The sound of tires crunching on gravel echoed through the stillness of the forest as I pulled up to the cabin. Nestled deep in the mountains, the log cabin looked just as I remembered it from summers spent here as a kid. The familiar scent of pine and crisp mountain air washed over me as I stepped out of the car, taking in the picturesque scene.

I hadn't expected to be here this weekend. Dad's spontaneous invitation had caught me off guard. "It'll be fun," he had said. "Just some old college buddies and a chance to catch up." But now, staring up at the cabin, I couldn't shake the nervous energy bubbling in my stomach.

"Maddie, is that you?" my dad’s voice called from the porch. He stood there, a grin on his face, holding a beer. Even from a distance, I could tell he was already in high spirits. "Come on up! Everyone’s dying to meet you."

Everyone? I hesitated for a moment before grabbing my bag from the trunk and making my way up the wooden steps. The porch creaked under my weight, and as I reached the top, I saw them: three men lounging in Adirondack chairs, beers in hand, laughing at something one of them had said.

They turned to look at me as I approached, and my breath caught in my throat.

These weren’t the middle-aged, pot bellied men I’d envisioned when Dad mentioned his college friends. No, these men looked like they belonged on the cover of a men’s magazine—broad shoulders, chiseled jaws, and a confident ease that practically oozed from their pores.

“Maddie, meet the guys,” Dad said, gesturing toward them. “This is Jake, Lucas, and Evan.”

Jake was the first to stand, his towering frame cutting an imposing figure against the backdrop of the trees. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to see straight through me as he extended a hand. “Nice to finally meet you, Maddie. Your dad talks about you all the time.”

“Hi,” I managed, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, his palm rough against mine, and I felt a strange flutter in my chest.

Lucas was next, a playful grin spreading across his face as he stood. He had sandy blonde hair and a dimple that deepened when he smiled. “Maddie, huh? I feel like I already know you. Your dad’s been bragging about you nonstop.”

“All lies, I’m sure,” I replied, my voice a little steadier this time. Lucas chuckled, the sound warm and inviting.

Evan remained seated, his dark, brooding eyes locking onto mine as he took a slow sip of his beer. His jet-black hair was neatly combed back, and there was a sharpness to his features that made him look almost too perfect. “Nice to meet you, Maddie,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “Your dad didn’t tell us you’d grown up into such a beautiful young woman.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks at his words, and I glanced at Dad, who seemed completely oblivious to the tension building around me. “Alright, enough of the introductions,” Dad said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s get inside and settle in. Maddie, you’ve got your old room upstairs.”

I nodded, grateful for the excuse to escape. As I headed inside, I could feel their eyes on me, a strange mix of curiosity and something else I couldn’t quite name. The air inside the cabin was warm, carrying the faint smell of wood smoke and cedar.

Upstairs, my room was exactly as I’d left it years ago—small but cozy, with a twin bed and a window overlooking the forest. I set my bag down and sat on the edge of the bed, trying to calm the erratic beat of my heart.

There was something undeniably magnetic about Dad’s friends, something that made my pulse quicken and my thoughts wander to places they shouldn’t.

Shaking my head, I stood and walked to the window, determined to get a grip on myself. This weekend was about Dad and his friends catching up, nothing more. But as I looked out at the forest, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was in over my head.

The next day, the cabin buzzed with activity. Dad had decided that the weekend would be a mix of hiking, fishing, and reliving old college memories. True to form, he was in full storyteller mode, recounting wild tales from his youth while the rest of us sat around the fire pit.

It was easy for Dad to miss the way Jake’s hand lingered just a little too long when he passed me a marshmallow stick, or how Lucas’s compliments edged just past polite. “You have your dad’s wit,” Lucas had said with a wink, his fingers brushing mine as he handed me a drink. “And maybe a little extra charm, too.”

Evan was subtler, his dark gaze tracking me whenever I moved. It was like he knew exactly what I was thinking, and the smirk that played on his lips told me he enjoyed it.

Dad, oblivious to the undercurrents, focused on sharing stories and beers with his friends. He never noticed the stolen glances, the way Jake’s fingers skimmed my lower back as he reached past me, or the electric tension when Lucas whispered a joke in my ear, his breath warm on my skin.

By the time evening rolled around, the atmosphere had shifted. The men had grown bolder, their playful banter tinged with flirtation that only I seemed to catch. Dad, tired from the day’s activities and a few too many beers, retired early to bed, leaving the rest of us by the fire.

"Your dad’s out cold," Lucas said, tossing another log on the flames. "I’d say we’ve got the night to ourselves."

Jake leaned back in his chair, his eyes on me. "So, Maddie, what do you think of the old college crew? Are we living up to the stories?"

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "You’re... definitely not what I expected."

Evan chuckled, low and smooth. "That’s a good thing, right?"

Before I could answer, Jake stood and offered me his hand. "Come on, let’s take a walk. The stars are incredible out here."

I hesitated, glancing at Lucas and Evan, who exchanged knowing looks. "Don’t worry," Lucas said with a grin. "We’ll keep the fire warm for you."

The walk was short, just to the edge of the clearing where the forest opened up to a breathtaking view of the night sky. But it wasn’t the stars that left me breathless. It was the way Jake stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

"You’re not a little girl anymore, Maddie," he said, his eyes locked on mine. 

My blush spread up my neck and spread throughout my cheeks. "I haven't been a little girl in quite a while," I bit my lip.

Jake chuckled and then looked up at the sky. The stars with their twinkling lights pierced the velvet sky like scattered diamonds. I felt Jake's hand, warm and steady as it wrapped around mine. The crunch of gravel beneath our shoes was the only sound in the serene night, other than the distant hoot of an owl and the occasional crackle of a burning log back at the cabin.

"The sky is beautiful tonight," I murmured, her eyes still fixed on the cosmos.

Jake nodded, his gaze shifting from the stars to me. "It is, but not as beautiful as you." He leaned in, and the first droplet of rain fell, splashing onto my nose.

I gasped, jolted by the sudden coldness. "Eek! It's raining!" I yelled just as the sky opened up, sending a shower down on us. The flirtation of the moment washed away with the rain, replaced by a rush of excitement and the sudden need to get back to the cabin.

We took off at a sprint, our laughter mingling with the patter of raindrops. The warm glow of the fire pit grew smaller as we sprinted across the clearing, the embers hissing under the onslaught of rain. By the time we reached the cabin's porch, we were drenched. My white tee shirt stuck to my chest like a second skin.

Lucas and Evan were waiting with fresh towels, grinning like a pair of mischievous pups caught raiding the cookie jar. They'd heard our laughter and knew exactly what had transpired.

"Looks like you two lovebirds had quite the romantic interlude," Lucas teased, handing me a towel.

I took the towel, wiping the rain drops from my cheeks. The warmth from the cabin contrasted with the cold rain that had soaked me. I glanced down at my shirt, now see-through from the downpour, my hardened nipples pressing against the fabric. The room had gone quiet, and I realized all three men's gazes were fixated on my chest. I blushed furiously, trying to cover myself without making it more obvious.

But instead of retreating, a boldness I didn't know I had took hold. If they were going to look, I might as well give them something to see. I dropped the towel and stepped closer to the fire, the heat kissing my damp skin. The flames flickered, casting shadows across my body, highlighting every curve and crevice.

Their eyes followed me, hunger in their gazes that made me feel powerful. Jake's grip tightened on the towel he was using to dry his hair, turning his knuckles white, and Evan's smirk grew wider. Lucas took a step closer, his eyes dark with desire.

Maybe this was the chance I'd been waiting for, the perfect opportunity to indulge in the fantasy playing in my head. Why not? We were all adults, and it wasn't every day you found yourself in a cabin in the woods with three incredibly attractive men. Besides, my dad was out cold and, knowing him, would be in a deep sleep until the morning.

"Thanks," I whispered, taking Evan's shirt. The fabric was still warm from his body, and it smelled faintly of pine and the musky scent of his cologne. 

Biting my lip, I turned my back from the guys and peeled my own wet shirt from my body. Sure, I could've gone into the bathroom to change, but what was the fun in that? I heard a collective gasp as I stood with my body facing the fireplace and my back to the three guys. Ever so slowly, I unbuttoned my short jean shorts and slid them down my legs. I heard a low growl come from one of the men before I pulled Evan's shirt over my head.

His shirt was like a soft caress against my cool, damp skin, his scent enveloping me like a comforting hug. The shirt was oversized, reaching my mid-thigh; I wasn't wearing a bra, only my thin pink lace panties; the material of his tee clung to my curves, and the cold air made my nipples pebble against the fabric.

When I turned back around, Lucas was standing closer, his eyes hooded with a hunger that was impossible to miss. "How about some wine to warm us up?" he suggested, his voice thick with desire.

Jake and Evan nodded in agreement, their eyes not leaving my barely covered body. I felt a thrill at the effect I was having on them, a heady sense of power that made my knees wobble slightly. "Wine sounds perfect," I murmured, my voice betraying none of the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

Lucas disappeared into the kitchen area and emerged with a bottle of wine and four glasses. The rich, fruity scent of the merlot filled the air, a tantalizing promise of warmth and comfort in the chilly night.

"Careful now," Jake said with a knowing smile as he eyed the glass Lucas offered me. "You know your dad says you can't handle your liquor."

"I can handle myself just fine, thank you," I said, raising an eyebrow with a smirk as I took a sip of the wine. The rich flavor coated my tongue, and the warmth spread through me, sending a delightful shiver down my spine.