Page 51 of Force Play

“Like drown you? Yes, actually. You make me Dom-icidal.”

Clutching my chest. “A crime of passion, no doubt. Don’t use it, it won’t bother me. Just don’t go out biking or hiking and hurt yourself because you’re too stubborn to accept help.”

She sticks her tongue out at me and then takes a long drink of her coffee. Checking the time, I realize if I’m going to drop her off at home I need to leave soon to make it to the stadium. “Um . . . I need to get to the stadium, so unless you’re going to hang out all day—which you can absolutely do—I need to get you home.”

She stands and I take her empty mug from her, setting it in the sink. Her eyes move to my abandoned mug on the countertop. “Not going to bring your coffee?”

“Nah. I’ll grab some from the stadium. Can’t risk spilling it on the drive.”

The ten-minute drive passes in mostly silence until we turn down her road and I say, “You really should have a doctor check your ankle, just to be sure it’s not broken.”

She mumbles something under her breath, letting me know she’s not going to do that.

“What was that?” I pry, hoping she’ll share what’s going through her head.

“I’m just not really a fan of doctors, is all.” She glances down at her lap but even without seeing her face I can hear the sadness in her voice.

“Your mom?” The urge to reach out and pull her into my lap nearly makes me cave. It’s what I did the last time we talked about her mother’s death. However temporary, there was a sense of intimacy and trust between us in the little bubble we created that night. One that burst the next morning when she made sure I was clear on where we stood. Each time she lets me help or confides in me, I feel a little of that trust being rebuilt.

I’m eager to get back to where we were, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that Indie needs more time to get to where I was then—where I still am now.

“That, among other things.” There’s no time to dig into the cryptic message because her apartment appears. She’s going to try to bolt as quickly as she can, which is why I stashed the crutches in the back, leaving her at my mercy. “Wait there, I’ll help you out.”

I’m sure there’s an eye roll I’m missing as I step out of the truck and grab her bike and the crutches.

“If you just give me the crutches, I can—”

Grabbing her waist, I lower her to the ground, keeping my hands on her while she finds her balance.

“That was unnecessary.”

“Just let me help you, it makes me feel better. Besides, you know me, I’m the king of being extra.”

Her eyes shift focusing on the bike behind me. “Well, since you mentioned it. Do you think you can put my bike in the garage for me?”

“Did that hurt?”

“You have no idea.” Her nose crinkles. I’m sure it would only piss her off if I tell her how cute it looks.

Rather than risk being bitten, I bop her nose and back out of reach. “It looked like it might have.”

What I don’t expect is for her crutch to swing out and catch me on the ass when I bend to right her bike from where I laid it down next to the truck. The tap is barely enough to sting. But it still makes its mark on me. It’s playful and that’s one of my favorite looks on Indie, she twists her lips to hide her smile.

“There’s a hook on the right side you can hang it on.”

“I can do that, but I’m going to need something in return.” Her eyes narrow. “Are you thinking about me naked again?”

“Forget it. I’ll figure out how to put the bike away.”

“No. I’ve got it. Just take the key.” Prying her fingers from where they’re wrapped around the crutch, I turn her palm up and press the key into it. “And when you get a wild idea, consider taking a swim instead.”

“Fine.”

“I think I like it when you do what I ask.”

“Don’t get too excited, Dom-a-zoid, I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Oh, but you will. That Speedo sealed the deal this morning!” I holler over my shoulder, wheeling the bike towards the garage, the new nickname lifting my spirits. Her bantering with me is a thousand times better than being ignored.

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