Guest Post~ The Scale (Martha’s Way) by Mika Jolie
THE SCALE
Martha’s Way
by Mika Jolie
Twenty-seven year old, African-American, Minka Greene has to endure watching her twin sister marry the man she loves. Her weight is up, and her confidence is down. Not exactly the ideal time to meet the real man of her dreams.
The Scale opens in Martha’s Vineyard with Minka attending Keely and Blake’s engagement party at Martha’s Way, the beautiful inn owned and operated by the tall, blond, tattooed man with the piercing blue eyes. It just so happens Jason Montgomery is also Blake’s childhood friend and the best man. Dealing with a whirl of emotions, Minka faints in Jason’s arms.
When she wakes up naked in Jason’s bed after a night of passion, the Vineyard confirmed bachelor struggling with his own demons and the woman filled with self-doubt and pining for another man are joined in an experience that will change their lives.
EXCERPT (18+)
“Why aren’t you comfortable with my nudity?”
It’s not just your nudity that I’m not comfortable with.
As a distraction to hide the unsettling feeling inside, she sucked in a deep breath and walked across the room to retrieve what appeared to be her bra.
“I like your name. Minka,” he said from the bed. “It’s different.”
“I’ll be sure to pass the compliment on to my parents. Please put some clothes on.”
Jason laughed off her obvious discomfort. “Come back to bed, darling. I can call Blake and let him know you’ll be late.”
She stood there watching him. Her lips drawn, her eyes narrowed.
“And Minka, did you like the sex?” He waved a long finger in the air. “Ah, don’t lie.”
“I was drunk. You took advantage. Please put some clothes on.”
“I never take advantage of a woman. And you weren’t drunk.” He patted the empty space on the bed next to him. “So how did we compare to your college make-out session?”
The man was impossibly conceited. Did he really need to hear that was the best sex she’s ever had? Walking past the bed, she murmured, “I have to go.”
But damn it, he was coming to his feet, off the bed, in all his glory. Don’t look! Once again, she failed. She looked at his wide shoulders, his tattoos, his flat abdomen, and… Seriously, she needed to stop gawking as if she had never seen a beautiful naked body before. Well, she hadn’t but she didn’t have to make it so obvious.
Minka caught her breath as he came to stand very close to her, leaving only inches between them. Out of desperation, she tried to increase the space between them by taking a step back. To her surprise, he turned on his heels and walked toward the dresser, giving Minka a full view of his flawless ass.
He pulled out a pair of black boxer briefs and lazily slid long, toned, tanned legs into them as if he was very aware she was examining his every move. She hated to give him that satisfaction, but her eyes were glued to him, even when he turned to face her, in the sexiest pair of boxer briefs she had ever seen on a man.
He took two long strides to close the space between them. Minka automatically took several steps back until her back was pressed against the wall. Toned arms came to rest on the wall, his eyes locked into hers, holding her prisoner.
“Don’t go yet, Minka.”
Really, did her name have to sound like silk coming out of his mouth?
“I must go,” she heard herself say in a whisper. Minka wondered who she was trying to convince. At this point, she wasn’t so sure.
“I want to see you again.”
Were her ears deceiving her?
A gorgeous hunk of a man wanted to see her again after a night of sex. This couldn’t be. She wouldn’t allow herself to entertain the idea. He was too beautiful. He belonged with someone just as beautiful, someone like Keely. At that thought, her heart sank. But it was better she protected herself from any more humiliation.
“I have a boyfriend,” she said out of desperation.
A soft laugh escaped his throat. “You just told me you were single.” As he spoke the words, he drew his face closer to hers, his lips inches away from hers.
He was about to kiss her again; only this time she was one hundred percent sober. Minka toyed with the idea of begging him to have a little mercy on her. But she didn’t, instead her long lashes fluttered when he paused for a mere second.
Then he was kissing her, another mind-blowing kiss. His lips felt just as great as they had last night, if not better. Minka heard a soft noise from her throat as he deepened his hold on her.
Against her lips, he whispered, “God, you feel good.” His voice was raspy as he spoke the words, the heat of his mouth caressing her lips. “Let’s go back to bed.”
She wanted to, oh how she really wanted to go back to bed with him one last time.
“I really have to go. I promised Keely I’d go to her fitting with her.” Where she found the voice to speak, Minka wasn’t sure.
“Otherwise you would have stayed,” he challenged, still standing way too close to her, his lips too close.
“Yes, probably.” He raised an eyebrow. “Yes,” she admitted. At least for one last time, she would have stayed.
He nodded and took a few steps back away from her, seeming to understand her dilemma. The space unexpectedly left her feeling empty.
He walked over to the bedroom door and opened it. She quietly followed him as he led her down the spiral mahogany stairs. The house, she realized, was quite large with a certain charm. A Victorian style house that was clearly a work in progress, with what appeared to be freshly stained and finished floors, newly painted walls and sparse furniture. With the exception of his bedroom and the big leather sofa in the living room accompanied by a big screen television, it didn’t look like any other furniture had been purchased.
She wondered who was actually behind the man and why he lived in this big old house alone. Was he coming fresh off a relationship, perhaps a divorce? And if so, had he gotten his heart broken or had he been the heartbreaker? Minka decided it was probably the latter.
“So, should we try this again?”
Lost in her thoughts, the question caught her off guard and she bumped into him. Her hands landed on his bare chest and stayed there for a second too long. She really should have insisted he put a shirt on as well. Not that the sexy, thigh-hugging boxers were helping much.
“We should try this again,” he repeated, but not as a question this time. “I want to see you again, Minka.”
“I can’t.”
“Because…”
Okay, so he was persistent.
Because next time, there won’t be any alcohol. Because next time you will see I’m not built like a model. Because next time, I won’t be good enough.
“Because whatever kinky sex we had was induced by alcohol, and that wasn’t me,” she said instead. Her voice sounded almost remorseful.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author of Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance,
and Chick lit, Wife, and Mommy to 2 energizer bunnies. Member of Secret Cravings Publishing. When I do have time to breathe, I like to run, hike with my camera at hand, and work on my gardening and knitting skills. Join me in my journey.
INTERVIEW
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Mika Jolie, my debut novel The Scale was released on July 21st with Secret Cravings Publishing.
Besides writing, what are some other hobbies you have or things you like to do for fun?
We have an organic garden that I work on with my two boys. I love the idea of growing my own vegetables. Also, I recently picked up knitting which I enjoy but right now, it’s a bit difficult to find time to focus on that scarf I’m knitting for my husband. What else, I love the outdoors, so hiking, jogging and hanging out with my husband and our two boys.
What inspired you to become a writer?
I can’t think of a time when I didn’t love books. I remember my parents reading to me as far back as my memory serves me. As I got older, I used to tell stories to my friends. Yeah, writing was always in my blood. I just had to take it seriously.
Do you have a set ritual before sitting down to write or do you just go?
Besides spending time with my family, LOL, no nothing. Once the boys are tucked in bed, I head to my writing cave.
Do you outline, plot it out, let your characters run wild, or just wing it?
I do an outline of my characters, but nothing complex. I also note three things: 1) What WILL happen 2) What COULD happen and 3) What MUST happen. Those three things help me stay on course.
What inspired you to write this book?
My best friend actually inspired me to write The Scale. It is loosely based on her and her struggle with her weight and self-acceptance.
What is your greatest weakness when it comes to writing?
Sex scenes (LOL).
What is your greatest achievement?
Being happy
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Tell us about your current main characters.
In The Scale, the main characters are Minka Greene and Jason Montgomery. Minka is a very flawed heroine. She thinks she’s a victim but really she’s rather selfish. Jason is a tattooed bad boy dealing with the tragic death of his mother; which caused great strain on his relationship with his father. They are both complex characters.
What is your recipe for a “good story?”
I need to care about the plot and subplots. All of my characters are multi-dimensional thrown in realistic situations.
What genres do you write in? What do you enjoy about writing them?
Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, and Women’s Fiction. Because my books deal with realistic issues, I find I don’t have to be compartmentalize
If you could pick two colors to represent your book, what colors would you choose and why?
Blue for the ocean and Green for nature.
How important is reader feedback to you?
It’s very important. I love hearing that a reader was able to relate to Minka. I’ve actually gotten that a lot; which makes me very happy because I wanted to write a character everyone can relate to.
Tell us one thing that’s on your bucket list.
(Laughs) To knit my husband a scarf.
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Thanks for coming by!
~H.A.B.