Page 19 of Renard's Deliverance

That damn well hurt. And what the hell was she doing? She was tough. Strong.

She didn’t take any shit from anyone.

So why did she just shy away like she thought he would hit her?

Instinct. Or maybe habit.

Because she wouldn’t be in an enclosed space if she thought he might hurt her.

Then again, maybe she was being a dumbass because Renard had a reputation for being temperamental.

“Did you . . . did you think I was going to hit you?” he whispered.

There was a starkness to his voice.

As though he felt ill.

“No,” she scoffed. “You just startled me.”

He stared at her for a long moment and she forced her gaze onto his chin.

“Look at me, then.”

“I am,” she countered. “If you don’t want to drive me home anymore?—”

“Look at me, Opal. Didn’t take you for a coward.”

Anger flooded her and she snapped her gaze to his. “I’m not a coward!”

“I know you’re not, Gem,” he told her in a soft voice. “I bet you’ve got more courage in your little toe than the rest of this town put together.”

“Not sure that’s true, but I’m no coward. And if you know I’m not then why did you say that?”

“Because I wanted you to look at me. And see that I mean every word when I tell you that I would never hit or harm you. I would cut off my arm before I did that to you, to any woman or child, for that matter. I know I’ve got my problems, my demons. I know I have a temper. I can’t stand idiots. But you’re not an idiot, Opal. And if I ever laid a hand on you in anger, ever hurt you, you go straight to Jake and tell him to shoot me dead.”

She sucked in one breath, then another, slowly putting herself back together. She still couldn’t believe she’d flinched like that.

“I won’t be worrying Jake, I’d shoot you myself.”

“Good girl,” he praised her. “Good fucking girl. You do that. Because no man who touches a woman like that deserves to live.”

She felt a surge of pleasure at his praise which instantly made her uncomfortable. Because she shouldn’t feel that.

Because she definitely wasn’t ‘good.’

“I’m nobody’s good girl. Some of the subs at the club might like that shit, but not me.”

Such a liar.

The truth was that she wanted to be a good girl. She wanted to give in to a Top who would take care of her, look after her.

Spank her when she needed it. Yeah, she liked a bit of pain sometimes.

She’d just never found someone who could give her that.

Or someone she trusted to do that.

“We going or what?” she asked.

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