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She hadn’t told him that story. He doubted she told anyone that story. But that other medic had told people who’d told people, and it’d eventually reached him when he mentioned to a buddy that he knew her. That was how much of a bad-ass Daniela England was.
“Yeah, I’m sure you can do it,” she said, arching a brow. “But why risk further hurting yourself? You and I both know the longer you’re out of work, the more stir-crazy you’re going to go.”
He registered her take-charge expression as sexy as fuck even though his body was in no damn position to act on such a thought. Not that she’d want him to, of course. They’d been there, done that, and even though it’d been fucking awesome, he wasn’t sure if she or he had backed off faster. It was entirely possible that Dani was the female version of him when it came to relationships. Hell, maybe that was part of what attracted him. “Fine,” he said.
She grasped his wrist where it hung around her shoulder, gently grabbed him under his other arm, and slowly lifted him up until he could grab the top of the car door to help himself the rest of the way. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” she deadpanned.
He chuckled—or started to. Except, ow. “Don’t make me laugh.”
“Sorry,” she said, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Sean turned toward her which, given the way her arm was still around him, brought them nearly chest to chest. That was fine by him for what he had to say. “And quit apologizing to me. I’m the one who’s totally imposed on your schedule.”
The humor bled out of her expression. “But I owe you an apology.”
He searched her black eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. “How do you figure that?”
Her shoulders dropped, but she met his gaze head on. “Because I was a bitch to you yesterday.”
“I don’t remember that.” Not even anything remotely close to that.
Dani smirked then stepped away, and then retrieved a duffle from the back seat. “Yeah, well, your head gave the street a handshake last night so that’s to be expected.”
He winced at the simple fucking action of closing the car door. No wonder the doc benched his ass for the next couple of weeks. “I remember enough, D. Tell me you’re not talking about what happened at fight club.”
“You should’ve let me close that.” She locked the car and started up the sidewalk that ran through his narrow backyard.
“Nice deflection.”
The glare she threw him was vintage Daniela. “I’m not deflecting, asshole. I’m trying to help you.”
Chuckling had him pressing his hand to his chest. “Ow, stop fucking making me laugh. And you are helping me which is why there’s absolutely nothing you need to apologize for. I was the one who caused all the bullshit yesterday at WFC anyway.”
“Sean—”
“No, dude, we’re not relitigating this. Case closed.” They reached the covered patio that led to his backdoor, and it took a stupid amount of effort to get his keys out of his jeans pocket.
“Dude.” She sniggered under her breath.
“What?” he asked, nailing her with a stare after finally retrieving the keyring.
“You called me dude. You’re like the guyest guy ever.”
“Fuckin’ A.” He opened the door. “I’ll take that as a compliment. After you.”
Dani stepped inside, into the mud room surrounded on one side by a full bathroom and on the other by his laundry room. Beyond sat his family room, aka his man cave, a comfortable and cool-as-shit space that he’d given over to his love of superheroes and comic books. He hit the lights and waited for her to bust his balls.
She dropped her bag on one of the over-stuffed chairs, walked around the space, and scanned her gaze over the whole of it. Over the long black leather couch with the group of tall, stylized, red-and-white superhero portraits above. Over the black media center with all its shelves, mementos, and electronics. Over the bar in the corner, with three stools arrayed along the front and mirrored shelves holding liquor behind. All around, kick-ass 3-D art deco lights of Cap’s shield, Thor’s hammer, Super Man’s sign, Spiderman’s hand, and Iron Man’s mask cast warm colors over the room.
“So…you like superheroes, then.”
He crossed his arms, then quickly uncrossed them when he realized his chest was having none of it. “Shut up.”
Her eyes went wide. “What? I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“Seriously, it’s cool.”
He gave her a look. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter.”
“I’m not.” She quirked a grin that was too sexy for him to get peeved. “Well maybe I’m making just a little fun, but mostly I think it’s cool. You should totally have a party down here. It would be awesome.” He watched as she moved about the room, ran her hand over the black marble of the bar top, and leaned in to look at a framed display of comic books. “What made you such a big fan of superheroes?”
