Page 78 of Renard's Deliverance

“Well, it’s one. As well as no putting yourself down or calling yourself names. No putting your health or safety in danger, which includes carting around anything heavy. Like fucking carpet or furniture. Also includes not walking around at night on your own, without a coat.”

“But I’ve got to get my furniture back into the spare bedroom. And it’s not always cold enough for a coat.”

“Well, you’ve got me now. I’ll be moving anything you want moved and you will remember a coat or I’ll start doing that for you.”

“That would be nice if you helped me.”

“Not helping you, Gem. I will be doing it. You will be directing, telling me where I can put stuff. And I’ll let you order in some food to feed me, that’s it.”

“Because of my back?” she queried.

“Nope. Because it’s a man’s job to carry heavy shit for his woman.”

“That seems a bit sexist.”

“It is what it is,” he told her firmly. “Now, Tylenol?”

“I’ll take it,” she told him.

Thank fuck.

“Only, I don’t have any.”

“No problem. I’ve got some in the glovebox of my truck.”

“You do?”

“Don’t look so shocked, Gem,” he told her, feeling amused. “Sometimes, us cavemen have to take painkillers too.”

“Huh. You learn something every day.”

14

“Here, I got the pills and some water.” He held out the glass to her. She waited for the pills, but he just stared at her.

“Um, are you going to give me the pills?” she asked.

“You want to take them or you want me to put them in your mouth?”

Was that weird?

It sounded weird.

Eh. Who gives a fuck what’s weird?

“Stick it in my mouth, darlin’,” she told him with a smirk.

“Oh, I will.” He grinned back.

She managed to hide her unease. She was being ridiculous. He was nothing like Stefan.

“You want to see what I’m giving you first?” he asked.

Did she?

Maybe.

So she nodded. He opened his hand, showing her two small white pills. Her stomach tightened.

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