Page 9 of Body Check

Dakota’s eyes were an unusual shade of greenish-gray and Gavin took a moment to really study the rest of his features. He’d noticed Dakota’s body of course. It was hard not to when he dressed in snug workout gear and had his ass up in the air more often than not when Gavin walked by his studio.

But Gavin had never reallylookedat his face. Studied it.

Dakota was handsome, with thick, shaggy dirty-blond hair, and short facial hair, somewhere between heavy stubble and an actual beard. His skin was slightly olive-toned, sprinkled with a few freckles, and he licked his full lips, leaving them shiny.

It brought to mindotherthings and Gavin shifted, clearing his throat.

Yeah, he really needed to get laid soon. He’d made plans for after the game last night, only to have to cancel when he got caught up in an impromptu meeting with one of the team owners.

Story of his life.

“Okay,” Dakota said thoughtfully. “Well, if you’re serious about wanting help, why don’t you come to my studio this weekend? I could meet you before the optional skate on Saturday.”

“Uhh, sure,” Gavin said, returning his attention to their conversation. “Anything I can dobeforethen other than downing over-the-counter painkillers?”

“Well, laying off the alcohol would help,” Dakota said, his tone dry.

Gavin slugged back the few mouthfuls of whiskey left in his glass, the chilled stones rattling as he set it on the counter nearby.

Dakota snorted. “Proving a point there or what?”

“As you mentioned earlier,” Gavin pointed out, “itissome rather fine Irish whiskey. I wouldn’t want to offend our host and hostess by leaving it half-drunk.”

The Thanksgiving open house they were at had been organized by Declan and Catherine O’Shea. Declan was a former Boston Harriers player, and three of his four sons had played for the organization. Connor was the only one left on the roster, but the family name carried a staggering amount of weight in this city.

“I’m sure they’d understand.”

Gavin held up his hands. “I promise that’s the last one I’ll drink today.”

“Today,” Dakota said, his tone laced with derision, though humor lurked around his eyes and the corners of his mouth.

Gavin grinned. “Well, I wouldn’t want to promise more than I can deliver.”

“Says the man who sounds cocky as hell about the team’s chances in his interviews.”

“I’m not cocky!” Gavin protested. “I’m … trying to project an aura of confidence around the team and what we’re doing with this re-tool.”

Because God knows, he didn’t always feel it.

“Mmm,” Dakota said like he didn’t quite believe it. “Well, maybe try alternating the alcohol and some electrolyte water going forward.”

“That I can do,” Gavin agreed. He reached for the nearby refrigerator door handle, pulling it open, then grabbing a sports drink.

“Spend a lot of time here, huh?” Dakota asked, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.

He was dressed well today, wearing a cream-colored open-weave sweater and black trousers that hung loosely around his hips. It should have looked sloppy, but he wore it well, his perfect posture and toned shoulders giving him a look of easy confidence. Fashionable rather than careless.

“Nah,” Gavin said, cracking the bottle open. “I’ve been to a few of these holiday get-togethers and some smaller dinners, but honestly, earlier I overheard Catherine tell some of the guys to help themselves to anything in here. Since Declan was so generous with his Irish whiskey, I figured he wouldn’t begrudge me one of these.”

He held up the bottle in another toast.

Dakota huffed quietly, but held up his own glass. It looked like it had come from the pitcher of non-alcoholic cranberry ginger punch that Gavin had seen earlier.

“So, less alcohol,” Gavin prompted. “More hydration. What else?”

“Do you meditate?”

Gavin scoffed. “What doyouthink?”

---