Chapter Eleven
SOREN
The last colors of sunset fade into the purple sky. Countless trees cover the landscape under stars winking to life in the expansive sky, encircling a winter wonderland of towers, caves, a maze, and houses made of ice.
Snow crunches under our boots as Bax, Tyler, and I wander along the main path.
Rainbow lights glow from the snowy structures, coloring them yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple.
More colors dance across the sky like the Northern Lights I saw countless times during vacations to visit my grandparents.
We’re only an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities, but it looks like we’re in a different world.
“How did you find out about this place?” Bax glances around in wonder.
“Sage suggested it. He and Rhys came here a couple weeks ago. The same day I was sent back down to the Slash.” I don’t know where to look first, there’s so much and I want to see everything. “This reminds me of the Gargoyles Gateway holiday game.”
“Totally. I keep expecting to see fantasy creatures popping up.” Tyler tucks his gloved hand in mine. “You know, I’ve never worn so many clothes on a date before.”
We’re dressed like we’re going skiing. A layer of thermal long underwear, boots, coats, snow pants, gloves, hats.
I tug him between Bax and me, then wrap my arm around him. “The warmer we are, the happier we’ll be. Says so on the website.”
“If you need another layer, we’ll buy something from the gift shop.” Bax glances in the direction of the food vendors and seating areas with fire pits. “Or we can warm up there.”
Tyler tugs his scarf higher, covering his chin. “I’m okay for now. You’d think that from living in Canada, I would’ve gotten used to the cold, but I guess not.”
We wander past a wildlife scene with snowy bears, wolves, and other animals. Bax flips the end of Tyler’s scarf over his shoulder. “If you don’t like the cold, how did you end up playing hockey?”
“I don’t get cold when I’m on the ice. We move around too much.
” Tyler stops to peer into a small ice house with green and blue lights.
“But I started playing because of my dad. He grew up in Michigan, had hockey skates on almost as soon as he learned to walk, and did the same for me. A few of the guys he went to school with ended up in NAPH and PHL, so we cheered for those teams. I fell in love with the game the first time I played it. Being a hockey player is all I ever wanted to be.”
We come upon a castle large enough for us to walk through. I have my phone in hand, taking so many photos. Bax and Tyler encouraged me with the nice things they said about the pictures in my apartment, and their support gives me confidence that I might be okay at this new hobby.
The castle is made of wide ice bricks and windows embedded with rainbow lights. The walls are shiny and the snow on the ground shimmers under the lights. There’s a hush in the air, as silent as the trees lining the castle’s perimeter.
Thanks to the Slash having a game and Bax having a show yesterday, we weren’t able to spend Valentine’s Day together, and though we’re a day late and there aren’t any hearts and flowers cast in ice, just being with Bax and Tyler makes this place romantic.
We make our way into a cave that appears otherworldly with icy stalagmites and stalactites.
Bax turns in a slow circle. “If Layne were here, he’s try out the cave’s acoustics.”
“How’s he feeling?” I take a photo of caverns glowing with blue and purple lights that remind me of the stage lights at Winter Fest. Bax has been worried about Layne since his crowd surfing fall.
Sighing, Bax rubs his gloved hand over the back of his neck. “He was pretty sore for a few days, but that’s getting a lot better and his bruises are really colorful now. He’s really lucky he didn’t get hurt worse.”
Tyler wraps his arm around Bax’s waist as we exit the cave. “Has he told you anything more about the mystery guy?”
“I tried getting him to talk yesterday. He said he wasn’t ready.
” Concern for his friend coats his words.
His attention lands on the ice maze and he pulls us in that direction.
“But he seemed in a better mood. We hung out most of the day, watching movies before our show, then went to see a friend’s band. ”
Something about the arches and vaults reminds me of places I visited in Paris with my family as a kid.
I take a photo of Tyler, with his face turned up, staring at the stars beyond the towering, spiking walls.
“It’s good he has you to talk to. Knowing you’ll be there to listen whenever he is ready is a big deal. ”
We wander deeper into the maze, take a turn, and hit a dead end. Bax slides his arms around me, pulling into his puffy black coat. “I forgot to tell you, I wore my Slash T-shirt at yesterday’s gig.”
“I bet it looked good on you. The Metros shirt did.” I would’ve loved to see him rocking that yellow shirt, supporting me. He looked sexy in the Metros shirt last week, and wearing it meant a lot to Tyler. “Maybe you’ll wear it to another gig?”
His eyes twinkling, he touches his lips to mine. “Promise.”
Tyler slips my phone out of my hand and takes a photo of us kissing. “I miss looking down the ice and seeing you guarding the net. I wish we were still on the same team.”
Resting my head against Bax’s, I beckon Tyler closer and loop my arm around him. “Yeah, I want that again. I love playing with Phil and Gio, but I miss playing with Remy, Sage, and Morgan. And you, Ty.”
“Plus, no one on the Metros cares that we’re dating.” Ty’s mouth is cold on mine. The edges of his lips are purple, so we need to get him warmed up soon. “Not that many of the Slash teammates cared either, but I swear, the way Stephens would watch us, you’d think he’s a voyeur.”
Taking our hands, Bax draws us down the corridor to the next turn. “You’re both hot, so I can see why he’d want to watch.”
After a few more wrong turns, we find our way out of the maze then move on to exploring the village with its hills that resemble fairy rafts in Gargoyles Gateway.
By the time we return to where we started, the wind had picked up and the air is colder than when we arrived.
Tyler’s lips are more purple, our noses are red, and I think it’s time for us to move on. “We should go to the cabin.”
“Good thinking.” His teeth chattering, he trembles against us, and Bax and I huddle closer to warm him. “I need something warm to drink and lots of body heat.”
We rented the cabin close by the Ice Kingdom so we wouldn’t have to drive back home tonight. Neither of our teams have games for the next couple of days, and tomorrow is a rare day off from practice for both of us. Bax took the day off, too, so we can take our time getting home.
I also wanted the cabin because Tyler mentioned how peaceful Rhys’s place seemed. We’ll have some time to enjoy it tomorrow before heading back to Saint Paul.
A five-minute drive gets us to the winding road leading to the cabin. It sits alone among the trees, quiet and private, with fairy lights strung across the roof casting a welcoming glow.
My fingers, tingling from the cold, fumble the keys twice before I manage to get the door unlocked and open. We dropped our bags off earlier, but didn’t take much time to explore before going to the Ice Kingdom.
Warm air greets us and Tyler moans in relief. “We made it.”
“We wouldn’t have let you turn into an icicle out there,” Bax promises, unwinding Tyler’s scarf from his neck.
I toss my hat and gloves onto the top chair closest to the door then sit to remove my boots.
A large fireplace is the room’s focal point.
Two couches and chairs with cushions made of soft, fuzzy material that reminds me of a teddy bear’s fur face it.
The furniture is the same golden wood as the cabin’s walls.
An army of pillows and throw rugs are layered everywhere, and cozy theme continues throughout the space.
Piece by piece, our winter gear grows into a pile. Gloves, hats, Tyler’s scarf, our coats. Our boots line up by the door. We shed our the snow pants, leaving us in thermal long underwear, and in Ty’s case, a sweatshirt on top of that.
“You wanted a hot drink.” I lace my hand with Tyler’s and lead him into the kitchen. “There’s tea, cocoa, coffee. Alcohol.”
His eyes light up, landing on the bottle of brandy. “Hot chocolate, with this. Who else wants some?”
His black thermals clinging to him like a second skin, Bax drums his hands on the counter’s edge. “That’s fine. I’ll get a fire going.”
I turn on the faucet to fill the electric kettle. “It’s been a while since I built a real fire.”
“Same here. Lucky with this one, we only have to flip a switch.” He strides across the living room, and a moment later, bright flames dance in the hearth. Grinning, he dusts his hands off. “Easiest and fastest one I’ve ever started.”
Tyler grabs three mugs from the cabinet. “I don’t know how to build a fire, but I make a mean spiked cocoa.”
I set the kettle on its base and turn it on. “A necessary skill. Feeling thawed out now?”
“I could be warmer.” His smile is sexy and full of invitation. “Maybe that’s something you and Bax want to help me with?”
“I’m all for that idea.” His ocean scent teases my senses.
Drawn like a sailor lured by a siren into dangerous seas, I go to him.
But there’s no danger here, only the irresistible pull of Tyler.
With my hands on his waist, I back him into the counter, and bask in the solid press of his body lined up with mine.
Tyler slides his hand up my chest and fists my shirt. “Hey, sexy.”
In a flash of movement, Bax is beside us. His palm inches under my shirt to rest on my low back, and he uses his body to turn us so he can get behind Tyler, sandwiching him between us. “Warm enough now?”
“Perfect.” His eyes burn with need, and he looks from me to Bax. “It’s so good, I think the hot chocolate should wait for a while.”
Bax’s eyes spark hazel fire, a kaleidoscope of greens and browns shaded in need and want. “In that case, we should move this somewhere more cozy.”
Taking hold of our hands, he draws us away from the counter. Instead of leading us toward the bedroom, he walks backward a few steps, toward the living room, and the glow of the fireplace.
The rug in front of the fire is soft and there are blankets and pillows everywhere.
Bax pulls Tyler into his arms and bends to kiss him. Tyler reaches out, grabbing my hand and pulling me into their embrace. We take turns claiming kisses, Bax and me, Bax and Tyler, Tyler and me, and all three of us together.
Warmed by the fire’s heat, I drag my shirt off. The need to be skin to skin ticks through every cell in my body.
Pressing kisses along the soft skin at the edge of his shirt collar, I work Tyler’s sweatshirt and his thermal undershirt up his torso. He and Bax come up for air so I can pull them the rest of the way off.
Bax grabs the back of his thermal and yanks it off in a one-handed move that’s far too sexy.
The way the light from the fire plays across their skin, I ache to capture it with my camera. “You’re gorgeous. Both of you.”
Bax’s hands ghosts over my skin, raising nerve endings in their wake. “We could say the same.”
He and Tyler watch me, their gazes darkening with desire. We all make quick work of removing the rest of our clothes.
Grasping my hand and Bax’s, Tyler draws us to the floor. He pulls blankets and pillows from the couches, creating a nest. Every inch is softness brushing against my skin.
As Tyler kisses me, Bax shifts away. I track the sound of his movements toward the bedroom. Raising my head, I grin at Ty. “He’s getting lube.”
“Probably.” Smiling, Tyler claims my mouth again.
Bax returns, sliding behind me. He tosses the bottle of lube between us. “Figured I should grab it before things get too heated.”
I lose myself in kissing him. Tyler’s hand lands on my cock. Groaning, I rock into his touch and take the kiss his offers.
As the flames and the fire crackles, our kisses lengthen and deepen, and every caress seeks out more and more pleasure.
Then Tyler shifts down and takes turns licking Bax’s cock and mine, then alternates with drawing us into his mouth.
Bax’s hands clutch my arms and he moans into our kiss. The back of Tyler’s head hits my thigh each time he swallows Bax down.
Lips parted, breathing hard, Bax gazes at us both. There’s desire, but affection too.
Tyler lifts off of Bax and glances up at me, a twinkle in his eyes.
Groaning, I pull on his shoulder. “Come here.”
He slips in between us and Bax shifts position so he can get his hand on Tyler’s cock.
Tyler’s enthusiastic moan vibrates through my mouth. He works his hand down my body, closing it around my cock. And when Bax’s hand comes up to cradle my balls, I’m pushed over the edge. Writhing between them, caught in the sensations, I clutch at my men, pulsing my release.
Bax and Tyler’s twin moans sound in my ears. They rock together, and though my limbs feel like liquid, I skate my hands over every inch, drawing out as much pleasure as we kiss each other breathless.
On a strangled moan, Tyler fists my hair. “I’m gonna come.”
I redouble my efforts, jerking him hard and fast until his eyes close and his body stiffens and he shoots between us.
Grunting, Bax ruts against Tyler’s back, and his hand finds mine, tightening his grasp as he paints Tyler’s ass with his release.
Sharing sleepy, sated smiles, and lingering caresses, we sprawl together in the cozy blanket nest, and I know what I’m feeling is special.
We clean up and Tyler makes us the spiked hot chocolate. Then we return to our blanket nest.
Cuddled under furry blankets in front of the fire, with cups of spiked hot chocolate in our hands, laughing and talking while the wind whistles and whips outside the windows, I can’t think of a time when I’ve been more content.
I’m falling for these two. They make me so happy and I want to take care of them. And more than that, I can see a future with us together.