Edison inhaled sharply. He liked the sound of that. But… for free? Was this the gesture that Bishop said would make it up to him? Well, it was too much. “I can’t ask you to do that. It’s too much,” Edison breathed, wrapping his arms around Bishop’s neck and staring up at him in disbelief.
“It’s not enough. Not for what I want from you. And I’m not trying to sound like I’m buying it. I told you… I want to earn it. And the only way I know how to do that is to show you.” Bishop dipped his head, and Edison thought he was going for his mouth, but he detoured and kissed his cheek, stalling there for long moment before he continued to speak, “Look. There’s still some shit I’m working on with myself that had me reacting the way I did last night. I’ve never cared about being good enough for anyone… but… I want to be… for you.”
“Bishop,” Edison whispered. He didn’t know what to think, what to say. It all felt so unreal. He had a gorgeous man in his arms who was laying himself open, and he’d be damned if he poured salt in the wound. Edison believed Bishop. No one would do that kind of work or dedicate so much time for someone else unless they really liked them. “I know I don’t know a lot about you, Bishop, but I know you don’t need to change for me. What you told me about your past hasn’t deterred me from wanting to know the man in front of me now.”
“Date me,” Bishop almost demanded.
“Okay.” Edison hid his smile by biting his bottom lip.
“Kiss me,” Bishop said, but didn’t wait for an answer before he closed his mouth over his and slowly sank his tongue inside. He tasted rich, with a hint of cinnamon.
It was just as deep and soul-searching as last night’s kiss, but not as frantic. Bishop groaned and spread his big hands over Edison’s back and tucked him close to his body. He pulled back just long enough to tell Edison how sweet he tasted before he kissed him some more. If he could’ve stayed in that moment for the rest of his life, he thought that’d be just fine. He felt desirable in Bishop’s big arms.
“B. You didn’t tell me it was fuckin’ Jurassic Park back here,” Trent said, standing just inside the patio doors with one hand on his hip while the other slapped a pair of gloves against his thigh. “I been pushing that damn gate open for ten minutes.”
Bishop didn’t acknowledge Trent even when Edison quickly broke the kiss. Instead, he kept his face close, not allowing Edison to get away, regardless of the fact they now had a spectator. He wasn’t sure Bishop would be okay doing this in front of his best friend, but obviously he was.
“Sorry. The kid who cuts the front yard won’t do the back,” Edison tried to explain.
“And for good reason,” Trent pointed out. “That’s an environmental hazard out there. I should report you.”
Edison blinked.
“He’s got it, Trent,” Bishop snarled. “I’m coming out to help in a second.”
“Oh good, because I was wondering. You said you needed ten minutes of make up time. It’s been like twenty,” Trent said as he began to calm down and take in Edison’s home. “Shit. It’s nice up in here.”
“Thank you,” Edison said. He was still trying to conceal his smile after hearing Bishop had talked to his friend about making up with him… and for how long.
“Trent,” Bishop said a bit louder. “I heard you. I’ll be right out.”
“Cool.” Trent turned to leave when he noticed the breakfast bar. “Whoa. Is this like a continental breakfast or something?”
“This ain’t a Marriott, T,” Bishop growled with little heat.
Edison laughed because the two of them were hilarious. It must’ve been nice to have a friend as close as Trent was. If Bishop was there on a Saturday to work for free, then that meant so was Trent. The least Edison could do was give him a muffin. “I made those this morning. Help yourself, Trent. Please.”
“Thank you, Edison. Nice to see someone has a little decency around here,” Trent grumbled with his back to them while he poured a mug of coffee.
Bishop gripped Edison’s chin between his thumb and pointer finger and turned his head back to face him. “Don’t worry about him. He’s owes me more favors than he wants to think about… and vice versa.”
Edison saw Bishop’s lips moving, but he didn’t really hear the words coming out of his mouth.
“I’m gonna get started. If you have something to do today, you don’t have to stay here. Just lock up like usual and we’ll continue to work back here.”
“I have nothing to do,” Edison said a bit too fast. “I mean. I was just gonna catch up on work. Sometimes I go to the farmer’s market or a flea market in the mornings, but I think I’ll stick around.”