Jesus Christ, that had hurt. His balls throbbed like someone had—
Well, someone had shoved a knee into them.
He lay there for what seemed like hours, but he knew it was only minutes before he managed to stagger to his knees. He found the wall, still struggling to catch his breath.
In a minute. He’d be able to stand in just a minute.
“Oh, my God. Are you okay?”
He heard a female voice.
Great. Just what he needed. A witness to his humiliation.
Then cool, soft hands swept across his forehead.
“Are you hurt? Did you fall?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“You are not fine. You’re sweating and practically hyperventilating. Tell me what happened.”
His eyes were still closed and he concentrated all his effort on trying to determine if his balls were still attached to his body. He did not want some woman being nice to him.
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.”