Tempt Me by Melissa Schroeder Read Free Book Online Page B

stays on TDY ." 
    He chuckled again. "Yeah, a lot of them use that. But then, I’m hanging around a bunch of old men talking budget. It should stay on TDY because it's so boring." 
    She smiled to herself and leaned back down on her bed. "Sure, sure. Like I don't know they are all going out to party and you have to be their wingman. They will use you as the bait." 
    He laughed. "I don't even want to think about helping some of my father's contemporaries get laid."
    "What, you think your father doesn't get a little action? I've seen him. He's an attractive man."
    "Now you're just creeping me out. Stop it." 
    "Okay."
    Another pause. "What else do you have on the agenda today?" 
    "I am thinking of going art supply shopping."
    "Gonna try out the arm?"
    She said nothing because, now that she thought about it, she realized just how worried she was.
    "Yeah."
    There was a pause and being true to fashion, he picked up on it. "Hey, you're going to be just fine."
    "The doc said that I might have some fine motor skills issues." 
    "Worrying about it isn't going to make it better."
    "Thanks. I hadn't thought of that." She didn't even try and hide her sarcasm.
    "Hey, are you worried about that?"
    She sighed. "Not really. They said it would be very minor, even if I did have problems." 
    She was worried more about the fact she might not be able to sit down and actually sculpt again. She hadn't gone this long without working—ever. 
    "I’m sure it will all work out. And besides, I’ll be back in a few days to give you inspiration." 
    "Are you saying that your body should inspire me to sculpt?"
    "Of course."
    He said it with enough humor she knew he was joking. She didn't sculpt people that often, but Jesse would definitely be one that would be worth the time and effort. She didn't know many men with his physique. Not personally. There was Gee, but well, he was like her brother and that was gross.
    “And you are okay with doing it nude?”
    “I thought that was a given.”
    “Oh, I see.”
    “What?”
    “You’re doing this just to get naked in front of me.”
    “Well, if I’m willing to do that, I think that should tell you I’m pretty comfortable with my nudity.” 
    “What man isn’t? Most of you like to parade around naked.”
    “That’s true, but not before we’ve seduced you. The fact that I am willing to do it before that…well, that should tell you something.”
    She couldn’t help but laugh out loud at that comment. She’d met a lot of military men in her life. Hard not to with a sister married to one and living close to a base. Some had been flirty but if someone had told her Jesse would have been so sweet and teasing, she never would have guessed it. He seemed too intense.
    It made her wonder about the way he acted in bed. It would definitely be worth the ride.
    There was a knock bringing her out of her lewd thoughts. The door opened and Joey poked her head through the opening.
    “Time to go, sweetie.”
    She nodded and Joey winked before shutting the door. “I have to go. Cast cutting time.”
    “Oh.” He sounded genuinely concerned.
    “So, you’ll be back tomorrow night?”
    “Yeah, unfortunately late. I don’t land at National until after midnight.”
    “Text me when you land.”
    “I have a feeling you’ll hear from me before that.”
    “Still, remember to text me.”
    “Okay. Good luck.”
    She hung the phone up, then slipped on her sandals, to head out the door. When she reached the kitchen, Joey was waiting for her.
    “Jesse doing okay?”
    She nodded. “He said he’ll be back late tomorrow night.”
    Joey sighed as she led Zoe out the door to the garage. “I don’t miss those days. Once I had the boys, it was even worse.”
    “I guess Papa was gone a lot considering his career field.”
    “Yes, and what was harder was when he returned. The active duty spouse forgets that life goes on while they’re gone. Rules and schedules are set, and they come home and blow them to