Dare to Trust

by R Gendreau-Webb

  “Fenway is the oldest baseball stadium,” Jason told her as they took seats along the first baseline. “And there’s the Green Monstah,” Jason told her as he pointed towards the massive green wall in left field. Through-out the game, Jason explained the plays to her with excitement and Mia actually enjoyed it.

  Following the game, Jason had brought Mia to his place for the first time. He had been looking forward to bring her to his place and see her in his environment. She had been impressed by the stately looking brownstone on the quiet, tree-lined street and even more impressed by his culinary skills.

  “I bet you cook for all the ladies,” Mia had teased as he had served her. A serious look swept across his face.

  “You’re the only woman I’ve ever invited here, Mia.” The importance of his words had sent chills through her. After the romantic, candle-lit dinner he had cooked for her and a bottle of wine, Jason had taken Mia upstairs to his bedroom, dropped her in the middle of his massive four-poster bed and made love to her. All night.

  From that night on, Mia and Jason were inseparable. Their schedules were erratic and frequently opposite, but at night they slept in the same bed. The evenings Mia had shifts in the ER, Jason would meet her for dinner, usually in the hospital cafeteria. At the end of her shift, he would be there waiting to drive her home. “It’s not that far of a walk,” she had told Jason the first time he had insisted on being her ride home.

  “Women shouldn’t be walking the streets at night,” he had told her. “It isn’t safe.”

  After a month of alternating between his place and hers, Jason had started to ask Mia to move into his brownstone. He was tired of going back and forth between her apartment and his place. He was certain he wanted Mia with him. Permanently. “Think about the practicality of it,” Jason said, trying to convince her it was obvious move. “We’re together every night. Why pay rent on your small place? And I have more than enough room.” He had inherited the enormous three story brown stone from his grandmother.

  At first, she hesitated. They had known each other such a short time. Physically, they were great together. Mia had no problem admitting that. So far, she thoroughly enjoyed being with Jason in and out of bed. But what about the future? Was she ready to give up her own place and independence so quick into the relationship? So she kept offering up excuses.

  Jason’s brownstone was far more elaborate and elegant than anything Mia could afford on her residency, especially with her med school loans. When she mentioned that to Jason, he didn’t care. He told her she didn’t have to pay ‘rent’ if she moved in; he didn’t need money from her. Jason kept insisting it made the most sense, especially since her lease was about to expire.

  “Mia, baby, this is ridiculous. Just move in with me.” They had been together all of two months. They had stopped over at her apartment so she could pack a few things. Mia was spending the week-end at the brownstone with Jason. She ignored him as she threw clothes, shoes and toiletries into a bag. “Mia, please?” he begged.

  When she turned to face him, Jason was offering her a wide smile. “How are you so sure this is going to last?” There, she thought, she had finally put it out on the table. Where the hell was he getting such strong confidence about their relationship? Something so good would eventually blow up in her face---didn’t it always?

  His smile faded but Jason walked over to Mia and kissed her. Almost immediately, her arms were around his neck and Mia was submitting to his mouth and the touch of his wandering hands. And then he stopped and let go of her. “That is why I am sure,” Jason told her, referring to her automatic physical reaction to his touch. She was already in his heart but he wasn’t ready to admit that yet.

  “Of course the sex is great, Jay” Mia agreed. “But how can you know---“

  Jason shook his head and cut her off. “I just know, Mia. In or out of bed, I know we are and will be great together for a very, very long time. There’s nowhere else I want to be.” His blue eyes gazed at her with conviction. Mia didn’t have any rebuttal.

  That week-end, Kate was finally introduced to Jason. They met at Mia and Kate’s favorite bar, on a rare Saturday night when they were all off from work. Kate had arrived early and kept her eyes on the door, waiting to see her friend. When Mia entered, hand in hand with a tall, gorgeous man, she smiled. Mia hadn’t been kidding---he was hot!

  Mia introduced them. Jason extended his hand, to shake Kate’s but she jumped down from the barstool and into Jason, giving him a big hug. “It’s great to finally meet you, Jason.”

  She had caught Jason off guard with the hug. At first, he had no idea why this auburn haired beauty was coming at him. When he had nervously glanced at Mia to see her reaction, he had figured it out. “Nice to meet you, too.” He smiled at Kate and then at Mia. “Drinks, ladies?” he asked as he made his way the few steps to the bar. He ordered Mia a glass of wine, knowing that was her preference and a beer for him. “Kate?” he questioned.

  “Beer, please,” she answered as she and Mia found a table on the other side of the room. Jason waited at the bar for their drinks. “Oh, Mia, you weren’t kidding,” Kate gushed as they sat. “I can only imagine how hot the sex must be.” She grinned at her friend, knowing she was embarrassing her.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter,” Mia told her and then smiled. “But it is really hot.”

  “What’s hot?” Jason innocently asked as he sat the drinks on the table and slid into the chair next to Mia, unconsciously draping his arm around the back of her chair.

  “Never mind,” Mia told him.

  Mia was thrilled that Kate and Jason hit it off. They were the two people in her life that meant the most to her; Kate for obvious reasons. The fact that Jason had become that second person so quickly in the relationship unnerved Mia.

  “So, I know we just met, but I need a favor.” Mia had gone to the ladies room and Jason was taking full advantage of the minute or two he figured he had before her return.

  “What’s that?” Kate asked, wondering where this was going.

  “Help me convince your best friend to move in with me.”

  “Oh,” Kate said as she took a sip of beer. “She mentioned that.”

  “Did she?”

  “Yup.” Kate took another sip. “I told her to do it.”

  “Really?” Jason was surprised by the support of his idea.

  “You seem to make her happy. And she’s needed that for a long time. She’s been wrapped up in medical school and then residency---never gives herself any time to live her life. I think you’re good for her.”

  “So do I.” Jason liked what Kate had said. She leaned over towards him and almost in a whisper, spoke as Mia headed back to the table.

  “Don’t hurt her, Jason.” Mia sat before he had a chance to respond.

  They stayed a while longer. Kate was the first to leave. “I’ve got to go to the restaurant early tomorrow. I’m calling it a night.” She got up and grabbed her purse. “Thanks for a fun evening,” she said to Jason. She looked at her friend with a mischievous look on her face. “Mia, move in with this man.” She gave Mia a hug, then Jason and left. Mia stared at Kate as she left a look of shock on her face. Obviously, Kate and Jason had talked about it while she had been in the bathroom.

  “Well,” Jason said as he grinned at Mia. “I like your friend. I think you should take her advice.”

  Finally, she relented, tired of arguing. Mia packed up her belongings and moved in with him. Jason had arranged for Mia’s few boxes and pieces of furniture to be moved. She hadn’t had much in her cozy apartment. Once all of her things were at the brownstone, Jason couldn’t help smile as he watched Mia unpack her things and put them away in his place---now their place. Mia’s clothes hanging in the walk-in closet seemed natural. He even liked seeing her make-up and assorted other beauty products in the master bathroom.

  The first night of Mia officially living in the brownstone, Jason couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. They had both spent the da
y unpacking Mia’s things and re-arranging his stuff to mesh with her. She was exhausted. Jason was too, but still wanted her. In what was now their bed.

  Mia had showered and just as she was about to shut off the water and get out of the expansive travertine shower, Jason joined her. “I thought I’d make sure your back was washed,” he told her with a boyish grin. Jason reached for her shower gel, the one that smelled like coconuts and lime, and scrubbed her back with it. Then his hands wandered to her breasts, down her stomach and between her thighs.

  “I think I’m clean,” Mia told him as she broke from his grasp, a smile on her lips. She rinsed one more time and shut off the water. Jason opened the shower door, grabbing a towel for her and one for him. He quickly wiped the excess water from his body and then scooped Mia up while she was still drying off. He carried her, wide grin on his face, to the bed and gently tossed her down. Then he grabbed her towel and threw it to the floor.

  “You won’t need that,” he told her as he moved onto the bed next to her. His mouth descended onto hers and although tired, Mia responded. It didn’t take long before Jason’s body moved over hers. He paused for a moment, about to reach for a condom from the bedside table, but then thought differently. He knew she was on birth control and confident she religiously took the pill. “Mia,’ he started, “you know there’s no one else, right?” She gave him a funny look but nodded. The question hadn’t registered at the moment, but as Jason’s hardness nudged at her entrance, Mia understood.

  While kissing her, and without any further words, Jason took a breath and then quickly thrust into Mia. The feeling was amazing; it was the first time he had ever had sex without a condom. They were living together. Monogamous. No need for condoms anymore. She was truly his.

  His hands seemed to caress her everywhere as he pumped into her with ferocious need. His mouth was demanding on hers and then wandered to nip at her shoulders and then her breasts. “Jesus, what you do to me,” Jason groaned through clenched teeth as he couldn’t hold back his release any longer. “Come for me, Mia. Now,” he pleaded.

  His words were all she needed and she let out a small scream as the waves of pleasure hit her and Jason felt her muscles contracting around him. He squeezed his eyes shut as he came.

  Jason ran his hands over her back, rubbing and massaging. Anytime he had his hands on her, he couldn’t help but think of making love to Mia. He was hard shortly after starting the massage and his hands began to wander from Mia’s back, down to her ass and between her thighs. Even though they had finished making love less than an hour ago, he wanted her again.

  This time, he made gentle love to her. It hadn’t been full of frantic passion as but at the end of it, Jason was breathless. He had just experienced the best sex in his life. And it had been with the woman he was in love with. The realization hit him like a brick; Jason felt his chest tighten. He had never been in love before. Prior to Mia, he had been casually involved with a fair share of women. Until Mia, Jason had always lost interest after a few weeks or months. Everything with Mia was different---and the more of her he got, the more addicted to her he became. And he knew he didn’t want to live without her. Ever.

  “Are you okay?” Mia asked. There was a full moon high in the sky and it enabled her to see the strange expression on Jason’s face, his jaw clenched. His arms around her tightened and he smiled at her.

  “I’m in love with you,” Jason told her in a soft voice.

  “What?” Mia had been drowsy from work and from the sex. Now she was wide awake.

  “I’m in love with you,” Jason repeated.

  A panicked look crossed Mia’s face. “Please don’t lie to me, Jay,” she sighed. “I don’t need to hear you say it.”

  “I’m not lying.” Jason kissed her.

  She pulled away. “I’m sure that’s a line you give the women you sleep with.”

  He looked wounded from her statement. “You make it sound like I’ve had dozens of women. I haven’t, Mia.” His blue eyes were piercing through her. “And I’ve never told another woman I’ve loved her. Just you. The other women---they were casual sex. You are special. You’ve blown my world apart, Mia. I’ve fallen in love with you, whether you like it or not.” He waited for a response but she stared at Jason blankly. Was she in some sort of shock? “You don’t have to say anything,” he told her.

  “I----“Jason covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply.

  “You need to get some sleep,” he finally told her after pulling away. Mia nodded and settled down into the bed, closing her eyes.

  She awoke a few hours later. Mia could tell from his breathing that Jason was awake. Mia rolled over and snuggled her body against his. She felt him drape his arm across her waist. “I love you,” Mia whispered. She didn’t see the wide smile that broke out on Jason’s face.

  Jason woke early the next morning, letting Mia sleep. He had a quick cup of coffee and decided to go for a run. As he ran along Storrow Drive and the Charles River, Jason’s mind kept revisiting last night. He knew it had been a shock for Mia to hear him confess his feelings for her. Hell, it had been a shock to him, too. But the look in her eyes and to hear Mia say that she was in love with him---well, Jason had never even considered words could have such an impact. He couldn’t believe after a few short months, he was completely in over his head---he knew he would be forever in love with Mia. She belonged with him…to him.

  His mother had been sitting on the granite steps that led up to the brownstone when Jason returned. “You haven’t answered my calls,” Jannifer Howard announced to her son. “I taught you better manners than that.” She stood, her elegant frame decked out in a caramel colored pant suit. As always, her hair was styled to the nines.

  “Sorry.” Jason unlocked the front door and took in a breath. Mia was still asleep upstairs---he hoped---and his mother didn’t know that Mia existed, let alone now lived with Jason. His relationship with Jannifer was always difficult; he hadn’t quite yet figured out how to explain it all to Mia. As he and his mother stepped into the foyer, Jason eyed Mia’s purse and hoped his mother wouldn’t notice it.

  “I thought you didn’t bring you’re his women here,” Jannifer said as she glanced from the purse to Jason’s guilty face. “You should think about having a family, not sleeping around.”

  “I don’t sleep around,” Jason answered with agitation in his voice. He ran a hand through his hair and took in a deep breath, preparing himself for his mother’s reaction to what he was about to tell her. He didn’t get the chance. Mia came down the stairs dressed in only panties and the t-shirt Jason had discarded on the floor the night before. She smiled when her eyes met his until she noticed the visitor. “Shit,” Jason mumbled under his breath. This was not at all how he had pictured his mother and the woman he was in love with meeting for the first time.

  “And who is this?” Jannifer asked, her tone condescending as she noticeably eyed Mia from head to toe.

  “Mother, this is Mia Hitchcock, my girlfriend. She lives here.” Jason’s eyes narrowed and locked with his mother’s. “Mia, honey, this is my mother, Jannifer.”

  “Ms. Howard,” Jannifer quickly corrected her son. “Do go put some clothes on, darling. You don’t want to catch cold,” Jannifer sarcastically told Mia. Her eyes narrowed on the girl as she took a good look at her. Jason had chosen a beauty. Maybe her son was finally getting serious about marriage and a family? Jannifer couldn’t help but wonder if the girl had any decent upbringing or pedigree.

  Mia had never been more mortified in her life. She didn’t know what she should do. She certainly was speechless. Unsure, she disappeared into the study. Jason followed her. “I am so sorry, baby. I never expected her to be here today. And she never comes over so early…” He was praying his mother hadn’t just screwed up what he had just decided was the most important thing in his life.

  Mia couldn’t wipe the look of surprise off her face. “She is certainly…something,” she finally said. “You didn’t tell her ab
out me.”

  “No.” Jason hated the look of hurt that flashed in Mia’s eyes. “You just met her, can you see why? I wasn’t sure how to explain it to her.” He let out a big sigh. “I told you that I haven’t lived up to her expectations---I knew she wouldn’t take to you. Because I chose you and love you. I knew it would be a disaster when you two met.” He leaned down and kissed Mia. “I love you, Mia. And I didn’t want you to have to deal with her.” He gave a nervous laugh. “She had my wife picked out.”

  “Your wife?”

  “Yeah. Obviously, not you. So you see, anyone else wouldn’t be good enough in her eyes. And you are smart, sexy and beautiful. And I love you.” Jason kissed her again. “I’m sorry.”

  Mia wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. She felt sorry that Jason’s mother didn’t seem to realize what a loving, caring son she had raised. “Is she staying? Because if she is, I need some clothes.”

  Jason shook his head and let go of Mia. “I’m gonna go get rid of her and we can pick up where we left off…last night.” He gave her a boyish grin before heading back to the foyer.

  “I’m going,” his mother informed him as he approached. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Jason. There are a lot of gold diggers out there.” Before he could respond, Jannifer left.

  Jannifer didn’t interfere with the relationship nor did she embrace Mia. She wanted to see her son married and settled down with a family, not living with someone. And Jannifer went out of her way to relay that message to Jason anytime she could.

  At first, Mia tried to become friends with Jason’s mother. Mia invited Jannifer out to lunch and a day of shopping. It had been a disaster and Mia had returned home at the end of it, clearly upset. Jason had tried to warn Mia against it, but she hadn’t listened.