Page 73 of Last Mile

“And here I thought we would be walking the whole way.”

“That wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me, would it?”

“No, I guess not.” I slid onto the back of the seat, leaving room for Bishop. After he turned on the ATV’s lights, he took my flashlight and his and put them in the back. Then he got on in front of me.

“Hold on tight. It gets bumpy.”

Without any hesitation, I slid my arms around his waist and tightened my thighs around his. I tried to ignore how comforting it felt being so close to him— how the muscles of his strong body made me feel safe and secure. The next thing I knew, the ATV was lunging forward into the dark night. Bishop drove it the same way he drove his motorcycle, which made me want to piss my pants. But I managed to hide my fear while also clinging to him for dear life.

When we reached a clearing, we drove on through what would have been waist- high grass if we had been walking. I didn’t even want to think about what could have been lurking in the grass.

Bishop drove us right down to the water’s edge. Even though I only had the sole beam of the ATV’s light to illuminate things, I could still make out why this place held an allure for Bishop.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

Bishop rose off the seat. “Give me a second, and you’ll really get to see it.”

Curiously, I watched as he took one of the flashlights and disappeared off to the side of the bank. After a few seconds, a sound like a lawn mower filled the air. Then light flickered on all around me.

Gazing around, I took in the beaming torches and trees lined with twinkling bulbs.

When Bishop reappeared, I asked, “You guys have a generator all the way out here?”

He nodded. “We set it up a few weeks ago when Rev and Annabel got married and had their reception out here.” He motioned to the water and the clearing. “So, what do you think now that you can see it better?”

“It’s breathtaking. I can see why your brother wanted to get Bishop smiled. “Besides being beautiful, this place has a lot of meaning.”

“For your family?”

“Yes. And historically.” After scratching the back of his neck, Bishop said, “If Mr. History Nerd Rev were here, he could tell you all about the place.”

“It wasn’t the sight of some bloody battle back in the day, was it?” I teased.

Bishop laughed. “Nah, nothing creepy like that. More like Cherokee Indians, who once lived around here, thought the water had healing powers. They would come here when they were physically sick.” He gave me a pointed look. “Or emotionally sick.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really?”

Bishop made a cross over his heart. “Scout’s honor.”

“Who knew you were bringing me to a place that had such meaning? I just thought you wanted to go swimming to get me naked.”

With a waggle of his eyebrows, Bishop said, “I sure as hell did.”

I laughed. “I can’t say I’m too surprised, or that I’m disappointed.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

When he started to reach for me, I shook my head. “I’m thinking after coming so far, you owe me a little.”

“Like what?”

I jerked my chin up. “I think you should be the one to get naked first.”

He grinned. “Sounds good to me.” After he kicked his boots off, he jerked his shirt over his head and tossed it on the ground. He didn’t take his eyes off mine as his hand went to the button of his jeans. I held his gaze as he slowly unbuttoned and unzipped the denim.

When he first started to pull off his jeans, I hadn’t realized I had been holding my breath. But as he slid them down his muscled thighs, I exhaled in a long whoosh. I knew what he had felt like both in my hands and inside me, but there was something to be said for seeing his dick in the flesh.

“Like what you see?” he asked as he stood proudly before me.