Bishop

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We were sitting in a quaint little cafe that would probably appear on Yelp in a week and become impossible to get a seat at without a reservation. But for now, it was quiet, and cute, and perfect for newly growing love.

I was lounging with a comfortable ease, some confident “I just had sex” energy. But Nell... she had the feral look of a stray cat who could bolt at any second. “Go on,” I said gently, folding my hands on the beige placemat. “Ask whatever you want to ask me.”

She wasted no time going for my throat. “Why the hell does a guy like you need a baby? You're so young! And you don't seem the... fatherly type.”

Chuckling dryly, I tilted my head. “Ouch. Fact is, I actually love kids. I didn't want one so soon, or so I thought. But imagining one with you is stirring something in me. You—”

I couldn't finish; she was laughing so obnoxiously it drowned me out. Ignoring the glares from nearby customers, she wiped at her eyes. “Bullshit.”

She was sharp. Though, it wasn't all bullshit. Nell was curling herself around an ancient, throbbing part of me that craved the idea of knocking her up. “Alright. Fine. But the truth is a lot less exciting.”

“Try me.”

I almost made a flirty joke. Catching myself, I said, “How does a bunch of lineage paperwork and one cantankerous, old man with a chip on his soldier about his legacy strike you?”

Nell blinked once, twice, then she put her chin on her fist. “Actually, that sounds interesting. I wanted to know about how you're a prince and that seems related. The old guy is your dad, yeah?”

“Bingo fucking bango.” Gripping my coffee, I took a deep swig, holding it in my mouth until the bitter flavor overpowered my similarly tasting mood. “Good ol' dad was born, raised, and to this day refuses to leave Caluvan—it's near Saudi Arabia. He's kind of a big deal, oil empire and all.” I could see the gears working behind her eyes. “Mom met him on a trip. He sent her back here after they married, poor woman was home sick. He promised he'd come soon. She's still waiting for him to buy that ticket.”

Her skin went pale. “You mean... your mom hasn't seen her husband since she came back here?”

“No, no. He funds every flight back to his palace that she wants.”

“And you? Do you ever visit him?”

“Nah.” I went to take another drink—when had I finished my coffee? Frowning at the mug, I turned it in my hands. “We Skype, but I like it here better. It's where I grew up.”

She watched me too closely. I didn't like this feeling... like she pitied me. “It sounds so lonely. For all of you. I mean, he's your dad.”

Clearing my throat, I pushed the mug away. “He's not lonely. He's got business partners sucking at his teat, not to mention a whole other second family to keep him company.” There; her shock was much more welcome. “Yeah... dear dad couldn't keep it in his pants.”

“But... your mom...”

“Didn't divorce him. It happened soon after I was born. According to him, it wasn't a problem.” I dropped my voice to imitate his gruff baritone. “'Relax, Cathleen. We can fix this. You and Bishop matter the world to me. This other woman and her baby are nothing.'” I leaned back in my chair so hard it was amazing it didn't tip over. “He's changed his tune these days. That nothing is now being hung over my head. Dad wants an heir, and my illegitimate half-brother might beat me to it.”

Nell was even whiter now. “Your dad is forcing you to get married and have a baby?”

“He'd never say it that way. But fact is, if I don't do it first, my mom will be...” My smile took on a plastic look. Did she sense I was putting on a show, that this situation actually upset me more than I let on? “Put it this way. I create a kid, or we lose all of our wealth and power. Our home. Everything.”

“That's so sad. What kind of dad would force his sons to hurry up and have a family? Where does love factor in?”

Shifting in my chair, I caught the waitress's eye. “Business trumps all.” She refilled my mug with coffee, and with her gone, I aimed my smile back at Nell. “Anyway, this doesn't have to be a big deal. It could even be fun.” Casually, I rubbed her knee under the table. Her face warmed, turning a lovely pink that was beyond gratifying.

“What about the others? The women your mom is trying to set you up with?”

I shrugged. “I'm the one who chooses who I ultimately propose to.”

“No, I meant, those other women were amazing... so pretty and refined and important. Why the heck would you choose me over them?”

Several reasons flashed through my head. I said none of them, and instead, I squeezed her knee again. “I can remind you why.” Abruptly she jumped to her feet. Nell didn't behave like any of the girls I'd been around before. No one turned me down, especially not multiple times. Intrigued, I leaned back and considered her tight jaw. “You okay?”

She smoothed her shirt and breathed in. “I really have to sleep on this, maybe for a few days, even weeks. What you're asking is—it's not normal.”

“Fair warning; I'm not a normal guy.” The bridge of her nose crinkled; I wanted to rub it away with a kiss. She tossed some money on the table. “Hey, whoa, this breakfast is on me.”

Stuffing her wallet into her back pocket, she said, “I don't want your generosity until I know it doesn't come with a price.”

The heat in her eyes was meant to scald me, but it just warmed me up from the inside out. Grabbing her hand, I held her in place. “Think about my offer as long as you need to. I'm on a timeline, but I'm not going to try and force you. The fact is... I want you, Nell. I crave you. So if you insist on working for my mother, seeing me every day, you need to realize I'll never stop throbbing with a need to fill you with my seed. It's more than just my duty... I've felt your pussy, how close to your womb I could get, and anything less than pouring myself into you until I'm a dry husk won't satisfy me.”

Her lips parted. “Bishop...”

I watched as her chest rose and fell, and my voice dropped even lower. “As long as you're in my life, I'll never stop trying to be with you.”