Bishop

by A. E. Via

  Edison wrapped his arms around Bishop’s neck. “I can feel a ton of knots here, honey. Gosh.”

  “I think that’s where the pain is coming from.” Bishop hissed, squeezing the back of his neck tightly.

  Edison needed to take care of his guy. Bishop’s job wasn’t just to make him happy, he had to be there for Bishop as well. From the looks of it, Bishop had had one of the worst days possible and the straining muscles in his neck were proof. Edison knew just what to do for him. He tilted Bishop’s head up and pecked his lips. “Why don’t you go take a long, hot shower while I put the food away. We can get in bed early and I can see if I can rub those kinks out for you.”

  Bishop squeezed him, his voice sounding on the verge of breaking. “I don’t fucking deserve you.”

  “Hey.” Edison kissed him again. “You deserve everything I have to give.” He stood and took Bishop’s hand and pulled him up, ushering him back inside. “Now go. I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”

  Edison watched Bishop walk away, unable to wait to get his hands all over those sore muscles in his back.

  ~

  Bishop

  Bishop stood bracing himself against the sink with the towel tied around his waist. He wiped the steam from the mirror and stared at his reflection. He’d tried to think more positively about what he was about to say to Edison, but he was struggling to see the silver lining. Except his illiteracy would finally be out there in the open, he would have that relief. Shit, shit, shit. Bishop rubbed his hand over his head. He had to man up and stop hiding, he couldn’t stay in the bathroom forever. It’s okay. Eddie loves you. Just be honest, don’t give a bunch of excuses, and tell him that you’re gonna stay in school and finish, no matter how frustrating it gets. Just tell him that. Bishop felt stupid giving himself a damn pep talk. He was kind of repeating the same thing Trent had told him over and over during their three beers at Applebee’s.

  Bishop made sure all of his dirty clothes were in the hamper Edison had designated for him in the guest bathroom and shut off the light. As he got closer to Edison’s bedroom, his shoulders felt as if they’d risen to his ears and a muscle spasm was sitting at the base of his neck. Ever since Skylar’s threat, he’d worked himself into a big ball of tension and worry. He was still trying to detect if Edison knew or not, if Skylar had followed through on his threat and given him the transcript. But nothing seemed different about Edison’s behavior tonight, Bishop was the one bringing down their Friday evening.

  He put his hand against the door and breathed trying to calm himself. His leg was shaking profusely and there was no way for him to stop it. Fuck. He thought this might be one of the hardest things he’d had to do in his life. Possibly disappoint someone he loved so much. To maybe even lose him. Bishop shook his head. He couldn’t think that way. Instead of continuing to psych himself out, Bishop slowly pushed open the door and walked inside but quickly came to halt at the vision in front of him.

  “Jesus,” Bishop breathed, staring at all that delicious flesh lying on silky, blue sheets. Edison had turned down the lights and lit a few candles around the room. There was soft meditation music playing in the background and a couple of bottles of oil on the nightstand.

  Edison got off the bed and came to him. He was wearing a pair of light gray, silk boxers and a provocative smile. Bishop welcomed the embrace as soon as Edison pressed into him. He ducked his head against Edison’s throat and sucked on the smooth skin, his eyes rolling in his head from the sweet flavor.

  “Yes,” Edison sighed.

  Bishop cupped Edison’s ass with both hands and squeezed, groaning when their cocks brushed together. His head fell backwards when Edison stroked him through the towel. Dammit. This is not what I was supposed to be doing. He was supposed to be having a talk, not a… “Ahhh, fuck.” Bishop moaned when Edison untied his towel—letting it fall to the floor—and gripped his shaft.

  “This is not what I had in mind for you tonight.”

  Bishop was breathing hard. He had to stop this.

  “I want to help you relax.”

  You’re doing a pretty good job right now.

  “Lie on the bed, on your stomach,” Edison whispered. He took Bishop’s hand and led him to the bed.

  Bishop complied, his heart beating rapidly, his cock swelling beneath him. He heard Edison moving around before the bed dipped and the backs of his thighs were straddled. Bishop gripped the sheets in his fists. Edison’s weight felt wonderful on him.

  “I used to get massages every other week when I was working to lose weight.”

  Bishop heard Edison pumping the nozzle of one of the bottles, then the slick sounds of his hands rubbing together. He writhed in anticipation, his skin tingling to feel Edison’s soft hands all over him. He’d never had another man massage him before.

  “It not only felt great on my sore muscles, but it relaxed me so much that sometimes I’d fall asleep.”

  God. I need to talk to you, Edison. Bishop should’ve stayed focused, stuck to what he said he had to do tonight. But, how was he to resist this? How could he refuse his body the care that it so desperately needed? How did he deny his soul the comfort?

  “I just want you to block out any and all bad thoughts from today,” Edison said softly against his earlobe, his bare chest resting on Bishop’s back. Edison ran his slick hands up his arms until he was kneading his sore shoulders. Bishop pressed his head into the pillow, his eyes falling closed the moment Edison switched to that soothing voice. “I just want you to focus on my words and the way I feel on top of you.”

  Was Edison trying to make him come? Because that was what was going to happen if all this tender loving care continued.

  “Easy, honey.” Edison sat up and smoothed his hands down his spine, then pressed his thumbs into the ache in his lower back. “Just take a deep breath, close your eyes, and think of nothing but my voice.”

  Bishop released a long exhale and cleared his mind of Skylar, school, his trial records, all of it, and let Edison take the pain away. He did deserve it. He’d earned this. Bishop closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel.

  When he opened them again, the sun was shining in his face.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Edison

  Edison was drinking his coffee and reading the Pilot outside on his patio in his new lounge chair. He’d been careful not to wake Bishop when he’d gotten out of bed at seven. He’d been exhausted last night, so Edison wanted to make sure he got as much rest as he could before their big day today. He felt good about what he’d done for Bishop. He’d given him a full body rub, and by the time he got to the soles of Bishop’s feet, he’d heard his deep snores. Even though they’d both been hard while he caressed Bishop from head to toe, he’d ignored it. It was about more than just sex for them, always had been.

  He set his paper down when heard Bishop slide the patio door to the side. “Morning,” he said with a smile. “Feel better?”

  “I do,” Bishop said, his voice rough with morning grogginess. Edison’s cock twitched in his lounge pants. “I can’t believe you knocked me out like that.”

  “I can.” Edison smirked. He wiggled his fingers in front of him. “These are magic fingers.”

  Bishop smiled, the tension in his forehead and neck that’d been there last night appearing nonexistent. “You gonna stay out there all morning?”

  “Sure am. You can’t give me a gorgeous outside setup like this and not expect me to take full advantage.” Edison sipped his hot coffee.

  “At least unfold the umbrella so the sun isn’t beating right on you.”

  “I’m good. I can use the vitamin D. I work in an office all day, remember. I need some sun.” Edison reclined back and picked up the health section of his newspaper. “I made a breakfast casserole, go ahead and get yourself something to eat. We’ll need to leave the house by noon.”

  “It starts at one?” Bishop asked from the kitchen.

  “Yeah,” Edison called back.

  “Good. Th
at means I have enough time to molest you on this island in your kitchen before we go.” Bishop said it so casually that Edison wondered if he’d heard right.

  He pretended like he wasn’t suddenly hornier than a virgin on prom night when he slowly set his coffee down and abandoned his paper. Molested by his lover in his kitchen… my dream come true.

  ~

  “Edison, you guys did an amazing job out here today. Wow!” Ms. Strollenburg said, gesturing to the multiple bounce houses set up for the kids. She looked like the sweetest grandma in the world in her ankle-length, floral dress and wide sunhat. “These guys are having a ball. You remember my grandbabies don’t you?”

  Edison nodded at the kids, all of them with sticky cotton candy around their mouths and face paint on their cheeks. “I do. You guys enjoying yourselves?” he asked.

  They jumped around their grandmother, screaming “yeah” and how they couldn’t wait for the pony rides to begin.

  “Make sure you get in line early,” Edison told them.

  “Edison. I can’t tell how much of a blessing you’ve been to my family.” Ms. Strollenburg clasped his hand between both of hers. “I thought going through this bankruptcy would be a nightmare but… but somehow you made it a dream. I don’t have bill collectors calling me anymore, no one taking money out of my paycheck. I can actually take my babies out for a Saturday of fun and not be afraid if I’ll be able to make groceries that week.”

  Edison patted her frail hands. She was a special client to him, to Presley as well. They’d both felt so touched by her situation—suddenly losing a daughter and getting custody of three grieving kids—that Presley had taken off half her fee and put the remainder on a payment arrangement to file her case, and Edison had been more than happy to help.

  “I’m glad everything worked out Ms. Strollenburg. But I’m still here if you have any questions or need anything.”

  “Even if I just need a good apple cobbler recipe?”

  Edison chuckled. “Especially for a recipe.”

  She smiled up at him as if he was one of her kids then cast her curious eyes behind him. “And who is this handsome man with you?”

  Now, it was his turn to vibrate with excitement. “This is my very special friend, Bishop. Bishop, this is one of our most cherished clients, Ms. Strollenburg, and her three grandkids who are freaking amazing.” Edison laughed, high fiving them when they started to swarm him.

  “You are one lucky fella,” Ms. Strollenburg said.

  “I know.” Edison leaned back against Bishop’s chest.

  “I was talking to him.” She smiled at Bishop and walked away.

  “I see why she’s so special,” Bishop said, kissing the side of his jaw. “I like her. And she adores you.”

  “I worked with her a long time to get that case filed.” Edison turned and squinted up at Bishop. “You don’t have to stay by my side the whole time. If you wanna go hang out with your friends or your dad…”

  “They’re good. I see them every day. Besides, all Mike’s doing is handing out business cards. And the other guys all brought their families or girlfriends, so I’m not trying to cut in on their time,” Bishop said.

  “Your dad is smart. This is the perfect time to network. Everyone is noticing the lawn.” The day had turned out to be beautiful, and there wasn’t a rain cloud in the sky. Edison looked out over the wide space, full of people of all ages who’d come to enjoy their festivities. Presley held a couple of community-based events each year. One was during the summer and the other was an education drive during spring break for underprivileged youth in the City of Portsmouth.

  “How much longer we have to stay?” Bishop asked.

  Edison waited for Bishop to throw away the last of his bag of popcorn. They were standing under a shade tree at the edge of the lawn closest to the food trucks. He checked his watch, “I think a good time to escape is after we do the raffle drawing. Once that’s finished, most people start to disperse and head to the bars in Town Center.”

  “When’s the raffle?”

  “In about twenty minutes, but we have a problem,” Mila said walking up to them. She had on a bright fuchsia romper and sunshades that covered almost her entire face.

  “Ugh.” Edison dropped his chin to his chest. “Please tell me it’s a small problem.”

  “Well, John’s not here to do the raffle drawings and it’s supposed to start at four.” Mila wrung her hands together. “And you know I hate microphones. Um. But one person volunteered to take it over.”

  Edison frowned. “Who?”

  “Skylar.” Mila cringed.

  Edison felt Bishop tense behind him, but he didn’t turn to see what was wrong. “Fine. Tell him to do it. But no ad-libbing or freaking improv. Tell him to just call the dang numbers.”

  “Will do,” she said and hurried away.

  “About thirty more minutes, honey, and we’re out of here,” Edison whispered. “Then I want you to start on those plans you said you had for me.”

  “All right,” Bishop said, his voice turning husky. “I have to talk with you first.”

  “Okay.”

  “I meant to last night… but somebody put me to sleep,” Bishop murmured against his neck. Edison’s laugh turned into a hushed moan when he thought of the morning in his kitchen and how Bishop had made up for what they’d missed last night. He shook when he remembered being bent over the island, his ass in the air and Bishop’s fingers deep inside of him.

  “I know what you’re thinking about,” Bishop said, hiding behind his back. Edison felt so bad while his boyfriend talked naughty to him when his boss was only ten yards away. “You want more of it, don’t you?”

  Edison worked not to rock back into Bishop’s hardness. They appeared to be just leaning against the tree, enjoying the shade. No one was the wiser of the thoughts in his head or the thickness rising in his shorts. “Remember. I have light-colored shorts on. Just FYI.”

  “You two should be whipped… shamed,” Trent said loudly, coming up and pushing Bishop hard in his shoulder, dislodging Edison from his arms. “This is a family event.”

  “Shut up, asshole,” Bishop growled.

  “There’s kids and families around here for shit’s sake.” Trent shook his head at Edison as if he was the headmaster of a prep school, “And you, Edison. I expected more. Shame on you.”

  Edison’s face flushed but he started laughing at Trent’s feigned outrage and couldn’t stop. He was just sobering up when he heard Skylar’s voice through the large speakers positioned around the lawn.

  “Welcome everyone to the seventh annual Alfred, Dolan, Maroko & Bickel Community Fun Day!”

  Cheers went up as people started to make their way closer to the raised platform where Skylar was standing holding a wireless microphone. Edison took Bishop’s hand and walked with him and Trent until they were on the side of the makeshift stage.

  “We still have another couple hours to enjoy the festivities and we want you all to take complete advantage of us because this is all for you.” Skylar gestured to the smorgasbord of fun all around them. He smirked, tucking one hand into his shorts pocket. “But now is the time that you’ve all been waiting for.”

  The adults were making more noise than the kids as they scrambled to pull out their raffle stubs.

  Skylar waved his arm for the crowd to settle down. Edison wondered how the man was able to get people to eat out of the palm of his hand, no matter what bullshit he was feeding them.

  “We have season passes to amusement parks! Gift baskets from some vendors right here in Town Center. And we have tons of donated gift cards from local grocery stores, department stores… hell, liquor stores… you name it!” Skylar yelled. And the mention of alcohol gift cards had the crowd going crazy.

  Bishop put his arm around Edison’s shoulder while he and Trent spoke in a hushed tone behind him. Edison kept his eyes on Skylar, hoping he continued to do a decent job because as of right now, he was making the firm look really good. Th
e moment those green eyes locked on his, Edison’s blood ran cold. He didn’t like the fury he saw the moment Skylar zeroed in on Bishop’s forearm holding him possessively around his throat.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Bishop

  “Did that motherfucker tell Edison about the transcript?” Trent asked.

  “No,” Bishop mumbled. “I don’t think so.”

  “How’d it go when you told him?”

  “I didn’t get a chance to. I fell asleep. But, Edison didn’t act any different last night,” Bishop said close to Trent’s ear while the crowd was cheering at whatever crap Skylar was saying. Bishop didn’t care. He was just waiting for Edison to say they could leave.

  “But wait. Before we get to the prizes, I wanna give a hand to the amazing planning committee who spent countless hours putting all of this together for us. Trust me. This project isn’t easy.”

  More cheers and clapping.

  Skylar continued to walk the stage and all eyes followed his lean frame when he moved. “I wish I could say that I helped arrange all of this, but I didn’t. I wish I could say that I’m responsible for this beautiful new lawn we have now but I’m not… isn’t this landscaping amazing? Yes!” Skylar tucked the microphone under his arms and clapped, the crowd joining in enthusiastically. “It’s beautiful. No more renting parks. Hopefully our eighth annual community day will be right here on our own grounds. We could party out here all night if we want, what do you say?!”

  Edison wanted to roll his eyes. He’d said no freaking improv.

  “But, if you want to thank the men responsible, we have them right here, side stage.” Skylar pointed directly at him and Edison. “The chair of the planning committee and the landscape architect responsible for this entire design are right here, everyone, and we have a special thank you just for them. Let’s see if we can get them up here.”

  The crowd went crazy, clapping and shouting.

  Bishop’s pulse raced and his body started to warm as he narrowed his eyes at Skylar. What the fuck are you doing? Edison glanced back at Bishop with uncertainty, looking as if that platform was the last place he wanted to be, but all eyes were on them.