Page 333 of The Sinner: James

He tips my chin up and softly kisses my lips, and my arms twine around his neck as I press myself into his body, overwhelmed by the sensation.

My heart dances with happiness, my body hungry for his.

I can’t believe how much I missed his touch.

Gently, he breaks away from me, takes my hand, and walks me into the house.

The rooms are softly lit, candles glowing everywhere.

We walk across the foyer before reaching the living room.

The doors facing the lake are wide open, the wind unsettling the water blowing rose petals into the room.

“You said you wanted to see the other side of the house,” he says mysteriously.

“There’s always a hidden side with you, isn’t it?”

“Not anymore, baby.”

He opens that secret door and invites me in.

We walk down a few stairs and reach the basement, where marble floors stretch beneath our feet, and warm lights glow over the walls.

Another door comes into view.

He swings it open before we enter a large chamber.

A gasp falls from my lips.

Red walls, scarlet velvet sofas and chairs, golden sconces, and black floors. A large bed sits in the center, dressed in black.

Mirrors line the walls, capturing the entire room.

My hand flies to my mouth.

“Oh, my God. This is... “

“What you were searching for three years ago. Yes. Although it had never looked like that before.”

The memory of that night zaps through me.

I shift my eyes to him.

“I finally found it,” I say.

A grin tilts his lips.

“Yeah, you did.”

“I can’t believe it was so close,” I murmur, distracted as he brings his fingers to my shoulders and sweeps off my dress straps.

“Does it look how you imagined it?” he asks.

His breath fans over my lips, distracting me even more.

“Yes, it does...” I murmur, my skin warm from his touch.

“That’s good...” he says, slowly pulling my zipper down. “I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.”

---