Baby, I’m Yours
Carrie Weaver
Table of Contents
Carrie Weaver has loved books forever. Her earliest childhood memories include snuggling with her cocker spaniel while her mother read a bedtime story. She treasured the cosy, all-is-right-with-the-world feeling of those special times.
Reading still provides an anchor for Carrie when life gets crazy. With two boys, two dogs, a cat and a pot-bellied pig, life frequently does get chaotic. But chocolate and a good book generally make any problem look more manageable.
This book is for Sandy Zipp, my friend and fellow single mom in the trenches
PROLOGUE
BECCA SMITH STRETCHED, shielding her eyes from the sun. This was the absolute best day ever. But then again, she’d thought the same thing yesterday at Walt Disney World. And the day before that. And pretty much every day for the past twenty years.
She glanced sideways at Gabe, lying prone on a deck chair next to her. He was every bit as handsome as the first day she’d seen him in seventh-grade science class. Maybe even more so. After all these years, she still couldn’t help smiling when he entered a room. Except, of course, on the very rare occasions when they argued.
As if sensing her appraisal, Gabe opened one eye and grinned. “You look very content.”
“I am. I liked Walt Disney World, but I could get addicted to cruising the Caribbean. There’s nothing we have to do, except nap and work on our tans. And I love having you all to myself.”
He reached over and grasped her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb in that slow, sexy way that thrilled her. “I like knowing we can make love whenever we 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