A Man to Remember (23 page)

She nodded. "So we won't send troops in to quell an uprising."

"You must understand that in these dealings knowledge is power. The fact that we knew all about it before the Mexican government did gives us power. It makes them think, 'If the United States knew about this, what else does it know?' "

"Jake, if you're a CIA agent, why did they leave you behind enemy lines with no way out?"

"Hold it. Remember, I'm not a CIA agent. I'm an independent contractor, hired by the CIA for specific jobs. This project has been lengthy as well as risky. I've been enlisted in the army for more than six months."

"But you deserted? Wouldn't that just draw attention to you?"

He grinned. "Beats getting caught. When I got too close to the truth, things started getting very hot, and I knew I had to get out quick. Because of the sensitive nature of the whole situation, my contacts couldn't just fly down and pick me up. So other arrangements had to be made."

"You mean, they just said, 'Good luck, great job, you're on your own'?"

"Not exactly. I was advised to leave as soon as possible."

"And you devised your own way out, with a story about a dying aunt. And using me."

He looked away from her delving blue eyes. "It was a good plan, you'll have to admit."

"And Emilio? Did he know about you?"

"Yes. He's a contact, supportive of the Mexican government."

Alyse rose and placed her empty glass in the sink. "Quite a story, Jake. I thought I had you figured, but obviously I didn't. Not CIA."

"You make it sound like a dirty word," he said harshly. "I'm proud of my work with them."

"I can see how you used me, every step of the way, Jake. How you needed me to make it look like we were a couple. How you needed my brother's boat to make it look like we were on vacation. Your life was at stake, and that's a pretty strong reason."

He walked to her. "Now yours is, too, Alyse. Because of me, you're in great danger, and that's why I want you to leave."

She wheeled around to face him. "Okay, let me take the jewelry box back to James in California for you. Let me make the connection. You be the decoy, and I'll meet you later in San Diego."

"No way. It's much too risky for you to have the box."

"You were going to let me leave Cabo San Lucas with the box."

"That was different. We were in dire straits. As long as I'm capable, I can't let you risk it. What I want is for you to go, to leave me alone to bring the Skye Command in by myself."

She folded her arms. "Not a chance, Jake. I'm staying with the Skye Command."

"I'd rather bring it in alone. The risk for you is too great."

"Jake, why are you telling me this now? Why are we having this conversation? It seems a little late to me."

His brown eyes grew darker. "Because I trust you, Alyse. And I care what happens to you."

She moved around the table and placed her palms on his chest. She could feel his heart pounding beneath the thin shirt. "That's exactly why I can't leave you, Jake. I care about you too."

"Alyse, I want to protect you."

"Let me think for myself this time, Jake. I want to stay with you." Her hands scaled his chest to frame his face and pull it down close to hers. "And that is that."

"Alyse, don't put this on a personal basis."

"It's already on a personal basis, Jake. And I want to be with you. I want you in my arms, Jake." Her whisper was lost against the fierce pressure of his lips.

With a low moan he lifted her up to mold her slim form to his lean planes, to feel her breasts and belly and thighs pressed tightly to his battered, aching body. His lips caught hers hungrily in a deep, sweet kiss.

"One night away from you, Jake," she murmured breathlessly, "and I thought I'd die. The idea of you beaten and miserable in that awful jail made me realize even more how much I care for you."

One of his hands was braced beneath her buttocks; the other was stretched across her back, stroking every inch of it, caressing and loving the slender curves. "Alyse, this is a mistake. Every time I touch you makes it harder for me to let you go."

"Then don't ever," she murmured as they sank together onto a berth in the boat's bow. "Never let me go."

They undressed quickly, the urgency to touch, to caress, to love growing with every kiss. Alyse marveled at her intense passion for Jake. She should feel differently now, she kept telling herself. Now that she knew the truth about Jake, now that she knew who he really was and what he was doing in Mexico. Now that she knew what kind of man Jake was. Adventurer. Patriotic. Honest, when absolutely necessary.

He was the same man she had loved on Balandra Beach, the one who had led her through wonderful days in La Paz, into adventure in the Sea of Cortes. He was the one who'd been beaten in jail and whose bruised body needed her gentleness, her love. At least, right now he needed her. She pushed his shoulders flat down and hovered over him, sensually kissing his clean-shaven face.

"Jake, I'll make you glad I stayed. I'm going to take good care of you, so good you'll never let me go." She reached into her makeup case and retrieved a moisturizer. "Turn over," she ordered.

Obediently he flipped to his stomach. "This isn't going to make me smell like a bunch of flowers, is it?"

"Of course not. It's just mild and smooth. Made to replenish your body oils. It'll relax you, make you feel good." She poured a dollop of cream into the pocket of her palm and smeared it across the muscular ridges of his shoulders.

"Ah, your hands feel like satin," he murmured.

With curious fingers she rubbed and deep massaged each taut muscle, following the sinewy cords that shaped his back. She marveled in the tough resilience of his skin as she glazed him like satin sliding along supple leather. She gloried in the renewed vibrancy of his well-honed but bruised body. Her fingers walked the rocky stretch of his backbone all the way to his lower spine. She pressed the heels of her palms on the horizontally stretched muscles, squeezed splayed fingers over his buttocks.

Then she continued along his strong thighs, the sensitive backs of his knees, the knotted muscles of his calves. She touched him everywhere, even the soles of his feet. Occasionally he'd groan softly as she touched tender places.

"Does that hurt, Jake? And this? Sorry, I'll be careful."

"No, it's good, all good."

Finally she slid a hand under his taut belly, low. "Turn over," she whispered. "There's more."

He revolved and gave her a dreamy smile. "Oh, yes, yes."

Her hands slid over him, caressing every muscle. "My God, Jake. What's this? I don't mean to hurt you." She gingerly circled a bruise beneath his ribs.

"Easy . . ." He moaned as she found other sore spots on his long frame.

Precise but gentle fingers followed the sandy curls down his middle until the hair fanned out to encircle the heated prominence of his desire. She touched him everywhere.

Finally, at the last possible moment, she straddled him. His hips surged forward, and she rose to accept his power. "Come to me, Jake. Satisfy me. Now and forever." With slow deliberation she forged them together, closing herself tightly around him.

His groan of pleasure was audible as they merged in hot combustion, rocking, reveling, exploding together. Exhausted and satiated, Alyse slumped down onto his strong frame. She stretched her body along the length of his and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you, Jake," she murmured into his chest.

Jake clamped her to him. He rolled onto his side, tucked her into his arms, and held her close for a long, long time. "Alyse, mi preciosa, I'm so lucky to have you."

Her voice was soft but firm. "I won't leave you, Jake. Don't try to make me."

His hand stroked the nude length of her from breast to hip, then back again. "I couldn't stand it if you got hurt because of me."

"Let me be the one to decide my own risks. You are my dream, Jake."

"Make your own dreams, Alyse. Don't let someone else do that for you."

"Jake, I love everything about you. I love you—"

"No, Alyse." He objected as if saying no would stop the emotion. "You're infatuated with the intrigue. Now that you know all about me, the mystery is gone."

"And you think my feelings will stop now that I know about you?"

"In time."

"What will happen to us, Jake? In time, when we get home?"

He sighed. "I'll go back to my dull life as a boot maker in El Paso. And you will make your own dreams come true."

"My dream is you, Jake. But I understand if you don't love me."

"Alyse, I know only that I wouldn't be good for you."

She lay quietly against him. She had her answer. It wasn't the answer she wanted, but it told her the truth: that he didn't love her. It told her Jake Bronson would be a man to remember. That was all.

They cruised for several days along the Pacific coast of the Baja, hiding in secretive coves. Nights were spent in each other's arms, loving until they were exhausted. They were bright, halcyon days and moonlit nights, never to be forgotten. They were times to be remembered forever. She was a woman to love; he was just a man to remember.

On the last day out and a few miles from international waters a Mexican patrol boat spotted and chased them. Orders to stop were shouted through a bullhorn. Jake calculated their chances and decided to outrun it. With reckless abandon Alyse agreed.

At breakneck speed they reached international waters but in the process took several shotgun blasts to the aft. The magnificent Skye Command limped into port at San Diego, escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard. Names were given, and calls made, even before they docked.

Suddenly they were surrounded by Coast Guard officers and being questioned. Alyse felt everything slipping away. Precious time alone with Jake was gone. After their isolated life in the Baja and aboard the Skye Command, reality was wildly hectic.

They were forced apart. Alyse cast frantic eyes at Jake. He had questions to answer for the authorities. A stretch limo awaited her.

Frantically she forged her way to his side. "Jake. What now? Is this it?"

His brown eyes were pained. "I'll never forget what we had, Alyse."

"The end for us?"

"It's best this way. I'm no good for you. For anybody."

"I don't care. I love you, Jake."

"You need time. You need to find your own way, Alyse. You don't need me."

"I do, Jake. I love you." Tears filled her eyes.

"Remember me . . ." His brown eyes locked with hers for a moment's promise, and turned away. It's best this way, he thought.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Jake watched Alyse climb into the long white limousine waiting for her. The vehicle turned around in the middle of the wharf traffic and disappeared down the street, whisking her gracefully away from his life.

He rubbed his chin ruefully, unable to shake the veil of melancholia that drifted over him. Hell, he should be grateful that they had completed the journey without further incident or injury. And that he was rid of her. He'd accomplished everything he set out to do. Successfully infiltrated the army, gathered information, and escaped. Alyse was safely back in San Diego, and soon he would be delivering his information to James and the US government. Now he could get on with his life. What more could he want?

But all Jake could think was that she was gone. Gone from his life forever. Her sapphire blue eyes and tousled chestnut hair and slim body wearing those tiny red triangles of a bikini were all just a memory.

"Jake! Hey, ol' buddy!"

Jake turned away from the harbor and waved to the graying man sprinting energetically toward him. "James! How the hell have you been?" Two dark-suited men followed James as he wove through crowds of people and stacks of cargo on the wharf.

James shook Jake's hand. "How was your vacation?"

"Great," Jake said with a laugh. "Just had to endure a night in jail and dodge a few stray bullets."

"You okay?" James slapped Jake's shoulder cordially, as the two buddies spoke in abbreviated phrases. The whole story would come out later.

"Sure, sure." Jake nodded. "I'm afraid we angered the Mexican patrol, though. They fired a few rounds at our boat just before we hit international waters."

"Anybody hurt?"

"No, just the yacht. It took a couple of rounds."

"We'll take care of repairs. As for the diplomatic channels, someone will handle it. We have officials trained just to get barbarians like you off the hook with anyone you offend." James walked along with Jake. The two dark-suited men accompanied them, ever watching. "What do you have for me, Jake?"

"There's a sapphire necklace that'll knock your eyes out. And some excellent native Mexican art. It's rather primitive but good. Real good. Worth a lot, believe me."

James smiled. "You always come out smelling like a rose, Jake. Well, let's load up, pal. I can tell we have lots to talk about."