He returned every ounce of passion ... #SeniorRomance #HolidayRomance #MFRWHooks

It’s the Wednesday before Christmas, and I’ve got another holiday snippet for you to enjoy. This one is from my senior romance Cherry Pie and Mistletoe. Enjoy!

Blurb

At ten thirty on a stormy Christmas Eve, I really didn’t expect any business, but the sign for our diner out on the highway reads “open until midnight”, and I’m a woman of my word. Good thing I didn’t close; the half-frozen long haul trucker who wandered in really needed some hot coffee, not to mention a slice of my luscious cherry pie.

Something about the grizzled, bear-like man with the chocolate-brown eyes and ready laugh spun me back to my scandalous, sensual younger days. I hadn’t wanted anyone in years, but I wanted Dave Driver. Was I brave enough to act on my desire? And would he flee, screaming, from the amorous attentions of a white-haired little old lady?

The Hook

He drained his coffee cup. He’d nearly finished. When he was done, he’d disappear into the winter night. He had a long way to travel before morning. His job probably depended on providing a reliable delivery schedule.

I was just a stop along the way.

I cleared my throat. “It must be hard being away from your family on Christmas,” I commented.

He glanced up from his almost empty plate. “Don’t have any family to speak of,” he said. “Just a son, living near Seattle. And we’ve never been close.”

“What about your wife?” There, I’d asked.

His face clouded. “Ellen’s been gone for seven years already.”

“Oh—I’m so sorry!” Now I felt guilty. I should have kept my mouth shut.

Dave shrugged. “That’s okay. She was sick for quite a while. Now I guess she’s at peace. And I’ve moved on. Sold the farm, bought the truck—life’s about change, Marnie. Nothing lasts forever.”

I thought about my own life, full of adventure by most people’s standards. The years in Paris, in the Caribbean, in Bangkok and in Greece, making art and making love. The parties, and the epiphanies. Yet here I was, back where I started.

“Sometimes I think it’s all cycles,” I said. “I spent four decades traveling the world, living in all sort of exotic places. Then my dad became ill and couldn’t handle the diner, so I came home—to the only real home I’ve ever had.”

“The diner’s yours?” Dave chuckled. “And here I thought you were just an abused employee, forced to work on the holiday!”

“No, I gave Hank and Jeannie—the cook and the waitress—the night off. Figured they’ve got families, and I—well, anyway, the Algonquin’s mine now, though I don’t know how much longer I can keep it going. Mom and Dad opened the place before I was born, when Route 6 was a major artery. Now, with the Interstate…”

Tears gathered in my eyes. Damn, I thought. I do not want this guy’s sympathy.

“People’re always gonna need a place to get a cup of coffee.” His voice was so quiet I could hear the sleet hissing against the window-glass. “And you should advertise this pie! Get it up on Facebook, or TripAdvisor, or whatever.”

“Probably should.” I gathered our plates, empty but for a few crimson smears, and dumped them in the sink. I’d wash up after he left. “But I’m not sure I’ve got the energy, to be honest.”

He nodded. “Yeah, at our age, we have to choose the things that matter…” He trailed off into silence. I wondered what—or who—occupied his thoughts.

Elbows on the counter, I shifted closer, losing myself again in his warm, gold-flecked gaze. Now is what matters, I wanted to tell him. We might never have another chance.

Of course, I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t as bold as I used to be.

Like a big animal shaking snow off its fur, Dave roused himself from the stool and reached behind him for his parka. “I’d better get back on the road. Lots of miles to cover before dawn.” His smile melted me, like a popsicle in the sun. “What do I owe you?”

“Never mind,” I replied. “Consider it a Christmas present.”

He chuckled. “Well, that’s very sweet of you. I appreciate it.” He slipped into his jacket, zipping it over his broad chest. “Many thanks, for the company, and the best cherry pie I ever tasted.” He half-turned toward the door, calling back over his shoulder. “A very merry Christmas to you, Marnie.”

“Wait!” I stumbled out from behind the counter, hip joints complaining at the sudden movement. “There is something I want from you.”

“Huh?” He paused in his outward trajectory, just inside the entrance. I practically threw myself against his solid body and wrapped my arms around his neck. Straining, on my toes, I pressed my lips to his.

He stiffened for a moment. I almost let go, as mortified by my own gall as I was aroused by his closeness. Then he relaxed, apparently accepting the inevitable.

For a few breaths, the kiss remained chaste, a mere gesture of farewell as our life paths diverged. That wasn’t enough for me. I urged his mouth open, slipped my tongue inside and drank deep of his pie-and-coffee flavor. In a move that felt utterly right, he clasped my body in a strong embrace. One big hand stroked down my back; the other palmed my butt through my jeans. His firm lips sealed to mine, he returned every ounce of the passion I poured into that feverish kiss.

Buy Links

Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/6448-cherry-pie-and-mistletoe-a-mature-holiday-romance/

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082GY5X5P

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082GY5X5P

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/993385

Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherry-pie-and-mistletoe-lisabet-sarai/1135431294?ean=2940163410828

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cherry-pie-and-mistletoe-a-mature-holiday-romance

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49210283-cherry-pie-and-mistletoe

I hope you’ll click over to visit the other authors participating in today’s Book Hooks hop.

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