Surrounded by Pleasure by Mandy Harbin Read Free Book Online

Just trying to weed through these cases.”
    It didn’t look like Mikaela bought her answer, but to
Krista’s relief, Mikaela sat down and started explaining her calendar and what
needed the most attention. Krista was pleased when Mikaela praised her after
realizing she’d already identified the more-pressing work and had started on
those. Then they’d spent several hours working—Krista on Mikaela’s existing
caseload and Mikaela on the phone with the
Caldwells
’ attorney, getting answers on the
news Thomas had shared last night. Krista got so into her work groove she’d
figured Mikaela had forgotten about the look on Krista’s face when she came
into the office this morning.
    “So, how’d it go with Toby last night?”
    Krista jerked her head up to see Mikaela casually looking
over some paperwork.
    “Fine.” Crap, why did her voice have to crack? And now
Mikaela was looking at her.
    “Really?” Mikaela smirked. “What happened?”
    “Nothing.” Another squeak of a response.
    “Hmm. I don’t believe you, counselor. Let the record show
you were flushed when I came in this morning, and Toby was even more evasive at
breakfast than you’re being now.”
    “Don’t you ‘counselor’ me, counselor. And enough with the
interrogation business. I’m not talking about it.” Oh, God. Mikaela saw Toby this morning at breakfast. Krista wanted
to see him, but then again, she wanted to avoid him. She was insanely attracted
to him, yet totally embarrassed by the idea of having to face him again. She
knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid him forever, but if she buried herself in
her work, she didn’t have to think about what she should do about him.
    Mikaela sighed, moving closer to her. “Listen. I just
want to help. He seemed to really like you, and—”
    “They all did,” Krista muttered, watching her hands as
they twisted together.
    Mikaela chuckled. “Yes, well, they’re men and you’re
beautiful. Of course they’re interested in you, but Toby seemed to have genuine
interest going on.” She leaned closer, whispering, “And I think you reciprocate
that interest.”
    “Yeah.” What else could she say? There was no use denying
the fact Toby was a hottie. “But I messed up.” Big time.
    “So, what happened?”
    Krista groaned and looked up at her. “He, er, kissed me.
A lot. We were in my room, making out, and I, I, shit .” She shook her head. “I blurted out I’m a virgin, and he
wigged out and bolted. There. Are you happy now? I’m a total idiot.” She
slumped back in her chair and covered her face, hoping to shield her
humiliation.
    “You never said you were a virgin,” Mikaela said
woodenly.
    Krista’s hands slid down her face. “That’s not something
I go bragging about. Granted, I don’t think there’s any shame in it. The right
guy just hasn’t come along, not that I’ve been waiting around for Mr. Right.
I’ve just been too busy to go fishing in the sea of bodily lust.” Then why did
being in Toby’s arms feel so incredibly right, as if she’d been saving herself
for him all along? Ridiculous. That was what that was.
    Mikaela seemed lost in her thoughts, so Krista didn’t
continue. Then Mikaela looked over at her with an odd expression. “They’ll
never believe you’re in a loving relationship that’s open sexually if you’ve
never had sex before. What boyfriend in his right mind would not have sex with
you but allow you to have sex with other men?”
    “I don’t have a boyfriend, remember?” But even as Krista
said it, she realized that Mikaela was really talking to herself and not to
Krista. “Hey? What’s the big deal?”
    Mikaela blinked as if she’d snapped out of whatever
trance she was in and looked at Krista, finally seeing her. “Huh?”
    “I said what’s the big deal about the guys knowing I’m
not in a relationship?” Hell, if what Mikaela said was true and they shy away
from commitment, then maybe Jack and Rob would back off if they knew she