A Man to Remember by Mary Tate Engels Read Free Book Online

looking over his shoulder, always expecting the worse. If they weren't after him now, they would be soon. It had been eons since he'd just had fun—pure and simple fun with a woman who enjoyed the same things he did.
    With Alyse he felt a renewal of excitement again. Oh, hell, he felt like a man about to have an affair with a beautiful woman. And Alyse looked like a woman about to agree. Hell, that could only help his mission.
    When they left for California . . . yes when, no doubts about it, he had already decided they should pose as a couple. That would be most convincing in any Mexican patrol checks. Therefore, the more romantically involved they were in actuality, the more convincing the charade.
    He caught her eyes and pointed to the large volcanic rock jutting out in the middle of the blue bay. "Pelican Rock."
    "Why is it white instead of black like the others?" she asked.
    "At night it's completely covered with roosting pelicans. They're indiscreet."
    She laughed and wrinkled her nose prettily. The warm wind whipped her hair around her face and billowed the shirt away from her body. She raised her arm and shaded her eyes. The shirt lifted above the bottom of her bikini, revealing trim thighs coming to an enticing V. It was a day for enjoyment, and Alyse Skye seemed to be enjoying every glorious moment.
    So was Jake. He felt white-hot heat spread through his loins.
    When they reached the seals' habitat, Jake cut the motor and steered them slowly and quietly around the small rock island. A colony of seals romped and played and sunned themselves while floating in the water on their backs waving their flippers in the air. It was a special moment, this close intrusion of humans into the world of wild, free sea creatures.
    "I feel like one of those TV cameramen on the wildlife specials," Alyse whispered as they motored away. "Getting so close is a thrill. They're really adorable creatures, you know?"
    "Yeah." Jake could only think of one adorable thing right now.
    She smiled and hugged the shirt to her body as they searched out cove after cove, each with glittering white sand and crystal-clear water. Finally, Jake was satisfied and drove all the way into one cove and beached the small boat. They were alone.
    Alyse clambered ashore, wading knee-deep in the gorgeous aquamarine waters. Jake hopped out, trying to keep his jeans dry. But they were wet to the knees. He pulled the boat ashore and propped a stone on the rope. He unsnapped his jeans and looked around to see if she were watching.
    She was.
    He lowered the zipper slowly and shrugged his legs out of the wet jeans. Beneath the jeans he wore a tight black swimsuit. He looked back at her. She gave him a thumbs-up and waited while he spread his jeans on the boat in the sun to dry. "How about this?"
    "Paradise."
    He grabbed the small cooler and joined her, walking along the beach.
    "Beautiful, Jake."
    "It's called Balandra Beach. One of the prettiest on this coast."
    "Peaceful. Quiet. I love it here."
    "I like it because it's private."
    "Um-hum. That's why you brought me here."
    "I just wanted to share a beautiful part of Mexico with you," he lied.
    "It's so private here, no one would ever know what we did."
    "Something like that." Jake motioned over the small bay. "That's why the pirates liked this area so much. Can't you just see a four-rigger anchored out there while the crew gathers around a campfire on this beach gambling with gold coins?"
    "Or trading for beautiful native women?" Alyse pushed her hair back. "Is this where they found pearls on the beach?"
    He grinned and swept one arm around them. "I'm sure they showered the ladies with jewels."
    "Before turning them into sex slaves." Alyse kicked up a spray of sand and jogged away from him.
    Jake caught up with her and took her arm. "Hey, we can't change history, we can only make our own." He pulled her close for a kiss while his hand closed over her breast. Tweaking the nipple, he murmured, "Speaking of pearls on the