Taryn checked the time again, it was still three thirty-eight in the afternoon and her stomach was sounding off again. They had all gotten lost in their own things during the workshop and ended up skipping lunch, the light food that had floated around seemed to have kept everyone going but finger sandwiches weren't real food. Had she seen Jacob eat anything? She couldn't remember, she'd been too busy to notice. Momentarily guilt swarmed her, they were her guests, she should have been seeing to them better than this, now Jacob was being put to bed.

Her heart was heavy when she pulled open the refrigerator and found the ingredients for grilled chicken and turkey sandwiches, made and arranged them on two large plates. That would hold them until dinner, mentally she reminded herself to drag out the grill for later. Guilt wave ebbing, she fixed a separate plate for Jacob and loaded it on a tray with orange juice. She left ribs and chicken out to thaw while she took the food to her charge.

"Come in," Jacob's voice sounded defeated to Taryn's ears but his face relaxed in relief at the sight of her, "I thought you were Andra. Again." He sat on the edge of the bed in darkness and made no move toward her, only watched her with the eyes of a hawk. She wondered what he saw.

When she was close he moved over and she sat as he wanted. His face was still drawn and pale and his frown was as deep as ever. When he accepted the glass she offered she promptly forgot herself and smoothed the lines across his forehead. His skin was still damp and too cool, but she managed to check herself before her and could continue into his hair and offered the plate instead.

Jacob ate the first of the three sandwiches in silence and then half of another before meeting her eyes, "How do you feel?" There was a long moment before he answered and Taryn was sure that he wouldn't.

"It's hard for me to tell."

"Okay," Taryn stood, trying to think, "Well, I can run you a bath." Her eyes turned from questioning to cautious when she saw his eyes and the look in them. Surprisingly, she wasn't afraid of what she'd seen in them, not after the kiss-non-kiss from early that day, only confused and unable to decide on which of the many things she wanted to do first.

She could feel her face warm as his eyes grew darker and he still said nothing, he was smiling now. The sexy kind that had lust clawing at her chest.

"Yes," He stood, instinctively she took a step back, his smile to spread wider.

"Okay," Taryn didn't exactly run to the bathroom, she didn't run from anything and to prove it she left the door open as she started the water.

"Not too hot though please," His voice was so deep it was hard to believe that just thirty minutes ago he seemed on his death bed.

"It won't be," Taryn stood to find herself facing him after checking the water’s temperature, tried for a smile as he filled the space and stopped all her thoughts, "Do you want to check it yourself?"

He didn't hesitate, he stepped forward, reached for her and her body took over. Jacob gently cupped her elbow but didn't have to apply any pressure for her to fall into him. His big hands slid up Taryn’s arms to grip her shoulders as he looked down at her, she wanted desperately to move from under such an intent stare while at the same time, stay.

"Speak up," He was still smiling, still loving her discomfort.

"I-" She groped for something, "I haven't eaten yet, I should go."

"Is that it?"

"Yea, I guess." His hands fell away and she wanted badly to have them all over her, "I'll come back and check on you if you like."

"If you like, sure."

This time she did run, she nodded and bolted for the door, his chuckle chasing after her.

* * * * * *

"You done with your games?" Jacob jumped hearing the voice behind him.

"Christ Dean, why the hell are you lurking outside my room? You can't go picking up Andra's habits." Dean waited out Jacob's irritation.

"I saw Taryn jet out of here," He let the unasked question hang between them, he had the time to wait for answers, however long they took to arrive.

"I think I might have come on a little strong," Jacob felt his muscles tense at the admission. Dean had taken Taryn under his wings, nurtured her, and Jacob had ruffled her feathers, again.

"Hmm."

The man wasn't making this easy, had he learned his technique from Andra or was he the real master? Jacob couldn't put his finger on what he feared in Dean but it was clear there was something to fear and he'd brought it on himself. He'd treated Taryn badly from the get go because he’d failed to reign in his own emotions. He would need Daddy's approval before taking his little girl to prom.

"So that's what you've decided then," Dean pulled the thought right from his head, unnerving him slightly.

Had he decided to face her and what she did to him? Taryn had gone to them worried for his well being and he’d stalked and cornered her for those efforts. Remembering the tortured look on her face at the workshop was his undoing. He should be sick of being sick over her by now.

Jacob leaned on the polished banister, Dean beside him in fresh clothes and smelling of Irish Spring, forgotten. The walls around him dissolved as he fell into step with his thoughts. His performance moments ago had been just that. He'd done well but it was still only a show. Once the door had closed behind Taryn he'd fallen apart and hard. Reverently, he'd worshipped at the alter of that porcelain god and when his stomach was empty, he'd climbed into the steaming bath. Lust was the general of his emotions now, he couldn’t keep fighting it, and together they'd formulated a battle plan.

Never had he been this sick to his stomach and he had yet to hear of anyone who was ever physically ill from need. He'd already tried the quality alone time angle but thoughts of her made the task near impossible to complete. His body wanted the real thing or apparently it wold kill him getting it.

"I guess I have," Jacob said more to himself than his companion. He felt Dean shift beside him but didn't look, he was still lost in his own head.

"So, what's the verdict? Has he finally gotten over himself?"

Jacob's back stiffened at that voice, why was she everywhere?

"Something like that," Andra snuggled close under Dean's arm, the look in his eyes told Jacob him it was his story to tell and Andra waited, ever patient. Seeing no way around them he recapped what he'd been going through since they'd arrived Thursday night. With every word Andra's lips spread wider until her face was only a smile, every inch it grew deepened Jacob's frown.

"You can certainly be an %!&$%$% when you put your mind to it," He was still getting used to the fact that Andra cursed.

"It wasn't intentional and the two of you set me up."

"It was all her doing, I just came for the fun." Dean was quick to pass the buck and Andra didn't deny it.

"It's been ages since Courtney and she wasn't good enough or good for you - "

"That isn't your business and it's definitely not up to you to decide," She was opening a can of worms that he'd sealed and tossed to the back of his histories. Label; bull^%!!. Andra's didn't waver and he couldn't read Dean at all.

"Yes, so you've told me, but obviously that doesn't stop me," She lifted her hands to indicate Taryn's home, the place they'd tricked him into even if he had been eager to meet the woman, "If you'd relax you would actually enjoy yourself instead of literally making yourself sick over her. I've never seen that." She voiced his previous thought to Dean who grinned in agreement.

"I'm glad you've finally come to your senses, she's been very curious about you for a long time," There was a hint in there that Jacob didn't miss, his heart stopped than restarted with a furious beat. He was in high school again finding out that the girl he liked liked him too, "And I didn't have to do too much to spur you onto the right track."

"Right track? This whole time has been torment, I've dreamed about her, Andra."

"Good," They turned as one and left him.

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Author guidance for This story

Taryn: Olive toned skin, grey eyes, short brown/light brown wavy hair, 5'3", 136lbs, medium build, 23 years old, body artist & photographer (nude, etc), Drives white Chevy Suburban & black Acura SRX

Jacob: Caucasian, hazel eyes, dark/black hair, 6'2", 165lbs, medium, athletic build, 26 yrs old, photographer (nude, etc), drives white Dodge Charger

Dean: Caucasion, brown eyes, dirty blond hair, 36 yrs old, 6'2", 158lbs, small build, nude photographer

Andra: Caucasian, green eyes, red hair, 36 yrs old, 5', 112lbs, medium build, nude photographer

Jacob, Dean & Sandra drive down from Jacob's home (maybe 2hrs away?), arrive at Taryn's Thursday evening.

Dean & Andra are married to other people but are polyamorous. They are in an intimate loving relationship with spouse & gf/bf

Taryn owns her own home, 2 level on a hill, very open with light colors (whites etc), art studio is downstairs to left, very large w/high end equipment.

:)






****So Far*****

- Dean, Andra & Jacob have arrived at Taryn's home. Jacob, however, is acting strangely and appears overwhelmed when he meets Taryn.

- Jacob's bad behavior continues throughout dinner until Andra silently confronts him.

- After frightening Taryn half to death he apologizes and make amends. His apology doesn't sound like the typical I'm sorry though.

- Jacob is seems to have come to a decision but what of Taryn? Everyone is more than happy to see him out of his sour mood as they leave for the All Day Artist's Workshop

- Jacob is on the verge of violence and has to leave to get some fresh air. Concerned, Taryn goes to check on him but will he 'man up?' Has he finally 'evolved?'

- A brief but intoxicating kiss sends Jacob into a tail spin, unfortunately Wendy appears and makes off with Taryn before the encounter could answer Jacob's questions. It seems it was enough, however, for him to have a change of heart.

- Andra appears yet again to offer her words of wisdom, what Jacob will do with it is anyone's guess.

- Jacob spends some quality time with is dirty mind only to have Taryn stumble onto him.

updated Jan 29 '10 by Grim.R