"I'm sure. I just need to take a walk... get some coffee from the 24 hour place down the road and head to work. I think it'll be good for me to walk. " He stated softly, offeringhis lover a gentle smile. He didn't want him to think he was running away from him, he just needed the few minutes alone without work, or Jacob, or Andrew there.

He moved out of the bathroom carefully to find some clean clothes and get dressed, not bothering with anything he'd usually wear at work, just pulling on some washed out blue jeans and a loose long sleeved black shirt with a silver watch around his wrist. He found his phone again and pocketed it, stuffing some things in a bag for work, papers, drawings, notes and finally called for the cab to get Jacob an be out there by the time the made it out.

"Alright," Jacob said nodding some. He went to get dressed in the clothes that had been shed near the futon sorting what was Ashley's and what was his simply. Running his hands through his hair he looked over at Ashley in normal clothes a small smile twitching at his lips. He walked over to him his eyes spotting the bags of groceries without a thought he didn't know they were his.

A small chuckle escaped him his finger running across the mark on Ashley's neck. "Mm.. you're going to get strange looks with that." He teased trying to find a semblance of normalcy now that the serious stuff had been talked about, the silence seemed awkward to him.

"I don't mind." His gaze had spotted the bags now as well and he gasped a little. "Oh! Jacob, those bags are yours. Alex got food earlier..." He trailed off and didn't finish, he didn't want to remind himself of what happened more than that. "The cab should be downstairs any minute now." He moved to give his lover a little kiss, smiling gently. He'd probably buy coverup on his way to the office, knowing him. He couldn't let people see that mark, he was too much a coward to do that.

Grabbing his wallet and keys, he limped out of the apartment after Jacob was out with his bags, locking up and leading Jacob out of the building to where the cab should be waiting.

"Oh.. thanks," Jacob muttered a small smile on his lips at the man. He kissed Ashley back and grabbed the bags before limping out beside Ashley and to the cab. Leaning in for another quick kiss he gave a small smile. "Be careful."

He got in the cab and looked up at the man settling the bags beside him. "Are you going to be busy tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow? I.. I don't know yet. Give me a call and I'll try and give you a better answer later, okay?" He smiled at Jacob and waved at him, blowing him one last little kiss before he'd take off in the cab. Ashley looked around with a sigh and walked off down the sidewalk to the 24 hour mini-store to get coffee and coverup on his way back to his office.

He was tired, worn out after coupling with Jacob twice and having been up normal hours during the day rather than his strange, all night routine. Maybe he'd take a nap in his office before too many people got there. He doubted he'dhave time, so he supposed it would just have to wait for later that day.

Once he got up in his office, he looked through the papers sitting there, searching for anything from Andrew's office, or even the man himself before he took a seat and drink of his coffee.

"Will do.." Jacob said with a sad smile and waved at the man as the cab drove off. Settling back into his seat he waited until he arrived at his place and gathered the groceries before stepping out of the car after paying the driver. Limping into the building, the place was still fairly active with customers. He'd been planning to walk up the stairs and forget about coming back down, his leg was too sore to do much but he blinked when he spotted a regular he did not want to see.

Taking a small breath he fought with the idea of either ignoring that he'd seen him or invite him up. He worried if he ignored the man too much he would go after Ashley. Biting his lip he trusted Ashley wouldn't not say anything to the man though and had turned to go up the stairs limping on his way before he heard the man call out his name and felt a hand full of his bags taken from him.

"Let me help you with those.." Andrew said hungry eyes looking up at Jacob.

Sighing Jacob muttered thanks and nodded. The man had answered his own question.

Ashley found it a little strange that Andrew wasn't in the office, but he shrugged it off, digging through the papers on his desk and getting to work. By the time people had started showing up for work, he'd shut his door almost completely and pulled a blanket over himself for a nap on the couch. He'd finished everything on the table with the exception of things he'd have to go over with Andrew and other people on their team, but he'd gotten them as far as he could.

He hoped he'd be able to see Jacob the following night, it'd be nice to be able to see him more than he saw Andrew, but he'd leave the days up to his co-worker. He wasn't about to argue with the man, after all, he was so sure Andrew would keep his word.

Ashley had left a note on Andrew's desk to see him when he got to work so they could go over the files he had left and set up meetings with clients.

Jacob limped to be certain to close the door behind Andrew, exhausted now after pushing his body to the limits for that night. He locked it up and went to wash, it felt worse to be doing this with someone Ashley knew.. but it would keep him safe while at work and Jacob didn't think Andrew so low as to go against his word, not when he didn't put up a fight this night.

Laying down in the bed he fell asleep curling beneath the blankets comfortably with a yawn. Sleep came easy to him.

Alex woke with a small whimper, how was it he could be more sore than when he'd fallen asleep? His leg ached worse than the muscles spasming in his back. Sitting up flinching realizing he was back within his own apartment and feeling once more used. Cursing Jacob he pulled himself out of bed nearly falling when his one leg wouldn't take all his weight. Looking at it he seen the hint of a bruise and sighed. Looking at the time he shook his head and lay back down giving up about walking for the time being.

Andrew slipped into his office blending in with the crowd that were making it into the office just in time. He held a content smile upon his face as he looked around his office and found the note one his desk from Ashley. Small chuckle escaping his lips he left his office once more to go knock on Ash's door.

Ashley stirred at the sound of knocking and he sat up slowly on the couch with a soft spoken reply to it, "Come in." He sat there, beginning to fold up the blanket he'd been using, glancing up to see Andrew.

"Morning." He stated after a pause, reaching for his cruch so he could get up and head over to his desk. "We have some meetings we need to set up, so I need... to know what your schedule is. Ashley had smeared the cover-up on his neck off with his hand in his sleep, a faint trace on his collar, but the mark was visible.

"Morning," Andrew replied with a content smile as he stepped into the office looking at the smaller man. His eyes fell to the mark on Ashley's neck and his lips twitched a small chuckle escaped him. "Had fun last night?" He teased motioning to the man's neck, not at all surprised that the man had seen Jacob or even the fact he'd given the man permission of what he had not.

Licking his lips he nodded as he turned back to the business side of things, allowing Ashley to know his schedule so meetings could be set for the two of them and their clients.

Ash blushed when the mark was noticed and he covered his neck quickly. "Th-that's none of your business." He retorted, glad when the man went right back to business. He got their times set up on a pad so he could call the clients and arrange the meetings formally.

When things were all said and done, he gave a sigh and set the files aside, sitting on the edge of his desk rather than moving around to his chair as he gave a glance at Andrew. He wanted to ask him when he wanted him next, but at the same time, he didn't want to know. He just wanted to go to Jacob every night. Why couldn't it be that easy?

"Ah.. I guess we're all done here." He said after a moment, rubbing over the makr to clean te rest oft he makeup off.

Andrew hadn't drawn too close to Ashley during the small meeting between the two of them as they talked business. He hadn't wanted to run the chance of Ashley smelling the scent of his lover and sex on him. Licking his lips he nodded as he pushed himself away from the wall he was leaning against he nodded. Considering asking the man to join him that night but thought better of it letting the man have another night to himself or with Jacob.

"Makeup usually makes hickies look worse anyhow Ash," Andrew said watching him wanting to step forward and wipe away the stuff on his collar, but he decided not to if someone happened to look into Ash's office and see them.. that and he remembered he shouldn't get too close in case Ash had a sensitive nose. "You've got some of it on your shirt as well."

With a small nod he asked Ash to inform him when the times were confirmed and he left the small brunette to his work and returned to his own office.

Ashley was admittedly a little surprised that Andrew had kept his distance throughout the entire meeting. He knew he knew how to keep business and personal life apart but they were alone in his office. He'd half-way expected something to happen, but it didn't. He was relieved but curious at the same time. Hwoever, he supposed that Andrew couldn't be after sex all the time.

He agreed he'd tell him when he knew for sure when the meetings would be, going back to work as another coworker came in as Andrew was leaving. He'd have to go by later and see if he was free for the night when things settled down and there weren't people to overhear them. When the day drew on and people started to leave, Ashley took his phone out in wait for Jacob's call and a chance to talk to Andrew again, or if the man left without him, he'd assume he didn't plan on having him over that night.

Andrew hadn't returned to speak with Ashley, having not changed his mind about allowing Ash another free night. Finishing the tasks he had set himself for that day he left with the rest when the work day was over.


During the day Alex had moved as little as possible, the stiffness had set in after laying down for a long while and getting up afterward. He wondered idly just what had happened to his leg, and how his back got so sore as well. He didn't imagine sex would feel like he'd been hit by a car and he wondered idly if that was what happened to Jacob.

He'd fallen asleep on the couch reading, though boredom had made him tired rather than activity.

Jacob woke on the couch and groaned, feeling worse than when he'd gone to sleep realizing that Alex would have been the one feeling the pain get worse. Perhaps he should try stay awake until the pain subsided, it shouldn't be that hard. Looking at the time he grabbed the phone and decided to phone Ashley either way he didn't think he'd be working tonight, even playing the submissive.

Ashley took the call and smiled as he saw his lover's name on the ID. He'd seen Andrew leave for sure, and he told Jacob he'd head over right away. He didn't have any other pressing matters. He'd told Andrew when the meetings would be, finished up the majority of his work, now he wanted to just go and have a nice evening with Jacob.

Calling a cab afterwards, Ashley was over to the apartment shortly after their conversation. There were a few people downstairs and he did his best to avoid them so he could just get up to Jacob's apartment quickly without any trouble and knock at his door for entrance.

Jacob had waited for the other man, changing from the clothes that Alex had dressed in and to his own style of tight jeans and a tight t-shirt a bit of skin showing between the hem of his shirt and his pants. Licking his lips he answered the door with a smile when he seen Ashley and waved him in and closed the door behind him.

"Hey love," Jacob murmured leaning in to claim Ashley's lips briefly. As he had been waiting for Ashley he'd considered taking the man out for supper. An arm wrapped around his waist feeling guilty he'd had Ashley come up only to head back down if he agreed.

"Are you hungry?" he asked slowly realizing the man might have already eaten. "I was wondering.. if you'd allow me to take you out for dinner.."

Ashley blinked at the question, seeing as he'd just made it up the stairs. He nodded however, smiling at his lover gently. "Yeah. That sounds like a good idea." He liked the idea of going out with Jacob for once, realizing most of the time was spent naked in bed, usually getting it on. Some relationship that was.

"Where are we going?" He asked curiously, not bothering to take his jacket off if they were planning on leaving right away anyways. He hadn't had a chance to eat before leaving, eager to go see Jacob again and get away from that office for a while.

"I'm sorry I'd forgotten to ask you to just meet me downstairs," Jacob said apologetically as he looked at his lover. "I'll carry you down if you like..." Personally he hoped Jacob wouldn't take him up on it, he was sore and didn't know if his leg could take the extra weight.

"Mm.. I was thinking something Italian if that's alright with you.." Jacob replied looking at the man curiously wondering if the man would say no just because it was expensive.

"No, it's okay." He smiled at him gently. He needed the exercise to keep his legs strong anyway. If he just kept letting people carry him up and down them, he wouldn't like the feel of being able to walk on his own in a few weeks.

Ashley did look hesitant on that choice of cuisine. "But..Are you sure?" He'd pay for himself if he thought Jacob would let him, but he had a feeling the man really meant to take him out for dinner. He didn't want him spending too much on him.

Jacob ran a hand up and down Ashley's back lightly smiling a bit before leaning for a kiss again. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to kiss the other man and claim him as his own after earlier with Andrew. He'd stopped himself though, he wanted his relationship with Ashley to be more than sexual, he doubted that the night wouldn't end with sex at some point but Jacob wanted to take him out.

"I'm sure," Jacob chuckled heading to his room quickly to get his jacket, and sticking some money in his pocket to make certain he had enough for both of them. "I want to treat you to a night out.. I'd invite to a movie as well but I think it's too late for that tonight.."

Ashley blushed a little and smiled a bit more. He'd never actually gone out on something like a date before. It was a bit exciting for him to get to go out for dinner and everything. "Well... If you have movies here, we can always watch something when we get back from dinner." He put the idea out there, but he didn't care if they did or didn't, so long as they spent time with each other.

He waited until Jacob was ready before he started to head out of the apartment so he could wait outside of the door and they could walk downstairs and out of there together.

"Mhmm.. We can rent one, I don't think I have many.. but perhaps Alex had gotten something on some of his outings.." Jacob said thoughtfully as he looked towards the tv and dvd player, he didn't remember buying the dvd player so it was possible that Alex had also picked up some movies to watch on it as well.

He shrugged, he'd let Ashley decide what he wanted after supper. He slowly lead Ashley out of his place, a limp still noticeable as he led the way downstairs as he called a cab. He hoped the night wasn't too cool because he didn't want to wait inside the building but he took time going downstairs with the sore leg.

Ashley frowned a little when Jacob wasn't looking, noticing his limp. Even though it wsan't his fault, he still felt so bad for what had happened to his leg. He hated that he'd hurt him, and he hoped that he'd get the cast off sooner than later.

Starting down the stairs after him, he took it slower than normal, trying to keep up but not wanting to hurt himself and ruin their rare night out. He didn't want to spend the night he had with Jacob hurt, only to have to limp back to Andrew the next night, he was sure.

Once they made it down, he felt a little tired, but hid it well. He'd used a lot of effort taking it slow as he'd gotten used to getting up and down quicker, he did slip now and then if he wasn't careful about it, and he didn't like it when that happened.

Once they were downstairs, he caught up and used his free hand to take Jacob's, entwining their fingers together as they walked together, giving him a loving smile as they headed out to where the cab would soon be waiting, if it wasn't already out there.

Jacob bit his lip his heart jumping in his throat each time the other man slipped on the stairs. He didn't want Ashley to hurt himself at all, and if his leg wasn't still bothering him he would have stopped and carried Ashley the rest of the way down the stairs. Biting his lip though he gave a sigh of relief when they were both down safely. Squeezing Ashley's hand gently he lead the way outside, and in turn into the cab.

He gave the address to the restaurant and paid the tab once they got there. Helping Ashley out he gave a small smile to him, taking his hand once more as they walked in and were lead to an empty table. "Mm.. smells good in here."

"Jeeze, you take me out on the one day I decide to wear jeans." He chuckled, blushing a bit as he got out of the cab and looked at the restaurant the man had picked out for them. He was almost always picky about how he looked, but here he was, in a shirt and jeans and had he not fixed his hair, it would have been a mess. He was a little embarrassed, but he wouldn't let it ruin his night.

Sitting at the empty table they were taken too one, Ashley smiled at Jacob. He was really quite happy to be out with his lover. "Mm I don't think I've ever been here before. It's nice."