Mia
I need to breathe. That's the only thought running through my mind as I stare at my phone, Marcus's latest text glowing on the screen like a threat.
The mysterious photograph someone left in my apartment sits on my kitchen counter, a constant reminder that someone is watching.
The walls of my life are closing in, and I can't think straight anymore.
"We need to get away," I say into the phone. Jack's on the other end, his voice immediately concerned.
"What's wrong?"
"Everything. Nothing. I just ... I need distance from all of this. From Marcus, from whoever's watching me, from the gossip and the pressure." I pace my living room, my free hand twisting in my hair. "Can we go somewhere? Just for the weekend? All of us?"
There's a pause, then Jack's voice turns thoughtful. "I know a place. Mountain resort about two hours north. Private cabins, hiking trails, and completely secluded."
Relief floods through me. "That sounds perfect."
"I'll make the arrangements."
Two days later, I'm loading Rory and Corey into my car, their excitement palpable as they chatter about the trip.
Blake pulls up behind me in his truck with Lily buckled in the back seat, her stuffed elephant clutched to her chest. Noah arrives moments later with Maya, Ethan, and Sophie piled into his sedan.
"This is going to be amazing!" Maya announces, bouncing on her toes. "I've never been to the mountains before."
Jack's sedan is the last to arrive, and when he steps out wearing jeans and a fitted henley that shows off his broad chest and muscular arms, my mouth goes dry. He catches me staring, and his hazel eyes darken with heat.
"Ready for an adventure?" he asks, his voice low enough that only I hear the double meaning.
The drive north is filled with children's laughter and terrible road trip songs.
I follow Jack's car, Blake's truck stays close behind me, and I can see him singing along to whatever music Lily picked, his sandy hair catching the sunlight.
Noah brings up the rear, probably listening to some historical podcast while the kids play games in the back.
The resort appears like something from a postcard. Three adjoining cabins nestle among towering pine trees, their log exteriors warm and inviting. A stone fire pit sits in the center of the small clearing, surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Beyond the cabins, hiking trails wind through the forest.
"This is perfect," I breathe, stepping out of my car.
The children explode from the vehicles like champagne from a shaken bottle, immediately racing to explore. Maya takes charge, organizing the younger ones into exploration teams while Rory and Corey gravitate toward Lily.
"Want to build a fort?" Rory asks her, his hazel eyes bright with excitement.
Lily nods shyly, clutching her elephant. "Can Mr. Elephant help?"
"Definitely," Corey says seriously. "Every good fort needs an elephant."
I watch them disappear into the trees, my heart swelling. Blake moves beside me, his arm brushing mine, and the contact sends electricity through my body.
"They're good together," he observes. "All of them."
"Yeah." I lean into him slightly. "They are."
Jack and Noah are unloading supplies, their muscles flexing as they carry coolers and bags. I can't help but admire the way Jack's henley stretches across his shoulders, or how Noah's forearms look in his rolled-up sleeves. Both men catch me looking and exchange knowing glances.
"See something you like?" Noah asks, his green eyes twinkling behind his glasses.
Heat floods my cheeks. "Maybe."
Blake laughs, the sound warm and genuine. "We're in trouble, guys. She's got that look."
"What look?" I demand, trying to sound indignant but failing.
"The one that says we're not getting much sleep tonight," Jack says, his voice dropping to that authoritative tone that makes my core clench.
The afternoon passes in a blur of activity.
We hike a nearby trail, the children racing ahead while the adults follow at a more leisurely pace.
Blake points out different trees and plants, his coaching instincts kicking in as he turns everything into a learning opportunity.
Noah shares historical facts about the area, making even Ethan's eyes light up with interest. Jack keeps a protective eye on everyone, his natural leadership ensuring no one gets too far ahead or left behind.
"This was a great idea," Blake says, falling into step beside me. His hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining naturally. "You needed this. We all did."
"I just wanted to feel normal for a little while," I admit. "No Marcus, no mysterious stalkers, no parent complaints or school board investigations."
"You are normal," Noah says from my other side, his hand settling on the small of my back. "What we have might be unconventional, but it's real. That's what matters."
Jack leads us back to the cabins as the sun starts to set.
We build a fire in the pit and roast hot dogs while the children run wild, their laughter echoing through the trees.
Maya teaches the younger ones a complicated hand-clapping game while Rory and Corey show Lily how to make the perfect s'more.
"Not too much marshmallow," Corey instructs seriously. "You need the right chocolate-to-marshmallow ratio."
"He's very particular about his s'mores," I explain to Blake, who's grinning at my son's intensity.
"Reminds me of someone else I know," Blake says, his brown eyes warm as they meet mine. "Someone who color-codes her lesson plans and alphabetizes her bookshelf."
"Organization is important," I defend, but I'm smiling.
As darkness falls, the children's energy finally wanes. We herd them into one of the cabins where sleeping bags are spread across the floor like a massive slumber party. Maya volunteers to be in charge, her eight-year-old sense of responsibility endearing.
"I'll keep the baby monitor on," she promises, holding up the device like a badge of honor. "If anyone needs anything, I'll call you."
"You're amazing, Maya," I tell her, kissing the top of her head.
"I know," she says matter-of-factly, making all the adults laugh.
We tuck each child in, distributing goodnight kisses and reassurances. Lily clutches her elephant and asks Blake to check the windows.
"No monsters?" she whispers.
"No monsters," Blake confirms, his voice gentle. "Just trees and stars and your family keeping you safe."
The word "family" settles over all of us like a warm blanket. That's what we've become, I realize. A complicated, but beautiful family.
Once the children are settled and the baby monitor is secured, the four of us retreat to the master cabin. The tension that's been building all day finally has space to breathe. Jack closes the door behind us and the atmosphere shifts immediately.
"Come here," he says, his voice rough with need.
I cross to him and his mouth crashes against mine, desperate and demanding. His hands slide into my hair, angling my head for deeper access. I moan into his mouth, my body already responding to his touch.
Blake's hands find my waist from behind, his muscular chest pressing against my back. "We've been waiting all day to get you alone," he murmurs against my neck, his lips trailing fire across my skin.
Noah moves to my side, his fingers tracing the curve of my jaw. "Do you have any idea what you do to us?"
They guide me toward the king-sized bed, hands and mouths exploring as clothes disappear.
Jack's henley hits the floor, revealing the broad chest and defined abs I've been fantasizing about all day.
Blake's shirt follows, his athletic build making my breath catch.
Noah's lean frame is no less appealing, his muscles shifting beneath smooth skin as he reaches for me.
"I love you," I whisper, looking at each of them in turn. "All of you."
"We love you too," Jack says, lowering me onto the bed. "Let us show you how much."
They take turns worshipping my body, their hands and mouths working in perfect synchronization. Jack's fingers trace patterns on my inner thigh while Blake's mouth finds my breast, his tongue circling my nipple until I gasp. Noah kisses me deeply, swallowing my moans as pleasure builds.
"Please," I beg, my hips arching. "I need you."
Jack enters me first, his thick length filling me completely. I cry out, my hands gripping his shoulders as he moves with deliberate slowness. Blake and Noah don't stop their attention to the rest of my body, their touches heightening every sensation until I'm trembling.
When Jack brings me to the edge, he pulls out and Blake takes his place. The change in angle makes me gasp, my body adjusting to his rhythm. Noah's mouth finds mine again, his kiss swallowing my cries of pleasure.
They continue like this, taking turns, building me higher and higher until I shatter between them. The orgasm crashes through me in waves, my body clenching and releasing as they whisper words of love and devotion.
Afterward, we lie tangled together in the massive bed, limbs intertwined and hearts still racing. Jack's fingers trace lazy patterns on my shoulder. Blake's hand rests on my hip. Noah's breath is warm against my neck.
"This is perfect," I murmur, my eyes heavy with satisfaction and exhaustion. "This moment, right here. I wish we could stay like this forever."
"We have the whole weekend," Blake reminds me, pressing a kiss to my temple.
I'm about to respond when a scream pierces the night, shattering our peaceful bubble. It's coming from the children's cabin, high-pitched and terrified.
"Someone's at the window!" Lily's voice shrieks through the baby monitor. "Someone was looking at us!"