want, day or night, without worrying about being interrupted. No kids, no parents, no pets. Just me and you, naked in our cabin, with all the time in the world. That way I can devote the kind of attention to you that you deserve, from head to toe.”
Becca fanned herself with her paperback novel, recalling the way he’d made love with her this morning. Slow, delicious caresses combined with an inventive position that had left her feeling young, sated and absolutely desirable.
She turned toward him, resting her head against her arm, trying not to wish every single day could be like this. “It has been a special trip. I feel like we’ve recaptured parts of our relationship that sometimes get lost in the everyday hassles.”
“Yeah. It seems we’re both going in so many directions, there isn’t time left for us to just relax together.” He scanned the horizon for a moment, then his gaze met hers, honest and intimate. His voice was husky when he said, “I’ve missed that.”
His admission touched Becca. It reminded her that her big, strong, heroic husband had vulnerabilities, too. Smiling, she traced his biceps with her finger. “Me, too. Only I didn’t realize how much I missed it until this vacation.…Let’s not allow another twenty years go by before we do this again—simply be Becca and Gabe, a couple in love.”
“I haven’t done such a good job of making that a priority, have I?”
“We both get caught up in our jobs, the kids, your parents. It just sneaks up on us. But maybe we can make a conscious effort not to let it happen again. We can schedule dates, get away for more weekends alone.”
Gabe leaned close, cupping her neck with his hand and kissing her. “You are absolutely my top priority, lady, and I intend to show you that every single day.”
“Oh, Gabe, you already do. The little surprises you plan for me, the phone calls every day. I feel guilty for even wanting more.” Becca smiled, caressing his jaw. “It’s been a glorious adventure. One I wouldn’t have missed for anything. We have three beautiful children and a wonderful life.”
“And it’s just going to keep getting better.”
“Absolutely. Except…one thing.”
Frowning, he raised his head. “What’s wrong?”
“We’ve only got two more days and then it’s back to reality. I think there are other ways I’d rather spend this afternoon than working on my tan.”
“Oh?” Gabe’s grin was wicked. His gaze traveled over her, making her glad she’d splurged on a bikini for the trip and put in extra time on her treadmill.
“I bought a set of Kama Sutra cards in the gift shop I’m just dying to open.”
He stood and held out his hand to her. “Have I told you recently how much I love you?”
Becca placed her hand in his and stood, so close she could see the black ringing his brown irises. Her heart constricted at the intensity of his gaze. This gorgeous, kind, wonderful man wanted her, now and forever. It never ceased to amaze her. “Not in the past hour or so.”
“I love you, Bec.” Gabe kissed her deeply, each stroke of his tongue a promise. “Always,” he murmured against her mouth.
Becca twined her arms around his neck and responded eagerly, feeling almost a teen again. Only now, the passion was tempered with years of friendship, shared dreams and goals.
“I love you, Gabe. Always.”
CHAPTER ONE
Three Years Later
BECCA SMITH SQUEEZED her eyes shut and waited for the dizziness to pass. And hoped this horrible day was nearly over.
“Are you okay?”
She opened her eyes to see Rick Jensen’s concerned gaze. During the funeral, the presence of her husband’s best friend and business partner had had a calming effect on her.
But now, Becca longed to scream and keep on screaming, until everyone quit tiptoeing around the fact that Gabe was dead and her life would never be “okay” again. Then she was sure the muted conversations around her would end and her friends and family would scuttle back to their unscathed lives. Their new year would soon return to normal.
The urge to throw casserole dishes and rented glassware against the wall was almost overwhelming, as if the shards raining down on the tile floor could convey how brittle and broken she felt.
But Becca held it together long enough to nod. Somehow, she would make it through the wake.
“Have you eaten today?”
“I—I think so.” It was a lie. But she knew Rick would never understand that her throat constricted every time she took a bite.
He touched her arm. “How about if I fix you a plate? You look like you’re ready to drop.”
“That would be…nice.” She understood his need to make things better for her, knew that her grief reminded him of his own loss—the two men had been as close as brothers. And she wished with her whole heart that food was the answer. But it wasn’t.
When Rick handed her a heaping plate a couple of minutes later, Becca fought a wave of nausea. But she obediently pushed the food around with her fork.
“You’ve got to eat something. For them.” Rick nodded toward her three children: sixteen-year-old Maya, ten-year-old Aaron and their brother, David, now twenty. The three stood huddled together on one side of the living room.
It was as if they realized how vulnerable they were without their strong father standing between them and the world. Or maybe they suspected their normally patient mother was one scream away from losing it in front of all these well-meaning people.
“How much longer?” she asked.
“How much longer for what?”
“Until they leave.” Until she could be alone with her grief and not pretend to be in control. Until she could surrender to the hopelessness threatening to incapacitate her.
“Pretty soon. Why don’t you go upstairs and lie down. I can let Gabe’s folks know. And I’m sure Royce and Katy wouldn’t mind taking over host duties.”
“No, I need to do it. For Gabe.”
Emotion flashed in his eyes, then was gone. “Okay.”
Becca was barely aware when he moved away from her. Or when he spoke quietly to her brother, Royce, and they worked the room in tandem.
All she knew was that people streamed over to say a quick goodbye at precise intervals.
Becca hoped she would remember to thank Rick for his kindness. But the task of staying focused on her hostess duties was almost more than she could handle.
When the last guest left, she closed the door, leaning her forehead against it.
Then was pulled into a strong embrace.
