Page 9

Gavin felt warm and loose the following evening as he left the restaurant and waited for a car service to take him back to the hotel.

The southern California air was so mild compared to Boston and between the orgasm with Dakota last night, and a couple of glasses of wine tonight, he was in a good mood. He was tempted to walk back to where they were staying, but LA was so spread out and nowhere near as walkable as Boston.

Still, it had been a good night so far. Gavin hadn’t made a great deal of progress on hashing out a deal with Jed Reilly, the LA Stars general manager, but they were closing in on something.

The Stars were solid defensively, and, if anything, needed to shore up their offense. Boston had the opposite problem and while there weren’t many current pieces Gavin could move, the Harriers did have a decent prospect system and a couple of draft picks he could offer. He didn’t want to leverage their future for a shot at a Cup run now, but he was under substantial pressure to at least give the team a chance while Connor O’Shea was still playing at a high level.

Besides, his latest acquisition of Jesse Webber had certainly gone well.

Jesse was fitting in like a dream and if they could get a few good defensive pieces in front of him and win more games, that mid-level ranking they currently had would rise.

On the ride to the hotel, Gavin tapped out some notes on his phone, adding important points in the meeting he wanted to remember while they were still fresh in his head.

He was still mulling over possible trades as he stepped into the hotel lobby. Several people came out of the restaurant nearby, laughing, and Gavin realized it was Jesse and Connor along with an attractive couple he didn’t recognize. They were maybe in their late fifties or early sixties, polished and stylish.

“Gavin!” Jesse said, grinning when he spotted him. “Hey, you should meet my parents. We were having dinner. This is the first time they’ve met Connor.”

From the happy look on all of their faces, it had gone well.

Gavin held out a hand to the elegantly dressed woman. She had rich brown hair lightly streaked with silver and gold, and striking features that bore a strong resemblance to Jesse’s.

Gavin smiled at her. “Very nice to meet you. I’m Gavin Racine. The team’s general manager.”

“Yes, I know who you are,” she said with a small laugh. “I’m Amanda Webber.”

Jesse’s father—a tall handsome man who was aging incredibly well—held out his hand. “Ethan Webber. Great to meet you.”

“You manage the LA Mavericks baseball team,” Gavin said, shaking his hand.

Ethan nodded. “I do.”

As they made small talk for a few moments, Gavin noticed Connor seemed quietly content as he rested a hand on Jesse’s lower back. Apart from a quick kiss on the plane and dancing and kissing at the club, Gavin hadn’t noticed Jesse or Connor being overly demonstrative in public so far, but Gavin took it as a good sign they were comfortable being open about their involvement, both around the team and the general public.

As much as Gavin liked and respected Connor, he’d half-expected him to shy away from it. But this relationship really did seem to be agreeing with him, like Jesse’s love and affection was a cool oasis he drank greedily from after being parched for a very long time.

Gavin stifled a chuckle at his overly poetic and fanciful thoughts. Well, it felt accurate, but what did he know about happy, healthy relationships?

He thought of his own failed marriage to Rory. All he could do was hope Jesse and Connor would do better at maintaining the relationship than they had.

When the conversation reached a natural lull a few minutes later, Gavin smiled at the group. “Well, I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your evening.” He held out a hand to Ethan. “Great to meet you both.”

He shook both their hands again and Amanda’s tone was warm as she said, “We’re looking forward to coming to the game tomorrow night.”

Despite the two-day break, Gavin wasn’t feeling terribly optimistic about them pulling out a win, but he smiled, nodded, and faked it, calling out one final “good night!” before he turned toward the elevators.

When he stepped around the corner where they were located, he unexpectedly came face-to-face with Dakota.

“Hi,” Gavin said. They hadn’t had a chance to talk since they went to the club last night and he wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate their interactions now.

“Hey.” Dakota looked equally surprised as he punched the Up button. “Just getting in for the night?”

“It’s not that late, is it?” Gavin glanced at his watch. “Only a few minutes after nine.”

They’d been out until the wee hours last night, although to give everyone credit, no one had actually appeared hungover this morning at practice.

Hoyt had worked them hard, but everyone had kept up fine.

“Later in Boston,” Dakota pointed out. “Although I have to admit, I feel wide-awake at the moment. My body hardly knows which way is up on road trips like this. I can only imagine how the guys deal with it.”

“Yes. It can be a little disorienting.” Gavin leaned in, speaking quietly in Dakota’s ear. “And for the record, I got back from a dinner meeting with Jed Reilly.”

When Dakota looked at him blankly, he added, “GM of the LA Stars?”

Dakota gave him a helpless shrug. “Ahh, sorry. I don’t always know all of the names of the head office people on other teams. Hockey wasn’t really my sport before I started the private training and working for the Harriers. I’m trying to get caught up but …”

“It’s a lot to absorb,” Gavin agreed. The elevator doors slid open, and he gestured for Dakota to precede him. “What was your sport?”

“Soccer.”

“Interesting. What made you choose that?” Gavin selected their floor and another person got on, picking the floor two below them.

Dakota shrugged. “Soccer is popular in Seattle and, really, the Pacific Northwest in general. Plus, my sister was really into it growing up. Wanted to follow in her footsteps.”

“Fair enough.” The elevator doors closed. “So what were you doing in the lobby? Unless that’s none of my business.”

Dakota chuckled. “No big secret. I was asking about the hours of the pool area. I know I probably could have found it on the website or in the booklet on the desk in our rooms, but I wanted to stretch my legs.”

“Oh nice. Planning to do some laps before bed?”

“I was more interested in the jetted spa, actually. But yes, I’m thinking about changing and heading up there.” Dakota glanced at his phone. “I’ve got about an hour before they close.”

“Is that something you like to do regularly? Soak in the spa?” Gavin asked.

“It is. I find it relaxing. You?”

“Oh, I’ve enjoyed spending some time in them as well.” Gavin smiled, thinking of several memorable occasions on vacations with Rory. They might have had their struggles, but when they’d burned hot, they’d been incandescent.

Dakota’s eyebrows lifted. “Why do I get the feeling you didn’t really have relaxation in mind when you were in them?”

“No idea,” Gavin said, widening his eyes into his most earnest look. “Besides, I think we already established … certain activities can be very relaxing.”

Dakota ducked his head, hiding a smirk. “You make a good point.”

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.”

“You did bring 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 know what he’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 all the 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 to touch him.

“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’re black . Along with everything else you 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 do you know 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 last night. 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.

Rather than fire a retort back, Gavin simply stood there, watching Dakota for a moment, enjoying how relaxed he looked. What must it feel like to be so at ease?

Though, admittedly, he had been a hell of a lot more relaxed since last night.

After a moment, Dakota shifted to take a seat on one of the full-size built-in benches, looking up at Gavin with a faintly quizzical expression, like he couldn’t figure out why Gavin was still standing there instead of joining him in the water.

That was an excellent point, so Gavin stepped forward, walking down the tiered steps into the spa.

The water was the perfect temperature, hot but not too hot, and Gavin let out his own sounds of pleasure as he sank into the bubbling water, floating for a moment.

Gavin joined Dakota, sitting a few feet away despite the fact the spa was easily big enough for a dozen people.

The hotel was located in a high-rise near the arena, and the pool deck overlooked the sprawl of the city, beautifully visible from where they sat. The sky was dark—or, as dark as it ever got in LA—with the city gleaming around them. The pool and spa were illuminated by underwater lights, turning them a glowing shade of greenish blue. Low golden sconces glowed along the walls of the pool deck and lanterns were scattered among the roomy loungers. The only sounds were the faint noises from the pool filter, the soft bubble of water in the spa, and the city noises far below.

“Wow,” Gavin said, awed.

“Right?” Dakota gave him a smile. “Hell of a view.”

“It really is. I should take advantage of stuff like this more often.”

“Huh, if I had access to places and views like this all of the time, you’d never pry me away. Then again, this is normal for you, I suppose.”

Gavin wondered what Dakota meant at first before he considered what Dakota’s salary was versus his. Gavin could vacation at ritzy resorts and stay in fine hotels without ever worrying about his budget, Dakota, probably not so much. Not in a city as expensive as Boston, anyway. “Fair enough. Sometimes I get too accustomed to how lucky I am.”

Because while yes, he’d grown up with money, he’d had periods of his life where he’d struggled. He’d had periods where he’d nearly thrown away everything he’d worked so hard for. To be here—not in LA specifically, but in charge of a team like the Harriers—was a privilege he shouldn’t take for granted.

“I’d imagine you worked very hard to get where you are though,” Dakota said, echoing some of his internal musings.

“I did,” Gavin agreed, stretching his arms out along the pool deck, his fingertips brushing Dakota’s shoulder. “But I also had luck and, most importantly, connections.”

“Those do go a long way, don’t they?” Dakota said softly. He didn’t pull away.

“Yes.”

For a few minutes, they sat there silently, the water softly bubbling around them, the city lights twinkling.

“If you don’t usually take full advantage of all of the things that places like this have to offer, why did you come up here tonight?” Dakota asked.

“I wanted to spend time with you,” Gavin said bluntly.

He had to be careful here, because the last thing he wanted was to make Dakota uncomfortable, but they had hooked up last night and Gavin hoped that it hadn’t been a one-time thing.

Since Gavin had realized they were alone up here, his mind had lingered on the thought of Dakota’s mouth on his cock, all of these stories above the city.

It might be worth it to make another move and see where it could go.

“There’s … something here, isn’t there?” He gestured between them and when he lowered his hand, he let it press more firmly against Dakota’s shoulder.

Dakota regarded him for a moment. “What kind of something?”

“You’re really going to make me say it?” Gavin asked, amused. It was a power move but he hadn’t gotten the impression that was Dakota’s thing.

Dakota shrugged. “Up to you. I don’t like speaking in vague insinuations. If you want something, tell me.”

Gavin leaned in. “Cards on the table. I’m single. You’re single. Last night was fucking incredible and we’re both too busy to date or even manage hookups with anyone else. Are you interested in a purely physical relationship for a while?”

Dakota’s expression turned thoughtful.

“Just to be clear on what exactly you’re proposing, you’re talking about us hooking up regularly?”

Gavin shrugged, the water rocking a little from the movement. “Schedules willing, but yeah. That was the idea.”

“Not dating, right?”

“Do you want to date?” Gavin asked, a little surprised. Because he hadn’t gotten that vibe from Dakota at all.

Dakota recoiled. “God no.”

“Well, you’re great for a guy’s ego,” Gavin shot back.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” A faint smile crossed Dakota’s lips. “I don’t actually think we’d be well suited in a relationship either, but my thoughts on dating honestly have nothing to do with you whatsoever. They’re … I got out of a bad long-term relationship last summer. I have no interest in dating anyone at this point in my life.”

“Believe me, I understand.”

“Yeah, at least my breakup wasn’t all over the internet.” Dakota let out a soft huff of a laugh.

Gavin gave him a rueful look. “Googled me, did you?”

“Maybe a little. Sorry.”

“Nah. You’re fine. It’s all out there, so there’s nothing I can do about it. You’re surprisingly hard to find anything out about though,” he admitted.

“You checked?”

Gavin shrugged. “Well, yes, during your interview process. I did run across some articles about your yoga studio in Seattle.”

Dakota’s face tightened. “You know, that’s ancient history. I’m more interested in discussing the future.”

Gavin arched an eyebrow. “ Is there one? Beyond a cordial working relationship and your attempts to get me to stretch and relax, anyway?”

Though, he was feeling pretty relaxed at the moment. If not for the constant low thrumming tension between him and Dakota, he could drift off, lulled by the quiet and the gentle bubbles.

“I think you’re incredibly cold-blooded about this,” Dakota said with a soft laugh.

“You said you didn’t like vague,” Gavin pointed out. “But you don’t like the way I cut through the bullshit? Okay, fine. Let’s heat this up again.”

Gavin slid even closer, their hips and thighs tightly pressed together, his lips right up against Dakota’s ear, although there was no one around them to overhear. “Tell me you didn’t enjoy last night.”

“Of course I did. I just don’t know if a repeat is a good idea.”

“Why not?”

Dakota bit his lip. “I don’t know for sure, but I think Thad might have seen us at the club.”

Reflexively, Gavin glanced around, like he’d find his brother lurking nearby. “Why? What did he say?”

“Nothing, really. He just sort of hinted at it. Honestly, it was a vague comment about me having fun or something. It wasn’t so much what he said as how he said it.”

“Okay,” Gavin said slowly. “Well, that is a little weird, but honestly it could have simply been him trying to get a reaction out of you.”

“It could have been,” Dakota agreed.

“Look, if you don’t feel comfortable with hooking up again, I get that,” Gavin said slowly, dragging his thumb along the side of Dakota’s neck and watching his throat bob as he swallowed. “But if Thad is the only thing worrying you, leave him to me.”

“He’s not the only thing,” Dakota said.

“Well, I can handle my brother,” Gavin countered with a scoff. “Don’t you trust me?”

“I don’t know you,” Dakota said, turning to look at him. “And I have a lot more at stake here than you do.”

Gavin winced. Okay. Fair. Both points were, really. “Do you trust I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your career?”

“Intentionally? Of course not. But if someone doesn’t like us being involved, you’re not the one who’s out on his ass.”

Huffing, Gavin sat back. “I am technically your boss. I assure you, this could come back to bite me in the ass too.”

“True,” Dakota conceded. “But that doesn’t change my risk.”

Gavin sighed. “I get that. And I mean it, if you don’t want to risk it, I understand. But Dakota, you can’t deny how fucking hot we were together.”

“I’m not denying anything,” he protested. “But that was one night. Even if I put all the work stuff aside, we’re still mismatched. We’re both tops, or close enough to it, and I don’t see this working out well long-term. I know exactly how it’ll go. You’ll get fed up with not getting your dick in me and we’ll start arguing about it and then it’ll go from fun to being a chore.”

“Wow you’re cynical,” Gavin said.

“I’ve been there too many times, Gavin.”

“Hey, I get that guys have been a dick about it in the past,” Gavin acknowledged. “And you don’t want to bottom? That’s no problem. We both have lips, both have mouths and hands and thighs. If you think we can’t fuck each other without my dick going in your ass, then you’re the inflexible one here.”

He let his hand settle on Dakota’s thigh, squeezing lightly.

Dakota’s gulp was audible. “It is getting pretty … hot in here all of a sudden.”

Gavin smirked. “Then how about we leave the hot tub and go find another room to steam up?”