by Mika Jolie
Minka took another sip of her drink, feeling groggy over this realization. How was she going to be able to stay with him until next week and not give away how she felt? He had never asked for anything more. If anything, he more or less told her he didn’t do commitment, let alone a long-distance relationship. She was sure any hint of her feelings would cause him to run.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
Startled, she almost spilled her drink. Jason chuckled and spun her around to face him. She hadn’t noticed he’d left the bar.
“What’s on your mind, or is it personal?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You can talk to me, Minka. I’m actually a very good listener and I tend to give good advice.”
I’m in love with you. I shouldn’t be, but I am. Instead, she said, “I’m thinking about home.”
He frowned. “You must miss it.”
“A little. I…” she paused, realizing she was about to use the dreaded L word again. “I really like it here.”
“It gets very quiet in the winter. You might not like it around that time.”
She doubted it very much. There was something about being on the island she found very calming. “Do you like it here in the winter?”
He nodded. “Yes, but I’ve lived here all my life. This is my home.”
“Do you get bored?”
He shrugged. “Not really. There are times when there’s no way to get off the island due to the rough ocean. That can be frustrating.”
“I see.”
He studied her expression. “In September I’m having a show, displaying my mother’s photography. Come back and stay with me and maybe again at Christmas.”
“Jason…I…” The words faltered. She couldn’t think that far ahead. He was giving her hope.
Flashes blinded her. Minka closed her eyes in an attempt to block the cameras. From the mob of photographers, she heard a female voice call Jason’s name. He turned to face the person. Soon there were cameras in his face, reporters asking questions about his father, his mother’s car accident. She watched his shoulders tense at the mention of his mother. Her hands reached for his and he clasped hers.
A beautiful blonde stepped forward. Minka guessed right away the woman was his father’s wife, Agnes. As her steely blue eyes rested on her hand intertwined with Jason’s, Minka tried to pull away, but he held her still.
“Well, what do we have here?” The woman’s voice was filled with menace.
Adam was quickly at their side. He glared at the photographers who seemed to be just as fascinated with him as they were with Jason. She heard Adam say something in Italian before turning to face his friend.
“I can call the police. They’re disturbing the peace.”
“I can handle it,” Jason answered. “Minka, go with Adam if you wish.”
Another opportunity to walk away, to establish the distance and protect her heart. “No, I’m fine here.” His friend glanced over at Minka, then back at Jason before retreating back to the bar.
“My lawyer told me you’re working with your father.”
“This is not the time, Agnes.”
But as expected, her statement fueled the reporters and more questions quickly followed. Some wanted to know if Jason had rejoined the firm. Others wanted to know if he had forgiven his father for causing his mother’s death. They were antagonizing him by pulling on something very personal. Minka cringed. The muscles of his jaws tightened and she knew he was reaching his tipping point. Slowly she came to her feet and did the only thing she could think of. She cupped his face as he often did to her and kissed him as hard as she could.
He seemed to hesitate for a moment. Please go with it, she prayed. I’m in love with you.
Slowly his body relaxed, and his arms came to wrap around her waist as he tightened the embrace. She allowed her hands to caress his face, as if she needed to take the time to memorize every piece of him. She felt the flashes of the cameras. She heard giggles from the reporters and even some applause from the crowd. But none of those things mattered at that moment. Instead she pressed her body closer to his, loving him the only way she could.
Chapter Seventeen
“I have yet to see a scale that can thank you for your compassion, sense of humor, and contagious smile.”
Steve Maraboli
Jason spotted the sleek Benz in his driveway. After leaving Vapors, he was looking forward to a quiet evening at home with Minka. But, by the look of things, he might as well throw that wish out the window.
“Looks like my dad is here,” he whispered.
“I recognize the car.”
Gone was the Minka who’d left Agnes speechless and distracted the reporters. Rather, he noted her voice held an amount of tension. From what he recalled, her first encounter with his father had been brief, but he understood the tension.
“I was looking forward to being alone with you. I’ll try to keep this visit short,” he said with a slight smile.
As they walked to the house, he reached for her hand. Earlier, she had stood by his side and foiled Agnes’ ambush. The kiss flashed back in his mind and his groin tightened, something he was learning to live with since Minka entered his life.
He found his father in the family room with a glass of scotch in one hand and Nicole in the other. The woman he found in his father’s office was apparently still the flavor of the week. Disgusted, Jason grunted and made a mental note to change the locks as soon as he could.
Blue eyes the color of his own surveyed the woman by his side. Without thinking much of it, he squeezed Minka’s hand. “Is there something of urgency?” he asked his father.
Charles glanced between Minka and the woman in his arms then back at Minka. “My son is so warm and fuzzy. Does he treat you the same way, Minka?”
“No,” she whispered with a shaken smile.
Throwing his keys on the nearby table, Jason said, “I see you’ve made yourself at home.” The chances of his father leaving with his date as soon as possible seemed unlikely.
“Why don’t you get the grill going, son? I was telling Nicole you work magic on the grill.” Charles walked over and placed a kiss on Minka’s cheek. "Good to see you again, Minka.” He turned his attention to his son. “This will give us all time to get to know each other.”
Without a look in Nicole’s direction, he growled, “I am not in the mood to get to know anyone.” A slight nudge at his waist from Minka reminded him he needed to put his polite hat on. “I’ll go throw a steak or two on the grill.”
“Rosa mentioned you’re using the house this weekend.”
He walked past his father to put the shopping bags on the leather chair by the bay window. “I’m taking Minka there for the weekend. The others will be there too.”
“A last hurrah before Blake and Keely take the big plunge?”
Jason smirked. “Something like that.”
“You know,” Nicole said, “that’s the start.”
Puzzled, Jason looked at her.
“Of all of you walking down the aisle.”
“Ah! I see.”
The conversation was strained between them. An uncomfortable silence settled in the room. His father walked over to stand by Minka. Whatever he said to her caused her to smile, just a little at first. But as it grew, it pressed her rosy cheeks up and slowly revealed her teeth, like a perfect pearl necklace. Finally the smile reached her eyes, lighting them, causing them to crinkle at the corners. In that moment, she was everything he had ever hoped for. She was everything he would ever need.
The realization rocked him. He had fallen in love with Minka Greene. He knew enough to acknowledge his feelings, although now he had no idea how to go forward with the revelation. Running an impatient hand through his hair, he walked out of the room and escaped to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator, pulled out some of the vegetables and peaches Minka had gotten from the farm and placed them on the cutting board. His brows drew together as he focused on slicing
the peppers and peaches into halves in preparation for grilling.
He slid the French door open and stepped onto the patio to light up the grill. After he kicked off his shoes and socks, the coolness of the new wood underneath his feet was welcoming. Redoing the patio had been one of Jason’s pleasures in the spring. It had kept his mind occupied. The house still needed more work, such as the two bedrooms he had chosen to add to the already three-bedroom house. The foundation for those two rooms was already established, he just had to finish them, something he had neglected since meeting Minka.
His mind wandered to the woman inside the house with his father. After next week, she would be gone and life would return to whatever his new normal would be. Walking back to the kitchen, he came to a full stop. Minka stood by the counter slicing eggplants.
“Hey,” he greeted, coming to stand behind her.
She leaned her back into him. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he breathed her in, allowing himself the ambience of the unblemished emotion.
“I thought I’d help.”
His lips grazed her ear. At the slight touch, her body vibrated in his arms. “I was looking forward to making love to you all evening.”
She chuckled. “I think your father has other plans.”
He growled before releasing her. “Steak or fish?”
“The consensus was steak.”
“Red or white for you?” he asked. From living with her the last few days, he knew her preference was white wine.
“It doesn’t matter.” She turned and placed a light kiss on his lips before carrying the plate of sliced vegetables to the table on the patio.
Carrying two glasses of wine, he followed her. Without a word, she handed him the vegetable plate, which he placed on the grill. They stood in silence as they sipped their wine, only the quietness didn’t carry any distress. The absence of sound or speech was calming. He reached for her hand and drew her against him. With his free hand, Jason caressed her face. Turning her lips to his hand, she placed a kiss on his palm.
A momentary flash of light sparkled in her hazel eyes, accentuating the green.
“Minka, I…” he paused, not quite sure what to say next. Falling in love with someone he’d known for less than a week wasn’t something he had planned for. Sighing, he released her and stepped back. He reached for the tongs and flipped the vegetables.
“Jason.”
“Hmmm,” he responded without looking at her. He waited for her to continue. When she didn’t, he placed the utensil down and turned to face her. Her bottom lip was between her lips with a frown on her face. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and flashed him a quick smile. “Nothing. I’ll go get the rest of the stuff from inside.”
* * * *
Minka practically ran off. Her body bumped into Charles’. She provided a quick excuse before rushing inside.
“What did I miss?” she heard Charles ask his son. Instead of staying in the kitchen, she went back to the family room to retrieve her bags and brought them to the bedroom. Once there, she sat on the bed to regain her composure. She had been so close to confessing her love. Minka closed her eyes. She had to gain some control of herself. He liked her, that much she knew, but love? Well, that wasn’t for her. And sexy, rich, fun men like Jason were not known to fall in love with women like her. Yup. She needed to check herself. Otherwise, this thing with Jason had disaster written all over it.
She inhaled and reached for her phone from her purse, found Lily’s name and texted her friend.
Things are getting complicated.
To her surprise, the phone vibrated quickly.
I saw you locking lips on TV with your boyfriend. My God, he’s gorgeous!
On television. Her muscles stiffened. She winced and dropped onto the bed. Everything she had done today had been on impulse. Now she was on television kissing Jason Montgomery. With probably an added ten pounds. It was common knowledge the camera added extra weight to even the thinnest person.
Another text popped on her phone.
You still there, beautiful?
Yeah.
Looks like you’re famous now. BTW, who is the dark-haired guy?
Oh, that’s Adam. One of Jason’s friends.
He’s yummy.
In spite of herself, she smiled. Her friend was not one to dwell on what was out of her control.
They are all yummy.
So, what’s up? What’s complicated?
We will talk when you get here. I’ll see you after tomorrow.
Minka…
Yeah.
It’s okay to love him. Just be sure you’re not transferring your feelings for Blake over to Jason.
I’ll see you soon. I love you.
After she ended the conversation, Minka remained on the bed. She played her friend’s words over in her mind. While she was sure she could never proclaim her undying love to Jason, for herself she needed to address her feelings for Blake. She needed to move on for her own sake. The weekend would be the perfect opportunity to do that.
By the time Minka reappeared on the porch, Nicole, now wearing a pair of short-shorts, lounged on the chair, giving full exposure to her never-ending, toned legs. Jason and his father appeared to be engrossed in a conversation as they set the table. Jason must have sensed her because he raised his head to look in her direction. He smiled and turned his attention back to the grill.
“Come, Minka,” Charles walked over to her. “Dinner is ready. Jason mentioned you’re staying here with him till next week.”
She nodded.
“This house once belonged to his mother.”
She nodded again, remembering the shocking pictures Jason had shared with her. She wondered how Victoria’s illness had impacted Charles’ life. How much of a role did it play into driving him into another woman’s arms? Not that she condoned infidelity. But as she walked with him to the table, Minka couldn’t help but wonder how one’s actions impacted another.
“Another glass of wine, Minka?” Charles asked.
Startled by the warmth in his voice, she smiled. “Yes, I will get it.”
“Nonsense. I’ll get it for you.” He filled her glass, then walked over to Nicole who seemed content staring at Jason working the grill.
With easy steps, Minka walked to Jason.
“I had a small role in the movie,” Nicole was saying to him.
“I’m afraid I didn’t see the movie, Nicole.”
“You should rent it,” she replied.
As Minka came to stand next to him, he leaned and placed a kiss on her lips, then smiled politely at Nicole. “I’m not into horror flicks, and I don’t think Minka is into them. Are you?”
Not quite sure what she’d walked into, she shook her head. “No, I’m more of a romantic comedy fan.”
“And I’m all about action,” he said with a smile. “But, maybe later we can rent a romantic comedy. I’d watch with you in my arms.”
She smiled at him as he pulled her against his chest. “Ready to eat?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Good, then hopefully they will leave right after. I have been thinking of ways to thank you for rescuing me from Agnes’ wrath.” He grinned. He slipped his free arm around her waist and touched his lips to hers.
Neither knew the exact time Charles and Nicole left, after cleaning from dinner and bidding goodnight to his father. At some point during the night, Minka had relaxed and enjoyed herself, even through Nicole’s constant chatter about her budding movie career. And to her surprise, Charles had been pleasant.
“Tired?”
She was a little, but not enough to end the night so she shook her head. He smiled. An indication that he knew she was lying. But he didn’t press.
“I’ll get us a blanket.” He leaned into her and pulled her against him. His hands were firm on her back, then he kissed her, deep, deliberately slow and she lost all control, so much so that when he pulled away, she felt lost and had to lean against the
kitchen counter for support.
* * * *
He found her leaning against the rail of the porch with her back to him. As usual his body reacted to the mere sight of her. Into the night, under the shining stars, with blanket in hand, he stepped onto the porch. As he closed the space between them, he noticed her body straightened a little. Good. They were equally affected. He pressed against her and wrapped their bodies under the warmth of the blanket, she leaned against his chest. He loved the way she fit against him.
“Let’s go over there.” His head motioned to the lounging chair.
Their fingers laced together and she followed.
“What did my father whisper to you earlier?”
She nestled against his chest. “He apologized for being rude the first time we met.”
“I don’t believe I introduced you.”
“You didn’t. But he was a little stand-offish.”
They sat in silence. She reached over and took his hands in hers.
“I’m sorry about your mother. I…”
“You Googled me.” He didn’t care. As much as he hated those dark days, they were a life lesson.
She nodded against his chest. “My friend Lily did. She sent me the link. She meant no harm.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m not bothered by it. For a while, the attention from the media was self-inflicted.”
“You mean the drinking and smoking?”
He nodded.
“You were hurting, mourning.”