Page 322 of The Sinner: James

The unmistakable aura of danger is still there. It’s in his blood, I guess.

A soft grin creases his lips.

“What is it?” he asks.

“Nothing.”

He slides his hands into his pockets, drawing my gaze to his fly.

I cut my gaze at him.

He studies me with smiling eyes.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” I ask. “Teasing me?”

Biting the inside of his cheek, he crushes a grin.

I wag my finger at him.

“You keep playing games with me, James.”

His lips curve into a slow grin as he erases the space between us.

“There is no game,” he says, sliding his fingers over my bare shoulders and brushing my hair back.

“Not this time. Although I don’t think it’s ever been,” he says, studying my face.

“What was it then?”

His smile fades.

“I think we spun waywardly, away from each other. And time and people had gotten between us. Had I known back then what I know now, I would’ve done things differently and found a way to make you stay.”

I tip my gaze down.

He softly grips my chin and makes me look at him again.

“Maybe this was the only way we could’ve done it. Have you thought about that?” I murmur.

He nods.

“Yes, I have. And maybe there was a price we needed to pay, but I wish you didn’t have to pay it, though,” he says.

“I don’t think it was our choice.”

An affectionate smile shines in his eyes.

“Who knows? Maybe it wasn’t. Still, I wish things were different.”

Slowly, he runs his eyes over my body and then up, his hand sliding around my waist before settling at the small of my back, making my skin vibrate with pleasure.

“One thing I know… You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he says softly as we get lost in each other eyes. “And one day, I hope you’ll all be mine,” he murmurs, a sad smile lining his lips this time.

I suck in a short breath.

“What is it?” he asks.

My words are stuck in my throat, so I say nothing.

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