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

yummy appreciation. The food and beer lightened the mood between them. He probably knew it would. And the little family backgrounds gave them a base for understanding each other. Okay, he probably knew that, too. But Alyse didn't care if his every act was intentional. She couldn't take her eyes off him. He was so damn hot! But now, he was definitely different, more distant, after being rebuffed. What the hell did she expect?
    Her whole body tensed as she watched him. His chest was broad and visible beneath the loose knit sweater. When her gaze lowered to the black swimsuit he wore, her imagination took over where line of sight failed.
    "Take it off."
    He straightened. "Huh?"
    "Take it off," she repeated. "Your sweater."
    He glared at her, untrusting. She almost laughed at his expression.
    "I just want to get a good look. You don't mind, do you?"
    He took a deep breath. Agonizing. But he complied. With a quick, easy motion, he crossed his arms and skinned that sweater over his head, exposing his tanned, muscular chest and very pronounced six-pack. He was sleek except for a fine golden hairline that disappeared erotically beneath the waistband of his swimsuit.
    She nodded. Why the hell did I say that? This man's too hot to handle and I can't be trusted any longer.
    He flexed his muscles, including the pecs. "Do I pass? "
    She swallowed hard. "Uh, yeah. Navy Seal strong, I'd say. Aren't you going to ask me to do the same?"
    He grinned and leaned his head back to empty his beer bottle. "Nope. I can see all I need from here."
    "Well, you know Jake… out here, it's like we're all alone in the world. No one can see us… "
    He dug into the cooler for another beer. "Yep. There's no one here but us. No one knows where we are. And you are so very hard to resist. But I will."
    "But why? Where there's a will, there's a way." She leaned over and ran her palm over his ripped belly.
    He sucked in his breath at her touch. "Are you showing me the way?"
    "Maybe. Is this the way?" She ran her hand lower, down to his crotch.
    He shifted, but remained un-aroused. Such control, she thought. Unless he couldn't…
    He moved and quickly had her in his grasp, his lips close to hers. "Don't tease me, Alyse. It doesn't work this way, little rich girl. I choose. And I want you willing, not screaming about assault."
    "You said I could make the first move." She tried to move her head, but he held her firmly, nose to nose, lips to lips, belly to belly.
    "I don't like rules, especially yours." His lips closed over hers and he pressed his tongue deeply into her mouth. It was a hard and fast motion, not romantic and tender but furious and rugged. And he didn't let go until he was ready, in spite of her futile protests when his hand slid beneath her bikini to massage one breast.
    He released her just enough to mutter, "I know you want me. And you know where I stand. But not now. Not here. Under my rules."
    Her heart pounded against his chest and her breath came in jagged spurts. She wanted him to fulfill both their wishes right here and now. She knew it was crazy, but she wanted him now, more than ever. But for whatever sun-crazed reason, she believed him. Not here and now. His hand left her breast and she burned for more of his touch.
    "What… what are your rules?" she managed.
    His lips were thin and his voice tight. "Both of us willing and eager. The only off and on games I want are off shore and on the boat. In route."
    "But what if I..."
    "You won't." He pushed her from him and stood towering over her. With one hand, he reached down and jerked her shirt off, tearing a part of the neck. His dark eyes were hooded as they flickered over her. Then he pulled her to her feet. "If I'd wanted to overpower you, I could have done it long before now. And I didn't need to bring you to this deserted cove to do it."
    She tried to free herself from his grasp. "I'm not scared of you. Why did you bring me here?"
    He grunted. "To show you I'm a nice guy.  Why did you come