Bishop was quiet for so long that Edison had to check the screen to make sure the call was still connected. He had no clue what to say and he hated that Bishop called him and put him on the spot like this instead of just texting him back.
“That’s not it at all. I can tell in your voice,” Bishop said. “What do you think happened tonight, Edison?”
Is that a trick question? Edison cleared his throat. “Nothing happened.” Like always.
“Yes, it did. A lot happened.”
“I’m not over here crying about it, okay,” Edison said, knowing he was sounding agitated. “We’re adults. We played around a few minutes and it was fun but I’m talking about business right now. I want to start the job in a couple weeks.”
“And I want to start tomorrow.”
Edison took a deep breath then slowly released it. He wasn’t seeing Bishop tomorrow. No way.
~
Bishop
Bishop thought he’d be able to clear everything up in the morning, but either Edison lacked any patience for bullshit or Bishop had truly fucked up. His pulse spiked at Edison’s sharp tone and his barely concealed anger. Edison didn’t appear to be a man who allowed someone under his skin too easily. He was so mature and dignified. Bishop almost liked that he could bring him so far out of his element… but not like this. He could hear the snark, could feel the disappointment, the irritation and the hurt in Edison’s voice.
“Edison, look.” Bishop rubbed his hand over his bare chest, pushing the sheet below his waist. “I’m not the best at expressing myself with words. Sometimes I have to stop and think about things before I continue whatever it is that got in my head. I see now it looked like I was running away from what you’d told me… or judging what you told me. But I wasn’t.”
“Weren’t you?” Edison said in a clipped tone. “We were full steam ahead until I said… that.”
“I know. And that’s the problem, Eddie,” Bishop groaned. “I was going for it. I was. I wanted you like… no…” Bishop’s voice went deeper. “I. Want. You. And I had to pull back or else I was gonna do something I’d regret… and possibly you too.”
“I don’t understand,” Edison stated. “Regret?”
“Yes. I was so into it, so turned on that I… I—” Bishop didn’t know how to say what he wanted. Words just weren’t his forte. While he’d showered and gone over his plan of action on the yard tomorrow, he’d decided on a grand gesture that he’d hoped would show Edison how special he thought he was, and that he’d like a chance to prove himself.
He wanted to take Edison out on a date, hold his hand in public, kiss him and show him how sexy he thought he was. Then after a little while they could do more of what they did tonight, but he’d be sure to take his time and show Edison the wonders of lovemaking. Hell, show both of them. But, going for third base after one fucking dinner… that Edison had to cook for them. Shit. Bishop could do better than that. He’d treated Royce better, and he’d done little to deserve it.
“I was thinking about myself, my needs, not yours. You deserve better than to be tossed around your favorite room in your house and handled like a rag doll.”
“Ugh. I flippin’ wanted that,” Edison bit back. “Don’t I have a say in how I get rid of this plague that I was born with?”
Bishop chuckled. He wasn’t laughing at Edison, but it was funny that he didn’t see his virginity as the rarest, most special gift he could give to another. Bishop wanted to be worthy of that treasure. Edison was a unicorn in his grimy, fucked-up world.
“I’m not laughing,” Edison said. “I told you something I don’t tell everyone, like I assume you do about your criminal record.”
Bishop’s smile fell.
“But the second I confided in you, you bolted for shelter like I was the one that told you I just got out of prison for committing a felony.”
Well damn. Bishop’s brows rose. Edison had more spark in him than Bishop thought. He’d been upset, disappointed and he wasn’t letting Bishop off the hook so easy. “I deserved that.”
“Dang right you do.”
Bishop ran his hand over his hard nipple, holding in his gasp. Edison’s temper was turning him on. He loved that he was gentle and kind-hearted, but he also liked that he wasn’t a pushover and could give as he good as he got. Edison wasn’t cowering down from him… he had balls.
“I’m trying to explain this the best I can. I wasn’t turned-off, it was quite the opposite. After you told me you were a virgin, baby, I thought my dick was going shoot right then. I wanted to tackle you, Edison… shit, I almost did.”