Page 10 of Shattered On Ice

His fingers slow as he slides down low, easing under the waistband of my shorts, which raises goosebumps across my skin. His thumbs massage slowly as he holds my hips, and suddenly it feels less like a sun protectant application and more like the prelude to getting fucked.

I want to turn and pin him to the bench seat as I grind my cock against his. I want to swallow his moans as I attack his mouth and get that missed kiss that haunts me.

His hands move back up almost reluctantly. He squeezes my shoulders when he finishes, and it might be all in my head how the tips of his fingers linger before he finally pulls away from my skin.

“Thanks,” I croak, fighting to keep my voice even and losing. Badly.

“Again, it was my pleasure,” he says with a flirty smile that does nothing to settle the action in my shorts.

“Knight, quit trying to steal my friend! Leave Westy alone and get in here,” Rook shouts from the lake.

“Fuck,” Knight mumbles just loud enough for me to hear before he moves away from me with a speed that doesn't match his usual calm, cool, and collected attitude.

A streak of unease oozes down my spine. He’s summed up the situation perfectly with that one word.

I’m a shitty friend to be lusting after Knight, knowing he’s my best friend’s brother. Fuck is right. I glance back at Knight and catch the guilty expression he’s trying to cover by turning his back on the water. I look over the edge of the boat, attempting to maintain my own neutral expression. Rook’s treading water as he holds onto the inflatable pizza slice that Indiana Bones is resting on, watching us with more attention than I’d like.

“Just getting some more sunscreen,” I say, forcing a smile.

Nothing to see here.

I grab the pool float again and jump into the lake. The rush of water over my body, along with the muffled noises and murky green water, is the reset needed. It reminds me to keep my shit together before I ruin a friendship because I’m horny.

I resurface, shaking water off my face and adjusting the donut floatie in my arms so I can face my teammates. I don't know why Nico got food-shaped floats, but it makes for a colorful collection as we float in the water. After that refreshing dunk, I recommit to being a better friend and staying away from Knight. He became my personal Kryptonite the moment he walked into my life.

“What are you doing with your off-season?” Rook asks, pushing his float beside me.

“Going home to Québec to see my family. Golfing. Some rehab and training. You know, the usual.”

“Come on, man, that’s boring,” Rook says, splashing water at me.

I laugh and wipe water from my face. “We get like two months off. What else am I supposed to do with everything else going on? I’ll be lucky to stay in shape and rehab this fucking knee if I’m lucky.” I let my legs float up in front of me and nod at my right knee, which took a beating during the playoffs. I couldn’t be too precious with it at the end of the season when we were in contention for the Cup, but now I’m working to make sure whatever the fuck was going on is good to go before I’m back on the ice come October.

“Well, you should do something fun for your own sake. You’ll regret all work and no play next February when you’ve been going nonstop for so long, trust me.” He shakes his head and repositions his dark sunglasses over his eyes. “I’m going to Italy in August. It’s going to be hot as hell, but it’s worth it for the food and the ladies.”

I cock my head and stare at him. “When did you decide this?” I ask, trying to keep the surprise out of my voice. He normally tells me everything.

“Yesterday. I booked my flights and hotels last night," he answers, like that’s a totally normal thing to do. "I’ll be enjoying the Amalfi Coast with a signora on each arm for two weeks, crushing limoncello and Aperol spritzes like it’s my job without a care in the world.”

“Damn, that sounds good,” Nico says, using his free arm to swim over with his ass stuck in a donut ring and a beer in his hand. “I’ll be in Miami most of the summer, but I’m going to Puerto Rico to visit family. I might island hop a bit while I’m in the Caribbean.”

“A tropical vacation is cool, but don’t you want to vary it up?” Chad asks, duck paddling over with a pool noodle between his legs. “I’m going to Alaska to fish. It’ll be sunny and cool, so I get the best of both worlds.”

Damn, all of them have these amazing plans, and I’ll be working out and visiting my family, which is always a double-edged sword. I love my family, but going home is such a bittersweet experience. So much history there that still haunts me.

“What about you guys, what are your plans?” Rook asks Ryder and Knox, who are facing each other over a popsicle-shaped float and looking a little lost in their own world.

They startle, hands appearing from the water where they'd been hidden.

“Oh, come on! Fuck off with that shit, dudes,” Campbell grumbles. “Keep the tuggies at home and the lake jizz-free, for fuck’s sake.”

Ryder just grins wolfishly. “Can’t help it if my dude is hot as shit and I can’t keep my hands off him.”

“Ryder,” Knox cautions with an embarrassed laugh. He blows out a breath before he continues. “We’re getting married in August and honeymooning in Hawaii. I haven’t gotten all of your RSVPs, though. Who’s coming? It’s going to be small, on Lake Michigan, at this beautiful private resort we found.”

I raise my hand. “I already sent my RSVP. I can't wait.”

“You’re such a glazer,” Chad says, laughing so hard he nearly falls off his pool noodle. His last round of rum was a strong pour.