Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

37. Oakley

37

OAKLEY

I smile as Gray and Reid splash each other playfully, their laughter filling the air like a melodious song. It feels good to let loose with them, letting the salty ocean wash away all our troubles, even if just for a moment.

“Hey, watch it!” I squeal as cold droplets hit my face, courtesy of Reid’s playful attack. My heart swells with joy as I splash him back, feeling like a kid again. Even though the mess we’ve found ourselves in makes adulthood feel impossible to escape, today we’re free.

“Oakley, you asked for it!” Gray grins, joining forces with Reid as they proceed to drench me thoroughly. As we all laugh uncontrollably, I notice Theo standing at the edge of the water, watching us with a bemused expression.

“Are you guys ever going to grow up?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Come on, Theo, join us!” I reply, waving him over. “We’re just having a little fun—you remember what that is, right?”

Theo hesitates for a moment, his piercing blue eyes searching mine before he finally wades into the water. I can feel the unresolved tension between us, a lingering reminder of last night. But today, we’re friends, and there’s no room for old ghosts.

“Alright, I’m in,” he says softly, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Prepare to be soaked, brother!” Reid exclaims, directing his next splash at Theo, who retaliates with surprising enthusiasm.

“Didn’t know you had it in you, Theo,” Gray teases, now targeting both Reid and Theo with his splashes. They’re like real siblings, and I’m grateful for the bond we all share.

“Neither did I,” Theo admits, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

“Hey, Theo,” Gray calls out, smirking as he sends another wave crashing over Reid. “You and Avery would make an adorable couple, you know.”

Theo rolls his eyes, but I can tell that Gray’s teasing doesn’t bother him too much. He’s grown used to it over the years, and I can see a hint of amusement dancing in his blue eyes.

“Very funny, Gray,” Theo replies dryly. “But I’m not looking for romance right now.”

His gaze lingers on me for a moment, and my heart skips a beat. The memory of our shared past flutters through my mind, but I quickly push it away. Now isn’t the time for introspection—we’re here to have fun, after all.

“Alright, Oakley,” Theo says, changing the subject. “You think you’re safe from this water war?”

A mischievous glint shines in his eyes as he splashes me unexpectedly. I squeal in mock outrage and retaliate, sending a cascade of water back at him.

“Bring it on, Archer!” I challenge, daring him to try and catch me as I swim further into the ocean.

“Challenge accepted,” he declares, swimming after me with impressive speed.

Before I realize what’s happening, Theo’s strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me beneath the waves. My heart races as we plunge into the depths, anticipation building within me. We resurface together, and Theo wastes no time in capturing my lips in a passionate kiss.

Every fiber of my being ignites as our mouths move together, the taste of saltwater mingling with the electric charge between us.

A sudden wave of vulnerability washes over me, and I pull away from Theo’s embrace, glancing around nervously to see if anyone is watching us. “What if someone sees us? We can’t just…kiss like this in public.”

“Relax,” Theo murmurs, his voice low and soothing as he brushes a stray strand of hair from my face. “Most people have left the beach by now. It’s just us and the sunset.”

My eyes scan the shoreline, and I realize he’s right. The once-bustling beach is now nearly deserted, with only a few distant figures dotting the sand. Still, I can’t help but feel exposed—both physically and emotionally—as I tread water beside him.

“Hey,” Gray calls out, swimming toward us with a confused expression on his handsome face. “When did you two become…a thing?”

“Gray!” I exclaim, feeling heat creep up my cheeks. “It’s not what you think. We’re not…we don’t…”

“Oakley,” he murmurs, his voice tender and sincere, “I just want you to know that I want you in any way I can have you.”

Before I have a chance to respond or process what he’s saying, Gray leans in and presses his lips to the nape of my neck, trailing soft kisses along my sensitive skin. My pulse quickens, and my breath catches in my throat.

“Gray,” I whisper, half in protest and half in surrender. But any further thoughts are interrupted when Theo moves closer, his piercing blue eyes filled with a familiar fire.

“May I?” he asks, his tone measured but laced with unspoken desire.

“Y-yes,” I stammer, unable to rationalize why I should deny myself the pleasure of being with these incredible men who make me feel so alive.

Theo wastes no time, pulling me closer and capturing my lips in a passionate kiss. His strong arms wrap around me, holding me steady in the water as our mouths move together in perfect harmony. I lose myself in the moment, my worries momentarily forgotten.

Behind me, I feel Reid’s presence, his muscular body pressed against my back. He leans in, his breath hot on my skin as he plants a trail of teasing kisses along the other side of my neck, causing shivers to run down my spine. The combination of sensations is intoxicating, and I moan softly.

“Is this okay, Oakley?” Reid whispers into my ear, concern laced in his flirtatious tone.

“Yes,” I breathe out, my voice barely audible but honest. I want this. Maybe it’s reckless, maybe it’s foolish, but right now, with these three men who have somehow made their way into my heart, it feels undeniably right.

As Gray continues to kiss my neck, and Theo claims my lips once more, Reid’s hands roam along the contours of my body, heightening my arousal. I know that there’s no turning back from this moment, but I can’t bring myself to care as I’m swept up in a whirlwind of desire and connection.

I close my eyes, allowing their words to wash over me like the ocean, feeling more cherished and wanted than I ever have before.

As if sensing my surrender, they all move closer, their hands roaming my body, stroking and caressing, fueling the fire that burns within me.

Just as the heat between us intensifies, a loud voice booms through the air, causing us to freeze in place. “Hey! What’s going on here?!”

My heart leaps into my throat as I turn toward the sound, spotting a police officer on the shore, his eyes fixed on our little group. Panic floods my system, and I feel the waves of desire that engulfed me moments ago recede, replaced by a cold dread.

“Shit,” Reid curses under his breath as we all scramble to put some distance between ourselves, trying to appear innocent despite the obvious intimacy of our previous actions.

“Looks like we’ve been caught,” Theo mutters, his face a mix of frustration and concern.

“Damn it,” I hiss through clenched teeth, cursing our carelessness and the unfortunate timing of this interruption. “What do we do now?”

My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to burst from the sheer panic coursing through my veins. I glance around at the guys, each one wearing a similar expression of concern and unease. The police officer’s stern gaze remains fixed on us, demanding an explanation.

“Listen, Oakley,” Reid says softly, his voice low enough that only we can hear him. “We can probably bribe the officer if we need to. Just be ready for a quick getaway, okay?”

“Really?” I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief. “You guys are more trouble than I’ll ever be.”

“Hey, we’re not giving up on this vacation just because of some nosy cop,” Gray interjects, his warm brown eyes filled with determination.

“Besides,” Theo adds, his piercing blue gaze never leaving mine, “we still have some unfinished business, don’t we?”

Their words ignite a spark within me, fighting off the icy grip of fear.