Page 129 of Daddies on Ice
“You’ll see,” Ash says, and there’s something soft in his brown eyes that makes my pulse quicken.
They lead me outside where a horse-drawn sleigh waits, complete with jingling bells and thick wool blankets.
The horses stamp their feet in the snow, their breath creating puffs of steam in the cold air.
“Oh my god,” I breathe, taking in the magical scene. “This is incredible.”
Carl helps me into the sleigh, his hands lingering on my waist longer than necessary.
Even with everything weighing on his mind, he’s still thinking of me, still trying to make this night special. It makes me love him even more, if that’s possible.
Jake climbs in beside me, immediately pulling me close under the blankets. “Can’t have our girl freezing,” he says with a wink, but his arm around me is warm and solid and exactly what I need.
Ash takes the reins, looking completely at home handling the horses.
Of course he does—is there anything this man can’t do?
Carl settles on my other side, and suddenly I’m surrounded by the three men who’ve turned my world upside down in the best possible way.
The sleigh glides through the snow-covered streets, into a nearby park and woods, the only sounds the gentle jingling of the bells and the soft whoosh of the runners cutting through the powder.
Moonlight filters through the bare branches, casting everything in silver and shadow. It’s like something out of a fairy tale.
“This is perfect,” I murmur, snuggling deeper between Jake and Carl.
“You’re perfect,” Jake says softly, pressing a kiss to my temple.
The simple gesture sends warmth spiraling through me, and I turn to look at him.
His green eyes are dark with something that makes my breath catch.
We stop by a frozen pond, the ice gleaming like a mirror under the stars.
Ash secures the horses and joins us, and for a moment we all just stand there, taking in the beauty of the night.
“I can’t believe this is real,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Which part?” Carl asks, moving to stand behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders.
“All of it. This place, this moment…you three.”
Jake steps closer, his hand cupping my face. “Believe it, beautiful. We’re not going anywhere.”
When he kisses me, it’s soft and sweet and filled with promise.
His lips are warm against mine, and I can taste the hint of hot chocolate we shared earlier.
When we break apart, he rests his forehead against mine.
“My turn,” Ash says, his voice rough with emotion. His kiss is different, deeper, more possessive. His hands tangle in my hair, and I can feel the barely leashed control in the way he holds me. When he pulls back, his eyes are blazing.
Carl turns me in his arms, and my heart nearly stops at the intensity in his blue eyes. “Trisha,” he whispers, and then his mouth is on mine.
This kiss is desperate, almost frantic, as if he’s trying to memorize the taste of me. I can feel his fear, his uncertainty about the future, and I pour all my love into kissing him back.
When we finally break apart, we’re all breathing hard. The cold air stings my cheeks, but I’m burning up inside.
“I love you,” I whisper, looking at each of them in turn. “All of you. Whatever happens, I need you to know that.”
