Page 49 of Body Check

Though Dakota’s eyes had adjusted to the dimmer light a while ago, half of Gavin’s face was still in shadow. What Dakota could see, however, was filled with earnest sincerity.

“I was trying to hold off on my orgasm,” Gavin said, running a hand up his own neck and over his short hair in a gesture that seemed oddly bashful. “But I should have asked if it was okay.”

“You should have,” Dakota agreed. “But if you promise not to push your luck there in the future, yeah, let’s do this again.”

“Shit, really?” Gavin looked so pleased it almost made Dakota smile. “That would be great. Last night and tonight were …”

“They were,” Dakota agreed, and though he might not have had words for exactly what it was or why it had hit him so hard, there was some undeniable chemistry here. “And hey, it’ll beconvenient for us both, right? No more worrying about the apps. Or our crazy schedules.”

Gavin’s half-smile stretched into a grin. “That’s hardly the only selling point here.” He settled a hand on Dakota’s thigh, below where his cock lay soft and spent, and squeezed.

Despite the recent orgasm, Dakota’s dick twitched, like he was already interested in another round.

“It’s not,” Dakota agreed.

“So, as long as you understand there are times I’m going to bail on you. My schedule is erratic and frustrating and plans will fall through at the last minute, we’ll keep hooking up until one or the other of us feels like we should end it?”

Dakota smiled at the clear parameters. Honestly, it was reassuring. Despite his teasing about how cold-blooded Gavin had been earlier, he appreciated it. No reason to not be on the same page from the beginning or leave space for communication mishaps as they went.

“Yes, so long as you understand I’m not interested in negotiating the bottoming thing and you don’t get any say over my personal life or career,” Dakota countered.

Gavin nodded. “Seems fair. We’re in agreement.”

Dakota stuck out a hand. “Then we have another deal.”

Gavin laughed, shaking firmly, before he gently tugged.

It wasn’t hard enough to pull Dakota in without him coming willingly, but he let himself fall forward, bracing his palms against Gavin’s broad chest. His nose filled with the scent ofchlorine and something much more pleasant—the natural musk of Gavin’s body.

“We should probably get going soon,” Gavin said, but he was staring at Dakota’s lips and he sounded reluctant.

Dakota licked them. “We should.”

“Kiss me first?”

Dakota slid a hand up Gavin’s body, skating over his collarbone before wrapping around the back of his neck. “Okay.”

The kiss was a little slower and lazier than earlier, less of a fight for dominance than an easy give and take. Dakota let out a pleased hum and Gavin ran a hand down his bare spine, fingers dipping into the waistband of Dakota’s shorts but going no farther.

Dakota shifted forward, deepening the kiss, as a woman called out, “Is someone still out here?”

Dakota reared back, wide-eyed, and Gavin looked equally startled, his arm clamping tightly around Dakota for a moment before he let go.

Gavin brushed his fingers across his lips, clearing his throat before he called back, “Yes. We’ll be right out!”

“Fuck!” Dakota swore under his breath as he stumbled to his feet.

“Hey. It’s okay.” Gavin stood too, settling a heavy hand on Dakota’s shoulder, his voice pitched so low, Dakota had to strain to hear him. “We’ll clean up in here best we can, and then we’ll walk out like we did nothing wrong.”

“We got off in front of the city of LA on a public roof deck,” Dakota hissed. He was pretty sure they’d violated some public indecency laws, or, if not, at least some hotel policies.

They’ddefinitelyviolated their employment contracts.

Gavin shrugged. “Youridea, may I remind you. I was planning to go back to your room.”

Dakota huffed but nodded. That was fair. And well, he certainly didn’t have abetterplan.

Dakota ran a hand through his disheveled hair, patting it into place before he got to work on the cushions they’d scattered around the cabana. Gavin carefully wrapped their filthy towel in another one, then set it on the floor.

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