Page 8

Gavin was vaguely confused when Dakota stood, holding out a hand to him. His eyebrows were lifted and he had a faint smirk on his face, like he was challenging Gavin to something.

So Gavin took his hand. He’d never backed down from a challenge before, and while he might not know exactly what Dakota wanted, it was clear this was a test of some sort.

Despite not knowing exactly what the test entailed, it was also clear Dakota was the prize at the other end.

And damn did he want him.

So he let Dakota pull him to his feet and up the stairs. They skirted the perimeter of the dance floor, Dakota searching through the crowd for something.

When the lights reflected off a familiar gleaming bald head not far from an auburn one, Gavin tugged Dakota close to shout in his ear. “Danny and Connor are over there, if that’s who or what you’re looking for.” He nodded his head toward the group of hockey players and staffers.

Dakota followed his line of sight and nodded. “Okay. Let’s join them.”

A flash of confusion shot through Gavin because, if anything, he’d thought they’d want to avoid people who worked for the Harriers organization, but he let Dakota pull him into the crowd of people.

Dakota deftly wove through the throng, but Gavin’s wider shoulders knocked into people as he followed in his wake, and he muttered apologies, getting a few bitchy glares and others that were more appreciative.

Dakota let go of his hand before they reached the cluster of people they knew, and Gavin suddenly missed the contact.

Most of them didn’t notice his and Dakota’s arrival.

Jesse was completely immersed in his dancing, Connor gamely trying to keep up, even though he obviously was out of his element. Danny, Leah, Graham, Tanner, and Kady were nearby, laughing about something as they swayed to the music.

Thad was nowhere to be found.

“Hey, guys,” Graham said with a happy smile as he glanced up. “Glad you found us.”

He looked flushed, his smile bright as he moved to the music. He wasn’t as fluid as Jesse, Tanner, Kady—or Dakota, Gavin quickly realized.

He’d begun to dance too, swaying and shifting to the music, graceful and sensual all at once. It made Gavin want to get his hands all over him, but he forced himself to turn away a little.

He let the music flow through him, familiar, even though he didn’t know this song. But he’d spent so many nights in clubs. From seedy spots where cheap hookups and drugs were as readily available as liquor, to the elegant, exclusive spaces where Champagne flowed like water, Gavin had danced in them all.

Rory had loved it so much and Gavin felt an odd little catch in his throat when his gaze skipped over Connor and Jesse’s entangled bodies, reminded of the way Rory would dance with other men, gaze hot, showing off for Gavin.

He’d let them touch but never linger, and it was Gavin’s cock he had in his mouth during the drive home to their condo, the driver blissfully unaware of what was going on behind him with the partition up as they flew through the streets of Boston.

But that seemed like a lifetime ago and Gavin was here now, dancing with his team and his colleagues, so he pushed those thoughts away, focusing on the steady thump of the bass resonating in his breastbone and the glancing touch of hot bodies around him.

Time spooled away as Gavin gave himself over to the music, getting lost in it.

He danced until he was dripping sweat, and then unbuttoned his shirt, peeling it off. A cheer went up around him and he grinned, making a little show of it. Jesse got into it, hamming it up too, until Connor pulled him away and into his arms, giving him a kiss so sizzling Gavin wondered if there would be scorch marks on the floor around them.

Gavin tucked the shirt into the waistband of his trousers, then stole a glance at Dakota and caught him licking his lips, his face bathed in the bright glow of flashing lights. Their gazes caught and held for a moment and Gavin shivered at the sparks sizzling between them.

But Dakota turned away, gathering his messy hair into a rough stubby bun. He’d lost his shirt a while ago, his lean muscles rippling with every movement. His jeans were a little low, low enough the waistband of his underwear showed, just a peek that made Gavin’s mouth water, wanting to see more.

Dakota spun in a little circle, moving in time with something Kady did, both of them laughing.

Dakota’s torso was long and sleek, hairless, even below his navel. Gavin wanted to drop to the floor right there and drag his tongue down the bare skin, then use his teeth to tug the underwear down as he undid the button and zipper and stripped off his jeans.

Dakota shot him a look, heated but also warning, and Gavin glanced away again. So that was what this test was? Foreplay with a side of Gavin showing some restraint? Or was it to see who broke first?

He wanted to be mad at the lack of clarity, at the mixed signals, but instead, all he could feel was want .

A guy danced up to Gavin then, small and lithe, all fluttery lashes and pouty lips. He was gorgeous, with smooth brown skin on display in the tiny shorts he wore. He backed his ass up to Gavin’s fly, the movement of his hips so mesmerizing all Gavin could do was watch for a moment.

But then the guy leaned back, settling his back against Gavin’s chest, and all Gavin could think about was Dakota’s body pressed against his earlier.

Gavin shifted away, deftly spinning the guy into the arms of someone else. His would-be partner shot him a disappointed pout, but didn’t appear too put out as he wound his arms around the neck of his new suitor.

Now Dakota was dancing with Leah and Tanner, their moves silly and exaggerated.

Gavin laughed—although the sound was swallowed up by the pulsing beat of the music—and caught a glimpse of Danny and Graham laughing too.

A sudden surge of affection went through Gavin for this group, for Jesse, who had brought it all together. A flutter of hope too, that this—this bonding, this night—would be what the team needed, even if not all of the guys had come out tonight.

Was Gavin risking everything by thinking about getting involved with someone who worked for the team? Someone who worked for him ? But his gaze caught on Jesse and Connor, making out, lost in their own little bubble, and he thought no.

No, maybe not.

No, maybe this was exactly what he needed.

A tall, broad man moved in on Dakota, hands aggressive as he pulled Dakota close, and Gavin bristled. But Dakota slipped away, holding the guy at arm’s length while he shouted something to him.

The man disappeared with a frown.

Gavin caught Dakota’s eye roll as he moved a little closer to the group and Gavin thought maybe that was part of the test too. Maybe Dakota was making sure Gavin knew he could handle himself. Reminding Gavin he wasn’t a bottom. Wasn’t interested in having someone else take control.

Which weren’t always the same things, anyway, but clearly were for Dakota.

And while Gavin could admit the thought of sliding inside of Dakota’s incredible ass was something he’d thought about, it wasn’t the only idea he had of what they could do. There were a thousand other spots he could touch and taste. There were places to lick and suck, hell, even places to fuck.

And yes, if Dakota wanted it bad enough, Gavin might reconsider his own stance on getting fucked. Dakota didn’t know any of that, but maybe there was a way Gavin could show him.

Gavin knew the unspoken language in clubs like this, the subtle maneuverings as people came together and parted ways. Dancing was communication, it was foreplay, it was, well, a mating dance.

He picked his target, a guy who had been eyeing him up and down earlier but hadn’t made a move. They were of fairly equal height, though he was less muscular than Gavin, and he gave Gavin a surprised look when Gavin moved in close and slung an arm around his neck.

“Somehow, I got the feeling you weren’t into me earlier,” he shouted in Gavin’s ear.

“You might be surprised,” Gavin said vaguely.

He shifted, turning his back to the guy, letting him wrap his hands around Gavin’s hips and grind against him.

They were both overheated and sweaty, chest and back sliding together. Gavin locked gazes with Dakota, allowing the other guy to control their movements, watching the flicker of surprise on Dakota’s face.

Gavin smirked, not looking away until Dakota did.

Gavin danced with the guy for a while, trying to get lost in the music again, but on the inside, he was vibrating, waiting for that heated moment when Dakota would glance his way again.

It happened over, and over, until Gavin was barely aware of the man at his back, the one with his hands all over him. All he could think about was getting Dakota’s hands on him.

When he could no longer stand it, he finally pulled away, ignoring the stranger’s confused noises before he plunged into the crowd of writhing bodies. He made it as far as the bar and ordering a water before Dakota was beside him.

His gaze was heated as he took Gavin’s hand again, pulling him toward the back of the club. They wove through a hallway, to where it was dim and shadowy. Around them were other couples, other men kissing and grinding together.

Dakota pushed him against the wall, his eyes glittering in the dim light. “ Yes ,” was all he said but it was enough.

Their mouths met in a heated clash, tongues dueling, before Gavin reminded himself if Dakota wanted to be in charge, he should let him. He bent his neck to reach Dakota’s mouth better and softened his lips, letting his tongue flick inside his mouth, groaning at the taste.

When Dakota shoved a thigh between his, he widened his stance, trailing a hand up Dakota’s bare back, his skin damp from sweat. He traced the faint groove along his spine, dipping down to the small of his back before sliding upward again.

Dakota pressed warm palms to his Gavin’s chest as he kissed him harder, tongue delving a little more deeply. Dakota tweaked his nipple and Gavin groaned at the sharp bolt of sensation that shot through him, settling low in his belly. He was already hard, had been since they were dancing, but this ratcheted it up a notch, and he buried his hand in Dakota’s hair, the elastic slipping off and onto the floor.

Dakota let out a low noise, dragging his blunt fingernails down Gavin’s chest. He shuddered, bucking against Dakota, who flattened his hand and slid it below Gavin’s waistband.

But there was no room to maneuver, and with a frustrated noise, Dakota pulled away a little, their mouths still joined. He fumbled for Gavin’s button and zipper, biting at his lower lip when he got them undone, plunging his hand inside and wrapping it around Gavin’s cock.

The fabric of his underwear was still a barrier, but even that felt incredible.

“Fuck,” Gavin rasped, and Dakota laughed against his mouth.

But before Gavin could say anything else, Dakota kissed him again. All Gavin could do was hang on as Dakota shoved the underwear out of the way, the elastic catching uncomfortably on his dick and balls. But it didn’t matter, not when his hand was on his cock, not when he kissed Gavin harder, hand and tongue both working in a perfect rhythm.

It was incredible, electric and sizzling, but still not enough. Not when Gavin wanted Dakota to come too. Not when he wanted to see him writhe and pant, desperate and hungry for release.

Gavin fumbled for Dakota’s waistband, working the fastenings loose. He pushed his jeans and underwear out of the way, happy to finally get his hand on his dick.

It was perfect, just the right size and length, and Gavin shuddered when he realized he was uncut. It made stroking him easy, fluid and effortless, and Gavin hissed when Dakota tore his mouth away, panting against his cheek.

“Gavin,” he moaned, and the sound went straight to Gavin’s cock, making him even hungrier to see and feel him let go.

“What do you want? Tell me.”

But Dakota didn’t answer. Not with words anyway, just pulled Gavin’s hand away, lifting it to his mouth.

Gavin shuddered when he licked his palm, their gazes locked together.

And then Dakota guided his hand down between their bodies, encouraging Gavin to wrap his hand around both their cocks. Gavin hissed at the heat of their shafts pressed together, then leaned in to kiss him again.

Dakota guided Gavin to stroke their cocks in unison and, with his free hand, Gavin reached down and got a handful of Dakota’s ass through the fabric of his underwear, encouraging him to fuck up into his fist.

It took a little bit of maneuvering before they found a rhythm, and it would have been better with lube, but the spit and sweat slicked their way enough to make it work, and Gavin shuddered with pleasure as Dakota kissed him again, deeply.

Hungrily.

Perspiration clung to their skin and Gavin could taste it on Dakota’s lips, feel the way their chests rubbed together, damp and slippery. Over the sound of the thumping music, slightly muffled by the walls of the hallway, Gavin could hear other guys nearby. Hear sighs and moans and the rustle of clothing, the wet sounds of a sloppy blowjob.

He wished he could watch, but he couldn’t bear to tear his mouth away from Dakota’s, not when he was kissing him like that, and he must have made a sound because Dakota nipped at his lower lip, murmuring something too quietly for him to hear.

They rocked together, desperately chasing their orgasms and it wasn’t long before Gavin was right at the edge and Dakota seemed to be too. They worked together to bring themselves—each other?—off, panting against each other’s mouths, desperate and horny and eager.

A shiver ran through Gavin at the thought that if anyone they knew walked by they could see them, might recognize them, might know exactly what they were doing. Might enjoy watching …

And then the pleasure that had been simmering in his gut boiled over. His release hit hard, ripping through him until he came with a low, desperate groan against Dakota’s mouth. Dakota’s grip tightened on the back of his hand, forcing him to keep going when he might have eased up, and Gavin squeezed his ass, head falling back to thump against the wall, body shaking as cum spilled out into his fist.

Dakota must have come at the same time, or close to it anyway, because there was suddenly cum everywhere, and he dropped his head, resting it against Gavin’s collarbone. His breath was hot, gusting over Gavin’s damp skin, hair tickling Gavin’s jaw.

Dakota tightened his grip on Gavin’s fist and kept working them over, dragging out the release until Gavin was trembling and over-sensitive and he finally had to pull away.

“Sorry,” Dakota murmured, pressing his mouth to Gavin’s throat. “Too much?”

“Ungh,” Gavin managed. His knees had liquified, his spine had melted, the wall and the pressure of Dakota’s body the only thing keeping him upright.

Dakota laughed softly but he didn’t move, leaning against Gavin’s body. Their chests rose and fell, breathing and heart rates gradually slowing.

Gavin’s palm was coated in a mixture of their cum and it was beginning to cool and feel gross. He eased his hand out from between their bodies and wiped it off on the wall. Disgusting, and he mentally apologized to whoever had to clean that up later, but considering what was happening around them, it probably wasn’t the first or last time and he didn’t know what else to do with it.

Dakota chuckled softly but made no move to pull away, except to slide the hand wrapped around Gavin’s fist around to his back. With nothing between them anymore, Dakota’s body fully settled against his.

Gavin should … do something. Should move, should go clean up, should really do anything, but he was too content to bother. Dakota seemed much the same. They were … cuddling, Gavin supposed, pressed full length against each other, and he belatedly realized his still had his hand stuck down the back of Dakota’s jeans and had a solid grip on his ass.

He squeezed it affectionately and felt a tickle against his collarbone as Dakota laughed.

But all too soon, Dakota sighed and stood upright. Gavin fluttered his eyes open in time to watch Dakota tuck his cock away and fasten his jeans.

He looked incredible, even in this dim light, and Gavin greedily drank in the sight of his body and the lazy smile on his face.

“What?” Dakota said, biting his lip and smoothing down his hair.

“Just enjoying the view,” Gavin said with a smile.

Everything seemed vaguely surreal as Dakota watched Gavin slowly pull himself together.

Had he really had sex with his boss in a public place? Had he initiated it?

Dakota glanced around, suddenly self-conscious as he thought about the people near them. They were hardly the only couple who’d taken advantage of this quiet corner. No one was full-on fucking, but even in the dim light it was impossible to miss the handjobs and blowjobs going on.

Across the way, a guy shot him a heavy-lidded, come-hither glance, as another man knelt on the floor in front of him, and Dakota looked away, his gaze landing on Gavin again.

Gavin had tucked his own cock away and was re-fastening his trousers, shirt still off. His biceps bulged, his chest broad and firm, and Dakota could attest to exactly how damn good all of him felt.

But with the pleasure of their mutual orgasms fading, Dakota was left feeling a little uneasy and unsure of how to play this. They worked together, for fuck’s sake. What had he been thinking?

But when Gavin glanced up, smiling and looking relaxed, he hooked his finger into Dakota’s belt-loop and tugged him in.

Dakota could have resisted, could have pushed him away, but he let himself be reeled in.

Gavin was hardly old at the age of forty-one but his hair was turning salt and pepper already, and the hair on his chest was quite silver.

And damn did that do something to Dakota.

He slid a hand between their bodies, his palm skating across Gavin’s chiseled abs, then up to caress his hard pecs, the silvery hair soft under Dakota’s palm.

Dakota could be as dismissive as he wanted about Gavin’s vanity muscles but he’d be lying if there wasn’t some deep, primal side of him that liked them anyway. That had made his mouth go dry at the look and feel of them.

Had made him feel reckless and devil-may-care.

The earlier banter, watching Gavin strip off his shirt on the dance floor, watching him dance … it had primed Dakota for this.

And although a part of him was uneasy and uncertain about what happened next, the remainder thrilled at what they’d done.

Because it had been scorching hot, chemistry crackling between them before exploding into a supernova of energy and desire.

Dakota briefly wondered what Gavin would say, but he didn’t say anything, merely dipped his head and kissed him, his tongue lazily exploring Dakota’s mouth, like he had all the time in the world.

Although tempted to indulge, Dakota was uneasy about lingering. The longer they waited here, the more likely it was someone they knew would pass by and see them.

Reluctantly, he drew away. “We should probably get back. Everyone will wonder where we are.”

They might have already figured out what they’d done.

“Yeah, okay.” Gavin squeezed his hip. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. Make sure my clothes aren’t covered in cum.”

He held up his hand, waggling his fingers, and Dakota’s skin heated at the reminder of what they’d done.

“I’ll be on the dance floor,” Dakota said, and walked away before he could change his mind.

The group was right where Dakota had left them, still dancing. Everyone looked flushed and happy, sweating from the heat of exertion and the mass of moving bodies.

Leah and Danny were tangled up together—okay, that was interesting, Dakota was going to have to talk to her about that some time—as were Connor and Jesse. Everyone else was vibing in a little circle, happy to dance.

Dakota slipped into the group next to Tanner, who shot him a bright smile, but no one else seemed to be paying any attention.

Maybe they’d assumed there was a long line for the bathroom, or at the bar.

Dakota forced himself to relax, moving in time with the music again, but he tensed when Gavin appeared a while later, clutching bottles in both hands.

“Anyone want water? I braved the line at the bar to grab us some.”

Cheers went up as Gavin handed them out.

He was still shirtless, but otherwise appeared perfectly pulled together, and the only indication that anything had happened was the heated look in his eyes as their fingers brushed when he handed a bottle to Dakota.

Feeling more confident they’d gotten away with it, Dakota downed some of the water. He laughed when Kady and Jesse both chugged then drizzled the remnants over their heads, nearly in unison.

“Goalie tandems,” Gavin said with amusement in his voice as he sipped his own water more slowly.

Dakota wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but he shot Gavin a smile anyway and gave into the pulsing rhythm of the music again.

It wasn’t until a while later, when Dakota was on his way to the bathroom and he passed the hallway where he and Gavin had hooked up earlier, that he ran into Thad. With a jerk of surprise—because Dakota had honestly forgotten he was there at all—he murmured an apology as they passed. “Sorry, didn’t see you there.”

Thad smirked, licking his lips as he dragged a hand through his hair, settling it into place. “No worries. Looks like we both had some fun tonight.”

Behind him, a guy did up his pants, movements lazy and content.

“Yeah, it’s been good,” Dakota said vaguely. “See you around.”

He made a beeline for the bathroom, and he had his fly unzipped before he realized what Thad had said. Was … had he seen Dakota getting off with his brother earlier?

Dakota froze, heart rabbiting for a few frantic moments.

But eventually, Dakota forced himself to pee and wash his hands, his face oddly sallow under the stark lights of the bathroom.

When he left, Thad stood in the hallway outside the door, casual and relaxed as he leaned against the wall in an eerie echo of Gavin’s earlier posture. Was it so similar because they were twins and had similar mannerisms. Or was Thad trying to tell him something?

Thad’s hand shot out, gripping Dakota’s forearm.

Dakota made a sound of protest, trying to shake him off, but Thad’s grip was too tight. He leaned in, his breath warm against Dakota’s ear as he said, “Be careful with my brother. He’s not who you think he is.”