If someone had told Selene Blackwood that she'd be sharing a cabin with Julian Cross before the week was over, she would've personally had them escorted to the company psychologist.
But there she was—heels sinking into the pine-littered ground of Hollow Rock Corporate Retreat Center, her assistant's text still glowing on her phone:
> "Mandatory leadership bonding – board-approved. 72 hours. No electronics. Cabin #3 has been pre-assigned to you… and Mr. Cross."
Selene read the message again just to confirm it still sounded like hell.
She stared at the rustic cabin like it might explode.
Julian emerged from inside with rolled-up sleeves and an axe in hand. There was firewood stacked at his feet and an annoyingly boyish grin on his face.
"Fancy seeing you here, roomie."
Selene folded her arms, Prada coat impeccable.
"I'd rather bunk with an actual bear."
Julian winked. "Careful what you wish for."
---
🪵 Inside the Cabin
It was worse than she expected.
There was one bedroom.
One bed.
A kitchen the size of her walk-in closet.
And a single fireplace—the only heat source.
"I'm calling HR," Selene muttered.
Julian sprawled lazily across the cabin's only couch. "You could. Or…" He gestured to the two mugs he'd set on the table. "You could drink the coffee I just made. It's non-toxic, I swear."
She ignored the coffee and began setting up a barrier of throw pillows between the sides of the bed.
He watched with amusement.
"Planning a pillow fortress, General Blackwood?"
"I prefer clear boundaries," she snapped.
Julian grinned. "Don't worry, Ice Queen. Your virtue is safe. I don't make moves on emotionally unavailable women who might poison me in my sleep."
She didn't flinch. "Good. Because I wouldn't use poison. Too slow."
---
🍽 Later That Evening – Awkward Dinner
The retreat organizers had stocked the cabin with supplies. Pasta. Red wine. Instant mac and cheese, for reasons Selene could not comprehend.
Julian cooked.
Poorly.
"Did you just burn boiling water?" she asked.
He looked down at the pot. "No. That's…steam. With extra ambition."
Selene sighed. "Move. I'll do it."
Twenty minutes later, they sat on either side of the dinner table. The pasta was edible. The wine was better.
"So," Julian said, twirling his fork. "Why don't you like people?"
Selene raised an eyebrow. "Is that your attempt at small talk?"
"It's my attempt at honesty."
She sipped her wine. "People disappoint. I avoid expectations. Simpler that way."
Julian studied her. "You sound like someone who got burned."
She set down her glass. "I sound like someone who learned."
For a moment, the fire crackled in silence.
He leaned forward. "Do I count as people?"
Selene smirked faintly. "You're more like a complication."
---
🔥 Midnight – One Fireplace, Two Frozen Executives
The temperature dropped to an unholy level.
Selene tried pretending she wasn't cold. Pride was a heavy blanket.
But after her third sneeze, Julian tossed an extra quilt across her.
"Just say you're freezing, Selene."
"I'm fine," she muttered through chattering teeth.
"You're purple."
"You're dramatic."
He paused. "Do you always pretend you don't need help?"
Selene stared at the flames. "Do you always push when you shouldn't?"
"Only when I care."
There it was again—that dangerous warmth in his voice. The kind that could unspool a lifetime of carefully wound defenses.
She turned away.
"I'm going to bed."
Julian didn't stop her.
But he didn't miss the way her shoulders trembled just before she shut the door.