Page 114 of The Sinner: James

They turn left and vanish into the house.

She finally regains focus, her neck resuming its natural position.

“It’s hot tonight. I’m all wet, and by wet, I mean...” she murmurs.

“Enough,” I say, grinning and pulling her inside.

We cruise down the corridor through groups of people before stopping next to one of the servers and picking up fruit skewers from a platter.

“I love this house,” she comments. “Is it for sale?” she asks, so seriously, I bite my lip to push back a snicker.

Tears come to my eyes from so much laughing.

“Stop it, Eve, or I swear I’ll never take you anywhere with me again,” I say, unable to control my giggling.

“It’s called laughter therapy, Mrs. Sexton. You should try it sometimes. Especially when you’re in trouble. It mitigates the stress induced by obnoxious sisters,” she says quietly before biting into a small piece of pineapple.

Someone’s stare burns holes into the back of my neck.

I turn slowly and scan the crowd.

“Mmm... Look at those eyes,” Eve says.

I’m already lost in James’ eyes.

His head tilts down slightly, his gaze beaming with delicious promises.

“Later,” he mouths to me.

We break our stare as someone at his side claims his attention.

“Did he just say later?” Eve breathes out.

“He did,” I murmur, my eyes still on him.

“You’re a lucky girl, Rain.”

“I’m not so sure,” I say, torn.

* * *

RAIN

“He wants to see you,”a raspy voice purrs in my ear, a man’s hand sliding to the small of my back, too close to my backside not to feel the reverberations of his touch in my most intimate spot.

“Ed?”

“Yes, baby,” he murmurs.

“You can’t touch me.”

“Says who?”

“James.”

“Have you asked him?”

I turn to him.

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