Read Redemption (Iris Series) for Free Online Page B

for me.”  So unlike my parents , the thought popped in, and she could feel her eyes prick with tears.
    Shit.  What the fuck was she talking to him about this stuff for?  She would be a bawling mess if she didn’t redirect this conversation.  Mentally shaking herself, she shifted against the wall and changed the subject.
    “Did you know that Janie Callahan was in Paris studying cooking the year before me?  We found that out at the barbeque.”
    He looked a little thrown at the abrupt change in conversation, but then caught up.
    “No, I hadn’t heard that.  That must’ve been a cool realization when you both discovered it.”
    “Yeah, it was.  We’re actually thinking of doing something together.  Business wise, I mean.  We’re gonna hook up sometime this Saturday to brainstorm.”  Ayanna’s thoughts moved again.  “Did Emily tell you about dinner next Monday?”
    “Yup.  I’ll be there.”
    Ayanna tried not to beam, but she was seriously happy he was going.
    “I actually think I’m gonna go to the self-defense class beforehand, too,” he said, surprising her.  “Hang out and watch.”
    Ayanna’s eyebrow shot up.  “Really?  You wanna watch all of us girls learn how to kick some ass?”
    His lips formed into a droll smile. “I know. Ick. Who would wanna watch that?  A bunch of hot and sweaty chicks in workout gear and sports bras, wrestling with each other on a mat.”
    “Well, well,” Ayanna snickered.  “It looks like Johnny Be Good isn’t so ‘good’ after all.”
    “Hey, that’s your nickname for me, not mine.”
    She could feel the arousal hit her.  Johnny Be Good had a bad side?  “What would your nickname be for yourself if you could pick it?”
    “Well, now that you’ve established that we’re only going to be friends, Yan, and you won’t be blessing me with your sexual advances anymore, I don’t know if I should tell you.”  His eyes glittered.  “You might not be able to handle it.”
    She squirmed, feeling the sexual tension slam into her like a two by four, but played it cool again like she had before.  “Ooh.  Now I’m intrigued.”
    He watched her squirm, then straightened his leg and leaned forward.  “This is gonna be fun,” he breathed, his mouth kicking up into a semblance of a smile, his gaze lasering into her.  “Knowing I can say whatever I want, get you all flustered and you’re not going to be able to exact any sexual revenge.”
    She was definitely turned on and she was pretty sure he knew it.  He, however, looked completely unaffected, having fun at her expense.
    “A girl doesn’t have to use sex as revenge, you know.  But give it your best shot, champ.  Fluster me all you want.  I always have B.O.B. to help me out.”
    His brow crinkled.  “Who’s Bob?”
    Her eyes sparkled.  “Wouldn’t you like to know ?”  She waited a moment to see if he would figure it out.  She could tell when he did, because he swallowed and folded his hands in his lap.
    “You have one of those things?”  His eyes were like lasers.
    “Doesn’t every woman have one?” she asked amused.
    “Do they?”  He eyes bore into her. 
    “Oh, it looks like we’re back to ‘Johnny Be Good ’ again.”  She liked toying with him.  “Any bad boy would know most women have a battery operated boyfriend.”
    “I’m a goody goody because I don’t know that most women have vibrators?”  Then he nailed her with his gaze.  “Yan, trust me.  The women I’ve been with haven’t needed vibrators.”  He paused again and gave her another pointed look, allowing that comment to sink in.  “How sad that you would need one,” he tsked.  “Maybe it is good to take a break from these men if they’ve been leaving you so unsatisfied,” he said, needling her.
    She took a moment to compose herself and to get her raging hormones in check.  This man made her so horny.  How long did she say she was going to go without sex?  Could she even make the