Actually, he wanted nothing to do with any female. Possibly ever again.
He managed to stand—with the woman’s help, unfortunately.
“Tell me where you’re hurt,” she said.
He shook his head. “I’m not hurt. Just go away.”
“I am not going to go away. I’m a doctor and I can help you.”
Awesome. This night was getting worse by the second. “I don’t need a doctor.”
“How about you let me be the judge of that?”
He opened his eyes and looked over at his unwanted savior.
She was, of course, gorgeous. Which made her immediately untrustworthy, since he’d just vowed to never again fall for a beautiful woman.
She was average height, with short blond hair and the most intense blue eyes he’d ever seen. She also had the most perfect mouth—
Not that he was ever going to think about a woman in a sexual way again. Thoughts like that only led to trouble, and crushed testicles.
He leaned against the cool wall and tried to think about anything but this humiliating situation.
She slipped her fingers around his wrist.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Shhh.”
Fine with him. Maybe if he didn’t say anything, or look at her, she’d disappear.
But she didn’t. She kept holding on to him.
“Your pulse rate is a little high.”
He opened his eyes and looked down at her. “Not surprising since I just got kicked in the balls.”
She pursed her lips as she met his gaze. “Literally or figuratively?”
“Literally.”
“Ouch. I can’t speak from experience, of course, but that must have been painful. What did you do to deserve that?”
Figures she’d think he was deserving of a knee to the groin. “Nothing. I had a drunk girlfriend who had it in her head we were supposed to move in together. When I tried to let her down easy, that was her response.”
“Ouch again. Sorry.”
He shrugged. “Not your fault.”
She rubbed her hands together. “I should examine you.”
He let out a laugh. “Honey, no offense, but the last thing I want is any woman near my balls tonight. Or possibly ever again.”
She smiled. “You say that now. You’ll change your mind once they feel better. And you need to let me take a look and feel them to make sure your girlfriend—”
“Ex-girlfriend.”
“Okay. To make sure your ex-girlfriend didn’t seriously injure you.”
“Uh, no. I’m okay.”
She put her hands on her hips. She had nice hips, showcased in a white lacy sundress, which was attached to one very cute figure. Not that he was into noticing that kind of thing at the moment. “Who’s the doctor here? Me or you?”
“You. Or so you say. This could be some conspiracy. You could be a friend of Laura’s setting me up for round two of let’s-destroy-Tucker-Cassidy’s-manhood night.”
Now it was her turn to laugh. “I can assure you I have no idea who your girlfriend—”
“Ex-girlfriend.”
“Right. I can assure you I am not in league with your nefarious ex-girlfriend.”
“I like that.” He finally had something to smile about.
“Like what?”
“Nefarious. It fits her. But you’re still not getting in my pants.”
“Playing hard to get, Tucker?”
He looked her over. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
“I see you’re starting to feel better. That’s a very good sign. But no, I’m not showing you mine. I am going to look at yours, though. And in your weakened condition, I’m pretty sure I can get into your pants.”
His balls still throbbed. What if Laura had broken them? What if he was unable to have kids? Not that he wanted any—right now. But someday . . .
“Okay. Fine. You’re really a doctor?”
“I really am. So drop ’em and let’s take a look at the goods.”
He reached for the zipper of his pants. “If I had a dollar for every time a woman said that to me . . .”
She snickered, moved in closer, and he caught a light citrusy scent. He breathed it in, the best thing he’d smelled all night. It smelled like renewal, like starting over.
Which was ridiculous because he didn’t even know the doctor’s name. But if she fixed him, she’d be his savior.
She cradled his ball sac in her hand, then examined his dick. There was something about having a woman so close to his goods that should be exciting as hell. But he wasn’t getting hard. He hurt too damn bad.
“It’s inflamed, but she didn’t break your penis.”
“Well, hallelujah.”
She tilted her head to the side and gave him a wry smile. “Right? She hit you pretty hard, though. Your testicles are swollen and red.”
She took a step back. “You can pull your pants up now. You’ll be sore for a couple of days, but you’re going to be fine.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
He zipped up. “I hope your husband or boyfriend doesn’t mind you inspecting my stuff down here in the wine cellar.”
“No husband. No boyfriend. I’m a resident at Washington University here in St. Louis, and way too busy for that.”
“I see. So who are you here with?”
“Oh, my father is Clyde Ross. I’m Aubry.”