Tempt Me Read Online Free PDF

that he stood in the Santinis’ kitchen, he thought maybe he should have continued ignoring it.  
    “So, you were out for a ride?” Papa said. Jesse knew the older Santini was taking pity on him, and usually it would irritate him. Today, he saw it for what it was: a lifeline. 
    “Yeah. Kind of hard to ignore the weather after the winter we just had.”
    “Wanna a beer?”
    Jesse shook his head. “I better not. I’d love some water though.”
    Papa gave Joey a look but just like usual, she did what she wanted. She sat down at the table and gave him a pointed look. He knew better than to say no.
    He settled in his chair and Papa gave him a glass of water. “How do you like working at the Pentagon?” he asked, sitting next to Joey. 
    He shrugged. “I like the work and it sends me to San Antonio a lot. It’s good to be able to see MJ, Leo and now the babies.” 
    Papa nodded. “I never really wanted to deal with it myself. Too much bullshit. I mean, the military is filled with it, but they seem to have more of it than anywhere else.”
    “As my father always says, it is the warehouse and distribution point for bullshit.”
    Papa laughed. “There is that. I can’t believe he’s lasted as many years as he has. It must be odd working at the same place.”
    “It’s only odd if someone realizes who he is in relation to me. A lot of times we go weeks without running into one another.”
    When he said nothing else, the silence seemed to stretch.
    “I talked to MJ the other day,” Jesse said. 
    “And how are the most beautiful babies in the world doing?” Joey asked. 
    “Just fine, from the sound of it. Since they already have Leo at their beck and call, I think they’ll fare just fine.” 
    Before she could respond, the back door opened. Zoe stepped over the threshold, the bright Virginia sun shining behind her. She was smiling and he could see the happiness in her step and on her face. In one hand she was holding what looked to be charcoal and she had a sketchpad under her arm.
    “You were right, Joey,” she said before she noticed him. "Oh," she said. "I didn't know you were here."
    Well, that didn't sound promising.
    "I had the bike out for a ride today. I like coming down twenty-nine on nice sunny spring days." 
    "That's a good ride," Papa said.
    Then, silence as she stood with the sun behind her back staring at him.
    "You were drawing?"
    She nodded.
    "Are you one of those temperamental ones who doesn't like to share their work?" 
    "What do you mean temperamental?" she asked.
    "Yeah," Joey said. "Just what do you mean?"
    Papa chuckled. "I think you both just proved his point there."
    "I get no respect in this house," Joey said.
    "Please, you have every man in this house at your beck and call. I've heard the stories," he said with a smile. "Leo claims you are really mean. The only one who hasn't ratted you out is Marco."
    "That's because he's my favorite."
    Papa rolled his eyes.
    "And let's not even get started how you ordered my sister here to fix Leo."
    She crossed her arms across her chest. "She wasn't supposed to tell anyone." 
    He chuckled. "Yeah, cause MJ is a shrinking flower who barely talks to other people." 
    "Wait, I think I’m missing part of the story here," Zoe said. 
    "You don't need to hear any of it. Leo and MJ had just started dating and they were going through a rough patch. I helped."
    "You said you were sick of having him here moping around," Jesse said, enjoying himself. It wasn’t often that anyone got the upper hand with Joey Santini. 
    "Shut up."
    He laughed at that.
    "And what was that for?" Joey asked.
    "It's hard not to get a rise out of Joey Santini. I think I should get some kind of medal or something." 
    "Son, you need to learn when to quit while you're ahead. Now why don't you let Zoe know you want to take her for a ride on the bike so I don't have to watch Joey here make mincemeat out of you."
    “Are you up for it?" he asked Zoe.  
    "I think that sounds like