Page 508 of The Sinner: James

“Don’t worry about me, baby,” he says, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. “I didn’t want you to know because I wanted to protect you and myself. My mother asked for help, and I did what I had promised her. That’s all. I don’t know if they’ll be part of our lives in the future, but for now, I want this story to remain a secret. I don’t want to have paparazzi all over it, spewing out outrageous headlines. I don’t need unwanted attention. It’s not good for the business or our lives and won’t do any good to my mother and brother. Besides, some of the deals I’ve cut this week might come back to haunt me. Make sense?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” he says, breaking away from me, my fingers linked with his hand.

He snatches his phone from the table, tips his gaze down, and reads a message.

“Lex is in the lobby,” James says before leading me to the walk-in closet.

Thirty minutes later, we’re dressed up and ready to go.

He wears a slim-fit black shirt and dress pants, while I sport a silky jumpsuit with palazzo pants.

His eyes slide over me, taking in the plunging neckline almost reaching my waist and my chest straining against the fabric.

“Right on,” he says, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Smoothly, he places a kiss on my lips, cupping a breast gently.

“So much for playing the roulette tonight,” he says, amused. “We might cut the evening short.”

I smile as he takes my hand and walks me to the door.

“Lex has already been at the Casino,” he says as we stroll down the corridor, and his phone buzzes with another message.

We ride the elevator down, saunter across the lobby, and leave the hotel.

“Do you need your car, sir?” the doorman asks.

James flicks his eyes in his direction.

“No. We’re taking a walk.”

Hand in hand, we climb the stairs, turn right and walk down the street.

Groups of people stroll in the same direction, enjoying the evening breeze.

Minutes later, we enter the Casino and head straight to the VIP Lounge.

Lex sits at a table in a private area, his eyes warm with a smile.

“Look who’s finally made it,” he says, rising to his feet.

He pulls me into his embrace and kisses my cheek.

“Are you done already?” James asks Lex as we lower ourselves into our seats.

“Yes.”

“How was it?”

“Lost some. Won some. Made about 100K.”

James nods appreciatively.

“Not bad.”

“For half an hour of gambling,” Lex adds, grinning.

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