However long it took, he’d do it. One of these days, he’d be able to read to his Eddie like he read to him.
Chapter Fifty-One
Edison
Edison pulled into a parking space at his work with a huge grin on his face. It was bright and early on a Friday morning and Stockley lawn service was back at Town Center Suites servicing the grounds for their community day tomorrow. He’d missed glancing out of his window and seeing Bishop every day, but he knew he’d have to move on to their other properties sooner or later. He hadn’t seen his boyfriend since he and Trent had come over Wednesday night to finish his grilling station. Bishop had chosen to stay home with his friend yesterday since he’d been in such a slump about moving out of his girlfriend’s place, and Bishop was concerned he wasn’t being a good enough friend. He was convinced that there was something else going on with Trent.
Edison took the container from his passenger seat and his messenger bag, and got out of his car. Bishop must’ve been waiting for him because he and Trent were standing close by the stairs talking, their equipment lying on the ground beside them. Edison knew he was grinning like a loon, but he couldn’t help it. He was in love… and it was Friday, and the sun was bright in the sky, he had two days off, and he had steaks marinating to put on his new grill… just all the little things was magnified times ten.
Bishop looked Edison up and down as he approached, not at all shy about his ogling. Edison stared as Bishop removed one of his thick gardening gloves from his hand and just barely touched him beneath his chin when Edison came in and lifted his head for a kiss. Bishop smelled like soap and morning sunshine. He wanted a deeper taste, but Edison kept it PG, since people were walking by.
“Morning. How’d you sleep?” Bishop asked seductively.
Edison swallowed, holding Bishop’s penetrating gaze. “Oh, fine,” he mumbled, knowing Bishop could see right through him. Could see that his night had been filled with wanting and longing for him.
“Did you cook on the grill last night?” Trent asked, breaking his and Bishop’s daze.
Edison cleared his throat and smiled up at Trent. He couldn’t see his brown eyes behind his dark sunglasses, so he ended up staring at his own reflection in the lenses. “Not yet. I thought I’d save that for tonight.”
Bishop kept watching him, his eyes roaming over Edison’s charcoal gray suit that he’d paired with a black, floral tie. Edison blushed when Bishop inched forward, licking his lips as if he’d completely forgotten where they were. “Mmmm. And you fucking smell good, too.”
“Bishop,” Trent said warningly. “There are some suits coming.”
Edison knew his cheeks were red, and he thought his dick was going to burst through his slacks. Yet, he still couldn’t look away.
“You better get upstairs and lock yourself in that nice office of yours, Edison,” Bishop growled, standing so close that he could smell the minty gum he was chewing.
Edison bit his bottom lip to stop the moan threatening to escape when he saw Bishop’s hand inching up to his face. His body swayed as he waited eagerly to feel those strong hands on his body when Trent suddenly gripped Bishop’s shoulder and yanked backward. Edison blinked, not knowing what the hell he’d been thinking. Jesus, was he about to lie down on the freaking walkway and spread his legs open?
“Morning, Edison.”
Edison almost jumped out of his skin at the sound of his boss’s voice. His hand flew over his heart, making him release an embarrassed laugh. He caught his breath enough to say, “Good morning, Presley.”
“Yes. It certainly does appear to be a very good morning.” Presley grinned slyly, her keen brown eyes moving to Bishop.
Edison stepped closer to Bishop’s side and touched his bicep through his coveralls. “Presley. This is my boyfriend, Bishop Stockley and his friend, Trent. You guys, this is my boss and the senior partner of the firm, Presley Alfred.”
“Nice to meet you.” Bishop nodded in her direction. His voice even and cool, “I’ve only heard good things about you, Ms. Alfred.”
Presley tucked her long black hair behind one ear, blinking at Edison in surprise. “Is that so? And please, call me Presley, it makes me feel just a tad younger.”
Bishop nodded, giving Edison a smooth smile.
“Well he’s been very close-mouthed about you.” Presley tapped her shiny, beige heel against the concrete. “I’ve had to pick up the scraps around the water cooler about the beautiful flowers my manager’s had in his office this week… twice.”
“Since when does the senior partner scrounge for office gossip?” Edison raised his eyebrow.
“When I’m refused it firsthand. Besides, I just wanted to know who or what was responsible for your good mood the past several months. I mean I can see why you leave promptly at five now instead of staying late with me anymore. Now I’m all alone.” Presley pretended to be hurt. She straightened herself in her five-hundred-dollar suit and held her head higher. “I’ll survive without you, I suppose.”