Sunday Smooch with Maggie Christensen.

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!











Today we have a guest smoocher! Please welcome Maggie Christensen who writes heartwarming strories of second chances featuring mature heroes and heroines! 

Her latest book Isobel's Promise is out now - click on the cover to check it out further! 

A promise for the future. A threat from the past. Can Bel find happiness?

Back in Sydney after her aunt’s death, sixty-five year-old Bel Davison is making plans to sell up her home and business and return to Scotland where she has promised to spend the rest of her life with the enigmatic Scotsman with whom she’s found love.

But the reappearance of her ex-husband combined with other unexpected drawbacks turns her life into chaos, leading her to have doubts about the wisdom of her promise.

In Scotland, Matt Reid has no such doubts, and although facing challenges of his own, he longs for Bel’s return.

But when an unexpected turn of events leads him to question Bel’s sincerity, Matt decides to take a drastic step – the result of which he could never have foreseen.

Can this midlife couple find happiness in the face of the challenges life has thrown at them?

Scene set-up

Bel’s lover, Matt, and her ex-husband are both living in her home. She has awakened to an empty bed and the sound of the men’s raised voices coming from the kitchen. After confronting them, she returns to the bedroom.

Matt followed Bel into the bedroom, closed the door and took her in his arms. She slithered out of the embrace and went into the ensuite discarding her robe on the way. After what she’d seen and heard in the kitchen, she was in no mood for romance.

‘I’m sorry.’ Matt was at her side before she stepped into the shower. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’ He rubbed a hand over his hair. ‘He hit a hot button, tried to remind me he’d been married to you, he had a right to be here, while I had none. He even suggested there were still feelings between you. Can you forgive me?’

Bel paused, one foot in the shower well, realising how ridiculous they must look – her, naked apart from a pink floral shower cap, and Matt wearing a little-boy-lost expression, his mouth turning up in the way she loved. ‘Oh, get away with you. But never again. I have enough to cope with without the pair of you feuding right here in my home.’

‘Well, if I’m forgiven, maybe I can show my remorse?’ Matt began to divest himself of his clothes, while Bel stepped under the stream of warm water and began to laugh. By the time he joined her, all thought of Pete, the quarrel, and her annoyance had vanished, and she relaxed, allowing herself to revel in the combined sensations of his hands soaping her, his lips travelling across her face and neck and the evidence of his desire pressing against her.

When they finally emerged, Bel was glowing with pleasure. This was what she’d longed for – to begin every morning in this man’s arms. What had she been thinking when she’d doubted their relationship? What was Pete, the shop, the delay in the sale of the house, when weighed against this?

‘Better now?’ Matt asked as he blotted the water on Bel’s body before towelling himself dry.

‘Yes.’

Standing there, water dripping from his hair, droplets beading on his skin, he was more like a young Adonis than a sixty-seven-year-old Scotsman. And he loved her! Bel caught sight of herself in the mirror, amazed yet again that he could find her aging body beautiful. She grimaced at the signs of age – the blue veins beginning to show on the insides of her legs, the creases around her belly, the slightly drooping breasts, the…

As if reading her mind, Matt appeared behind her, put his arms around her waist and met her eyes in the mirror. ‘I love you exactly the way you are. These lines…’ He gently stroked her face, his fingers moving down to her neck and breasts. ‘This shape… It’s a sign you’ve lived, experienced life. What would I do with a younger woman – one who didn’t share the same memories, the same music?’

Bel turned, and their lips met in a long kiss, his tongue reaching into her mouth provoking a swift ache of desire.

Matt was the first to step away. ‘I suppose you’re going to tell me you have a shop to open. But, if you decide to stay home we could spend the day in bed. Mmm?’ He moved toward her again and nuzzled her neck, cupping her face in his hands.

For a moment, Bel was tempted. Then she remembered her responsibilities. Pete was in the other room, Celia in the kitchen. She did have a shop to open and several matters to take care of. She wasn’t in a position to take the day off for her own pleasure. Not yet.

For a chance to win a digital copy of Maggie's book, she's love to hear your thoughts on the following question -

Do you enjoy reading about romance between characters who are older? Why do you think some publishers shy away from depicting older women on their covers?

 
Pop your thoughts in the comments and you'll go in the draw! You can check Maggie out at her website here! 

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

Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver