Author's website: http://writingonthewall.slashcity.net/~angelise7/toc.htm

This is it, people! Wave good-bye to James and Simon. May they forever be in love in the hearts of those who faithfully supported their story through the years.
And yes, I openly admit I took the easy way out. (Sorry, Elaine!) It was either that or put this series to bed without an ending, and there was no way I could do that to my fans.


This story is a sequel to: http://Work of Desire, Chapter 22

James entered Simon's studio and carefully made his way to the one sculpture that had not been placed in its container. His lover had been very insistent in his instructions to the men responsible for crating his creations. `Don't touch this one until everything else has been taken care of. It stays until the last minute.'

Several pieces of Simon's work were to be included in a collection that was going on a fifty-state tour. The tour was set to kick off at the end of the week and, even though several artists would be traveling with it, Simon was not one of them.

James recalled how the two of them had been lying in bed when Simon relayed his decision to Rick Hamilton. `Sorry, Rick,' he'd told the Broadway producer and main backer of the tour. `You'll have to do without me this year. My lover has my full attention for the next three months, and that decision is non-negotiable.'

James grinned. May 20th, the day Rick called, was forever etched on his brain. Not only had he graduated from high school, but it was also the day Simon had proposed to him. The two of them had just returned to the house after a long, romantic stroll through the rose garden and were in the process of toasting their future with champagne when Rick called.

James had been absolutely sure Simon would accept the man's invitation. Rick was not only an old friend but had been a patron of Simon's work for years. In addition, his lover was a known gay rights activist and never passed up an opportunity to show his support. James had been caught totally by surprise when Simon refused the invitation.

`You're my priority now, Tiger,' the older man had whispered to him between kisses that had traveled the entire length of his body. `This summer is all about you and your sentinel abilities.'

James felt an amazing warmth invade his heart when he recalled those words. It was just like Simon to drop everything if a loved one needed him.

Moving further inside the studio, James couldn't help but wish the reason for the refusal of Rick's invitation had been because of their upcoming commitment ceremony and not his sentinel abilities. "Why couldn't Stevie have been a sentinel?" he asked belligerently. "It's not like I don't have enough on my plate." The teenager sighed with trepidation as he contemplated what was in store for them during the coming months.

Blair had somehow discovered the tribe of Indians mentioned in Burton's book, and from that moment on, had become absolutely impossible to live with. Not a day went by that he didn't insist they all pack up and move to Peru. Finally out of desperation, Mack had agreed to go. `It was the only way I could get him to shut up,' he had explained.

Unfortunately their brief visit only made things worse. Blair became obsessed with the idea of James making the trip, and like Mack, the teen sentinel had caved in order to get Blair off his back. Now, with their flight only 48 hours away, he sincerely wished he hadn't given in so easily.

"I tell ya what," James muttered, "if it hadn't been for Simon agreeing with the Professor, we'd damn sure not be going. I'd much rather go fishing with my man than go to sentinel school with some Peruvian witch doctor."

The idea of canceling their flight was firmly taking shape but then he remembered what his lover had said two nights ago.

`You could learn more about being a sentinel while I sharpen my skills as a guide,' Simon had whispered softly before inhaling his young lover's erection.

James shook his head, completely ignoring the memory of their lovemaking. "If you want my opinion, I'd rather be learning how to fish and fuck at the same time. It'd definitely be more fun."

Pulling his cellphone out of his back pocket, James considered calling Blair and telling him `thanks but no thanks.' In fact, he was one punch of a button away from completing the number when Simon's face floated across his mind's eye. Immediately he clicked off his phone and replaced it in his back pocket. His lover had basically put his life on hold, and there was just no way in hell he could ignore a sacrifice like that.

"Okay, I'll go but only because of Si. And you can bet your ass, Professor, that my number one priority will be my man and not these damn senses. If Si wants to play Tarzan with yours truly then that's what we'll be doing, sentinel training be damned."

Imaging all the wild jungle loving they could get in during their visit, James wandered over to the statue his lover had done of him and ran a critical eye over it. Without a doubt it was Simon's best work, and he wasn't the only one to think so. Several local gallery owners had been invited to a private showing a week or so ago and had spent the entire night singing its praises.

James had been there for the showing but kept to the background wearing only a pair of low-riding jeans. He knew Simon wasn't exactly happy with his attire, but James wanted to make damn sure that everyone present knew exactly who the statue had been modeled after. His efforts had proved quite successful. Before the night was over he had in his possession the phone numbers of not one but two of Simon's associates.

His lover at first had thought it somewhat amusing, but the longer James enthused about the attention, the more jealous he became. The exact second the front door shut behind their last visitor, his green-eyed lover had him nailed to the floor. By the following morning both of them were totally fucked out -- a feat James never, in a million years, would have thought possible, especially considering his inexhaustible supply of sexual energy.

"Good thing I only showed him the phone numbers. No telling what my He-Man would've done had he gotten a look at the triple x-rated note Old Man Higgins shoved in the back pocket of my jeans." Chuckling, James rubbed his ass. "Knowing how possessive Si is, I probably wouldn't have been able to sit down for a week."

The 18 year-old stepped closer to the sculpture, touching the stone, marveling at its coolness, its smooth texture. Soon a naughty grin spread across his face. "I wonder . . . ."

Glancing over his shoulder, James checked for any onlookers. Two of the men Simon had hired to crate his artwork were still in the house, and no way in hell did the teenager want an audience for what he was about to do. Finding himself totally alone, he gave into the wicked spirit daring him to admire the marble creation with something other than his eyes.

Using just the tips of his fingers, he traced the statue's neck and broad shoulders. He then followed the length of both arms. Next on his agenda were well-developed pecs and the tits that set dead center in them. After pinching the puckered nubs, James then explored washboard abs and the concave navel that naturally drew his attention to the statue's most prominent feature. "Definitely life-size," he murmured.

Unabashedly, James took possession of the statue's penis, stroking it, measuring its breadth and width before brushing a thumb over its mushroom-shaped head. He'd asked Simon to give his stone twin an erection, but his lover had refused. `The public's not ready for such a magnificent sight,' Simon had explained.

"Magnificent is right," James agreed with an arrogant smile. For a moment he thought about tasting the marble shaft but decided against it. That was just a little too weird, even for him. Now, if it had been a replica of Simon's Superdick, he'd been down on his knees in a flash.

Feeling his cheeks blush with embarrassment, he shifted his attention to the sac located behind the marble penis and couldn't help but chuckle. "Rock hard as always for my man," he said while fondling his twin's scrotum.

He next looked at the figure's lower extremities, and his smile widened when he saw just how accurate his lover had been in regards to detail. Kneeling, James took note of the scars that had been added to the statue's right leg. The memory of how Simon had measured each and every real scar with his mouth first, then his tongue and finally his fingers, stirred to life a fire in his groin that quickly began working its magic on a certain piece of his own anatomy.

"Down, boy, down" he admonished his horny dick. "Got too much to do today."

The last area scrutinized was his twin's super-fine ass, and it was done quickly because James didn't want his mind delivering up any more x-rated images of Simon's unique manner of verifying details. He patted the sculpture's delectable rear-end and wished it bore the same love bites his own rump presently did.

"You suppose all artists use their mouths like you do, Si?" he asked his absent lover.

"James? You in there?"

Straightening, James looked across the room and grinned at the pregnant woman waddling toward him. "What's up, Red? Simon send you after me?"

Dawn gratefully accepted the stool offered to her. Holding on to her rotund belly with one hand while clutching at James' arm with the other, she sat down. "Two more weeks, two more weeks, two more weeks" she chanted.

Brushing limp bangs out of her eyes, Dawn smiled at James. "Your father called. Said don't forget about supper tonight."

James shook his head. "Man, I still can't believe me and Simon are hangin' with my dad on a regular basis." Kneeling again, he rubbed the small of Dawn's back. "Blair's mom has definitely worked some kind of magic on him. Either that or it's all those herbs she's been burning in the house, or, God forbid, all that tongue she's been feeding him." The teenager made a face. "No doubt it's screwed with his brain."

Dawn kicked off her shoes and groaned in dismay when she saw her swollen ankles. "Where in the hell did those tree trunks come from?" Wiggling her toes, she glanced at James. "And that's a bad thing? Your father's new and improved outlook on life?"

"Hell, no, it's not a bad thing!" James looked down at his left hand and the commitment ring Simon had placed there two weeks ago. "As far as I'm concerned, Naomi can burn all the herbs, feed Dad all the tongue she wants. If it'll keep him off my back and more tolerant of my relationship with Si, then I'm all for it."

James wouldn't admit it, but he actually liked Blair's peacenik, hippie mother. The woman was nothing like the blonde bimbos his dad normally brought home. Naomi was smart, funny and treated both him and Stevie as if they were important and not a means to an end. What was even more mind-boggling was that she genuinely seemed to care for his dad.

Now, he'd been serious when he'd told Dawn that Naomi must have worked some sort of magic. William Ellison was a changed man in regards to his sons, and the bastard that had made their childhood a living hell just didn't exist anymore. Yes, his dad was still a cold-blooded, cutthroat businessman, hated by many and admired by few. James had no problem with that. He knew it was a dog-eat-dog world out there, and being nice just didn't cut it if one wanted to be successful. Hell, he'd heard Simon verbally rip his financial advisor a new hole because the man hadn't done as he was instructed about a certain investment transaction. Business was business, and he was proud, although grudgingly so, to say his dad was damn good at it. Maybe now, with Naomi at his side, William Ellison could also learn how to be a good father.

James refocused on his companion when Dawn touched him on the hand. "And just what does this miracle worker think about you and Simon?"

"Our age difference doesn't sit too well with her," he confessed, "but other than that, she's cool with us being together."

James thought it best not to mention how hard he'd had to work at convincing Naomi that Simon was the man for him. The two of them had talked long into the night on several occasions. Finally he had suggested she visit with him and Simon at the mansion. Naomi had agreed and was banging on the front door the very next day. She'd immediately cornered Simon in his office and held him hostage for over three hours. By the time the two of them joined James in the kitchen, Naomi was more than willing to take up their cause.

Declaring them soulmates, she had taken his dad to task, explaining how love knows no boundaries. She'd also informed him that now that James was 18 years old he really had no choice but to accept Simon or risk losing his son altogether.

To say that he was surprised beyond belief when his dad conceded without a fight was an understatement. He'd then learned how Naomi had threatened to withhold sex until his dad got with the program, and it suddenly became crystal clear. Hands down, with his dad in particular, sex won out every time.

James grinned, knowing it had to be killing his old man to make nice with Simon. Talk about what goes around, comes around.

"What about wedding bells?" Dawn asked, pulling him away from his thoughts. "Will we be hearing any in your father's near future?" Grimacing, she massaged her belly. "Stevie sure seems to like Naomi. He talks about her every time he comes over for a visit."

James stood and transferred both hands to Dawn's shoulders. He started working on the knotted muscles and chuckled when an ecstatic moan greeted his ministrations. "Yeah, little brother has given Naomi his stamp of approval. Seems she's worked her magic on him, too."

"In regards to wedding bells . . . ." James stopped the massage and cocked his head to the side. He listened to the rumblings of Dawn's little pod creature for a few seconds before continuing. "Naomi's anti-establishment, doesn't believe in the institution of marriage. Don't ask me why. I rarely understand any of that sixties mumbo jumbo she tosses at me."

James knelt in front of Dawn and helped her put her shoes back on. "As far as I know, she and Dad plan on living in sin." He glanced up at his companion and winked. "Living in sin while traveling to the far corners of the world."

William Ellison had announced to everyone present at last Sunday's family dinner that he and his beautiful Naomi would soon be embarking upon a six-month honeymoon. They would start with a world cruise and then travel by air to any place that struck their fancy. First on their agenda after the cruise would be a visit to Peru, and James couldn't wait to see how his comfort-loving parent handled the primitive accommodations he and Simon would soon be enjoying.

"Speaking of traveling," Dawn interjected, "have you and Simon confirmed your reser . . . oooofph!" With an aborted scream, she grabbed James by his ears. "Oh shit, oh shit, OH SHIT!" she yelled as a gush of fluid soaked her new maternity dress.

Senses on high alert, it didn't take James long to figure out what was going on. Pulling out his cellphone, he liberated one ear. "Si? It's James. Call Sharrie. I think Red's ready to blow." The teenager listened for a minute longer. "No, you get the car. I'll handle things here."

James clicked off his cellphone and replaced it in his back pocket. "Okay, Red, let's get this show on the road."

Dawn didn't budge.

"Uh, Red, did you hear me?" The grip on his ear tightened painfully, and James immediately dialed down his sense of touch. "Hey! Princess Piggy! Unless you want me delivering Mack Junior, you best be letting go of my ear so that I can get you to the car."

Dawn glared at James but did as he asked. "Just so you'll know, I'm gonna kill Sharrie the second this baby is born." She mimicked her life-mate's voice. "You'll love being pregnant. It's a joy, a miracle, something every woman should experience." Dawn made an ugly face. "Yeah, right.

Plastering what he hoped was a sympathetic smile on his face, James helped the panting woman to her feet. "Come on, Red, remember how much you care for Sharrie. She's your woman, the love of your life, your sexy pussycat."

Poor Sharrie, he thought wryly as he directed Dawn around the various crates scattered throughout Simon's studio. The past nine months had been a major test of not only his and Simon's patience but Sharrie's as well. Dawn had turned into a hormonal bitch during her first trimester. On top of that she'd acquired an appetite that would have put a sumo wrestler to shame. When she wasn't bitching about her aching back and legs, she was shoveling Oreo cookies in her mouth and whining about being fat. Thankfully Sharrie loved Dawn with her whole heart and had taken everything in stride. To this day, James still couldn't fathom how his friend had done it. "More power to ya, babe," he murmured, giving a mental nod of admiration to the woman.

"Sexy pussycat, my ass." Puffing and huffing, Dawn leaned most of her weight on James and shuffled awkwardly toward the rear exit of the studio. "In fact," she said, squinting at the bright sunshine that temporarily blinded her when she stepped outside, "where in the hell is she?"

Before the words were completely out of her mouth, Simon's limo pulled into view. Dawn gaped at it. "A limo? I'm going to the hospital in a limo?"

The back door popped open and out flew Sharrie. "Dawn, sweetheart, are you okay? How far apart are the contractions? Are you doing your breathing exercises? Is the pain bad?"

James laughed when Sharrie's eyes grew wide as saucers. Dawn had effectively silenced her wife's bevy of questions by slapping a hand over her mouth.

"Can the concern, Lezzie Lou," Dawn growled. Turning to James, she instructed through clenched teeth, "Get me to the hospital, pronto." She then removed her hand and looked daggers at Sharrie, "And you! If I hear one word of protest about me getting an epidural, your pussy won't be the only thing bald."

Sharrie helped James guide Dawn to the open car door. "But Angel Love, I thought we agreed on natural childbirth. I remember us talking . . . OUCH!" The older woman touched the back of her head, then stared in amazement at the strands of hair dangling from Dawn's tightly fisted hand. "Okay, I get the message." She lightly bussed her wife's cheek. "Maybe once you're settled in a room, we can discuss . . . ." Both women disappeared inside the vehicle.

James moved to where Simon was standing beside the limo and slid into his open arms. He shook his head in amusement. "Wanna bet who's gonna win that particular battle?"

Simon treated his young lover to a quick but thorough kiss before indicating the remaining open door. "How `bout you get your ass in the car, Uncle James, or else Dawn will be inflicting some serious pain upon you."

"Okay, okay." James took his seat beside Simon and slammed the door shut. "Hit the gas, Lester!" he instructed the limo driver after training his senses on Dawn. "You know that saying `Baby on Board?' Well, it's about to take on a whole new meaning, if you get my drift."

An ear-splitting scream tore through the interior of the limo. Caught by surprise, James doubled over in pain and clapped his hands to his ears. The soft murmur of Simon's voice and the gentle touch of his hands centered him straight away, and soon he was able to dial down his sense of hearing. "Thanks, Si," he told his lover once his ears had stopped ringing.

Pulling James into a tight embrace, Simon rubbed a hand up and down his back. "That's what I'm here for, Tiger."

Unmindful of his audience, James locked lips with his lover and didn't let up until the need for oxygen tore them apart. While sucking in air he realized just how true Simon's words were. "You got that right," he whispered.

Burying his face in the silk fabric that was stretched taut across his man's broad chest, James let rip a sigh of happiness before saying, "Thank God, we've got that right."

+++++++

"I tell you what, Si, the Professor's ass is gonna be in deep shit when Mack finds out Red's having the baby without him."

James glanced around the Birth Center's waiting area and nodded to the group of family and friends that had gathered shortly after their arrival to the hospital. He took a seat beside Simon, and, once comfortably sprawled on the couch, grabbed his lover's hand and brought it to his chest. "Sharrie told those two bozos not to go but did Blair listen? Noooo. Mr. `We Need to Get to South America ASAP' wouldn't hear of postponing their trip."

James waved a `hello' to his father and his very pregnant lover. Naomi, like Dawn, would soon be adding another daughter to his extended family.

"I mean, come on, Si, it's not like those Indians, who have lived in the jungles of Peru for God knows how long, were gonna pull up stakes and move to parts unknown." James played with the gold band circling Simon's left ring finger. It was an exact match to the one he wore. "I still can't believe Mack agreed to give a sample of his sperm to our resident Lezzies. I guess he really does love the Professor."

James did nothing to hide the smirk on his face. Even now he could still hear the curses Dawn had spat at Blair once she'd learned he wasn't James' predestined guide. The two women had stopped by to visit their old friend, Mack, and instead of spending time catching up, they were treated to an earful by one angry teenager.

James had wasted no time in telling them the whole story. He recounted how Blair had reluctantly confessed he'd lost his book on sentinels when his warehouse digs went up in flames shortly after his return to Cascade. He also told them how Blair's whole take on the subject had been just that, his take. In fact, he'd just begun researching the matter when the fire occurred.

Because of his history with Simon and his lust for James, Blair had formulated his own theory about sentinels and their guides. He openly admitted how much he wanted both men and had thought that if he could convince them that his relationship with James was an absolute necessity that maybe, just maybe, his former lover would welcome him back with open arms. He'd figured once he was in Simon's good graces that it would only be a matter of time before he had the best of both worlds -- unbelievable sex and his very own sentinel, to boot. Not once had he considered how his unproven theory might harm the natural bond that had formed between the two lovers.

Blair, of course, had sworn he wasn't lying. `Obfuscating, yeah, but outright lying? No way, man,' the anthropologist had emphatically insisted.

When Dawn was told that, she blew a gasket. So much so that Sharrie had actually had to physically restrain her mate from going after Blair with one of Simon's kitchen knives.

James almost wished Sharrie hadn't been so quick on the draw. The man he loved above all others had suffered because of Blair's `obfuscation' and that was totally unforgivable in his book. In fact, the only thing that had kept the dude from having his face rearranged was Mack zoning. Simon's friend had been listening to the all of them argue back and forth for nearly an hour when, without warning, he'd fallen face first off the kitchen stool he was sitting on. The man had remained unresponsive until Blair had worked his magic.

To this day James couldn't decide if Mack had actually zoned on the sound of Blair's skyrocketing heartbeat as he'd claimed he had or if he'd just pretended to do so in order to protect his soon-to-be lover's ass. Personally, James didn't care. Mack was Blair's sole focus now and, if that kept the Professor away from him and Simon, that's all that mattered.

James glanced at the handsome man sitting next to him. Squeezing Simon's hand, he smiled when the gesture was returned. "Were you able to reach Mack on the phone?" he asked.

Simon pulled his hand free so that he could throw an arm around the teen's shoulders. "Actually, I got hold of someone named Incata or Incacha or something like that. He promised to tell Mack the news."

James turned and looked at Simon. Something in the man's voice triggered his curiosity. "What is it, Si? What aren't you telling me?"

Sighing heavily, Simon let his hand drop over James' chest and rubbed the area where the teen's heart resided. "This Incacha, he sounded just a little too enthusiastic about our upcoming visit. Said he couldn't wait to meet `the one who will bring peace to his people.' Said his tribe is eager to finally meet their sentinel."

Within the span of a heartbeat, James knew exactly what was bothering his lover. Getting to his feet, he pulled Simon to his and guided him toward the area's empty conference room. Once inside, he firmly shut the door and locked it. His meddlesome brother was outside, and he didn't want to take the chance of Stevie walking in on them.

"James?"

The teenager silenced Simon's query with a kiss that left them both achingly hard and clutching at each other. James groaned when his crotch was gently fondled. Man, there was nothing better than the feel of Simon's large hands on him.

Clearing the lust from his throat, he whispered hoarsely, "Si, you listen to me and listen to me good. I'm your lover." James claimed Simon's hand and kissed the gold band he wore on his left ring finger. "Like you, I wear the symbol of our commitment to our relationship. Being a sentinel means nothing. You, Si, you're what's important to me."

James slowly unbuttoned Simon's shirt. Pulling it open, he tenderly licked the hollow at the base of his lover's throat before traveling lower to his chest. He suckled both tits for minutes on end, halting the gentle torture once he felt the flagpole prodding his crotch.

"James, this isn't the pla---"

"Shush." James dropped to his knees and quickly liberated the rod tenting Simon's slacks. "I love you. God, I love you." He licked, kissed and nipped the weeping organ's uncircumcised head. "I belong to you, Simon Banks, you hear me? Only you."

One large, liquid pearl escaped down the enormous shaft, and James rushed to capture it. "I have no idea what that Indian dude meant about me being his tribe's sentinel. As far as I'm concerned, let Mack be their sentinel. All I'm interested in is being your man, your mate, and now the godfather of Chloe's new baby sister, Mackenzie Simone."

Using his mouth and hands, James expertly brought Simon off in a matter of minutes. He was still licking his lips clean when his lover hauled him off the floor and kissed the hell out of him. Laughing, he restored Simon's clothes to right and hugged him hard when he felt lips touch down softly on his forehead.

"You and the girls? You guys are my family," he whispered ardently. "And there's nothing in this world that's gonna change that fact."

Simon cupped James' face, tracing his features with his fingers. "I will forever be thankful to Dawn for bringing you into my life."

"Huh?" James stared at Simon in confusion. "What's Red got to do with this?"

Smiling, Simon kissed James repeatedly. "Believe it or not, when I was advertising for a model, you're the only applicant she allowed me to meet. If I remember correctly about ten or twelve applied for the job. You're the only that got by my bulldog of an assistant."

The memory of their first meeting, of what the two of them had done that day, still had the power to stir his hunger to life. Murmuring his lover's name, James unzipped his jeans and growled when a callused hand eased his horny monster free. "Si, I need, I mean, oh hell, love me, Si, please."

Fifteen minutes later, James lay sprawled across the conference room table, his limp dick dribbling semen on the floor. Lifting his head, he looked at the man standing between his spread legs and fell in love all over again. Simon wore the most was the overwhelming look of love on his face. It was blinding bright, it was open and sincere, and it belonged entirely to him.

James tucked himself back in his jeans and sat up. Pulling Simon close, he spent countless minutes kissing his lover senseless. Finally a knock on the door reminded them of just how long they'd been gone.

"Guess we need to get back," Simon suggested with a wry smile.

"Too bad. I was just getting started," James answered suggestively. He zipped shut his jeans then reached out and patted his favorite ass. "Of course, we could find a deserted bathroom and see if Superdick's up for another round?"

Simon laughed while attempting to return the favor and pat James' ass. "You're insatiable, you know that."

"Insatiable for you, Si. Only you." James took his lover by the hand and walked him back into the waiting area. He ignored the knowing smirk on his brother's face and settled down on the couch beside the older man.

Hours later, after the birth, James found himself cornered by Dawn's parents. He suffered their homophobic attitude for all of fifteen minutes and was on the verge of setting them straight when Simon grabbed him by the elbow and tugged him away.

"Come on, Tiger," he suggested. "Let's visit the nursery."

Growling beneath his breath, James guided Simon down the hall. "Their own daughter. How can they say things like that?" He stopped outside the nursery's large glass window and promptly forgot what he was talking about.

"She's a beaut, Si." James gazed in wonder at his godchild. "A perfect combination of both Mack and Red."

James laughed when his lover laid his hands against the window and made baby faces at the newest member of the Trently-Davies household. Good thing the kid couldn't see clearly yet, he thought, otherwise she'd be laughing her head off.

Time sped by as James watched other family members and friends visit with Mackenzie. He was arguing with his brother about what baby gift they could buy when a sudden thought occurred to him. Moving in behind Simon, he slid his arms around the man's waist and pressed close. "Hey, Si," he whispered, "instead of traveling to Peru and learning how to be this tribe's sentinel, let's stay here and learn how to be uncles."

Simon took James' left hand and raised it to his mouth for a kiss. He then turned around and pulled him into a hug. "It sounds perfect to me, Tiger, but what about your training? This tribe, these people, could help you so much more than I could."

James closed his eyes and focused all his senses on his lover. Perfection was the only word he could think of to describe what he felt every time he did this. Looking up at Simon, he smiled. "I've got all the help I need right here, Si. And it's not like we can't fly down there later."

James flattened himself against Simon's body. "Come on, let's stay here and play uncles." He slid his hands around to his lover's rock-hard ass and squeezed. "Of course, it goes without saying that you're up first for diaper detail."

Simon flexed the muscles in his butt and laughed when James tightened his grip. "Like I said, sounds perfect."

James watched his godchild gathered up by a nurse and taken from the nursery. He tracked the woman as she carried Mackenzie to Dawn's room. It wasn't long before his highly sensitive nose detected a familiar scent, and he couldn't help but laugh aloud.

"Let's go, Si. I do believe it's time for your very first lesson in changing diapers."

**Epilogue**

"Listen, Mackenzie. Shut your eyes and listen. Do you hear the bird?"

James hunkered down beside the young girl and closed his own eyes while opening his senses to their surroundings. Immediately he wrinkled his nose in distaste.

God forbid, he thought with dismay, Incacha's new wife was cooking that vile creation of hers again. Shutting down his sense of smell temporarily, he muttered, "Someone needs to tell Yasmaeh that she is not the next Julia Child." His stomach growled its agreement. "The better the sooner, if you ask me. Otherwise, we'll all be victims of her cooking."

"Hush, Uncle James. I can't concentrate with you mumbling."

James acknowledged his admonishment with a pat to Mackenzie's shoulder. Shifting his concentration, he focused his hearing and smiled when he picked up on his mate's voice. Simon was back at the village regaling the younger children with another story he'd written. James paused to listen when he heard his name mentioned.

Simon had taken up writing shortly after James enrolled in the police academy. With Sharrie's assistance, his mate had penned a popular adventure series featuring Little Jimmy Banks and his faithful panther, Night Shadow. The tale currently being told to the village children was from Simon's newest book, and would, no doubt, like its four predecessors, soon be on the `New York Times' Bestsellers' list.

"Okay, I hear it. Now what?"

Opening his eyes, James glanced over at his godchild. "Good work, Curly Locks. How `bout we now---"

"Don't call me that, Uncle James. That was my baby name, and I am so not a baby anymore."

James coughed to disguise his laughter. "Yes, ma'am. Mackenzie it is." Clearing his throat, he instructed, "Okay, this time I want you to close your eyes and listen for that bird again. Once you find it, tighten your focus and tell me if you can see the bird."

Placing a hand on each hip, the twelve year old looked at James as if he had lost all his marbles. "Uncle James, how can I possibly see the bird if I've got my eyes closed?"

James winked at his young pupil. "It's a sentinel thing. Just try it."

Time sped by while Mackenzie attempted to piggyback her vision to her hearing. James watched for several minutes but then had to look away. It was either that or burst out laughing. Mackenzie was trying so hard that she had her face twisted into a horrendous expression of concentration. Not to mention, she was biting the hell out of her tongue while swaying side to side. James couldn't help but wonder if he'd looked that goofy when he and Simon had begun to work with his senses.

"Damn."

James turned when he heard Mackenzie's sigh of frustration.

Tossing back a handful of thick curls, the girl frowned. "I just can't do it. Maybe if Stevie was here?"

James nodded his understanding. There were some things a sentinel needed his guide for. "I tell you what, we'll try this again once Stevie gets back with those supplies Blair sent him after. You'll probably have no trouble once he's here to ground you."

James still found it hard to believe his pain-in-the-ass brother was Mackenzie's guide. At first, Stevie couldn't be bothered with Dawn and Sharrie's two young daughters. In fact, he'd actually gone out of his way to avoid them both.

But then something totally unexpected happened that had surprised them all.

About four years ago the entire clan had been out by the pool. Mackenzie and Chloe had been doing their homework while James and Stevie practiced their diving skills. Simon, Sharrie and Dawn had been lounging nearby, discussing the outline for the book his lover was currently working on. Without warning, Stevie had hauled his butt out of the pool, walked across to the two girls and slapped the back of Mackenzie's head. `The kid's a sentinel, you moron,' he explained to his flabbergasted brother. `Couldn't you see that she was zoning?'

For the longest time Stevie had fought against being Mackenzie's guide. Week after week he spouted the same reasons. He was a fucking teenager, for God's sake, and she was a dumbass kid. Everybody, including Mackenzie, ignored him. Stevie had continued to complain loud and long but that didn't stop him from visiting the mansion on a daily basis.

By the time Mackenzie was twelve the two of them were basically inseparable despite the major age difference. It didn't matter that Stevie was a favorite with the ladies at Ranier University or that he'd had several long-term relationships over the years. He was always there for Mackenzie. Not only that but if the lady he was currently dating had a problem with his and Mackenzie's unique relationship, she was immediately handed her walking papers. Mackenzie was his sentinel, his responsibility and, like Simon, he took his job as a guide very seriously.

`Maybe a little too seriously,' James thought when he caught sight of the lovesick look on Mackenzie's face. Shrugging, he placed that potential problem squarely on Dawn's shoulders. "Thank God, she's your daughter and not mine," he muttered beneath his breath.

Snapping his fingers in front of Mackenzie's face, he caught her attention and spent another half hour reviewing the dos and don'ts of being a sentinel. A sigh of relief slipped out when his pupil announced her time would be better spent swimming in the river with her new best friends.

"Later, Uncle James," Mackenzie yelled over her shoulder as she raced after Incacha's granddaughters.

Using his heightened sense of sight, James watched until the three girls safely reached the river. He then bent over to snag the bag of fragrant herbs Blair had given them to use during their lesson. He yelped with surprise when a hand smacked his bare bottom.

"Watch it, Tarzan. Your family jewels are showing." Dawn stepped into view wearing a huge grin on her face.

Blushing fire-engine red, James tugged on the colorful, hand-woven skirt he was wearing. "Damn thing is too fucking short, if you ask me."

"Then why wear it?" Dawn asked. "Didn't you bring along some shorts with you?"

James nodded. He had indeed brought tons of t-shirts and shorts, but Simon had insisted they both wear the skirts given to them upon their arrival. "Si wants to play native," he told his companion.

Dawn fondled James' rear end again before taking his arm and turning in the direction of the village. "I'm guessing Simon's definition of playing native has everything to do with getting at your delectable ass and nothing to do whatsoever with immersing yourself in the culture of our Indian friends?"

James felt his cheeks again flame with the heat of embarrassment. Everyone in the village knew of his and Simon's insatiable desire for each other, and were constantly teasing them about how often they were caught making out.

`Insatiable is right,' James thought with a wicked grin. He and Simon had been together for nearly fourteen years and, despite the passage of time, continued to fuck like newlyweds.

Chuckling, he felt beneath his skirt. His ass was still loose and wet from the vigorous ride it had enjoyed that morning. Knowing Simon, lunchtime would be spent doing the very exact same thing. Looking over his shoulder in the direction Mackenzie had gone, James wondered if he could convince his lover to eat lunch down by the river. There was a mini waterfall there and no doubt would be a perfect spot for making love.

"Do you and Simon have any plans for when we get back home?"

The question pulled his wandering attention back to the woman walking beside him. "Once we get back I've got one week of vacation left before I have to report to the Major Crimes division of Cascade PD. They want me to start as soon as possible. Me and Si plan to laze around the house until then."

Dawn slipped an arm around James' waist. "I still can't believe you're a bona fide detective. Shar . . . Sharrie would've been so proud of you."

Hearing the break in Dawn's voice, James stopped and pulled the slender woman into his arms. He brushed a hand down her long flowing locks of red hair before hugging her hard. "You know, I still miss her like mad."

Dawn hid her face and sniffed. "You and me both."

James held the slender woman in his arms while reflecting on the tragedy that had taken Dawn's lifemate from her.

Just about the time they'd discovered Mackenzie was a sentinel, Sharrie had decided it was time to get in shape. Not only was she was grossly overweight but her fortieth birthday was just around the corner. The thought of becoming a diabetic, of losing her eyesight or, even worse, a foot or leg to the disease, had scared the shit out of her. After talking to her doctor, she'd started on the Atkins diet and signed up to work with a personal trainer. Within a year she had dropped over one hundred pounds and was actually on her way home from the gym when a drunk driver hit her head-on. Both were killed instantly.

It went without saying that Dawn had been inconsolable following Sharrie's death. Shortly after the funeral she and the two girls had moved in with Simon and James. The men had assumed the daily care of Chloe and Mackenzie, thus allowing Dawn time to grieve.

Upon hearing the tragic news of his friend's death, Mack, along with Blair, had immediately returned to Cascade. With Simon's permission, they'd moved into the caretaker's cottage, and surprisingly, it was Mack, more than anyone else, who helped Dawn deal with her loss.

Blair, on the other hand, hadn't exactly been welcomed by the grieving widow. The man had made himself an absolute pest once he'd learned Mackenzie was a sentinel. He had hounded Dawn unmercifully. Phone call after phone call, emails, letters -- all requesting she hand over her child to him. Dawn had adamantly refused.

Not one to give up so easily, Blair had then waved his newly acquired PhD in anthropology under her nose, had presented her with copies of his dissertation on sentinels. Dawn remained steadfast in her decision.

Mack finally had to step in. He'd apologized to all before hauling his infuriating lover back to Peru and the tribe that had eagerly adopted him as their sentinel and Blair as their shaman.

With Blair gone, Dawn soon found herself faced with a dilemma. Her talented daughter definitely required training and the only other known sentinel who could possibly lend his assistance was her boss' boyfriend. James had begrudgingly accepted once asked and had done the best he could with the young girl. It soon became evident that Mackenzie's sentinel abilities far exceeded his own. Both he and Simon had recognized their limitations, and as much as they hated it, had suggested Dawn consider allowing Mackenzie to visit Mack. Who better to teach her than her sentinel father himself, they argued.

Dawn, of course, had refused, and it had taken nearly six months of constant discussion before she agreed. Her capitulation, though, came with one specific condition. James had to accompany Mackenzie each time she traveled to Peru. As much as Dawn liked Mack, she didn't trust Blair. There was no way she would allow the man exclusive access to her daughter.

Again, James had reluctantly agreed but only if everyone involved went with him. For the past three summers he, along with Simon, Dawn and Chloe, had accompanied Mackenzie to Peru. This was the first year Stevie had joined them, and to put it mildly, Blair was having a field day. Three sentinels and three guides, all in one place. His inquisitive little brain was working overtime devising tests for them all.

A second sniffle tickled his ear, and James decided it was time to halt his stroll down memory lane. "How's Chloe?" he asked.

Smiling fondly, Dawn stepped back and wiped her eyes. "She's fifteen. What does that tell you?"

James laughed. Resuming their walk, he posed another question. "Is she still insisting she's in love with Sarah?"

"Are you kidding? Just this morning I had to read another love poem dedicated to that stepsister of yours. Not to mention, I had to listen to another `woe is me, I'm lost without my girl' tirade." Dawn paused beside a bush covered with bright yellow flowers. She plucked free one bloom and tucked it behind an ear. "Tell me again when your dad and Naomi are scheduled to arrive?"

"The three of them should be here by this afternoon."

Dawn rolled her eyes heavenward. "Thank God. Sarah can't get here fast enough to suit Chloe."

James opened his senses once the two of them had reached the village's outer perimeter. He quickly located Simon and chuckled when he heard his mate searching their tangled bedding, no doubt, for the tube of lubricant they'd used earlier that morning.

"Hey, Red, tell Mack and Blair we'll meet with them about that Cyclops matter after lunch." James sniffed the air and detected a familiar scent. "Uh, wait, make that late afternoon. I do believe I'll be busy until then."

Waggling her eyebrows, Dawn asked, "Should I guess what you'll be busy doing?"

James just grinned. Waving farewell, he turned and jogged quickly toward the hut he and Simon had been staying in. Moving soundlessly, he slipped inside and found his mate prepping his ass with a lubed dildo. The rare, erotic sight brought his dick up hard and fast.

Jerking off his skirt, he draped himself over Simon's back and whispered in his ear, "Hope that lube's waterproof." James brushed Simon's hand out of the way and took hold of the dildo. He pushed it all the way in and angled it so that it prodded his man's prostate. A loud, husky groan welcomed the move.

"What?" Simon thrust his hips back and forth, eagerly riding the foot-long toy stroking in and out his ass. "Why does it need to be waterproof?"

James felt the shudder that traveled through his lover's body when he replaced the dildo with his rock-hard dick. He pounded away for a full five minutes before answering. "There's a nearby waterfall with our names on it, Si. Care to take a trip down to the river?"

Muscles that were nearly as tight as they were the first time they'd made love gripped his shaft. Barely a second later, callused fingers squeezed his balls. James saw stars.

Throwing back his head, he howled, "Si! Dammit, Si!"

Overwhelmed by the intensity of his climax, James gave his senses free reign. When he woke from his self-induced zone-out, he found himself tenderly cradled in Simon's arms. Rarely did he deliberately zone and usually it was only after sex. He was addicted to everything associated with their lovemaking -- the scents, the textures, the flavors, the images. It all added up to love, and James would never get tired of losing himself in that miracle of miracles.

"Love you, Si," he proclaimed with all his heart.

"Same here."

Lazy, tender kisses were exchanged for a long time afterwards, and it wasn't until his empty stomach growled that James pulled free of Simon's warm embrace.

Fingering his lover's damp hole, James whispered, "Come on, babe. Lube's a wasting."

He helped Simon to his feet before quickly sponging off the evidence of their lovemaking. Slipping on his man's skirt, he tried without success to get it to hang right. "We're gonna have to see about getting you a longer skirt. Your dick is just too damn huge. Makes the darn thing ride up in the front."

"Tiger?"

Without warning, James found his face smashed against a naked chest. He forgot all about skirts, waterfalls and fucking when his hearing focused in on the heartbeat that belonged exclusively to him. He heard Simon whisper his name. That one word was laden with love and peaceful contentment, and had the 30 year old shuddering with extreme happiness.

"I am one lucky bastard," he softly declared to the hungry lips chasing across his cheek.

Locking his arms around his man's upper torso, James held on tight to the one person he'd never be able to live without.

Simon Caleb Banks.

End

Work of Desire, Chapter 23--The FINAL Chapter by Angelise: angelise7@hotmail.com
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