That morning Alia awoke, feeling pleasantly relaxed and warm. She was slightly startled to sense another presence in the bed, when she remembered that Jasonn had spent the night. She felt a blush rising on her cheeks recalling just how he had spent last night.
A low rumbling had her eyes snapping open to see Jason's amused grin as he stared at her, he had his head propped up with a hand.
"Morning ," he said, moving his other hand to brush her hair behind her ear.
"Ah. Good morning ." Kaoru stuttered and then bit her lip trying to think of what to say to a friends-with-benefits lover the morning after.
Jason solved that problem for her by leaning in and murmuring, "Care for another round?" as his hand slipped over her breast.
Figuring such activities would be far more pleasurable than an awkward conversation, Alia turned her head to meet his kiss.
Much later that morning she awoke to the sound of her shower running. With Jason occupied, Alia took a few moments to think about the past twelve hours.
She had sex.
With Jason.
Multiple times.
Just as friends.
And she wanted to do it again.
Hopefully this friends with benefits arrangement would really work out. Jason was great in bed. She wasn't quite sure how to bring up the idea of "hey let's do this every week" anymore than how she should ask "are you still going to be fucking other people?" Or even if she had a right to ask such things.
Hmmm… this benefits arrangement might be more complicated than she initially suspected.
Instead of facing the object of her concerns like an adult, Alia opted to dive in the bathroom as soon as Jason stepped out. She hoped a long hot shower would wash away all these new worries that kept popping into her head.
When she finally dared to leave the bathroom, she found Jason happily busy in her kitchen. He smiled and greeted her. "There's quiche Lorraine in the oven, which should be done in about twenty minutes. Now that you're here I'll start some water for cocoa."
Alia blinked and looked at him, confused. "Quiche? How did you manage to make quiche?"
Jason shrugged and went to wash dishes. "Quiche is basically just cream, eggs and cheese on a butter and flour crust. Not all that difficult. Nutmeg would have helped, but the ham and broccoli should add some flavor."
Not difficult. Right. The fact that he was a professional chef had nothing to do with it. Alia thought for a moment. She kept eggs on hand since Brantley had given her that handy toast-and-egg maker for her birthday. The ham, cheese and butter were clearly from her sandwich supplies. She had just bought a carton of cream for her coffee, getting the larger size since it was on sale. The flour was probably left from when she and made cookies. Broccoli? Oh yes, the supply of frozen vegetables Megumi occasionally dropped off in an effort to improve her eating habits.
Alia stareed at him. "Where ever did you find a pan? I'm pretty sure you can't make quiche on my pizza tray…."
Jason finished rinsing the dishes and went to make the cocoa with the now hot water. "There was a box of kitchen equipment in your cupboard. I used the whisk from there as well."
Kitchen equipment in her cupboard? Oh, right, she had agreed to store some Stepahine's things during her trip. Apparently the fact that she never cooked made it safe for Stepahine to leave the things here and expect to get them back on her return.
"Sit down."Jason nodded towards the table and placed a mug of cocoa in front of her chair. "We should talk some and we may as well get this out of the way while the quiche is baking."
Alia gulped and sat down, biting her lip. She knew they need to talk about things, but the didn't make it easy. She looked down into her mug, swirling the cocoa around.
Jason looked at her a sighed. "Alia, relax. We're friends. There is no right or wrong questions or answers in this discussion. It's a 'Cocoa Conversation', remember." He smiled slightly. "All that matters is honesty."
Alia nodded, some of the tension easing out of her shoulders. He was right, it wasn't as though they had a relationship for her to screw up. Of course, honesty didn't make things any less embarrassing. She took a sip of cocoa and then smiled. This questioning could go two ways.
"So Jason ," she began. "Since you didn't answer this last night, what's in this for you?"
Jason shifted awkwardly. "You mean besides sex?"
Alia gave him a hard look. "Jason, you're a nice sexy guy. I've seen you at clubs. You'd have no trouble getting whichever girl you want in bed. So why me?"
Jason gave her an inscrutable look. "Why not you?" he asked, sipping his cocoa.
"Hey! You said that cocoa conversations were to be about honesty, no avoiding issues. Now answer up, bucko"
"Sorry." Jason winced. "You're right. And while I don't care to share all my reasons, you do deserve a bit of an explanation." He paused a moment and took a drink.
"As you know, my uncle Barry is both wealth and influential." He continued, "In certain circles, I'm well known as his heir." He looked down and made a face. "This means that some women (and men) try to date me, in hopes of gaining money or favors."
Alia rested a hand on his arm in comfort. Before she could speak, he went on, "I really believe that sex should be about pleasure and sharing with your partner. Not about performing in bed so that you'll get a diamond bracelet or corporate merger. Prostitution isn't my thing. Good sex requires giving a bit of your self emotionally, and that's best done with a friend.
"While I've dated some women who aren't like that, most relationships seemed to end up with this 'cloud of marriage' hanging over them. As if the women are deferring presents now for the possibility of being Mrs. William later. And I've occasionally had to worry that they might intentionally try to get pregnant to force the issue." He drank some cocoa, as if to clear a bad taste from his mouth. "I've nothing against marriage, I just don't want to be pressured into it."
Alia nodded in understanding.
"So," Jason said, looking up at her. "You can see how a friends with benefits arrangement suits me. The question is, would you be willing to continue this?"
Alia blinked, surprised at the sudden turn in conversation. Blushing slightly she looked away. "Umm.. Yeah, I think I'd like that." Jason let out the breath he had been holding.
"But," Alia added, not quite sure how to voice her concern. "I…. Will you…" She shook her head, annoyed with her self. Then in a firm voice, if a bit rushed, she said, "I know you'll be dating people since this is strictly a benefits arrangement, but will you be fucking other people as well?" She immediately busied her self taking a drink of cocoa.
"How about this," Jasonn replied, "if I plan to, or end up sleeping with someone else, I let you know before we have sex again."
Alia relaxed and looked up at him with a smile.
"Of course, I expect the same courtesy from you," he added.
"No problem." Alia said. Not like she planned on dating anyone, much less sleeping with them, for a while anyway. As she finished her cocoa, the buzzer went off.
Jason rose to get the quiche, "Any other questions, or should we eat?"
Alia grinned. "I'll get the plates." Since they had agreed to continue their arrangement, she thought all other questions could wait. After all, it wasn't everyday she had a chef cooking for her.
