Page 14 of Body Check

It was true, Dakotadidspend a lot of time at the practice facility and a lot of time outside of it preparing, but Gavin didn’t know he had a second job. At least, he assumed Gavin didn’t know.

Maybe he did? Dakota still wasn’t sure if his comment about budgeting had been a personal dig or not. Looking back, Dakota felt less sure that it was.

“Well, I have a VIP client on Saturday morning I have to be ready for,” he teased instead of digging into that whole mess. He’d agreed to help Gavin out—both because he couldn’t stand to see anyone suffering and because it would only help his career.

“A VIP client …” Gavin frowned.

Dakota laughed, touching his arm. “Yeah, a certain uptight, stressed-out GM you might be familiar with …”

“Ahh, yeah, I’ve heard that guy can be real demanding.” Gavin winked.

Dakota was suddenly hit with the full force of his considerable charm. Well,damn.

He’d known Gavin was good-looking, of course. From his short dark brown hair and beard, richly peppered with strands of silver, to his piercing gaze and square jaw, he was as classically handsome as they came.

He carried himself with confidence and even though Dakota wasn’t overly impressed with vanity muscles that did more to throw his system out of alignment than to help him function, he could absolutely admit Gavin wore them well.

Gavin didn’t smile a lot—aside from a slightly knowing smirk—but the wide-open grin he had now was enough to make Dakota’s breath catch. Gavin’s smile showed off even whiteteeth, eye crinkles, and a warmth that tempted Dakota to linger, if only to see it again.

Dazzling was the only word for it.

But the door slamming behind them broke the spell, enough for Dakota to look away.

“Mmm, good to know,” he said before he got too lost staring at his boss.Oops.

Luke walked past them. “See you at the rink,” he called over his shoulder as he jogged toward a large black motorcycle.

“See you,” Dakota called out, his words overlapping with Gavin’s, “Have a good night.”

A few moments later, the bike started up with a roar, disturbing the quiet of the Charlestown neighborhood filled with historic brick townhouses, then sped away.

“What about you?” Dakota asked, turning back to look at Gavin when the roar had faded to a quieter rumble.

“Well, I have about three weeks’ worth of work I should do in the next two days,” Gavin admitted with a sigh, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his tailored leather jacket, nothing like the beat-up one Luke had worn.

“Are you going to do it?” Dakota asked, because Gavin certainly didn’t sound enthusiastic about it.

“Honestly, I’m considering messaging a guy for a hookup.” He pulled his phone out and frowned at the screen.

Surprised, Dakota laughed.

“I’m sorry. I hope that wasn’t inappropriate,” Gavin said with a little grimace.

Dakota waved it off. “Nah, we’re adults and gay men. I get it.”

Gavin flashed him another quick, dazzling smile.

Shit, that thing was powerful. No wonder he didn’t use it often. It packed a real punch.

“Well,” Dakota said. “Orgasms are good for tension headaches.”

Gavin laughed, a deep, throaty sound that was so surprised and genuine, it made Dakota flush despite the chilly air around them. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it. I was thinking more about other parts of my anatomy, but I’ll take it. Assuming I haven’t pissed this guy off.”

“Oh?” Dakota asked. He probably shouldn’t pry, but now he was curious to know a little more about Gavin’s personal life.

Violet had spilled the tea when they were discussing the possibility of him being hired by the Harriers, and Dakota knew Gavin was gay and had been through a whirlwind marriage and equally quick and messy divorce in the past few years.

He’d seen pictures of the guy too, a striking dark-haired man with some of the most vibrant blue eyes Dakota had ever seen. They’d made a hell of a good-looking couple.

---