“Yeah... I’m asking. I know why I like them, but women don’t usually care much about a car unless they give a shit about the dick that comes with it,” he says.

Grinning, I shake my head.

“I don’t know… I always loved them. Even when I was a little girl. I like road trips in general. They take me somewhere––hopefully, to a place of freedom and adventure where I can see people, nature, and new places so I can feel alive. I love the roar of an engine, the power under the metal frame, and the vibrations beneath my foot. I love speed, the rush, and the thrill that comes with it. That’s what driving cars is to me. What about you?”

“The same.”

I steal a glance in his direction.

His eyes absorb the sunlight, and his dark-green irises are now dotted with gold.

Nervously, he rakes his fingers through his hair.

I dip my gaze to his corded neck and hard pecs.

“You’re eyeing me,” he says, looking at me.

“No, I’m not,” I say, smiling and peeling my eyes away from him.

An hour later, the real estate agent, a sharply dressed woman with a mane of curly red hair and an oval face, shows me the fourth house on my list.

We conclude our tour shortly before I walk outside.

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