Chapter Ten

Several weeks passed, and Jesse didn't mention anything to Tanya about what he wanted in return. Tanya, after the first few days, had ceased to think about it. They had been spending most of their time together just getting to know each other, and also Tanya was trying to get Jesse to hunt animals. He would go with her, though he didn't really care for the animal blood. It just wasn't anywhere near human blood in taste, especially the herbivores. He hunted for Tanya, and did his best to not hunt humans. Only once he had left, late at night, and drove to Anchorage, where he satiated the burning in this throat.

"...you were an accountant?" Jesse asked her one day, when they'd been talking about what they had done.

Tanya shrugged. "Why not? I took night classes at the university, then I did CPA work. I had an office in town, but mostly I did my work by mail. It was something to do to pass the time."

Jesse shook his head. "I can see why you did it by mail. Any male business owner who walked into your office would have been struck dumb by your beauty. You could have charged them way more than you did, and they would have gladly paid it."

Tanya's laugh rang through the room. They were in her bedroom currently, he lounging on the bed, she sitting crosslegged on the floor. "I've done all kinds of things you wouldn't expect a 'beautiful woman' to do. I actually hold several masters degrees in different subjects, accounting only being one of them. Journalism, psychology and I do have one in theology as well."

Jesse's eyes widened. "I have to say, I'm impressed Tanya. I don't have the self discipline to go through school with humans in such close proximity all the time, so I'm pretty much self taught. You know that drawing and painting are my passions. I have drawn and/or painted almost everything, but living subjects, humans are what I love best because of the wide range of emotions and stances that they can portray in a single look. To try and capture that on paper or canvas is a challenge, and it's one I'm still trying to master."

Tanya's brow raised. "I've seen your work, Jesse, and it's phenomenal. I can't imagine there is much left to master that particular talent."

"You've seen my drawings, but not my paintings." A brilliant gleam was in his eye. "I want to paint you Tanya. You would be my greatest creation, if I can accurately portray you on canvas."

Tanya didn't know what to say. "You've drawn me, from memory even, why do you need me there to paint?"

Jesse just smiled softly. "Doll, I could paint you from memory, but it's nothing like having you there in front of me. Especially if I want to capture that very human emotion that shines on your face so often these days."

Tilting her head to the side, she appraised him a moment before smiling a bit. "Will this be your day then? I spend it sitting for you while you paint me?"

Jesse laughed. "Well... yes, but you won't just be sitting for me. I have a very specific idea in mind. We will need to go and get all the supplies, and then find a suitable spot though."

Tanya arched a brow and wondered just what she had gotten herself into with her rash decision to convince him to go shopping. "Well, what types of supplies do you need?" she asked.

"Canvas, an easel. I'll have to check my bag, I think I brought some brushes and paints, but I'll probably need more. A silly beret to wear while I paint," he said with a chuckle.

Tanya eyed him for a minute then cracked up laughing. "That would make my day!" she said with a giggle.

"Shall I talk like this as well?" he asked in a surprisingly good French accent.

She giggled again. "Okay we can skip the beret and French accent. Can I drive the Viper into town to buy what you need?"

Jesse paused. After a long moment, he nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess you can." He tried not to look too pained about it.

Tanya let out another peal of laughter as he failed with hiding his expression. "Oh don't worry Jess, I won't crash the thing! And if I do, I'll buy you another."

That seemed to calm him slightly. "Alright, you can drive. Is there an art supply store in town?"

Tanya thought a moment then nodded. "In Fairbanks there is. We'll go there." She grinned and unfolded herself from the floor in a fluid motion. She quickly finger combed her hair into a low ponytail and secured it with a band she found in a box on her vanity. She looked over at Jesse who was still sitting on the bed, and grinned. "C'mon Jess, this was your idea! Lets go!"

Jesse reluctantly got off the bed, and then was next to her in the blink of an eye. With a grin he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, lifting her nearly out of her shoes before setting her back down and walking out the bedroom door with a chuckle.

Tanya, left breathless by the kiss, looked after him, stunned for a moment before she laughed and followed him out.

-

The drive into Fairbanks was over too quickly for Tanya, who found she loved the way Jesse's car handled. However, as promised, she didn't wreck the car. Driving through town, she maneuvered to a strip mall where they had a decent sized arts supply store. Climbing out of the car, she tossed the keys to Jesse over the top and shut her door while he did the same. They walked around the hood and went into the store.

Tanya's eyes nearly glazed over at all the art supplies. She had never been much for the fine arts, though she could play the piano.

Jesse, on the other hand, was in his element. Ducking his head and running his hand through his already tousled hair, he gave Tanya an almost apologetic look before he started walking through the aisles, gathering the supplies he needed.

Tanya followed him half-heartedly. She was glad the sales people had that instinctive urge to shy away from them, because she really didn't want to brush them off as she just wandered around, looking at the different things. Her thoughts turned to Christmas time, and her eyes went to Jesse, who was currently looking at the different canvases they had. Biting her lip, she went back to perusing the merchandise she would never need for herself.

Tanya looked up as Jesse approached, his arms full of supplies. "Are you ready to go, doll?" he asked quietly.

"I was ready to go the second we walked in, so yes," she said with a smile.

Jesse laughed. "Then give me one more moment, I'll meet you at the car," he said as he walked toward the check out counter.

Tanya gratefully escaped the store, and it occurred to her that perhaps that was how he had felt when she'd dragged him shopping for clothes. She made a mental note to go shopping with her sisters from now on, they could buy clothes for the guys without them there. She leaned against the hood of the car, watching the clouds pass overhead, as they normally did in this area. A couple minutes later she heard him coming, and the car alarm deactivating.

Jesse smiled at her as he put his purchases in the back and they both slid into the car, Tanya in the passenger seat this time. As the engine purred to life, Tanya leaned back and closed her eyes. A moment later she felt his silky skin slide across her hand before taking it and lacing their fingers together for the drive home.

-

Kate's car was gone, Eleazar was at school and Carmen's car was also gone when they pulled in. Jesse parked in the spot that he had overtaken for himself and the both got out. Gathering his things, they went inside and listened, but no sounds greeted them. Apparently everyone was out for the moment.

"Come on. We can do this in your room," Jesse said, starting up the stairs.

Tanya followed. "Our room," she corrected quietly, and it was true. Jesse had sent for most of his other stuff, that wasn't furniture and the like, to be sent to Alaska, and it had been. There hadn't been any question of where it would go. His clothes were taking up a rack in Tanya's walk in closet, his shoes on the floor, and his other things scattered around the room as much as hers were.

Jesse was setting up the easel and the canvas. He had it angled so he would be able to see the bed, and Tanya raised a brow. "Just what do you want me to do?" she asked.

He grinned. "Well, doll, you remember that scene in the movie Titanic? I thought I could paint you in a way similar to that. Minus the huge heart diamond of course."

"Ummmm..." Tanya was speechless. It wasn't that she was modest or shy. She was, after all, gorgeous and she knew it. But to let him paint her that way... It seemed so intimate. Then again, why else was she letting him hang around if she didn't think she could trust him and keep him around? If she didn't love him? But instead she reached up, cupping his cheek in her hand, running her thumb softly over the darkening circle under one eye. "You're thirsty," she said quietly. "Why don't we hunt first?"

Jesse shook his head quickly. "I'm fine. We can hunt later. I'm in the zone now," he said with a laugh.

Tanya dropped her hand and nodded. "Alright. Tell me what you want me to do."

"Well can you take your hair down? And then once you get undressed, I'll see how you look on the bed."

Tanya smiled, wondering if he'd be able to do this without joining her on the bed first. She had found a man that matched her in passion when she met Jesse. However, she did as she was told, taking her hair down and shaking it out about her shoulders. With a saucy glance to him she sauntered toward the bed, slowly shedding her clothes as she went. Undressed, she climbed up on the bed and gave him a grin, her eyes daring him to paint her instead of join her.

Jesse, watching her little show, groaned and tried to concentrate on the canvas. It didn't last long.