Page 40 of The Sinner: James

He tears his hand away from her, and I can see her hard nipples even from where I sit.

“You could’ve asked James,” Lex says.

“And he would’ve told me?” she retorts, her voice growing more confident.

Lex flashes a grin while Ed shakes his head before bringing his drink to his lips.

“He didn’t even tell me he was here,” she continues.

“Ask him now,” Lex says, locking my eyes.

“Is it true, James?” she asks louder.

A few moments of silence tick by.

“What?” I ask.

“That these women are spending time with you and your friends, and then they are forever changed when they go back to their lives.”

My nose wrinkles with a smile.

Lex tosses his head back, grinning, while Ed rubs a hand over his face, his chest rocking with laughter.

“Unfucking real,” Ed blurts.

“Why are you laughing? That’s what people say,” she murmurs.

“Okay, enough... Let’s get her home,” I say, snatching my phone from the table and pushing to my feet.

“I can’t go home...” she says nervously.

“Excuse me?”

“I can’t go home. I had a fight with my sister, and I’m supposed to sleep at my friend’s house, but I can’t go to her place either. Her parents must be awake by now. Hopefully, she didn’t tell them about me. But that means I can’t show up at her place or my family’s, and my sister will find out...” she says, running out of breath.

“All right... all right,” I say, irritated.

I erase the space between us, grip her elbow, and walk her to the bedroom.

7

RAIN

He jerksme around the corner and shoves me into his bedroom before slamming the door closed.

For a moment, I don’t even know whether I’m alone or not.

A soft rustle falls in my ears as he moves closer and gently touches my arm.

My breath catches. It’s not what I expected.

His fingers move over my skin before freeing my wrists. I swiftly bring my hands to my blindfolded eyes.

“Not so fast, sweetheart,” he says, pivoting in front of me while cuffing my wrists with his fingers.

Gently, he places my palms on his chest.

Shallow breaths escape my lips.

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