Page 43 of Out of the Shadows
COSMO
In the minibus on the way back everybody’s quiet, including me, as the long day makes itself felt, but it’s not the only reason I’m hunkered down into my jacket with my eyes closed.
Why did I tell Daniel I don’t have a boyfriend? Why did I think it was so important for him to know that about me? Like he said, it’s not his business. Maybe I didn’t like the way he assumed about me and Freddie. He was awkward and uncomfortable and, oh yes, I should have jumped on that and taken the chance to turn the tables and make him feel a fool. Yet… he’d come to my rescue when I tripped, he’d made sure he got me back and sorted out a lot quicker than those dopes who run the centre could have done. He’d looked out for me when so few people in my life have bothered.
“Do you want some help?”
I snap my eyes open. We’re back at the centre.
In the gloom of the minibus Daniel’s serious eyes are fixed on mine. I nod, and he jumps out and helps me down the step onto the ground. Even though I’m using him as support I come down heavier than I mean to, leaving me gasping and swearing as a burning bolt of pain explodes in my ankle. I sag into him as tears of pain fall down my cheeks.
“Sorry. Me and pain aren’t exactly on first name terms. It’s why all that BDSM stuff isn’t for me. One touch of a whip and I’d be howling for mercy.”
Daniel doesn’t answer, just shakes his head, but I’m sure I see a shadow of a smile on his lips.
“We’ll get some more ice on it, and raise it up under some extra pillows. More painkillers will also help, but as long as you rest it I think you’ll see a marked improvement within the next day or two. But I don’t think you’ll be going out dancing for a couple or so weeks, or doing anything you shouldn’t do.”
“Anything I shouldn’t do? Really?” I raise my brows in question.
“Yes. Anything active, like the gym. Or jogging.” His answer is serious and straight faced, as he refuses to rise to the tease in my question.
I can’t help laughing. “Jogging? Are you serious? All that chaffing. Haven’t you heard of Jogger’s Nipple?”
Others ask if they can help, including the hapless Kyle, but Daniel gives them a firm no, and they make their way in leaving just the two of us.
“I’m going to have to take my time getting back in. Sorry. You go ahead if you want because it’s cold out here and it’s just starting to rain. Again.”
“But if I left you out here on your own, you’d just be prey for all those bears roaming the woods. The ones you fought off, remember? I wouldn’t be a very good boss if I left one of my team to be attacked and eaten, only to be found tomorrow as nothing more than a pile of bloody bones.”
Daniel is so matter-of-fact that for a moment I’m utterly stumped as I stare up at him. In the shadowy light, his face is deadpan. And then he smiles, and all I can do is laugh.
“Maybe I was exaggerating, or just a little. But I told you, I’m a London boy through and through. Zone One on the underground is my natural habitat. You can’t imagine the trauma I experienced when I had to move into Zone Two,” I say, referring to the travel zones on the tube network which cover central London. “But I’ve been dealing with it. With the help of therapy,” .
“Maybe you were exaggerating, about the bears perhaps, but one thing you’re not exaggerating is the pain you’re in. You look like you’re about to collapse. At the speed you’re moving it’ll take you a month of Sundays to get inside so there’s only one thing for it. I’ll give you a lift. Literally.”
I blink up at him. Another piggyback?
“People will start to talk, you know.” I mean it to be a throwaway and flippant line, something to laugh at, yet somehow it feels anything but funny. Neither of us say a word as our eyes meet.
“Well, let them,” he says quietly.
My heart almost stops, because it’s not what he said, but how he said it. There’s an edge to his words, almost a dare, but my brain’s sluggish with tiredness and pain and confusion and before I can even begin to catch up, Daniel’s back to being resolute and matter of fact as he takes control.
“It’s cold and wet and I want to get inside, and I expect you do too. Climb onto my back the way you did earlier and in a few steps we’ll be inside.”
“No, it’s okay. You go ahead, I’ll just take my time.” My ankle hurts like a bitch, but I can hobble, or just about.
“It’s not okay. Can’t you do as you’re told without arguing? Just once?” He glowers at me, and his voice is riddled with impatience. He’s also getting soaked.
“Okay, okay, even though it kind of goes against the grain. Thank you.”
Daniel gives a curt nod before I’m hoisted onto his back as though I don’t weigh a thing.
“All right?”
He turns his head slightly, his cheek brushing against mine and bringing with it a faint rasp of stubble, and a strangled noise I think is meant to be yes drops from my lips.
It takes seconds to get inside when I know it would have taken me several minutes. As soon as we’re through the door, I expect him to put me down but instead he strides into the common room where everybody’s gathered. All eyes turn to look at us. Muttering he can put me down, I slide from his back.
