Tempt Me (Semper Fi Marines)(6)

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 baby."

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 is the most beautiful baby in the world doing?" Joey asked.

"Just fine, from the sound of it. Since she already has Leo at her beck and call, I think she'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 a good idea. Being outside put me in a much better frame of mind. Do you have an extra helmet?"

He nodded and she ran off to get ready.

The phone rang at about the same time and Joey answered it.

"You know, son, if you want to date the girl, you're going to have to stop being so damned subtle."

"It's not dating."

Papa sat there staring at Jesse and he had to fight the urge to squirm.

"What do you call taking a woman around to see the monuments, including  going to the art museum, and then showing up for a Sunday drive in the  country?"

"I call it being nice."

But you don't want to be nice, a voice whispered in his ear. He wanted  to be a whole lot of not nice to the woman. He hadn't been able to  forget the sound of her laughter or the way she lit up as they went  through the museum.

"We called it dating when I was younger." He opened his mouth to refute  it, but Papa shook his head. "I don't feel like arguing. I get enough of  that with the woman I married. But, since I feel responsible for her, I  want you to remember you will answer to me if something goes wrong. I  have four boys who will help me hide your body."

"She doesn't want to date anyone."

Papa laughed. "Yeah, neither did Joey when I met her. In fact, she refused to date Marines."

* * * *

By the time they stopped for a break, Zoe had finally relaxed. It hadn't  been an easy task as she leaned against Jesse's muscled back. When he  pulled into the gas station to take a break, she was kind of  disappointed.

She followed him into the store and went to the back to grab a couple of  waters while he went to wash his hands. Minutes later they were sitting  outside of the convenience store enjoying the weather.

"So, what do you think of Virginia in the spring?"

"A damn sight better than the winter, that's for sure. This one was brutal."

"You don't like winter?"

She shrugged. "I like it, but not like the one we just had. I think I  might have to be sure that I make a trip back up here in the fall. I  would like to see the leaves changing." He nodded and said nothing else  as he watched the cars go by on the road.

"Can I ask you something?"

He looked at her, but she couldn't see his eyes. That bothered her. He  was wearing a pair of those mirrored sunglasses that made it impossible  to see a thing.

"Sure."

His tone told her he was wary of her question and she wanted to laugh. Big, bad Marine was afraid of her question.

"What is this we're doing here?"

"I don't follow you." His mouth turned down in a frown. Even when he was  irritated with her, he was attractive. That made him dangerous. She  needed to remember that.

"Don't get me wrong, I adore the Santinis but it was nice going to DC.  It was especially fun to do it with someone who is at least closer to my  age. I mean, not that close since you are kind of a bit older."

"I thought you had a question or did you just decide to mock my age?"

A thread of amusement lightened his voice. The fact that he could take a few jabs was another mark in his favor.

She sighed. "Is this a date? Do you think of it as a date?"

"How do you think of it?"

"Oh my, God." She shook her head. "I have no idea how my sister deals  with a man like you. I'm assuming Gee is just like you. So damned  hardheaded. I wanted to know just what you expect from me."

"You said you weren't looking to get serious with anyone."

That much was true. Just a few days earlier she thought it might be  impossible to even date. Yet, something about Jesse tugged at her. He  was so different from other men she had spent time with, and right now,  she wanted stability. She also wanted a man who could deal with her. Not  many men could, and sadly, that was who she usually dated.                       
       
           



       

"A date or two isn't serious, Jesse."

He said nothing for a moment. "So, dating is okay, just not getting serious?"

Something tingled down her spine as he continued to look at her. She  could imagine his blue eyes watching her, waiting for her answer. Warmth  spread through her belly and she had to fight the need to reach out to  touch him.

"Yeah. I think a date or two might be good."

He said nothing for a second or two, then he turned and stepped in front  of her. Setting a hand on either side of her, he caged her in, then  leaned forward.

"Then I say this is a date."

Somehow, he worked his way in between her legs, and pressed against her.  There was no doubt about it; he was definitely interested in her. She  could smell the woods and cool clean crisp air that clung to his skin  and clothes.

She looked up at him and was irritated again by not being able to see  his eyes. Instead of telling him to take his glasses off, she did it for  him. Reaching up, she pulled them down then off his face. Those eyes of  his were even more intense this time.

"Why did you do that?"

"I want to see your eyes when I talk to you."

He didn't say anything to that.

"And yes. I am okay with a date or two, as long as you understand that it can't be anything serious."

Something tugged at one corner of his mouth. It was almost as if he were  trying not to frown. She had to fight the laugh that threatened to  bubble up. Mr. Marine didn't like being told the rules. At least not by  her.