Page 435 of The Sinner: James

He bears the same elegance that struck me a few years back when we met. And has the same mysterious air about him.

My gaze stays on him as my mind goes adrift, and it’s only moments later, when he catches me staring at him, that I peel my eyes away.

The food arrives within moments, and our conversation shifts to other topics. We chat about international traveling, the real estate market, politics, and money.

We leave the restaurant an hour later.

David heads to his hotel. Eve goes home while James and I return to our place.

It’s our last evening together before he flies to Monaco, and I go home, so I’m set to make the best of it.

But I still have questions.

“What’s the deal with David Moore and you getting into business together?” I ask as we walk into the penthouse and enter the living room.

“It makes good business sense,” he says, fixing himself a drink.

“I had no doubt,” I say, lowering myself onto the sofa.

Grinning, he evades my eyes and cuffs up his sleeves.

He brings his drink to his lips and takes a swig, studying me.

I wait.

“His business is huge,” he says, taking a seat next to me.

I pivot to face him and fold a leg under me.

He sets his drink on the table and opens several buttons before lifting his arms and running his hands through his hair.

His pecs bulge, iron-hard beneath his shirt, as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“He invested a lot of money in the Asian market,” he starts in a low, paced voice. “And he has a lot of connections. He’s doing well. He tripled his wealth since his divorce. On the other hand, I hit a snag in that part of the globe, so we struck a deal. He put his money into my business, and I made him a partner. I’m no longer pressed by time, and from this point on, he’ll be my man in that part of the world while I can finally focus on the European headquarters and have more time to spend with you,” he says quietly.

Smiling.

I study his profile before leaning closer, winding my arms around his neck, and kissing him.

On his cheek at first, and then his lips.

“I’m so happy I’ll spend more time with you these coming weeks.”

His eyes glint with an affectionate smile, his gaze dipping to my lips.

“Me too.”

I look down for a moment.

He brings his hand to my face, prompting me to raise my eyes.

His lips tilt into a grin before he wraps his arm around me and pulls me even closer. His lips meet mine in a soft kiss just as his cell begins to ring.

We break the kiss.

He fishes his phone out of his pocket and glances at the screen.

It’s an international phone number.

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