by Mika Jolie
“I’m going to give Minka a quick tour,” Jason spoke, interrupting the two women.
“No, I don’t need…” she started to say. The last thing Minka wanted was to be alone with Jason.
“Oh,” Keely interjected with glee, “that’s a wonderful idea, Jason. Thank you. I don’t know why my sister chose not to stay here. This place is so beautiful.”
Claire, who was just as warm and filled with love as Keely, walked past her friend to pull Minka into a tight embrace. “I’m sorry I hogged your sister.”
“It’s okay,” she managed to say.
She took Minka’s hands and pulled her along with her. “Jason, why don’t you be a darling and go make yourself useful in the kitchen. We’re going to try on some wedding gowns upstairs.”
For a moment, it looked as though Jason was going to argue with Claire’s suggestion but then he shrugged and walked past them. “Oh yes, I forgot you’re here for a purpose,” he teased.
Claire let out a soft laugh, mockingly hitting his arm. “You get to see my beautiful face for three full days.”
Minka noted an air of familiarity between the two and she tried to focus her attention on something else in the room. She had no chance competing with someone who looked like Claire.
He leaned in and gave the singer a hug. “I’m glad you’re back on The Vineyard no matter the circumstances or however brief.”
The warmth in his voice sent a slight chill through Minka. She shifted her weight and tried to appear the closeness shared between the two didn’t bother her. From over Claire’s shoulder, Jason’s gaze found hers and held it. It wasn’t until he released the other woman and stepped back did he release his hold on her as well.
“We must go to our favorite spot in Oak Bluffs tonight for your birthday. What do you say?” Claire said with her high-wattage smile.
Jason stopped by the doorway. “I think it’s a brilliant idea. I haven’t been to Origins in ages. I’ll gather the gang. We were waiting for you to arrive.”
A shadow crossed Claire’s pretty face, but she smiled and it passed. “It would be nice to see everyone.”
Minka picked up a magazine and pretended to focus her attention on the words. To her misfortune, she somehow managed to pick up a French magazine. She kept her focus on the unrecognized words, aware of his unwavering gaze on her the whole time.
“Minka, what about you? Should I count you in for the night?” Jason asked from across the room.
She shook her head. “I’m afraid I have something to do.”
“No, you don’t,” Keely interjected. “You’re not staying in your hotel room like you did last night.”
His lips pulled into that sexy, crooked smile, daring her to contest Keely’s words. Minka clutched the glossy magazine tighter, holding it as a shield to hide her uneasiness.
“You’re coming with us,” Keely continued. “Jason, you’re not bringing a date, are you?”
He shook his head.
“Perfect,” Keely exclaimed. “You can be Minka’s date for the night.”
She closed the magazine and shot her sister a deadly glare then turned her attention to Jason. He leaned on one side of the door, a wide grin on his face, clearly amused. “You’re free to bring whomever you want. I apologize for my sister imposing on you.”
He looked her over from head to toe, then gradually came to rest on her breasts. Her bra-free nipples hardened under his gaze. Minka silently cursed him for having the ability to awaken her senses with just his eyes.
“Not imposing,” he responded, “I’m looking forward to it. I think we’ll have a good time together, n’est-ce-pas?” He glanced at Claire and Keely. “Claire, I will call you with the final plans and time. I’ll have drinks sent to the suite for you ladies. Enjoy your wedding gown fitting frenzy.”
“Hey, Jay,” Claire called, “sounds like you’re envious and wish you were the one who was getting a beautiful bride.”
Jason threw his head back in laughter. Minka stared. His face lit up with humor, emphasizing his handsome features. “Marriage and I don’t mix, Claire. You know that.” With that, he walked out of the room.
Minka remained standing in the corner. The bond between Jason and Claire troubled her. How did they know each other? She toyed with the idea of asking Claire, but that would make it seem like she cared, which she didn’t.
She was grateful when Keely suggested they make their way to the suite. Minka fell behind them, listening to their continuous chatter. Keely regurgitated the same information about her honeymoon photo shoot to Claire, only her friend asked all the right questions. It made sense Claire would. The two women lived in the same world.
If she felt like an intruder listening to Claire and Keely talking, the feeling intensified the moment she entered Blake and Keely’s suite. His scent smacked her in the face. And she automatically glanced at the bed. The place her sister spent every night in Blake’s arms. Minka looked away and focused her attention on the ottoman at the end of the bed where Blake’s jacket was neatly laid. An ache to run her fingers over it rushed through her. Perhaps if she was alone in the room, she would. She would pull it to her chest and take in everything about Blake. The emptiness that Jason was able to erased last night resurfaced.
Quietly, she stood and listened as the two women gushed over honeymoon plans. She peeked at her sister.
“Jason has been so kind to provide some assistance. He offered to let us stay at his place,” Keely explained before moving on to a discussion about the wedding day and all the intricate details that needed to be incorporated to truly capture the essence of Keely and Blake’s love for each other.
The empty feeling inside she had embodied reemerged. Minka needed air. She was about to make a dash for the door when Claire pulled them both toward the three floor-length mirrors in the room. Minka figured Jason had the additional mirrors brought to the room for the fitting.
“I love your sketches, Keely,” Claire said to her friend. She retrieved three large gown-length garment bags. “I love the modern yet vintage look that you have in mind. Totally suits you. I brought two dresses, but I think I already know which one you’ll choose.”
“Did you bring a dress for Minka as well?”
Claire’s designs were for tall, lithe Hollywood starlets. She fell in neither category.
“Most definitely,” Claire answered, “I brought an unfinished piece here for you, Minka. Keely told me what she had in mind for the maid of honor so I put something together. I hope you like it. But, if you don’t, I’m sure Keely will let you wear whatever you want.”
Keely chuckled. “Both of you ladies have free range and can wear whatever you want.”
Minka took a step closer to the black bag she assumed was hers. “I’m sure it’ll be beautiful,” she responded, avoiding any eye contact with Claire. She always felt Claire could see right through her.
Claire unzipped the two bags and carefully placed two gowns on the bed. Minka took a few steps closer to the bed and joined the friends.
“I can’t see you in anything traditional,” Claire said to Keely, who beamed at her friend. “But, I think this is the one,” she said with a gentle smile. “Try it on.”
Her sister slipped her long, lean body into the first gown, an ivory A-line dress with a swirl of delicate silk organza. Gossamer ruffles floated vertically from the waist and seemed to have the potential to move according to the bride’s steps. The sheer fabric created a dramatic effect to the fitted, elegantly pleated, sweetheart bodice.
Keely stopped to study herself in the large mirrors. Gone was her usual sophisticated elegant cool-as-a-cucumber air. Minka remained still but Claire moved forward to stand behind Keely and twisted her friend’s hair into a knot.
Claire was right. That was the dress. It embodied everything her sister was—elegant, sexy, unique, and beautiful. She watched the two women as they continued to study her sister’s reflection. They were transfixed by the sight staring back at them. So was M
inka. She was once again reminded of all the reasons Blake had fallen in love with her sister.
“What do you think, Minka?” Keely’s voice interrupted her thoughts. Minka forced a smile and came to stand by Claire.
“You look breathtaking, Keely.” The words were spot-on. Her sister was indeed a vision of beauty.
Keely turned to stare at her friend and sister. Minka was surprised to see tears trickling down her sister’s face. Her sister, the funny, loving, beautiful twin was so moved and in love that she was crying.
The whole situation made her uncomfortable.
What was she supposed to do now?
Hug her sister?
Remind her how beautiful and lucky she was, had always been?
Before Minka could process any of her options, Claire reached for her purse and pulled out a white silk handkerchief. Minka stepped back and watched in silence as one beautiful woman gently brushed away the tears of another.
“Minka,” Claire said, glancing at her direction. “Would you like to try on your dress?”
“Yes. That would be great,” she answered in a shaken voice. She knew she was coming across a bit distant. Shit! That wasn’t very MOH-like. She needed to snap out of it.
“I’ll be right back.” Claire picked up the third bag from the door and disappeared.
As Claire walked past her, Minka noticed her shoulders were a bit straighter; her eyes didn’t smile at her as they did when they first walked into the inn. Shame overtook her. Somehow, she needed to masquerade her pain.
“Can you unzip me, Minka?”
“Yes, of course.” Quickly she moved to where Keely was still standing. With care, she unzipped the dress, not wanting to cause any damage to the delicate ruffles. “The dress is you, Keely. Claire was right. It’s everything you are.”
Keely smiled with appreciation.
Minka was glad to escape to the adjacent bathroom when Claire returned with a misty rose-colored, one-shoulder, silk chiffon dress. She tried her best not to examine the personal belongings of her sister and Blake.
The dress was stunning and incredibly sophisticated with careful pleating along the loose bodice and a single shoulder strap that swooped up dramatically. It didn’t make her look fat. Not skinny, but not fat either. For that she was grateful.
“I love it!” Keely screeched as soon as she entered the bedroom.
What could she say?
There was no arguing when the bride instantly fell in love with the dresses her best friend had designed. A knock came on the door and their mother entered the room. Nervousness quickly settled inside her as her mother’s eyes took in her appearance.
“What a pretty dress,” she exclaimed. “You look lovely, Minka.”
A flower was lovely; someone could have a lovely character—which was always when the guy lost interest, by the way. Yet, that was the adjective for her. “Thank you,” she responded with what she hoped was a genuine smile.
“Jason had the innkeeper set up some trays for us on the patio,” Bea continued.
“Go ahead. I’ll put everything back together,” she volunteered when she noticed Claire hesitate. The other woman smiled appreciatively at her; the smile this time was at least lukewarm.
Once alone in the room, she collapsed on the bed, dejected, swollen with emotions and realization of the days that were quickly approaching. Paralyzed by the tragic feeling of crushed hopelessness, she closed her eyes and gazed into fields of nothingness. The tears crept out nonetheless, a sea of dark emotions churned inside her with no outlet but the sobs.
Minka wasn’t sure how long she sat on the bed crying; at some point she felt drained and dehydrated. Sniffling as she choked back the last of her tears, she slowly came to her feet and attempted to put the gowns back in their respective bags and came face to face with Jason standing in the doorway. She froze. How long had he stood there?
“I knocked.”
She turned her back to him and brushed her cheeks as hard as she could “I’ll be right down.”
But he was already standing behind her. His arms encircled her body, bringing her against his chest. Minka closed her eyes. It felt good to be held.
“I didn’t mean to intrude, but I wanted to see you. Keely told me you were cleaning up,” he said, his voice dangerously low.
“Why?” she asked, her breath still short and shallow.
“I’m not sure why she told me.”
She shook her head. “No. Why did you want to see me?” She spun around, no longer caring if her eyes were bloodshot red and leaked with sadness.
His hands cupped her face. “One night wasn’t enough.”
The world was truly playing a cruel joke on her. “Jason,” her hands came to rest on his wrists. “I can’t.”
“I want to see you. I want to be with you again, ma chèrie.” He paused to smile at her then added, “Last night was fun.”
“We shouldn’t.” She had to talk some sense into him. Clearly the man was running on one loose screw if he wanted to sleep with her again.
“Give me one good reason why we shouldn’t, besides the fact you’re fighting the obvious attraction.”
He was challenging her, tempting her, making her crave.
“I’m not that person from last night,” she said under her breath because she was afraid to speak her true fear.
“Do you want to sleep with me again?” he asked again as if her words were never uttered.
Deny. Deny. Deny.
That was the wise thing to do. Tell a lie in order to keep her sanity. Only he stood too close. She inhaled his scent; fresh and citrusy as it did last night. All Minka could think of was his naked body on top of her. She couldn’t lie and once again unable to speak, she nodded.
“You must say it.” He pushed. “To admit to yourself what’s between us.”
Her body flooded with warmth. “I do.” The admission came out as a whisper; the words trembled from her lips.
“You do what, darling? And look at me while you say it,” he challenged, his voice low and gruff.
Minka lifted her head to look into his eyes. The desire she read in them scared her, but just like last night, she wanted more of him. Not just because she wanted to let go of that achiness in her heart, but also because Jason had made her feel things she never thought she could ever feel.
“I want to sleep with you again, Jason, but…” Then of course that had to be it. No more Jason, no more crazy orgasms. She didn’t need to be a genius to understand allowing herself to continue having mind-blowing sex with a sexy, handsome man who happened to be out of her league, had disaster written all over it.
He lowered his mouth to her forehead, then touched the corner of her lips. “No buts. Tonight you come home with me and you spend the night again.”
It wasn’t a question. Men like Jason ordered. Minka nodded again.
“I won’t ask about the tears. But, if you ever feel like telling me what made you so sad, I promise to listen.”
She lowered her gaze to his chest, breaking their connection. Could she really tell him the emotional turmoil she was going through? Would he still want to sleep with her if he knew? The answers were obvious. Jason was accustomed to getting what he wanted and when. She knew enough about him to know he didn’t compete for a woman’s affection. She either came to him or she didn’t. Either way, there was probably another waiting.
“It’s nothing. Wedding jitters.” She smiled. “My sister, my close friend.”
Jason nodded. “I’m sure you’ll find the same kind of love one day.”
Tightness settled in her chest and limbs, not because of Keely and Blake. But because of the easy way Jason told her she would find love and asked her to sleep with him again all in one breath. He didn’t ask her to be in a relationship or hide his intent. He wanted sex, nothing more and nothing less.
She tried to put on a brave face and nodded. A hook-up, she thought. She wanted the same thing, a distraction. It would help her deal with Keely and
Blake. So why did his words make her feel sad?
“We should go back to everyone,” she said, breaking the silence between them. She tried to step out of his arms, but Jason tightened his hold.
“Not yet.” His blue eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Are you mad? My sister sleeps in this bed.” No way was she going to have sex with him there, regardless of how much she wanted it. Jason chuckled before he released her.
“I’ll help you clean up, but for the record, you and I can have sex wherever we want in this inn.”
She focused her attention on the gown. She wasn’t going to entertain the thought. The man was obviously insane. She moved quickly, putting the gowns back in their bags, and walked past him toward the door. Jason caught up with her and pulled her into his arms.
“One last kiss till tonight.”
Chapter Nine
“The scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity.”
Steve Maraboli
Minka sucked in her breath as she tried to zip the pencil skirt. The zipper moved probably an inch upward before it stubbornly told her it wasn’t going to go any further. Feeling let down, she swore under her breath. When she bought this skirt earlier in the year, New Year’s Eve to be more specific, her goal was to fit into it in three months. Of course that was later stretched to four months because hey, everyone knew a diet wasn’t fool-proof and who really exercised during the winter—cold months were for comfort food.
Only winter had morphed into spring and not a pound had been shed. Minka removed the skirt and laid it on the bed. She looked down at it. She’d purchased the skirt with Blake in mind, to witness lust in his eyes at her appearance. Yet, here she was in her hotel room thinking about Jason pulling the material away from her body. Her senses heightened with a mixture of emotions, excitement, desire, and even guilt for lusting after Blake’s best friend. She slipped into a pair of jeans, grabbed her purse, and walked out of the room. Since the skirt refused to adjust to her curves, she might as well go buy something to wear.
