Page 5 of Body Check

Shit.

Gavin had hoped meeting him in his own space, in more casual wear, would bring the tension down a little. Instead, it seemed to have done the opposite.

Dakota always seemed effortlessly casual and put together. Sort of … elegantly collected and a little imperious. Haughty was the word for it, maybe.

Except when he’d been rightly tearing Gavin a new one for what he’d said about his hiring.

“I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and get in a workout after we were done here,” he explained. “Apologies if my look offends you.”

Dakota crossed his arms over his chest. “Ever tried Pilates?”

Gavin eyed the sex swing contraption warily. “Can’t say I have.”

“Any interest?”

“Not really?” he hedged, figuring that was better than an outright no. “Pretty happy with my current cardio and weights routine.”

He resisted the urge to flex.

“Mmm.” Dakota pursed his lips again, obviously unimpressed. “Well, my office is this way, if you’re ready.”

“Sure,” Gavin said, stepping forward.

Dakota threw him a look over his shoulder. “Shoes arenotpermitted within the studio. As I clearly stated on the sign by the door. Please leave them on the mat there.”

“Right.” Gavin bent over, wincing at the pull in his hamstrings as he tugged at the laces on his sneakers. “Sorry.”

They knotted, becauseof coursethey did, and Dakota watched him with a cool, dispassionate stare that left Gavin feeling like a hopeless idiot.

After he’d finally fumbled enough to work them loose and kicked the shoes off, he dropped the sneakers on the mat beside a pair of smaller brown ankle boots. Dakota’s, presumably.

When Gavin followed Dakota into his office, he blinked in surprise at the décor.

Dakota had certainly made it his own in a very short period of time.

There was what looked like a handwoven tapestry on the wall behind the desk, a cream-colored rug below it, and a plethora of plants and polished crystals hanging in front of the wide window.

Ugh, just as Gavin suspected. He was one ofthoseguys.

Gavin fought off the urge to sneer at the large chunk of purple crystal on the desk.

Instead, he glanced up at Dakota, who was studying his face, eyes narrowed.

“So,” Gavin said, clearing his throat and trying to get this situation under control. “What was it you wanted to meet with me about?”

“Your denial of my request for additional equipment for the studio.”

Gavin took a deep breath. “While I understand that it’s important to you, we’ve already spent a great deal on what you currently have. It simplyisn’tin the budget to expand it at the moment.”

“But it’snecessary,” Dakota said calmly.

“According to you.”

“With twenty-three players on the roster at any given time, there are waits to use the equipment.”

“That’s hardly unusual. We don’t have twenty-three squat racks or bikes in the gym either,” Gavin pointed out. “Guys take turns. That’s why we have them alternating gym time and studio time. It’s been working well so far.”

“According towhom?” Dakota asked, his voice rising. “Have you spoken to the players?”

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