Free Exposed by Sierra Riley Page A

bother,” Gabriel murmured as he came to lean his elbows on the bar, then glanced sideways at Briar.
    Briar’s cheeks heated up for a moment. Gabriel was direct about his interest now that he seemed to sense he had permission to be. Briar liked that straightforwardness.
    “Have to keep up appearances.”
    “Mm.” Gabriel eyed him. “Will anyone stop you? Will anyone even care? You can probably sleep with me all week long.”
    “They wouldn’t care for my sake, but yours.”
    “Oh,” Gabriel winked, turning sideways to lean his hip against the counter. His chest was just a few inches away from Briar’s shoulder now. It was easy for Briar to smell that fresh, faintly fruity scent—what was it? Conditioner? Shampoo? God, he liked it.
    Gabriel leaned in to whisper, “Looking out for my reputation? How sweet.” He scanned the dance floor and seating areas, then shook his head when the bartender looked at him.
    Briar glanced up and down Gabriel, taking in his loose print t-shirt and ripped jeans. He loved the extra peeks at his skin, and he itched to slip his finger into one of those holes.
    So to speak.
    “Had enough to drink?” Briar teased.
    “One glass of champagne, when Kingston wouldn’t leave me alone. I’d rather save my calories for a proper meal tomorrow.”
    Briar laughed quietly. “I can order supper into my room.”
    “Now there’s a man who knows how to win me over.” Gabe tugged on his t-shirt, then fidgeted with the loose threads. “I’d better say goodbye to a few important people.” He didn’t sound very motivated, though.
    Briar winked. “At your leisure. Top floor, door on the end.”
    “I’ll see how I feel,” Gabriel smirked. “If anyone makes me a better offer.”
    “Salad with steak?”
    This time, Gabriel laughed. He was too taken aback to hide his amusement, which was greatly pleasing. “And ranch dressing.”
    Briar smirked right back, then turned on his heel to head for the exit.
    The hallway outside was cooler, and Briar strode through the foyer without a glance for those milling about outside. As he took the marble stairs up, he slipped his phone out of his pocket to check for important messages.
    Nothing more important than Gabe.
    As soon as Briar unlocked his hotel room door, he tossed his key on the side table and kicked his shoes off, then hung up his suit jacket. After unbuttoning his shirt sleeves and the top few buttons of his shirt, he loosened his tie.
    Good and comfortable now, he picked up the hotel phone to order room service.
    “Yes, one steak salad with ranch dressing.”
    “Right away, sir. Anything else?”
    Briar didn’t know what Gabriel liked to drink. “Still and sparkling water. That’s it. Thanks.”
    Briar hung up and ran a hand down his face. As gently amused as he was at Gabe’s tiredness, he was exhausted, too. He’d sleep solidly tonight.
    He hoped Gabe showed. Surely to God he would, but out of the blue, Austin’s words from earlier that week rattled around his head.
    He’ll be mine.
    A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. “Room service.”
    The hotel guy dropped off the meal with a neat little tray and utensils and the whole nine yards, and Briar nodded, slipping him a tip.
    It wasn’t more than thirty seconds before there was another, softer, knock.
    Briar opened the door instantly, smiling as Gabriel slipped into the room.
    “Oh my God, you weren’t kidding.”
    Gabriel couldn’t tear his eyes off the room-service tray.
    Briar laughed under his breath. “I started off where you are, Gabe. I remember those weeks.”
    The look Gabriel shot him was genuine appreciation. He was too caught off-guard to give him the attitude.
    Briar just smiled back, glancing away after a moment and nodding toward the tray.
    Gabriel collapsed into the armchair and pulled the tray over to him to dig in without another word.
    Briar sat on the end of the bed, hitching one foot under himself and pressing his hands into the bed behind him.