Page 70 of Keep Your Friends Close and Your… Work Enemy Closer?

All my co-workers were back on their feet, shivering in their towels as they gathered round, cheering us on.

"Go, Dee and Jared!" Mona shouted.

The urge to quit was overwhelming, but something about Jared's steady presence kept me anchored.

"One minute, thirty seconds!"

Every single second was a battle. The cold was relentless, seeping into my bones, so much so I couldn't remember what it felt like to be warm. More than anything, I wanted to give in. But I couldn't, not with Jared right behind me like this.

"Almost there! Almost there!"

More cheers erupted and a countdown began.

"Forty, forty-one, forty-two, forty-three, forty-four, forty-five, forty-six! You did it! You did it! You won!"

Jared let up on his hold, and I shot up out of the water, relief flooding through me as I climbed out of the tub, soaked and shivering but oddly exhilarated. With shaky hands and legs, I grabbed a towel, stunned that I'd actually succeeded.

I looked at Jared who was grinning at me, water running down his bare chest, the sunlight glistening off him like a god.

"Told you so, Dee," he said, throwing an arm around my shoulder and leading me to the blanket in the sun.

"I guess you were right," I admitted, angling my face toward the sun's warming rays.

"Those are the sweetest words."

My limbs were a bit numb, my teeth were chattering slightly, and I really, really needed to pee. But I'd fucking done it.

We all warmed up outside for a few hours, some of us snoozing on the blankets and chairs that had been scattered around the clearing until it was time for dinner. I had to admit, this team-building, bonding thing had been a great success. In only two days, I felt so much closer to everyone, and I could tell our camaraderie was at an all-time high.

When we sat around the campfire after dinner, I was much more into the whole kumbaya thing this time, singing along with Ranger Jim right from the start without any coaxing from Jared who once again sat beside me. The man was persistent, I'd give him that.

And this time, I attempted to roast my marshmallow myself, glad to be closer to the fire. That chill from the ice bath before had taken root, and I couldn't quite shake it off.

Holding out my stick closer to the fire, flames licked the air then engulfed my marshmallow. Jared laughed next to me as I blew out the small fire, and I nudged his elbow. Of course his marshmallow was perfectly browned on all sides.

But that movement of my arm cost me dearly as I watched in horror while my marshmallow slipped from the end of my stick and tumbled into the edge of the fire.

For a split second, I just stared at it, my mind struggling to catch up with what had just occurred. My poor marshmallow started to sizzle and bubble before bursting into flames, Jared chuckling softly beside me.

"Looks like you got a little too excited," he teased, fire dancing in his eyes.

"Maybe I just like things extra hot," I shot back.

He quirked an eyebrow at me, leaning a bit closer. "Careful what you wish for."

I shivered at his sexy tone, then walked off to go get another marshmallow, needing a little space.

But that space didn't last long because I soon found myself back on the blanket, Jared next to me while eating my deliciously messy s'more. Licking my fingers, I felt his eyes on me and shivered once more.

"Cold?" he asked.

"Yeah, I can't seem to get warm enough after that ice bath."

His eyes filled with concern, he peeled off his hoodie and handed it to me. "Put this on."

"But I already have one on," I protested.

"Put mine on over it. It's big enough. And it's really warm."

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