Original characters, Dawn and Sharrie belong to Me!

Remember. James is in high school.

This story is a sequel to: Surrender

Dawn slipped inside the main house and made her way directly to the kitchen. She smiled at Marta as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Her moment of caffeine enjoyment was cut short by the housekeeper's words.

"The young one stayed last night."

Dawn almost dropped her cup, a look of disbelief on her face. The gray haired lady picked up a dishcloth and wiped away the splattered coffee.

"He slept in Mr. Simon's bed."

Dawn carefully placed the priceless china cup on the counter before stumbling backwards and sitting in a nearby chair. "Oh shit."

The person responsible for her rude awakening chose that very moment to walk into the kitchen. Half asleep and clad only his underwear, James headed straight to the fridge. Grabbing a bottle of orange juice, he leaned drowsily against the large appliance, gulping down the chilled beverage. Light from the open fridge spilled across his partially naked body, highlighting the passion marks on his neck and chest. Discarding the glass container in the recycle bin, James waved at the two stunned women and walked out of the kitchen.

Dawn stared at the spot the teenager had just vacated. "Oh shit!"

The housekeeper's raised eyebrow agreed with her exclamation.

Dawn looked around the room. "Where's...?"

"He's out on the terrace."

The redhead reached for her cup of coffee and took a fortifying swallow. An understanding smile was offered to Marta as the older woman left to do the laundry. Shaking her head, Dawn went in search of her boss.

Simon was standing on the edge of the terrace, tossing a ball to Jeffrey. The large man wore his usual attire of black slacks and silk shirt. Today his shirt was a deep shade of gold and emphasized his dark skin.

"Good morning, Dawn."

"Simon."

"Sleep well?"

"Most definitely. And you?" Dawn caught sight of the secret smile on her boss' face.

Simon threw Jeffrey's ball again. "Best sleep I've ever had."

Dawn stood quietly beside the black man, watching the Golden Lab retrieve his toy.

"Simon?"

"Yes?"

"You've got a hickey the size of Texas on your neck." Dawn stepped back, Simon's smile nearly blinding her.

The older man reached up and traced his fingers over the bruised area. "Is it a good one? Can you really see it?"

Dawn's mouth dropped open, her boss' reaction completely catching her by surprise. Shaking her head, the redhead chuckled. "Looks like James was trying to suck your..."

"He was. He did." The artist grinned widely, his large hand unconsciously brushing over his groin. "That boy has a most talented mouth."

"Too much information, Simon. Waaaaaay too much."

Simon reached out and grabbed his personal assistant in a rib-crushing hug. "I am so happy, Dawn. You just can't believe how happy that boy made me last night." The blind man released Dawn and knelt to pet his guide dog.

Dawn turned her gaze toward the beautifully landscaped grounds and sighed deeply. Simon cocked his head at the sound.

"What's wrong, dear lady?"

The redhead placed her hand on her boss' shoulder. "I guess I'm in shock, Simon. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that you've ever invited one of your young men to spend the night. Spend it in your bed. And I just..."

The artist stood and faced his assistant. "Spit it out, Dawn. You've never been one to hold your tongue."

The young woman chewed on her bottom lip for a few seconds. "I've been with you for a long time. Long enough to know, the only time you take someone to your bed is if you're really serious about them. Are you, Simon? Are you serious about James?"

Simon's features softened as he whispered, "Yes."

Dawn touched the black man's cheek. "Does that mean... last night... did you and James?"

"James gave me his virginity, Dawn. Do you know what that means to me? How special that makes me feel?"

"Damn." Dawn looked away briefly. A moment later she returned her attention to her friend. "James is so young, Simon. And he is quite the lustful teenager. Are you sure he wasn't just fucking you?"

Simon placed his fingers briefly over Dawn's mouth. "Don't say that word. I don't ever want to hear that word in regards to James."

Dawn hung her head in apology. "I'm sorry, Simon."

The redhead knelt on the dew damp grass and playfully wrestled Jeffrey to the ground. Reaching for the dog's bright green ball, Dawn tossed it across the yard before looking up at her boss. "You know I'll support you in any decision you make but I just need for you to think long and hard about getting seriously involved with someone as young as James."

Simon held out his hand and helped his assistant to her feet. "It's a little too late for that. I'm in way too deep. Especially after last night."

Dawn tapped a finger against the man's chest. "I was afraid of that." She stared at the older man for several seconds. "Will you let me play the devil's advocate for a few moments, Simon?"

The blind artist pulled away and sat heavily in his chair. "It won't make any difference but go ahead."

"Have you considered that maybe James is too young for the type of relationship you obviously want?"

Dawn pulled up a chair and sat in front of Simon, her hands reaching out to rest on his knees. "James is still in high school. Is he ready to commit himself to one person?"

The redhead blew an errant bang out of her eyes. "Not to mention, James will be heading off to college soon. And we both know that football scholarship from State will go to James. Which means, he'll be moving away from Cascade. Will either of you be satisfied with a long distance love affair? Would it be fair to you, to James, to tie yourselves down to an exclusive relationship?"

Dawn gripped one of Simon's hands. "I'm not trying to be mean, Simon. Hell! I like James... on most days."

The black man chuckled briefly.

Dawn continued. "But Simon, you've got to think about these things. And I haven't even touched on how others will view your relationship with James."

The young woman lowered her voice. "Have you even considered how James' father will react to the fact that his son is in a gay relationship with an older man? Forgive me for this, Simon... but not only an older man but one who is blind and an African-American? We both know what a bigot William Ellison is."

"And what about his friends, his classmates? What are they going to think about James dating a man your age? Can you imagine the peer pressure he'll have to deal with? Can he handle it?"

Dawn ignored Jeffrey's plea for more ball tossing and indicated the dog should sit at his master's side. Leaning back in her chair, she ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair. "I know you too well, Simon. I can already tell that you're on the verge of giving your heart completely to this boy. What if he breaks it? What if he dumps you for the next tight ass that wiggles at him? Can you handle losing him?"

The redhead watched the various emotions chase across her friend's expressive face. She felt her own heart sink at the look of sad recognition that settled over Simon's features. Dawn pushed out of her chair and knelt before the large man, gathering both his hands in hers.

"I care very much for you, Simon and I don't want to see you get hurt again. Too many young men have sashayed their asses through your life, taking advantage of your tender heart and giving nature."

Dawn kissed the older man's hands. "I'm very protective of you. I want you to be happy and have the love you so richly deserve. I want you to have what I have with Sharrie... a love that will last all eternity."

The young woman brushed her hand over Simon's damp cheek. "Can you guarantee you'll have that type of relationship with James? Are you sure he's in it for the long haul?"

The artist closed his eyes and sighed heavily. One of his hands slipped inside his shirt and rubbed the area over his heart. "I love him, Dawn. It's too late to save my heart. James claimed it last night."

Simon straightened up in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose, a pained look on his face. "But maybe you're right. James might not be mature enough for what I want. Maybe I should..."

"No, she's not."

James' deep voice startled them. The teenager strode quickly to where they were sitting, his jeans riding low on his hips, his bare chest still damp from a recent visit to the shower.

"Don't listen to a word she says, Si." James turned his back on Dawn and straddled the blind man's lap.

"James. I didn't mean..."

Dawn scrambled to her feet as James whipped around his head and glared at her. He growled, "This is between me and Si. Butt the hell out."

The redhead sat slowly in her chair, refusing to leave Simon.

James frowned at the young woman and flipped her the bird, a definite expression of his disapproval. Dawn lifted her chin and dared the teenager to take it further. James shrugged his shoulders and dismissed the woman.

"Si..." The football player traced his lover's face, his fingertips hesitating over the damp trails of the artist's tears. "Kiss me."

"James. This isn't the time..."

"Kiss me, Si. Kiss me now."

The black man waited a second too long and James took over the task. He skimmed his lips across Simon's mouth, coaxing it to open. Gaining access, the teenager's tongue explored his lover's moist heat, leaving no area neglected. A breathless moan was captured and swallowed, a questioning tongue caught and suckled.

James stroked his fingers down Simon's neck, tracing the man's Adams apple before exploring the dark skin exposed by the open shirt. Gentling the wet, hot kiss into a tender exchange of breath, he pulled back slightly and brushed his tongue across Simon's swollen lips.

Leaning further away, the youth asked demandingly, "Was that the kiss of someone who's gonna shit on your heart?"

James moved forward again, bringing his mouth close to Simon's ear. He whispered fiercely. "I don't give a fuck who knows about us... of me loving you or you loving me. Not my friends and, sure as hell, not my father. The only person I give a rat's ass about is you, Si. "

James wrapped his arms around the large man and buried his face against Simon's neck. "I love you, Si," the boy said softly. "The rest of the world can go fuck itself."

Turning his head slightly, the teenager's gaze caught Dawn's attention. "Interfering lesbians included."

Simon tangled his fingers in James' thick hair and nuzzled the area behind one ear. "Don't be so hard on Dawn; she's only looking out for me."

"Yeah, right." James turned back toward his lover and pulled slightly away. He pressed his hand over the man's heart and held it there for several seconds. "You believe me, don't ya, Si?"

The teenager's eyes darkened with emotion as he gazed at the blind artist. "I don't want you for your money. I don't want you cause you're a great fuck. And I'm sure as hell not going to run after the next dick that walks by."

James kissed the large man's nose. "I'm here with you because I want to be, because I care about you, dammit."

The high school student glanced over his shoulder at Dawn. "And nobody... Nobody... is gonna make me leave you."

James returned his attention to his lover, ready to offer another kiss, this time to the man's chin. He pressed his lips to the dark flesh briefly before licking his tongue over Simon's morning stubble. "I'll stay with you as long as you want me to. And if that's forever, then... I'm all for it. Any questions? Have I made myself clear?"

The questions hung in the air. Dawn cleared her throat but wisely kept her mouth shut.

A huge smile broke out across Simon's face. The artist pulled his young lover close and ran his hands over the bare skin of his chest. Resting his forehead against James,' Simon spoke quietly.

"I know this relationship is going to take a lot of work, not to mention patience and understanding on both our parts. And there are going to be some people who will not approve of us loving each other. I'm not that blind. It's quite obvious, we're going against the norm in a major way... our difference in age, race and of course, the big one... being openly gay. No telling what kind of shit is going to be thrown at us."

"But I think as long as we're open with each other and really take the time to talk, to express our feelings... even if it's something that might hurt... I think we can make this relationship work."

Simon turned his head toward his personal assistant. Dawn slid out of her chair and gripped the man's shoulder, sighing deeply, her heart still troubled, despite the teenager's declarations. Shaking her head, the redhead ignored James as she spoke directly to her boss.

"You know you have my support, Simon. Sharrie's too. And if you ever need us... for any reason whatsoever, we'll be there for you."

James stared at Dawn for several long seconds before turning back to Simon. He smiled softly at his lover and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

"United we stand, Si." The teen slipped his free hand underneath the man's shirt and teased Simon's bellybutton. "And beware to those who try to fuck with us. We'll sic our lusty lizzies on them."

Male laughter spilled into the crisp morning air, as concerned blue eyes remained focused on the two men.

End The Voice of Reason by Angelise: angelise7@hotmail.com

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