Underage relationship. James is in high school.

This story is a sequel to: Work of Desire, Chapter 11

"I want to see him." Simon held his bandaged hand to his chest, the fingers of his uninjured hand tracing the edges of the gauze dressing.

Dawn propped a pillow behind her boss' back. "Simon, we don't even know if James has been taken to a room yet."

"I want to see him NOW!" Simon pulled free the pillow Dawn had just placed behind him and threw it on the floor. "What part of that sentence don't you understand?"

"I knew I shouldn't have allowed Sharrie to tell you about the accident," Dawn mumbled under her breath as she rescued the discarded pillow.

"And just what the hell does that mean," Simon bellowed.

Refusing to be intimidated, Dawn calmly replaced the pillow behind Simon's back. "It means you just had surgery two hours ago and you're still under the influence of anesthesia. You should NOT be traipsing around the hospital looking for James."

Simon caught Dawn's arm and pulled her close, their two faces mere inches from each other. "Either you help me find him or you can start writing out your resignation."

Dawn did not cave into her boss' threat. Instead, she briefly touched her forehead to Simon's before softly whispering, "I'm only trying to do what is best for you."

"Then get me to James so that I can see how he is." Simon sank back against his pillows, his sightless eyes pleading with his assistant. "Dawn, please. If it was Sharrie...."

The redhead's resistance crumbled at the sound of those last words. She slipped her hand into Simon's uninjured one and squeezed tightly. "Okay, Sharrie and I will go down to the ER. But you have to promise me you'll stay right here in this room and rest. I don't want to come back and find you weaving down the hall with your ass hanging out for all the world to see."

Simon's smile was blinding. "Deal!" He lifted the younger woman's hand to his mouth and tenderly kissed it. "You're a good woman, Dawn. And your next paycheck will reflect just how much I appreciate all that you're doing for me and James."

"Bribery will get you nowhere if I see that gown of yours flapping around downstairs." Dawn smiled as she cupped the side of Simon's face. "Try and take a nap while we're gone."

Simon caught his assistant's hand again. "Tell James I love him and that I'll be with him as soon as I can."

"I'll do my best." Dawn pulled her hand free and turned to her mate. "Shall we go do a little investigating, my dear Watson?"

Sharrie slipped her arm around Dawn's waist. "Lead the way, Holmes."

+++++++

"You have no shame," Dawn said as she re-entered Simon's room an hour later. "I saw you flirting with that nurse, making goo-goo eyes at him and licking your lips like he was good enough to eat."

"It got the info we needed, didn't it? Besides...." Sharrie ran her hand over the curve of Dawn's behind. "... you know you're the only one I'm interest in eating and nibbling and licking. In fact, tonight I plan to...."

"Ladies!"

Both Sharrie and Dawn jumped at the sound of Simon's shout, guilty smiles spreading across their faces.

"Sorry, Simon," they both said in unison.

Dawn gave Sharrie a quick smooch before hurrying to her boss' side. Tucking the blanket around Simon's waist, she began her report. "James will be going to a room in about an hour. And you can thank Gypsy Rose there for arranging the room assignment. Seems that ER nurse likes `em big and sassy. He nearly fell over himself trying to please her by having James placed in a room on this floor." Dawn paused to stick her tongue out at her mate, which was promptly greeted by a wicked grin and a proffered kiss.

"How is he?" Simon searched the covers for Dawn's hand. "How badly is James hurt?"

"Considering he got hit by a garbage truck, not that bad." With a sigh of relief, Dawn slipped her shoes off and took a seat beside Simon's bed, propping her tired feet on the edge of the mattress. She waved Sharrie over and had her sit next to Simon on the bed.

"His right leg is broken, along with several of his ribs. And he has a minor concussion which, along with his other injuries, will keep him in the hospital for a couple of days."

"Did you see his father?"

"Now that's what's strange." Sharrie joined the conversation. "My informant," she directed a grin at Dawn. "My informant told me James' father would not be coming to see his son. Instead, he spoke to the ER doc and informed him his housekeeper would be handling all the arrangements for James' care while he was out of the country."

"That goddamn bastard." Simon struggled to sit up. "I'm gonna kill him."

Sharrie placed her hand on Simon's chest. "Killing him is too good. I say we get a really dull knife and take his balls and...."

A knock sounded and the door to the artist's room opened, revealing the bespectacled face of the ER nurse Sharrie had flirted with earlier. He aimed a playful smile in the older woman's direction. "Thought I would stop by and let you know your friend was just moved into room 418." He winked at Sharrie. "I get off in about two hours. If you're not busy, I'd be more than happy to take you for a ride on my Harley."

Sharrie slid off Simon's bed and thoroughly kissed Dawn before looking over her shoulder at the male nurse. "Thanks, Jordy, but I think this sweet lady here would object if I took you up on your offer." Sharrie slipped her hand into Dawn's, the simple move showcasing their matching rings.

Jordy frowned for a second then shrugged his shoulders. "You have no idea what you're missing, babe." With that parting shot, he left the room.

"I know exactly what I'm missing." Sharrie stroked the back of her hand along the curve of Dawn's cheek. "Absolutely nothing."

"If you two are finished, I'd appreciate being taken to James' room."

The two women turned around and found Simon standing beside his bed struggling to put his robe on over his IV drip. They rushed to help him and, once he was properly dressed, they directed him out of the room and down the hallway. They were nearly at their destination when they heard James start yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Get if off me. It hurts. It hurts!"

Simon tracked his lover's voice and crashed through the door to James' room. He was immediately followed by Dawn and Sharrie, the two women catching him before he tripped over the nurse kneeling on the floor trying to prevent James from ripping his cast off his leg.

"James." Simon attempted to twist free and get to the struggling teen.

James clapped his hands over his ears. "Stop it! Stop screaming at me."

Simon turned and gripped Dawn's arm. "Where is he? Show me where he is."

"Maybe we should come back later, Simon. I think now is not...."

James' screams increased in volume and Simon shoved Dawn forward. "I don't give a fuck what you think. Show me. NOW!"

Sharrie caught the redhead as she stumbled over a pile of torn ace wraps and a fallen IV pole. Easing Dawn aside, she carefully guided Simon past the nurse and placed his uninjured hand on James' shoulder. The frantic teen instantly went still, turning into the artist's touch.

"Simon," he whispered hoarsely, his arms circling the black man's legs.

Simon sank to his knees and hugged the trembling teen close. "It's going to be okay, Tiger. It's going to be okay."

End Work of Desire, Chapter 12 by Angelise: ldcldc@earthlink.net

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