Page 122 of The Sinner: James

The more I walk with him, the better I feel.

We saunter through a room full of people before slipping into the backyard.

People gasp in surprise as they glance at us.

We go straight to Lex and Ed.

“You two couldn’t be more obvious even if you tried,” Ed comments.

“It’s over,” James says, relieved. “Her sister caught us.”

“Fine. But I wasn’t talking about that,” Ed says, brushing a damp lock away from my face, studying me.

His nostrils flare as he takes in my scent.

Without saying another word, he slowly shakes his head.

“You two keep an eye on her. No touching, Ed,” James orders, grinning, as Ed keeps brushing strands of hair away from my face.

“Lex, put a leash on him.”

“He’s no better than me,” Ed says, amused.

“I know,” James says, surprisingly serious, prompting Lex to smile.

“Honey, please squeeze their nuts if they bother you,” he says to me before placing a kiss on my lips.

My world shifts on its axis.

It’s the first time he’s kissed me in public, and I don’t know if anyone else cares about it, but for me, this is the beginning of a new life.

“I’ll be back,” he says, walking to the mayor’s group.

For a moment, I look at him, trying to make sense of everything that happened in the last couple of hours.

And then, I sense the warmth of a body right behind me. The man lowers his lips to my ear, his voice rolling out softly.

“You chose him, darling. Otherwise, you would’ve been mine.”

I freeze before I turn around slowly.

By the time I look around, there’s no one behind me.

Ed and Lex talk to a couple nearby, neither of them looking at me.

* * *

RAIN

The house is quiet.

Silver-blue light streams through the windows, glowing around the rooms and the hallway.

Barefoot and wearing only a silk robe, I exit the kitchen, climb the stairs, and walk into his bedroom.

I shed my robe and slide under the covers.

For a few moments, I stare at the ceiling, a sense of peace falling over me. I know it’s momentary and perhaps the calm before the storm.

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