Sep 3, 2017

Sunday Smooch with Michelle Douglas

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!

Today we have a smooch from Sarah and the Secret Sheikh but first 

... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is Laura Boon!


Can you please contact Stefanie at: stefanie (at) stefanie - london (dot) com to receive your copy of Only the Brave Try Ballet

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Michelle Douglas


 Expecting the sheikh's baby…

When one magical night with gorgeous and enigmatic Majed leaves Sarah pregnant, she's torn apart over whether to reveal her secret. She already loves this baby, but will confirmed bachelor Majed feel the same?

Discovering he's going to be a father changes everything for Majed. It's time to face the music and unveil his true identity as Prince of Keddah Jaleel! He'd love to make Sarah his sheikha, if only he can convince her she'll be much more than his convenient bride


[Scene set-up: Sarah has just informed Majed that she's pregnant. They've been discussing  their options...but what Majed wants if for Sarah to marry him. He doesn't believe in love, but he does believe in a marriage of convenience. Sarah's not sure what to think.]
 
  She moistened parched lips. ‘Do you believe in fidelity?’
  His eyes flashed. ‘I do.’ He took her chin in a firm grip and forced her gaze to his. ‘I can assure you that, if you marry me, you will not think of other men.’
  And then his lips slammed to hers with a force that was far from polite and more demanding than any kiss she’d ever experienced. One hand slid to her nape to prevent her from drawing away, while the other remained at her jaw, holding her still while he plundered her lips with a ruthless and seductive intent that had her melting even as she wanted to resist. The relentless, primal possession continued, sending the blood stampeding through her veins while the strength leached from her muscles until it finally tore his name from her throat.
  He lifted his head, his eyes glittering. ‘Are we clear on this point?’
  She lifted fingers that trembled to swollen lips. That kiss had been an outrageous attempt at domination, yet she wanted him to kiss her like that again…and not stop.
  ‘I’m clear on the fact that you expect fidelity from me. Do you demand it of yourself?’
  ‘Naturally.’ His chin tilted at an arrogant angle. ‘But then, I expect my future wife to make sure my mind does not stray to other women.’
  She tossed her head, dislodging his grip, thrilled and appalled in equal measure. But before she could give him the put down she was sure he deserved, his lips were on hers again—warm, gentle…playful. They teased and tantalised until her anger had dissolved and she threaded her fingers through his hair to pull him closer.
  He obliged until she lay half-sprawled beneath him, their only barrier the thin material of their clothes, his kisses sending something inside her spiralling free. She wanted all barriers between them gone. She wanted to move to the dance he’d taught her six weeks ago. She craved the spiralling pleasure, the adventure of it all, and the peace that followed. She ached…
  A whimper broke from her when he lifted his head. He muttered words she didn’t understand but could translate all too easily.
  There’d be no more kisses today.
  He lifted himself away from her and then helped her back into a sitting position with a gentleness that had the backs of her eyes burning.
  ‘I’m sorry.’
  He physically removed himself from the sofa, his words emerging clipped and short. If she hadn’t heard the regret threading through them, she might’ve fled in mortification.
  ‘I’m only sorry you stopped.’ She’d aimed for levity but fell far short of the desired mark. It was the truth of her words that rang in the space between them rather than humour. What the heck, she’d made a fool of herself over lesser things. ‘Why did you stop?’
  He moved to sit in an armchair. She’d love to flatter herself that it was because he couldn’t trust his control when he was near her, but she wasn’t that kind of woman. She didn’t inspire that kind of passion in men.
  ‘I don’t want to do anything to make you resent me.’
  ‘And…sex can be complicated?’
  ‘That is my experience, yes.’
  Hers too, but she and Majed had already been lovers, they were having a baby—he wanted to marry her, for heaven’s sake! Surely…?
  ‘From here on, Sarah, it has to be all or nothing. I won’t settle for anything less.’

Amazon
iBooks
Barnes & Noble
Harlequin

Would you like to visit an Arabian oasis...or see the night sky from the Sahara Desert? Or does the thought of all that dry heat fill you with trepidation?

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and another smooch will be posted!


Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver

35 comments:

  1. Woohoo Michelle this is such a great story I loved the sensual journey that Sarah and Majed have this is a story not to be missed :)

    You know I would love to visit and oasis but then again I am not a fan of the heat but with the right person who knows :)

    Congrats on this fabulous story

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. I'm so glad you loved the book, Helen!

      You know, an oasis sounds gorgeous...but I do wonder if I could be bothered dealing with all of the heat and hardship to experience it, LOL. It's nice, though, to get to do it through the pages of a book instead. ;-)

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  2. Definitely not a fan of The Middle East, but a tropical island would be a different story. The worst thing for me is the sand. I hate it! lol

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    1. Oh, yes, I'd love me a tropical island, Therese! As for sand...well I love what it looks like and I love to dig my toes in it, and...actually I love it. ;-)

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    2. I know you do. lol

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  3. I'd like to be anywhere where I could be at the beach. It's my happy place. :)

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    1. Oh, Sarah, I know exactly what you mean! Could you imagine visiting a beach in every country in the world? That could be pretty amazing. :-)

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  4. The desert is not the most ideal location for sand imho, Michelle. That's definitely a beach :-)

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    1. So true, Amy. And we all know that my love of the beach is no secret. ;-)

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  5. Hi Michelle - I'm not a fan of heat...but if there was a hot sheikh like Majed under a tent by an oasis...well, that's sorely tempting :) Great smooch!

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    1. Well, an oasis with date palms and fringed canopies and a soft breeze...maybe that wouldn't be too uncomfortably hot, Helen. ;-)

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  6. I wish I was somewhere hot at the moment hurry up summer I loved this book the inter-action between Sarah and the rest was very good(please don't put me in the draw as I have the book)LynW

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    1. Lyn, it felt decidedly summery today!

      And thank you for your kind words -- so glad you loved the book. :-)

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  7. I love my Arabian nights and oasis pity about the heat ;) Fabulous smooch Michelle.

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    1. Well, I expect there'd be quite a few consolations to the heat in your Arabian night fantasies. ;-)

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  8. Dry heat is fine by me. I've been training over last several years in the desert. The night sky would be amazing. This is a great smooch. Congrats on another book.

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    1. I definitely prefer dry heat to humidity, Laura! Pictures of desert night skies make me drool, they look so spectacular.

      Enjoy Stef's book - it'll be a real treat! :-)

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  9. Michelle, I puzzled over 'enjoy Stef's book' until I noticed that a different Laura was last week's winner. So I will need to find her book!

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    1. Gah! Sorry, Laura. *Take note of the *entire* name next time, Michelle.*

      Still, Stef does write fab books. :-)

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  10. So long as I could do it in Sheikh-stye luxury! There's something magical about the desert. Crystal clear night sky, white sand, warmth, camels, palm trees...

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    1. Well, Clare...I'd argue there's nothing magical about camels (thought I could be wrong!). ;-) But I'm hearing you on sheikh luxury. That would be divine. :-)

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  11. I'm seriously crushing on Majed after those kisses! I've always wanted to visit the Sahara Desert, to experience that vastness and open night sky. Yay on the glam version, though!! Hee hee.

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    1. I crushed on Majed too, Andrea, LOL. And I agree totally -- it's that vast night sky that seems so appealing (+ sheikh-y glamour and luxury ;-) ). :-)

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  12. In my dreams, I am with a sheikh in the desert. I don't have to worry about taking my drugs on time, cellulite on my legs, sucking in my belly (okay ... maybe I would, LOL), or rosacea from the heat affecting my face and chest.
    In real life, though, you couldn't pay me to go there.
    Thank God for romance books that can take you away to pretty well anywhere....

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    1. Thank God for romance books? Yes, Laney, absolutely! In books we can live the fantasy, best-case-scenario and do away with less appealing elements that so often plague us in reality. And I vote that in that fantasy we all have flat stomachs. ;-)

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  13. I'd rather the beach! The night sky would be beautiful, though!

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    1. The beach would get my vote every time too, Donamae. But I'd love to see a desert night sky -- it sounds so magical. :-)

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  14. Oh my, that was some kiss, Michelle!

    The only desert oasis I've seen was small and underwhelming so I'd like to try again. As for star watching there at night - wonderful - and very chilly! The stars look so bright there.

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    1. Thanks, Annie.

      Oh, I totally agree that you should try again for a spectacular oasis (Sarah gets a spectacular oasis so I don't see why you shouldn't either). Am rather jealous of your desert star-gazing, though.

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  15. Fantastic excerpt! "I expect my future wife to make sure my mind does not stray to other women" made me swoon :)

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  16. I'll admit to skimming the smooch simply because I've already read the book.
    While I think I'd like to visit a desert for the warmth, at the same time, I don't think visiting a desert is right for me. I can't quite put my finger on why though. I do agree with Amy that the beach is a better place for sand.

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    1. Well, we all know I'd choose a beach over pretty much anything. But there's something so exotic-sounding about a desert that I can't help thinking it'd be a magical experience. :-)

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  17. Gorgeous smooch, Michelle!
    I like to travel to places I've never seen, so yes an oasis would be interesting! In luxurious, air conditioned comfort of course!

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    1. LOL, Kandy. The latter goes without saying. ;-) I think a glass of something cold and bubbly while travelling to the oasis is a must as well. :-)

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