Tempt Me Read Online Free PDF

see into anyone’s mind with a touch. She’d always thought it was a magic trick, one he’d shown her several times when she was a child. Maybe that was why she was taking all this so well. This new magical reality. In one way or another, whether she’d known it or not, it had always been a part of her life.
    Allegra pushed back her chair, shooing away Celestin when he tried to help her to her feet. “Let’s give him a little more time. All of us together at once can be overwhelming in the best of circumstances. Now, who wants to help me clear the table?”
    “ Bebe , don’t you dare. That’s why I’m here.” Celestin took the plate from her hand and gestured to Ben, who stood as well.
    “I wouldn’t want to face the Mamas if they found out I let my pregnant guest clean up in my house.” Ben winked at her, filling his hands with the take-out boxes and plates in front of him.
    Allegra made a face. “I’m not a guest and you know it. And being pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t wash the dishes.”
    Michelle, who had gotten up along with everyone else, placed her palm over Allegra’s forehead. “You must be feverish, child. You have men waiting on you hand and foot and you want to argue about it? If I were pregnant, I’d be putting you to shame.”
    Ben stilled, sending his wife a sizzling look. “I’d be willing to beg to see that, Mimi.”
    “Well, I’m a guest, too. And I’m perfectly fine letting the men do all the work,” Angelique muttered, reminding them they still had company.
    Ben shook his finger at her playfully. “Sassy and spoiled. Just as I suspected.”
    The rest of them headed out of the dining room in a whirlwind of chatter and clinking china, leaving her behind with BD and Bethany. They were speaking so intently to each other that they’d barely noticed anyone had gone.
    “Blue Eyes, tell me what’s wrong. You know you can’t lie to me.”
    Bethany shook her head. “Nothing is wrong. It’s just, well...”
    She sent a pleading glance in Angelique’s direction. Even for a natural eavesdropper, it was an easy look to interpret. She pushed back her chair and got to her feet. “Speaking of air, I think I’ll get a little myself and leave you two alone.”
    BD raised a speculative brow but Bethany just smiled in absentminded thanks.
    She should really be thanking them . They’d given her exactly the excuse she needed to disappear, a fact BD no doubt suspected. She headed down the hall, away from the kitchen, before anyone else could notice.
    The way Gabriel had gone.
    He’d been headed outside. To the sprawling backyard thick with oak and magnolia trees . . . and happy memories.
    She opened the glass-paneled doors that led outside, smelled the sweet, damp grass and magnolia blossoms, but saw no sign of her elusive prey. She took the path to the pristinely white gazebo, reaching out to skim her fingers along the wood grain when she reached it.
    This was where Celestin and Allegra had gotten married. Angelique remembered how beautiful everything was. She’d cried to see her brother so happy, and, she was honest enough to admit to herself, she’d been more than a little envious. Not because of the beautiful ceremony, but the utter contentment and joy that shone like a halo around the couple. They knew what they wanted, where they were going, and that they would get there together.
    She would give anything to be that sure. Someday. Right now she was just interested in how Gabriel made her feel. She had no illusions about those feelings. They weren’t sweet and romantic. They were agitated and restless. Shameless.
    She was shameless. She should probably go back inside before he realized she’d followed him out here like a hopeless puppy. Maybe go out and look for a handsome, low-maintenance tourist on Bourbon Street to let off some of this steam. Though she had a feeling it wouldn’t do any good. Her inner desires were very specific. They wanted Gabriel.
    “Why don’t you just