Heaven in Hedonism (The Sinful Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

panting slightly.
    “Not especially.”
    “Well, I’m gonna tell you anyway.” He took a breath. “You don’t try to impress me.”
    Nodding, I agreed with that assessment. “I sure don’t.”
    “I wasn’t done yet,” he said somewhat sternly.
    “Pardon me,” I said while rolling my eyes. “Please continue.”
    “Your work speaks for itself. You are over-qualified. You just go about your business without demanding the pats and preening of all the other geeks.” He smiled. “And I swear you live to shock me, do it just to put me off, keep me at arm’s length.” He watched me for a reaction.
    Careful not to give one, I said evenly, “If you think so.”
    Now he seemed to be thinking aloud. “What other reason could you have for telling me that you are a lesbian? Why else would you say half the things you say?”
    “You tell me, Dr. Phil. Later. Gotta get to my desk.” Then I entered our office and headed straight to my seat. Just as I prepared to sit, my cell started ringing. I would have answered a call from a telemarketer at the moment, as desperate as I was to avoid talking to him further. Luckily, I didn’t have to take that route. Sin was calling.
    “Hey,” I answered.
    Her greeting was a blissful sigh. “Jolie and Brendan are doing wonderfully. Ben is with them in the nursery. So now, I have a moment for you.” She sounded so pleased with herself.
    “Glad everything’s working out for you,” I said, instantly regretting the bitter edge to my voice.
    “Hold up,” she said seriously. In the background I could hear the rustling of sheets and the sound of a motor. “I’m sitting up. It takes a minute,” she grumbled.
    “Thank you, Sin, because I need more guilt.” I sighed heavily while watching the door. Mac could come in any moment.
    “What’s up with you? This is not my Jolie,” she complained.
    “I’m not anyone’s Jolie. I’m all grown up and on my own.”
    She was quiet a moment before speaking softly. “You don’t have to be, you know? You could find love, if you’d stop pushing people away so well.”
    “Let’s not talk about this love crap. It works for you and Ben. It’s a great look for you, but for me, it’s a lot more complicated.”
    “Can’t find the right girl?” she asked. Sin never minced words.
    “Can’t find any girl. I’ve lost interest.”
    Chuckling, she said, “Well, maybe you are looking in all the wrong places. Maybe it’s time to reconsider your stance on guys.”
    “Gah,” I moaned. “Mac would love to hear you say that.”
    Immediately I realized my mistake. I could almost hear her grab onto those words. “Who’s Mac?” Her tone of voice left no doubt as to how interested she was in the answer.
    “My boss. And it would be wildly cliché. Nope. He’s completely wrong…wrong gender, wrong age, wrong style, just wrong wrong wrong.” As I spoke, my head was shaking emphatically. Too bad she couldn’t see it.
    “Right. Sometimes, Jolie, all wrong is completely right. I think they taught us that in math, something about a bunch of negatives making a positive, or some crap like that.”
    Letting out a hollow laugh, I said, “Hire a tutor for the twins when they get to higher level math. You could never wrap your pretty little head around those numbers.”
    “Yeah, well, you could never wrap your head around your own emotions. You have always been fantastic at doling out advice to me. And it was some good advice. Really. Look at me. Now, it’s your turn,” she said in a way that suggested she was just gearing up. “Physician, heal thyself.”
    “What the hell does that mean?” I grumbled.
    “It means think about all those harsh words you’ve had for me throughout the years and apply them to your own life. Before you regret it.”
    In the background, I could hear Ben’s voice. “Hey, gorgeous, I’ve brought your ride. Time to go love on those babies.”
    “Jolie, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.”
    “Hey, give