#MFRWhooks Blog Hop - An Excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE - What's Wrong With Me?
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
I'm offering one last excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE in honour of Christmas in July. This excerpt is called What's Wrong With Me because Celeste questions her reactions to Drew. She lost her first husband in a car accident, and she's terrified if she lets herself fall for Drew she'll lose him, too.
Excerpt:
Celeste hated that he questioned his motives, even his basic goodness. She couldn’t let him believe the worst of himself. Without thinking, she stepped close and placed her hand on his cheek, the stubble of his beard tickling her palm. “You’re the most kind, loving man. A man who goes out of his way to be kind to a little girl and to teach a hopeless driver like me how to parallel park. You’re a good person, Drew Barnes. Don’t ever forget it.”
He stared at her, his eyes wide with surprise. Then he turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. A jolt of electricity extended from her hand deep into her body.
“Celeste.”
His voice was a whispered plea, and she found she couldn’t ignore the attraction between them. She didn’t want to, not anymore. He lowered his mouth to hers, but hesitated, waiting for a sign from her.
She was done waiting.
Celeste wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. Their lips met in a hungry kiss, their bodies pressed together, arms tight around each other. When his tongue touched her lips, begging entry, she eagerly opened her mouth to him. Drew immediately swept her mouth with his tongue, the pleasure so intense her knees buckled. Over and over his tongue caressed hers. His hand snaked under her t-shirt to fondle her breast, his thumb and forefinger gently squeezing her nipple through the thin material of her bra. The delicious pleasure went straight to her core, dampening her panties. She wanted him there, now, touching her with his hands, his mouth. Filling her.
No! What am I thinking?
Terror filled her at her own thoughts. She couldn’t do this.
She tore her mouth away from his. “Please, I have to stop. I’m sorry, Drew.”
His hand stilled on her breast. Carefully, he withdrew his hand, then pulled down her t-shirt and stepped back. “I shouldn’t have come here. I’m sorry. I should leave.”
Celeste shook her head, her mind confused and her body burning. “Drew, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” His gaze didn’t meet hers. “I understand.”
“Drew—”
“Shhh.” He lightly kissed her forehead. “If we make love, I don’t want you to have any regrets. I don’t ever want you to be sorry.”
He grabbed his jacket and left. The soft click of the door reverberated through the small apartment. For a few minutes she stared at the closed door, her heart pounding as her body gradually returned to normal.
Whatever the hell normal was.
What was the matter with her? A wonderful, handsome man wanted her, and judging by the state of her body, she wanted him, too. So, why did the thought of making love with Drew, of getting close to him, fill her with such overwhelming fear?
Blurb:
Widow Celeste Bishop has made a comfortable life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she's worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. But this Christmas, Celeste is unsettled by a series of thefts that has staff suspecting one another. Then Drew Barnes arrives and totally upends her comfort, making her feel things she never thought she’d feel again.
An emergency brings Drew to Solace Lake Lodge. He’s sure that’s the only reason his uncle asked him to fill in as bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job.
As Drew gets to know Celeste, the pieces of his life tumble into place. He doesn’t care that she’s nine years older. But while he's falling in love, she's pulling away. She’s afraid to risk loving and losing again.
As Christmas approaches, the thefts increase. Drew is determined to stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own. But can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily-ever-after this Christmas?
Check out the rest of the blog hop:
She seems more in tune with his feelings than true to her own. Rooting for these two!
Wow she is trying so hard to be honest with herself here, but seems to fear what she's feeling. Lovely excerpt.