A Vacation to Remember

"I think that's everything!" I yelled to Veronica as I closed the Jeep's back hatch. After years of life being ruthless with my finances, I finally saved up enough money to accompany my friends on their annual cabin trip. I was so excited, city life was all I've ever known, and the opportunity to explore the wilderness was calling my name.

"We're about to head out to pick up the guys!" she shouted as she emerged from the front door of her home. I lifted one of my eyebrows.

"What do you mean, guys? I thought this was a girls trip?" I questioned. Veronica was hurriedly walking towards me with her purse clutched under her arm.

"When did I say that? We can't have a kickass cabin trip without guys,Tati, duh" she retorted. She had passed me now throwing her belongings in the back seat. I guess that was a detail I never knew about their annual vacay.

"Do I know these guys?" I inquired.

"No, but me and the girls do, so you have nothing to worry about." She responded before she positioned herself in the driver seat and shut the door. Maybe she was right, after all this was supposed to be a vacation.

I skipped to the passenger side of the red Jeep Wrangler placing my hand on the door handle and tugging it. The door remained locked.

"Nah ah, you're riding in the back." Veronica stated matter of factly. I blinked twice, baffled by the situation, but I didn't mind that much, only a six hour trip to the cabin, and I was gonna be in heaven.

I scooched in the back after placing a purse on the carpeted floor. "So who gets shotgun?" I asked, sitting up in the center of the back seat. " Since they already reserved it, I think I deserve to know." I giggled.

Veronica's long black hair shifted as she turned her head to lock gazes with me and gave the biggest grin.

"Kayson." was the only word she said, her doe eyes shining as she spoke his name. "Oooohh! Kayson!" I teased. She couldn't help blushing as she heard his name again.

"We're not official but I can feel how strong our connection is!" She cooed while jamming her key into the ignition. The four door wrangler roared to life and she soon focused all her attention to safely maneuvering out of the driveway and down the street.

I leaned into the space between the two leather seats. " How long have you known these guys?" I asked. In all my life of knowing Veronica, she failed to mention males on this trip. I was always under the impression that her and the girls went to this beautiful lake house in the country and got drunk and gossiped. Perhaps some lite hiking but I never knew men were there. There's no telling what wild things they were doing in the middle of nowhere.

"Sit back Tati, you're gonna get me a ticket and I WILL make you pay it." she snapped. Her brown orbs never strayed from the windshield.

"Jokes on you I can't afford it after this trip." I chuckled, amused as I saw her brown eyes cut at me through the rear view mirror.

I obeyed her command and let my back rest against the spacious seats as I crossed my arms over my breast. "Are you gonna answer my question?"

I caught the annoyance flash across her face from the mirror as she answered. "I've known some for a couple of months and some for years. They're all good guys, there's really no reason to worry."

My brow arched,"You say that like there's a shit ton of men coming." With that she turned and smiled a toothy grin as she halted at a red light.

"Only a couple." She winked and that was the last I saw of her wide grin as she turned her attention to the busy road again.

We cruised for an hour more before she was backing her Jeep into an unfamiliar driveway. My posture straightened as the engine fizzled out, a shiver of uncertainty pawing at my spine. "Should I go in with you, for moral support?" I asked.

Veronica huffed and a giggle followed after. "It'll only be a minute and we'll get back on the road, we got a loooooong drive ahead of us."

She slammed her door and my pupils disappeared behind my lids as I inhaled deeply. I didn't know why I was so nervous but the anxiety clawing at my insides was unbearable. Maybe I was just uneasy around people I haven't met,and even more on edge that those people were men. I wasn't very experienced in life at 25,but I did know most men I've encountered were spawns of satan. Charming and lying their way into your trust then throwing you to the wolves. The opposite sex was the last thing I wanted to experience with this vacation,but I had to get over it. I already paid my way and I was going to enjoy it no matter what.

"You can ride in the back with Tati." The sound of Veronica chatting echoed on metal as she walked to the jeep with extra footsteps. "And Kayson, I saved the passenger seat for you." I could hear her smile just saying his name. I rolled my eyes. Maybe I did want the passenger seat.

"Tati?" the voice sounded like smooth butter, " is that a friend I haven't met?" he questioned. Heat pooled between my thighs, He could melt my knees with his voice. The vehicle's left door flung open and the sunlight forced its way onto the leather exterior.

"Tati, I like that name." the voice complimented. I lifted my head to a bright smile filled with mischief, dark hair framing a sculpted jaw and piercing amber eyes.

" Than..thank you." I stuttered. When Veronica mentioned men, I imagined an average joe with lackluster charm but this guy was an actual god. Created and sculpted by the heavens then cast down to earth to seduce any and all women.

He hopped in beside my frame, still taller than me while sitting down.

"I'm Cade." He stared down at me as he smiled with his name on his tongue. He leaned in closer causing me to instantly jolt back. He smelled good, like vanilla with a hint of something spicy. His aroma was sneaking into my nose as he continued closing the distance between our bodies.

"You have pretty brown skin"his smile transformed into a smirk "like soft, creamy chocolate..yummy.".

My breath clogged in my throat while his tongue grazed his pink lips.

"Cade, stop teasing her." Veronica said as she began to position herself in the driver seat once again. I hadn't noticed anyone else getting in the jeep. I turned back in the seat to keep my gaze on the front window, my cheeks burning like a blazing hot campfire.

"Yeah, we have a week together so don't go freaking her out.'' This voice was directly behind me and I whipped around to meet a toned blond hoisting luggage under the hatch. "I'm Kayson by the way." He flashed me a quick smile as his muscles rippled from handling the packed clothes.

The appearance of this man was just as godlike as the one sitting beside me. They must've been brothers or close cousins that shared pristine genes.

Kayson cut his eyes at Cade "You could've helped with loading instead of immediately going to make her uncomfortable."

Cade held his smirk and shrugged a shoulder," it's rude to not introduce yourself to new people and you bench more than me. It's only fair if you do it."

Kayson narrowed his bold blue eyes before slamming the hatch closed and stalking to the passenger seat. The car dipped as he placed his muscled body into it. He turned to meet Cade's confident gaze "You're the devil" he insulted before turning his attention to Veronica.

I stifled a giggle, men really were spawns of satan. Kayson just confirmed that theory with no problem.

.......

The lake house was more beautiful than I could ever imagine. It was a two story masterpiece propped up on a sturdy foundation supporting a wrap around porch. The home was a dark brown giving the impression of aged wood, and the windows were large from top to bottom which provided an amazing view of the private lake. The whole property was centered in a dense wooded area and if I haven't been with a group, I'd definitely feel more frightened a murder was lurking around.

There were three other cars resting in the spacious driveway and I couldn't help the frown forming on my features. I glanced at Veronica as she settled beside my standing form.

"Who else is here?" I questioned. The more time I spent on this vacation the more information I realized I didn't know.

She simply smiled before grabbing my hand and leading me towards the entrance, the boys following in toe with all the luggage. Whatever the two benched, I was thankful for not having to lift a finger unloading the car.

We entered the massive home and all my anxiety and dread came flooding back as I soaked up the scene. There were four more men lounging on the sofa and only two other girls. I recognized the women instantly. They were long lost acquaintances of mine and best friends of Veronica, but everyone else in the room were strangers. Veronica let go of my sweaty hand and threw herself on the first girl she saw.

"Kelsey!!" She exclaimed, hugging her friend's neck with enthusiasm and grace. Long blonde hair entangled with black as the two embraced and Kelsey focused her gaze on me from her dear friend's shoulders.

"Hiii Tati! Long time no see." I shifted my weight and gave a shy smile. "Nice to see you again too girl."

A skinny brunette with caramel highlights joined the conversation as she placed a hand on Veronica's shoulder and gave a light squeeze. "I'm glad you made it safely." She confessed then took her place beside me.

"It's been forever, Tati. I'm so glad you made it this trip." She nudged one of my dark arms as if trying to get my attention back to the conversation. I probably looked as pale as a ghost even though I was the most melanated person here. I forced my mouth to curl up and reveal all my straight teeth.

"Yeah, I finally got to come and I know it doesn't look like it but I'm so fucking excited Lindsey." She chuckled. " You do look a bit uneasy. Did Cade give you a hard time on the way here?"

"I would never." came the buttery voice as we both focused on Cade and Kayson resting bags on the tiled floor. My brown orbs met gold ones and I instantly broke contact and shifted my gaze to Lindsey's petite frame.

"He absolutely did." I corrected and Kayson twitched with laughter as he watched his friend place a large hand over his heart.

Lindsey couldn't contain the wide grin forming at the two men. I wasn't joking, Cade had made that drive torture because he couldn't contain the demon energy he held. Each moment was spent with my cheeks flushing a crimson red every time he spoke to me. What made matters worse was that I couldn't go anywhere, being trapped in that back seat with him was a horrid faith even the devil didn't deserve. My only salvation were rest stops and convenience stores but that was short lived the moment I reentered that vehicle and closed the door.

"Tati!" Veronica's voice rang in my ears as she guided my body with her hand pressed against my back. "I gotta introduce you to everyone else before we get this vacation started." A couple of whoops and hell yeahs filled the room, forcing a joyous sensation into my body. That gave me hope that my money was well spent and this getaway wouldn't be a complete disaster.

We halted our movements once we reached the center of the wrap around couch and all the attention was burning into me.

"Guys this is Tati, short for Tatiana." She gestured her pale hand in a swooping motion as she introduced me. I cringed at the mention of my government name, she didn't have to tell them all that. All the new faces beamed into my consciousness while Veronica returned the introduction to me.

"This is Seth." She pointed a long finger to a lean blonde with striking emerald eyes as she spoke. He flashed a perfect smile and studied me.

"Chase is the brown haired blue eyed asshole." Chase grimaced at the comment and directed his ocean orbs towards me. "She hates me because I destroy her in every game we play." The confirmation was so true because Veronica was indeed a sore loser. The corners of my mouth twitched trying to hide a smile.

My friend shifted her gaze to the two remaining men, One sporting dirty blonde hair and light brown eyes, the other with dark brown hair and deep bark colored eyes. "Stephen and Gage." she said.

I gave a slight wave of my hand as I spoke. "It's nice to meet y'all, I can't wait to see how hard you guys vacay." I got a couple of chuckles off the statement and I felt my cheeks beam with red pigment.

"You'll have a blast." Chase reassured, "Just be sure not to beat Veronica in anything or she'll ruin your experience." She snapped her head at him and singled out her middle finger and shoved it at him.

"I wont lose at our next game. I can promise you that." she retorted and I finally let the laugh slip through my lips. Their bickering was amusing and it seemed like she had history with everyone here which relieved me beyond belief.

For the next couple of hours we all sat snug on the couch with different varieties of alcoholic beverages and tried to decide what we should do for dinner. I was instantly uncomfortable, wedged between two hunks as I downed my fifth drink trying to wash away the bubbling anxiety. Cade sat his toned body next to mine the instant we settled into the lakehouse and Chase took the next available spot. I was hoping, no praying, that the girls were going to surround me but they were occupied with potential partners. It went Veronica and Kayson, Kelsey and Gage, Lindsey and Seth. The male to female ratio was so unsettling I jumped to down another beverage.

"Can you really handle all that alcohol without eating?" Chase held a worrying stare as he watched me pop the top of the can.

"No, but that won't stop me." I shrugged a shoulder and held the tip to my eager lips.

"Let her drink, it is a vacation after all." Cade defended.

I lifted my can as a toast to him and drowned my throat in the burning liquid. "Damn right." I agreed before hiccuping and flashing him a cheesy smile.

"You might wanna slow down," advised Gage, "otherwise you won't be able to do the man hunt tonight."

My brows shot up to my hairline. "Man hunt?" I questioned tossing the empty can into my ever growing pile.

Kelsey straightened her posture and spoke "Yes man hunt, I can't believe Veronica never told you about it."

"She didn't ask." Veronica stated matter of factly.

"That's something only a sore loser would say." whispered Chase and I was tipsy enough to allow my laughter to escape my throat and disperse into the air.

"But it's still something she should know." Lindsey chimed in.

I corrected my slouching form, my attention focused on the conversation infecting my ears. "What the hell is a man hunt yall?"

Cade was the one who gave me an answer I wasn't expecting. " It's where we all go out into the woods and play hide and seek."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "Well that doesn't sound so bad, it actually sounds kinda fun." Cade's lips lifted into an eerie grin.

"There's a twist Tati." Lindsey interrupted as she ran her hand through highlighted strains. "The girls do the hiding and the men act as the hunters."

I crinkled my nose and pointed to all the guys in the room, counting up as my finger landed on each large frame. "But there's four of us and six of them?" I questioned. "And wouldn't that make the game woman hunt?" It was Chase's turn to laugh and I got a couple snickers from all around.

Seth shook his head, chuckled, then explained. "Since we always outnumber the women, we men usually hunt in groups of two and the girls are left to hide and if we find you then you lose."

I didn't understand why a game of hide and seek was making the room so tense. It seemed kind of childish but child games were always fun in my opinion. My head was on a swivel as my vision took in every person. "So what's so special about this game of hide and seek?"

Kayson sighed. " We hunt and we catch, then we breed."

It took awhile for his sentence to truly marinate in my intoxicated mind and all I could muster out was "What?"

"We have to hide and do it well because if we're found then they can do whatever they want with us." Veronica included.

I blinked. Three times. "What?"

Cade's chest heaved as he was hit with wave after wave of laughter. "You women really should've mentioned this before you invited her along." He was wiping tiny droplets from the corners of his eyes at the end of the sentence.

I was baffled. Bewildered even. I'd never heard of something so absurd in my life.

"Stephan is kinda rich and each year gives 10,000 as a prize to whoever isn't found, but the guys get the sex trade off since they can't 'win' being hunters and don't get access to the money." Veronica was so casual in her explanation that I believed she secretly threw back more drinks than she was letting on, and now I know Stephen is somewhat of a sick rich freak. Noted.

I was truly speechless. My brown orbs beamed into her then scanned the room. All eyes were on me and I felt my body shrink into itself. The atmosphere was so thick with tension and uncertainty that my next statement was more of panic than thought.

"So" I drug my words from my mouth, carefully constructing my question as I twirled my fingers together. "Has a girl ever won the money?"

Cade leaned in closer, invading my personal space. "We're really good hunters, Tati."

My spine stiffened. Veronica has been doing this lake house trip for over 5 years with ten grand on the line and not one female has taken home a victory? How hard could it be to outsmart a couple of gym bros? I didn't know if the alcohol had seeped its way into my brain to provide that liquid courage or I was losing my damn mind but whatever the reason, I was in. I could really use the money and what great luck that I got to experience a vacation at a stunning lake home and walk away ten thousand dollars richer. My confidence was rising and I was positive they wouldn't catch me. Money was my true motivator.

I held Cade's gaze for the first time since I met him, sizing him up with just one word.

"Easy" the pronunciation echoed off the walls and I could hear cheers erupting all around. I was taking home this money and the title of the first woman to win this twisted game. Mark my drunken words.

The night had graced us with light winds and ominous atmosphere as I was preparing for the stupidest mistake I'd ever made. I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. I could've said no to this freaky man hunt game but I was determined to get that money and show everyone I meant business. The girls had explained a couple more rules after we'd separated from the men and with each new piece of information, I groaned in disbelief. The most unsettling rule being that you're only eliminated if penis penetration is involved. Mouth, ass, or the classic. It took me five more drinks to let that information sink in and be considered normal.

The way of winning was if you survived the time limit. Three long hours of ducking and dodging in a deep dark forest only to be caught and ravished, of course, if you found a damn good hiding place, the chances of needing to run slimmed. No woman had won this game before and that made me question if there were any good hiding spots or if dumb mistakes always led to them to their erotic demise.

The last rule was about cell phones, we all had to keep them on us just in case there was an emergency, but they needed to remain silent unless you wanted to get caught. The guys, however, could use it as communication throughout the game. I was beginning to question if the money was worth it and for some twisted reason my conscience thought it was.

Apparently, they allowed other women to participate on this vacation and within the years most of them dropped out, probably because the fear of being stalked and hunted like prey wasn't exactly vacation friendly. Money be damned.

I sat inside my assigned room stretching my muscles and tendons before this horney chase started. The last thing I needed was to fall and be caught. I shivered at the thought. "They won't catch you Tati, you got this." I thought aloud while pulling my shoulder length wavy sew in into a tight bun. I just have to last three hours in the deep wooded unfamiliar territory then I'm golden, but if they catch me, I'm fucked. Literally.