The Scale (Martha's Way) by Mika Jolie Read Free Book Online Page B

kiss was.
    He just didn’t think a kiss could generate so much heat.
    And he still wanted to kiss her.
    In his thirty years, he had been attracted to a myriad of
women, but he couldn’t remember the last time he had such a strong craving to
pull someone into his arms and kiss her, hard and deep, so that no dictionary
definition would stand a chance to describe how their lungs could be filled
with the sweetest air possible and yet still be breathless.
    He exhaled and examined her swollen lips. It took all his
strength to pull away from her because he was no longer looking to get lucky
tonight. He was over that. Though he had to admit he was intrigued by the woman
with the wild curls facing him. But not just on a physical level, he wanted to
find out what made her tick, where the sadness came from, what was inside as
well as outside.
    Her hazel eyes had drowned him and he made the mistake of
touching her hair. The way her lips had parted under his was so damn seductive
he just had to taste more of her. What he didn’t expect was the effect the kiss
would have on him. He wanted more.
    Her aura told him she wasn’t ready for more than what she
was giving him at the moment. She didn’t strike him as someone who’d go home
with a stranger. So he’d withdrawn and broken the kiss. He was torn between
doing the right thing and walking away or pulling her back against him once
more. Either way, he wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
    “Let’s dance,” he said. He needed a few minutes to regain
his composure. Something flickered in her eyes. An indication she was as
affected by the kiss as he was. Jason lifted one hand to caress her right
cheek. He felt her go still under his touch.
    “Then I’ll say goodbye. I promise.” He meant the words. At
least he wanted to mean them. Only thing was she smelled of lavender. He liked
the scent. It made him want to ruffle her up a bit.
    “I need to go.” Even as she spoke the words, she made no
attempt to move.
    “One dance,” he said, his voice low
and husky. “That’s all I’m asking. That’s not much, is it?”
    Jason gave her a moment to mull his words over, and when she
didn’t argue, he extended his hand to her once more. His gaze stayed on her as
she lowered her eyes and stared down at his offered hand. She didn’t trust him.
He could tell by the way she still had her arms wrapped around her body she was
leery of him. He sensed there were layers buried inside that caused her to be
so distrustful, so guarded, and he wanted to unglue the pieces of her wariness
bit by bit. In an effort to ease her discomfort, he smiled reassuringly at her.
    “One dance,” he pleaded. “Then I will leave you alone.”
    Slowly, she lowered her arms from her body to place one hand
in his and he led her back to the bar.

 
    * * * *

 
    What could possibly go wrong with a dance?   Their bodies would touch, and the thought
of being so close to him worried her a bit. But it also triggered a level of
excitement within her that she hadn’t known existed prior to tonight.
    She wanted more. She wanted to feel him against her. Touch
his hair and hold him as close as possible. Tomorrow she could deal with Keely,
Blake, and reality. Tonight, she wanted to lose herself in Jason even if it was
for one dance.
    Her hand remained locked in his as he guided her up the
stairs to the lounge. As they entered V-Lounge, Minka scanned the room. A
couple sat on the red velvet sofa kissing passionately; two men sat on stools
at the bar talking to the pretty bartender who flashed the man
    holding her hand a familiar smile
before turning her attention back to whatever concoction she was putting
together.
    Jason swung her around to face him and started swaying to
the music. His arms tightened around her waist then and Minka placed her hands
on his chest with the hope of steadying her equilibrium. It was just a dance,
something men and women did in social situations every day. So why did the
light pressure of his hand