Incomplete

by L. A. Fiore

  Not all as sexy as you might think. Hmmm… maybe one day, you can dabble in landscaping design. ;)

  Tilly opened the picture first. The hand that held her coffee cup shook a bit. Jesus. In that moment, she knew she was in trouble. A picture shouldn’t have that kind of an impact on her. It did though. She studied him for a few minutes, all kinds of thoughts going through her head that she feared putting a voice to because, so far, it had been flirty but tame. What his image stirred in her was anything but tame. It wasn’t just butterflies; an ache formed that had her shifting in her seat. So distracted, she didn’t hear the door. Didn’t know that Candice had finally arrived. She replied with candor.

  Sexier than I imagined.

  “Who are you messaging?”

  Tilly jumped and almost dropped her phone.

  Candice’s one brow went up into her hairline. “Why are you all flushed?” She asked, yanked out a chair and dropped down on it, but her focus never left Tilly. “Is that Luke? Are you two sexting?”

  At the mention of Luke, guilt replaced desire.

  Tilly tried to brush off Candice’s comment. “Sexting? Please.”

  Candice is here. It’s a great picture, Gage Sutherland. Talk later. And… it’s Tilly Forester. : )

  Candice tried to grab her phone, but Tilly pulled it from her reach. “Who are you talking to?”

  “Just a friend.” Tilly was impressed that she was able to say that so nonchalantly because her heart was still racing.

  “A friend?” Candice sat back, her focus burning holes into Tilly. “A friend who makes you glow like that?”

  She was glowing...still? Well, shit.

  “A man friend I’m assuming.” Candice said before her interrogation was interrupted when the waitress stopped over. Lunch was ordered, and the second the waitress turned her back, Candice dropped her elbows on the table, glared and said, “How’d you meet him?”

  Talking about Gage made it more real. They were messaging each other. Hadn’t talked on the phone, hadn’t sexted...though Tilly grew warm thinking about it...the idea far more appealing than it should be considering she was a married woman. She could fool herself to believe their whole relationship was nothing more than a fantasy...a dream you were experiencing while awake, but sharing him with Candice. That made him real. That changed things. Nerves made her grow cold, but she met Candice’s stare.

  “His name is Gage and I met him through that game you told me about.”

  Candice didn’t even blink. “And this Gage makes you glow like that?”

  Tilly was tempted to brush off her question again, but instead said, “I don’t know about glowing, but I do enjoy talking to him.”

  “What do you talk about?”

  “Sex. Just sex, all the time.”

  Candice’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding?”

  Tilly laughed out loud. “Yes, I’m kidding. We talk about nothing; sometimes, we talk about the kids, his family, my family.”

  “He’s married?” Candice clarified.

  “Yes.”

  The interrogation was losing steam. “I like you looking like that…” Candice waved her hand at Tilly, “Happy. It’s a good look on you and not one I’ve seen in a while.” The waitress dropped off her coffee. She lifted the cup, looking at Tilly from over the rim. “This Gage gets you to look like that, I’m thinking it’s not a bad thing.”

  Tilly kept her reaction to herself, but getting the green light, so to speak, from her best friend, hearing the confirmation that her time with Gage wasn’t sordid, Tilly had a feeling she just might be glowing again.

  “Have you looked him up on Open Book?” Candice asked, reaching for a slice of the warm bread and smearing butter on it.

  Tilly hadn’t. She’d been tempted. She was curious about what his wife looked like, but she hadn’t. “No.”

  Candice pulled out her phone. “What’s his name?”

  Tilly’s stomach twisted; the fact that it did was proof that what she felt for Gage was more than what she was trying to convince Candice and herself. Not to share his name, Candice would see right through her. “Gage Sutherland.”

  Candice’s eyes met Tilly’s from over her phone. “Gage, sexy name.”

  Tilly’s hand shook a little from nerves when she launched Open Book.

  “Holy shit. Til, have you seen this guy?” Candice’s screeched then looked around at the attention she drew. Lowering her voice, she leaned over the table. “He’s fucking hot.”

  “I’ve seen his picture,” Tilly replied, as she logged into the app.

  Candice’s brow rose, and her eyes narrowed. “You’ve seen his picture?”

  “Yes, our first chat we shared pictures.”

  “So you’ve been texting with this god-like creature?” Candice said.

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re just chatting?” she asked, looking around them and adding in a low voice, “If you were sexting, I’d understand.”

  Tilly’s eyes snapped to Candice. She tried to look outraged, but she wasn’t sure she pulled it off because the idea of sexting with Gage was one she liked a lot. “We’re not sexting.”

  Candice studied Tilly for a second. “But you’d like to.”

  It wasn’t just his looks. She wasn’t sure Candice would understand that. Gage was hot, but he was also real. He cared, he listened, he was interested. She didn’t answer and instead searched for Gage Sutherland; she saw his face on one of the profiles and opened it. His banner was of his truck, Sutherland’s Landscaping printed on the side. Her gaze moved to his bio: seeing his status as married, she felt a twinge of something, though whether that was guilt or envy she didn’t know. She pulled up his pictures, getting a little peek at his life. Most of the pictures were landscaping pics—gardens and hardscapes that she assumed he had done, a sort of portfolio for prospective clients. Greedily, she devoured the images until she saw one of Gage, tan from all the outdoor work, and with him was a stunning blonde and beautiful young girl. Her stomach twisted again, harder this time.

  His family.

  His daughter looked like him, more so than her mom. In that awkward stage, but already beautiful. Tilly turned her focus on Gage’s wife. Sparkling blue eyes stared back, her arm wrapped around Gage’s waist, his around her shoulders. She was exquisite, model beautiful. Her toned, trim body dressed in jeans and a form fitting wrap sweater, her blonde hair falling down around her shoulders. They looked good together, picture perfect, but things weren’t always what they seemed because she chose to spend her husband’s birthday with her friends. She was surrounded by all that beauty and didn’t appreciate what she had. Tilly didn’t want to see anymore; she closed out of the app and put her phone on the table.

  “It’s a bit different when you see his family, huh?” Candice said softly, adding, “The whole sexting thing.”

  Tilly glanced up to see Candice watching her. Seeing his family did make it different, but not in the way Candice was thinking. There was a part of Tilly that hoped Gage’s wife realized what she had, but there was another part of Tilly that grew with each conversation she had with Gage that hoped his wife never did. She wasn’t sure what that said about her.

  To Candice she simply said, “We’re just friends.” But she knew that wasn’t completely the truth.

  _______________

  Gage pulled his phone from his pocket, checked the time, and saw it was going on almost two hours since he last heard from Tilly. She thought he was sexy. For the two hours, that thought had his lips tipping up.

  “Why in the fuck you keep smiling?” Dom asked when he came to stand next to Gage by the trailer. Dom looked to the cell in Gage’s hand. “Oh shit, you and the wife been sexting?” Dom pointed a finger toward the cell and nodded. “That’s why you been on that thing so much.”

  Gage shook his head, chuckling, “No.” He gestu
red to the new guys to hop in the truck while he closed the door of the trailer.

  Dom drew his brows together, studying his friend before realization hit, stepping back, he put a hand over his mouth and grumbled into his palm, “Oh shit.”

  Gage glanced at Dom and saw the look on his face. “No,” Gage quickly replied. “It’s not like that. We’re just friends.” He told him, rapidly defending himself.

  Dom looked from side to side and edged in closer to Gage. “Dude, what are you doing?”

  “I’m not doing anything, I told you that,” Gage said with a harsh tone.

  Dom put his hands up. “Slow down, buddy, it’s me.” He ended with patting himself on the chest. “I got you, you know that.”

  Gage looked at his feet and took in a heavy breath. Shit, was he doing something wrong? It sure as fuck didn’t feel wrong. All they did was chat, that was it. Okay, there were times they left flirty comments, but Jesus, that was just human nature between men and women. Wasn’t it? Gage said in a low voice, eyes focused on the asphalt below his feet, “Met her on that game, Friendly Words, when I first started playing.”

  “Didn’t you start playing that game weeks ago?” Dom asked, emphasizing weeks.

  Gage lifted his head, meeting Dom’s glare. “Yeah.”

  Dom blew out a breath. “You talk to her everyday?”

  Leveling his eyes on Dom’s, he confessed, “Pretty much.”

  Dom lifted his hand, wiping his cheek and looking around. “Jesus, Gage.”

  “I know,” he whispered, but added, “But we’re just friends, friendly chats, you know?”

  Dom gave him that look. The one that said that’s always how these things start. And Gage knew that. Felt it in his gut every time his damn phone went off. Even if it wasn’t her notification tone, he’d still snatch up his cell like a teenage girl.

  Dom put a hand on Gage’s shoulder. “I know things between you and Heather have been rough, but—”

  “I fucking know, Dom.” Gage spat out, turned on a foot to walk away, but stopped and said, “Sorry, man.”

  “No sorry needed, I get it, brother.” They both started for the front of the truck. “If it means anything, it’s good to see a smile on that ugly mug of yours.” Dom offered.

  Gage chuckled and got into the truck...the conversation over.

  _______________

  Fuck, thought this week would never end. Got your coffee?

  He typed out his message after he grabbed the first fresh cup of coffee from the pot. He and Tilly had a standing date. Getting up early on Saturday mornings and having coffee together. It was cheesy, he knew it, but fuck, he still liked it. With a smile on his face, he quietly opened the back door, let Velvet over the threshold first before he walked to the intimate area in the back of his yard, where he sat in front of the fireplace, feet up on the stone.

  Tilly was outside on the patio with her coffee, sharing an early morning with Gage. The kids were sleeping. Luke was working. Her conscience nagged at her at times that it wasn’t her husband she stole moments with, but the difference was Gage wanted to steal those moments, too.

  She looked down at her cranberry orange scone, took a pic and sent with the message,

  Coffee and breakfast. Is Velvet, your little shadow, exploring the yard?

  Gage looked at the pastry and smiled then brought his eyes to Velvet sniffing around a tree. He took a pic of her and sent it along with.

  Damn, one upping me, I see. ;) Looks good.

  Tilly took a bite of her scone before she replied,

  I couldn’t resist. I like a little sweet in the morning. Have you all decided where you’re going tonight? Last we talked, you were hoping for Italian. Velvet really is adorable, and I love that she follows you wherever you go. I think I might be a little jealous.

  Gage didn’t even think when he typed out.

  I love something sweet in the morning too. ;) (shrugs) Now, I’m hoping the dinner will be canceled. I can think of better things to do. You all still going to Luke’s mother’s house? I’d have no qualms with you following me everywhere. ;)

  Gage took a gulp of his black coffee, looking out into the yard. Somewhere in the past week since his talk with Dom, the guilt he had felt subsided. That or he’d just gotten used to the nagging feeling. Not to mention, his wife had been spending more time at work than at home. This had him wondering if she was having an affair. Look how easy it was for him to cover the fact that he was chatting with another woman. The worst part of it all was that he didn’t spend much time on the thought.

  Tilly read that first line a few times, felt the words between her thighs, and the ache that he so easily brought out in her. She’d like his taste in her mouth. She didn’t share that though. Reading his last line, to be that close to him, she grew suddenly warm at the thought. It took effort, but she moved her thoughts to her evening. She felt as Gage did about the idea of spending the night with her in-laws. She loved them, of course, but they usually spent the evening talking about what all of their friends were up to. Kind of like keeping up with the Joneses. In the beginning, Luke used to roll his eyes, too, but lately, he’d started to join in, keeping tally on who was doing what. The fact that he was more in tune with what his friends were up to over his family annoyed the hell out of Tilly. After their last visit with his parents, she’d brought that up to him. It was another night that ended with her in the craft room.

  I have something sweet for you... a scone of course. ; ) Yes, we’re still going to their house. The kids and I will escape to the den at some point to play Xbox. We have an ongoing game on their box. Following you...if only. : )

  Gage read her message and felt the words in his cock. He shifted in his seat, having no doubt that she tasted sweet. His thoughts quickly moved to having Tilly below him, slowly sinking his cock into her as her hazel eyes looked up at him and…

  “What are you doing out there?” Heather called, as she made her way toward him.

  Gage moved, his feet falling from the position they were in, tucking his phone at his side as he said, “Just hanging with the dog.”

  “Oh,” Heather cooed and added, “I thought I saw you on your phone.” Her eyes drifted to his cell tucked next to his thigh.

  Gage looked down at it, too. “Yeah, been playing a new word game everyone is talking about.” He let out a forced chuckle.

  “You?” Heather asked, her head tilting to the side, her brows drawn. “You never follow societal norms or play games on your phone.” She replied inquisitively.

  “Well,” Gage stumbled, but told her the truth. “Dom’s been playing it and said I should, so I’m giving it a try.”

  “And how’s that working for you?” She questioned, her eyes on her husband while she took a sip of her coffee.

  Gage looked to the ground before eyeing his wife. “Not bad.” His gut churned the longer they talked about the game. He changed the subject, asking, “What are your plans for the day?”

  Heather drew her top lip between her teeth, a move she’d been doing for years when she wanted to ask Gage something but wasn’t sure how he’d respond. “The girls from work are doing a girls’ weekend away at the beginning of December, I’d like to go.” She put her mug on the table next to her.

  “Where?”

  Heather’s eyes moved to an invisible thread her finger began to play with on her robe. “Skiing in upstate New York.”

  “Huh,” Gage breathed in anger. “Every time I’ve asked you to go, you’ve said no.”

  Heather’s eyes moved to Gage, her form becoming stiff. “It’s not like that—”

  “No, then what is it like, Heather?” Gage snapped.

  Heather huffed. “If you let me finish, you’ll hear why. I like the people I work with—”

  “Oh, so you don’t like me anymore?” Gage’s voice was firm, his guard going up.


  Heather took an exaggerated breath. “Don’t be silly, I like you. Anyway,” She said, the last harshly, before she went on, “I’ve heard through the grapevine that the manager will be leaving, I’d like to be considered for that position when it becomes available.”

  “So, going skiing with your co-workers will help with that.” Gage shook his head. “Makes no fucking sense to me.”

  “It’s called networking. Apparently, employees from other branches are going too; it’s something they do every year.”

  “How come you’ve never brought it up in all the years you’ve been there?” Gage questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Cause I was never asked, Gage,” she snapped. “You do your convention in November, and I don’t question that.”

  “But it’s not a getaway, Heather, that’s business.”

  “Yes, but you and Dom have fun while you’re there and—”

  “Go.” Gage bit out.

  Heather’s lips spread into a wide smile. “Really?”

  “Yeah.” Gage said dismissively then added, “Maybe… just maybe we can go away.”

  Heather jumped up, spunk in her step, when she said, “Thanks, going to look at some winter clothes online.” She reached for her mug, turned and said, “Plus, we have till we’re old and gray to do lots of things together.” With that, she walked away, whistling while she went.

  “Do we?” Gage muttered when Heather was out of ear shot.