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Gage watched as Tilly walked slowly to the bathroom. How fucking right she was, life was so much better when you were able to live out your dream. His hands were itching to grab his cell and tell Dom they weren’t coming down. Hell, they were going to stay, live in that fucking room. But just as she shut the bathroom door, so was that thought in Gage’s head.
_______________
The bar sat at the back of the lobby, an entrance on the street, another through the lobby that jetted into the crowded space, like the point of a triangle, with windows on either side of the door. Gage and Tilly edged up to the one bank of windows, and while Tilly scanned the lobby, Gage checked out the bar.
“Yep, Kenny is with them,” Gage muttered.
Tilly stepped back from the window and hissed, “Shit.”
Gage turned, and he told her, “Okay, we go with plan B since Kenny is with them.” He took her hand in his, gave her a squeeze, winked and walked into the bar.
Tilly waited a few minutes. As relaxed as she had been in the room, she was anything but now. Standing there it hit her, what she was doing? She was sneaking around with another man, and her boss was in that bar. Her boss. She leaned back against the wall, looked up to the ceiling and tried to pull in a breath. This was madness, what she was doing was madness, but she couldn’t deny what time they had spent together had been worth the risks.
Stepping from the wall, she worked to calm her nerves before she walked into the bar. She spotted Gage immediately because he stood so much taller than most in the room. She also saw her boss, talking animatedly with a shorter man who she assumed was Dom. Fear hit, not of getting caught, but of losing what time she had left with Gage. Her eyes moved back to him and that was enough to help push back some of the fear. On shaky legs, she headed in their direction. Kenny saw her almost immediately, his eyes going wide.
“Tillian!” He shouted, and added a wave to get her attention.
She’d never be an actress, but she took another deep breath then did her best to look surprised. “Kenny, hi.”
Gage ran a hand over his mouth, hiding the grin forming on his lips. Dom looked over at Gage, eyes asking questions he couldn’t answer at the moment. “This the woman you were telling me about?” Gage said loudly, getting Kenny’s attention.
“Yes,” He started. “Yes, it is. Tillian, what are you doing here?”
She reached them, throwing a strained smile to those assembled. She wanted to seek out Gage, wanted the comfort only he could give, but she settled her gaze on Kenny. “I’m spoiling myself with a weekend of pampering. I thought I heard my name earlier today when I was out shopping, which you can imagine my surprise because I never come to the city. But then I remembered the convention. I took a shot, asked the concierge who said most of the attendees were in the bar, so I thought I’d stop by and see if you were around.”
Gage watched Tilly, noticed she was on edge as she fumbled with the strap of her purse. It was fucking cute as hell. Gage being Gage, he had to fuck with her.
“Wow, how were you able to get a room? The last I heard they were booked solid.” He asked Tilly, his eyes twinkling when her head snapped to him. He knew very well how she was able to get a room, but she also told him she’d paid a mint for it.
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Talk about putting her on the spot. She saw the mischief behind his eyes, and she was tempted to narrow her own. Nerves gave way to challenge. Turning her attention back on Kenny, she replied sweetly, “Apparently there’s a lot happening in the city this weekend, hotels are booked, but there was a cancellation.” It should concern her how the lies rolled so easily off her tongue. She then allowed her gaze to linger on Gage. She had a hell of an incentive to be creative.
“I think it’s wonderful that you’re taking time for yourself,” Kenny said.
“Can I get you a drink?” Gage asked Tilly, before anyone could utter another word.
Her gaze hit his. “Please, a screaming orgasm.” At Gage’s expression, she had to bite back the laugh. Her focus shifting to Kenny, her tone bright. “I’ve never actually had a weekend away. I was really looking forward to it, but I must say, I’ve found myself kind of bored. Unstimulated.”
Gage just about choked on the beer that had been sliding down his throat. Dom straight out laughed, Arty and Kyle joining him.
“I’m sorry, dear, what did you just order?” Kenny said, dismissing what she said.
So caught up in the unspoken banter with Gage, she forgot she was talking to her boss. Her cheeks burned, before she replied softly, “I know, but they’re very good.”
Once Gage ordered her drink, he turned, leveling his eyes on hers, and said, “In this city, I have no doubt that your weekend will pick up, and you’ll find stimulation in a variety of ways you never thought possible.”
“We still talking about the drink?” Kyle butted in.
Kenny bumped shoulders with Kyle. “Kid, I’m not sure what the hell we are talking about anymore.” Kenny downed the rest of his beer and called, “Another round?”
“Sure,” Dom said, and when Kenny walked to an opening at the bar to order more beers, he turned to Tilly. “Dominic Bridges, nice to meet you.” He extended his hand out to her.
Dom, Gage’s best friend. Shorter than him, black hair and eyes. His skin tanned from all the outdoor work. Slipping her hand into his, she offered sincerely, “Tilly Forester. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Dom’s eyes moved down Tilly’s body and back up again, assessing her. “How do you know, Kenny?”
“She works for me, my new designer.” Kenny answered as he rejoined the group with his arms full of beers. He handed them out. “Gage, Tillian, is the reason I’d like to talk with you.”
“She is?” Gage responded quickly. His heart rate picking up, palms growing sweaty.
