Page 58 of The Sinner: James

Two men join us soon after.

“Keep an eye on her,” he instructs Lex and Ed without looking at them.

They smoothly flank me as James approaches a group of people near us. Among them, I spot a judge, the mayor, a group of councilmen, and a couple of bankers.

“Anything to drink, babe?” Lex asks, moving his eyes over my dress nonchalantly.

“Oh... Couldn’t you be more obvious?” I snap, frowning at him.

Ignoring my outburst of anger, they chuckle. Ed pivots to me and locks my eyes. It’s the first time we find ourselves in front of each other since that night at Red’s.

He envelopes me with a sultry gaze.

A few bangs of shiny brown hair swoop over his brow.

He combs it all back with his fingers, his eyes gleaming with a smile.

“Where have you been all this time?” he asks.

“Italy.”

“Hmm…” he murmurs, his gaze moving swiftly over my body. “You’re even more beautiful than I remember,” he purrs, raising his eyes, a playful smile on his lips.

I glance at Lex, who tucks a hand in his pocket, brings his glass of champagne to his lips, and studies me intently.

“Thank you... I guess...” I say, hesitant and nervous.

“So, how was life overseas?” Lex asks, throwing me a lifeline.

I wipe away a bead of sweat from my brow.

“Someone’s hot,” Ed says, his eyes dipping to my chest.

I bring my fingers to his face and tip his chin up.

“Don’t do this, sugar…” he murmurs, taking my hand and pressing his lips against my fingertips.

More sweat trickles down my neck.

Lex sets his glass on a nearby table before approaching us and stopping behind me.

He slides his hand under my hair, gently lifts it, and blows softly, cooling my skin.

Goosebumps drape over my shoulders.

“Is this better?” Lex whispers in my ear, his lips grazing my skin, making me even hotter than before.

I don’t know what he means by better.

“Mm-hmm...” I murmur.

Standing before me, Ed observes us, his lips curving into a faint smile as he takes in my reaction.

Still holding my hand, he strokes the inside of my palm with his thumb.

“I don’t think I’m getting any better,” I say quietly.

“Take your hands off her,” James thunders, grabbing their necks and pulling them away from me.

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