Page 41 of Body Check

The elevator came to a stop, the person next to them getting out with a quiet, “Good night.”

“Want some company in the spa tonight?” Gavin asked.

Dakota’s lips parted but he didn’t say anything, just raised his eyebrows as the elevator began to move again.

“Just for a relaxing dip. And you can say no,” Gavin assured him. “I won’t bother you if you’d prefer to be alone.”

He desperately wanted a chance to talk to Dakota though, and as long as there weren’t too many people up there, maybe they could figure out what came next.

Dakota tilted his head, studying his face before he nodded. “Company might be nice. See you up there in ten or fifteen?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Youdidbring your swimsuit, right?” Dakota asked as the elevator doors began to open.

Surprised, Gavin laughed, following him into the hallway. “Yeah, I did.”

“Good. Wouldn’t want to get kicked out of a swanky place like this.”

With that parting shot, Dakota disappeared down the hall toward his room.

Fifteen minutes later, as Dakota strolled out onto the rooftop pool deck, Gavin let out a hearty laugh.

He didn’t knowwhathe’d expected Dakota to wear, but somehow it wasn’t the baggy tropical board shorts he sported, splashed with palm trees and flowers in shades of electric blue and vibrant pink.

Gavin knew the nineties were coming back but good God.

Dakota made a huffing sound and tugged at the fabric. “I know, they’re ridiculous, right?”

“I didn’t say that,” Gavin protested. He pulled off his shirt, tossing it on the lounger next to his key card and phone. He wasn’t overly worried about anyone messing with their belongings. Happily, the rooftop pool deck was empty at the moment.

Maybe not so surprising for mid-week at this time of night, but nice.

Dakota stepped closer. “I bought the trunks on vacation a couple of years ago. The pair I’d packed got damaged and these were allthe hotel shop had. I keep them in my suitcase permanently now for such occasions.” He shrugged, unbuttoning his shirt.

“They’re … colorful,” Gavin said diplomatically.

“Okay, Mr. Boring.” Dakota shrugged out of the shirt, tossing it beside Gavin’s.

Gavin tried to ignore both the verbal jab and sight of Dakota’s lean muscles and the groove along his hip that disappeared below the waistband of the hideous swimwear he sported. God, he’d looked good at the club but Gavin hadn’t had nearly enough opportunity totouchhim.

“Mr. Boring?” Gavin protested, glancing down at his own trunks. They were cut a little shorter, a little snugger, and they looked damn good if he did say so himself. “These are perfectly nice shorts.”

“They’reblack. Along with everythingelseyou own, apparently.”

“You’ve got me there,” Gavin agreed with a rueful smile, kicking off his sandals. Interesting that Dakota had noticed what he wore. “Besides, how doyouknow what kind of swimwear I sport when I’m not around the team? Maybe I was trying to be a little more subdued for a work trip.”

Dakota raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I can believe you’d wear ones less … full coverage. I’d be shocked if they were more colorful though.”

“They’re … black and white print,” Gavin hedged.

“Ohh, really wild there.” Dakota’s tone was dry.

“You don’t think I can get wild?” Gavin raised his eyebrows. Because they’d given each other handjobs in the fucking club lastnight. And damn, if Dakota had any idea of the kind of stuff he’d gotten up to in his late teens and early twenties …

“Not when it comes to the way you dress.” Dakota turned away, sauntering toward the recessed spa area. He walked down the steps into it, sinking until he was covered to his shoulders.

He released a contented sigh, tilting his head back to stare upward, his expression peaceful.

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