Page 196 of The Sinner: James

We walk to the elevator, ride it down, stride across the lobby, and exit the building without a word.

As we walk out, a limo is waiting for us in front of the building.

We slip in, acting like two strangers.

He averts his eyes.

I shift my gaze to the window.

Minutes later, the car pulls up in front of my place.

He steps out of the car, holds the door for me, dismisses the driver with a flick of his hand, and helps me out.

Our hands connect for a moment, and our shoulders rub briefly as I lean on him, trying to regain my balance.

As soon as the sidewalk meets my heels, I let go of him and rush ahead.

He follows me.

It’s warm inside, and the lobby smells like pine trees and cinnamon, Christmas lights flickering across the walls.

The doorman takes us in discreetly as we stride across.

“I didn’t invite you upstairs,” I toss at James over my shoulder.

“You don’t need to,” he says brashly.

Gritting my teeth, I stifle a retort as we enter the elevator.

“I don’t bring men to my apartment,” I say, irritated, before pressing the button for my floor.

“Well, sweetheart, there’s a first time for everything,” he sneers.

I whip my gaze at him.

He stubbornly ignores me.

The doors close smoothly, sealing us in.

He leans against the wall, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

“I could call the police.”

“Do whatever you want,” he says.

Moments later, the doors slide open, and we exit the car and turn right before striding down the hallway, sauntering past a few apartments and stopping in front of my door.

I swiftly unlock it and enter the foyer leading to the living room.

He walks in and shuts the door with a loud noise.

I ignore him.

Unfazed, I peel off my mantle and lay it on a chair while he swaggers across the room, takes in his surroundings, settles in front of the window, and lets his gaze wander outside.

The wind blows flurries of snow across the foggy glass.

I walk to the side table and pour myself a drink.

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