Dai pulled his T-shirt over his head, and was more than a little pleased by Virginia's soft, involuntary intake of breath. He turned his back on Hugh so that the paramedic could peel back the bandages.
"Mm," Hugh said. Dai winced as the paramedic's gloved fingers lightly probed the wound. "For your future reference, Dai, 'fine' is an appropriate descriptor when one does not have a severe puncture in the supraspinatus muscle." There was a rustle as Hugh pulled off one of his gloves. "Now hold still."
Dai felt the paramedic's palm brush his skin—but only for the briefest moment. Hugh snatched his hand back with a bitten-off curse.
"Something wrong?" Dai asked, twisting round in concern. Hugh had shown discomfort when healing him before, but never as vehemently.
"Just caught by surprise," Hugh said through gritted teeth. He was gripping his wrist as if he'd put his hand down on a hot stove. His pained gaze flicked briefly to Virginia. "Though I should have guessed." Clenching his jaw, he placed his palm back over Dai's wound. "Now hold still."
A familiar warmth spread through Dai's muscles as Hugh did...whatever it was he did. Despite their years working together, Dai still had no idea how Hugh's talent worked, or even what type of shifter he was. Still, however mysterious it was, it was certainly effective. In less than a minute, the dull, painful throb of the fresh wound had faded to nothing more than a slight twinge.
"That will have to do," Hugh said, sounding dissatisfied. He stepped back, taking out a small packet of disinfectant wipes and starting to clean his hands. "Please try not to injure yourself more seriously, for my sake."
Virginia touched Dai's shoulder herself, sending a very different sort of warmth spreading through his body. "It's almost completely healed." She turned to Hugh, her eyes wide with wonder. "What are—"
"Gentlemen, you have your tasks," Ash interrupted, rising. Chairs scraped as the rest of the team reflexively stood up as well, Dai included. "Let us all be about them." His penetrating eyes rested on Dai for a moment longer than was comfortable. "And Daifydd, see that you do not neglect yours." With a small nod to Virginia, he left.
"What did he mean by that?" Virginia asked Dai, as the others filed out after Ash.
Guilt coiled in Dai's gut. He knew exactly what Ash had meant. But Virginia was looking so happy, at last reassured that everything would be well...he couldn't bear to snuff out the light in her face so soon.
"My job is to look after you," he said, hating himself for yet another half-truth. "We still have to get through today. I'm not leaving your side."
"Well." Virginia's gaze dropped to his bare torso, and her soft lips curled in a wicked smile. "I'm sure we'll think of something to do."
Chapter Eleven
When I said we'd have to find something to do, Virginia thought, sea-smoothed pebbles shifting under her feet as she trudged after Dai, I didn't exactly mean a trip to the seaside.
At any other time, Virginia would have enjoyed the walk along the promenade. She hadn't spent much time in the city itself over the past few weeks, being far too busy hiking the nearby countryside looking for Brithelm's burial site. The sea front was well worth a visit, with the faded grandeur of the old Victorian buildings making a stately backdrop to the cheerfully kitsch stalls and fairground rides that lined the pebbled beach. And, unfortunately, Dai seemed hell-bent on a long, leisurely stroll.
If someone had told me a few days ago that I was going to be given a personal tour of Brighton's top tourist attractions by an incredibly attractive man, I wouldn't have believed them.
Virginia sighed. She watched the play of muscles in Dai's upper arm as he gestured at the pier, only half-listening to his lecture about its history. The breeze blowing in from the grey-green sea rippled the fabric of his T-shirt, flattening it against the hard planes of his chest.
And if they'd told me that I wouldn't be having a good time, I would have laughed in their face.
The problem was, Dai didn't seem to be enjoying himself either. His stride was just a little too quick, constantly hurrying her along, while his continual monologue never gave her a chance to get a word in edgewise. Virginia had a sinking feeling that Dai was taking her on this walk not because he wanted to share his city with her...but because he didn't want to be alone in private together.
After Dai's fire crew had offered their help in thwarting Bertram, Virginia had felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She'd even dared to start thinking beyond the next few days. In the cozy pub, with Dai at her side, she'd felt so at home that she'd had a brief, crazy, shining daydream that maybe this could be the start of something more.
If they stopped Bertram from destroying the site and she got funding for a proper dig, she could be based in Brighton for months to come. Years, even, if the site was as significant as she suspected. She and Dai could get to know each other properly. And if she played
her cards right, she might be able to use the academic renown from this find to get her dream job at the British Museum. And if she did that...maybe she and Dai could have a future together.
Sure, there were a lot of ifs there, but for a moment it had all seemed so possible. And then she'd tried to take Dai's hand, and he'd jumped for the door as fast as if she'd tried to taser him. Since then, Virginia had tried a couple of times to casually touch his arm, but he'd always evaded her, not-quite-casually moving away in order to point out an interesting building, charming view, or (in one case) a passing seagull. For whatever reason, he very definitely wanted to keep his distance.
Virginia forced herself to look away from Dai's strong profile. There was no point tormenting herself with memories of running her hands through that red-gold hair, or the feel of those lips on hers.
Last night didn't necessarily mean anything. We were both high on adrenaline and stress hormones. It was just post-traumatic comfort-sex, that's all.
She stared down at the beach, scuffing the sea-worn pebbles with the toe of her boot.
I bet it happens to him all the time. He must rescue a lot of women, from both fires and dragons. No doubt loads of them get overly attached to him. He's a good guy, he must always try to shake them off without hurting their feelings too much.
Well, she wasn't going to cling to him like some stupid damsel in distress, weeping and begging him to love her. She had her pride. Virginia straightened her back, ruthlessly crushing down her disappointment.
I'm about to announce the biggest find since the Sutton Hoo treasure hoard. I don't have time to moon after some firefighter-slash-dragon-hunter, no matter how hot he is. Or sweet, or brave, or kind, or...