Wicked Valentine (Sizzling Encounters) by April Angel

Chapter One
     
     
    What in the hell was wrong with this picture? She was at a retreat, or what she liked to think of as a stupid idea someone with too much time had come up with to push her and her coworkers into learning to communicate better, get a feel for what each employee wanted to get out of the job, and figure out a way to provide better service…and some other crap she couldn’t remember at the moment.
    Why in the world did she have to be there? She slapped her calf, killing off another mosquito. Darkness enveloped the group around the campfire, which made it easy for her glance over to the side and chug on the wine bottle, the one she had strategically placed next to the tree trunk she sat on. Everyone was so involved in “sharing” that they didn’t notice her getting drunk in the back, alone. And that was perfectly fine by her.
    If only they would stop the incessant chatter already and send her off to bed, giving her some peace. But if she went to bed in her very lonely cabin, she wouldn’t be able to watch Max.
    She glanced off to the side, as if admiring the scenery, and took another gulp of wine, the fruity flavor no longer bursting on her tongue but mixing with the lingering sweetness from her previous swig.
    “Sabrina?” Eve’s sharp tone made her jerk to face the rest of the group. Normally she wouldn’t mind being called by her real name, though everyone outside of work knew her as Nina, but the way Eve said it, with so much severity, it made her want to wince.
    “Hmm?”
    The outdoors and nature did nothing to smooth out Eve’s harsh features. Nor did she look anywhere near friendly with the glare she directed toward Nina. Nina had to fight the urge to giggle every time Eve looked at her that way. Eve reminded her of Cruella de Vil.
    “I asked if there was anything you’d like to add to the discussion?”
    Nina’s gaze slid past Eve to lock on Max. His lips quirked, almost like he knew exactly what she’d been doing. Too bad he was so far away and there were all those people there, or she’d finally do something about the attraction that didn’t let her sleep. She was ready to finally give in to temptation and have her way with him. Screw the fact that they worked together. Or better said, she worked for him.
    “No, Eve. I think what you have shared covers all the important points we’re here to discuss.” Lie. She had no clue what Eve had been saying.
    Eve’s frown smoothed, and she lifted her chin. “Thank you, Sabrina.” She turned back to the others, effectively dismissing her. “As I was saying…”
    Nina shut Eve’s low, droning voice out of her mind again and peeked down a passageway between the trees. There was enough light from the campsite, she could just make out her way down the path. Curiosity got a hold of her. She stood on wobbly legs and blinked. The group spun out of focus for a second.
    “Sabrina?”
    Nina took a few steps toward the dimly lit passage in the woods before she turned to Max’s enquiring voice. “I’m just going to the ladies room for a moment.” She pointed in the direction of the trees.
    “Wait! That’s not…”
    She ignored Max’s call to her and strolled off, breaking twigs and dead leaves with each step. Mosquitoes nibbled on her legs, each bite a constant reminder that she wished she was home in her bed, relaxing, or at least with someone that would help her fight the arousal shooting through her whenever she glanced at Max. But she’d broken up with her last boyfriend a while back. Since he didn’t get the message that she was no longer interested, she had stopped going to the places she might encounter him.
    With each step she took, the sound of the river beckoned her in its direction. Her foot caught, and she tripped on a branch. She squealed as the earth tilted in front of her. Rocky ground rushed up to meet her face.
    A strong pair of hands grabbed her by the waist and hauled her backward. “I got you.” Max’s deep voice