Page 167 of Renard's Deliverance

“Renard,” she whispered as she took a step toward him.

He was getting through. He just had to push a bit more.

“And something that is so beautiful and precious could never fucking be contaminated. It could never be dirty. You understand me? He might have made you feel that way. Others might have too, but it’s not fucking true, my baby. Do not let them win. You think this way, you push me away, they win. And nobody can beat us, Gem. Not as long as we’re together.”

“What about your porch only fitting one rocker?”

Fucking asshole.

He hated that he’d done this to her.

“I’ll build a bigger porch. If I can’t do that, then I kneel, and my queen sits on the rocker like it’s a throne.”

She sniffled and took a step toward him. “I might cry.”

“Then you cry. Do what you gotta do.”

“Are you sure you want this?” Another step.

“Never been more sure of anything.”

She slid her hand into his and he did the rest, pulling her gently to him. Holding her as tight as he dared.

Then he held her as she broke.

The tears came and they came. They rocked her body, they filled the room, and they broke his fucking heart.

Something he hadn’t realized he still had.

But it was there, shriveled and dried up, and all fucking hers.

For what it was worth.

When he felt her strength go, he picked her up and carried her to the world’s most uncomfortable couch. There he sat with her on his lap and waited until she calmed down.

“I need a tissue,” she said huskily. “Where do you keep them?”

“I’m a man who lives alone.”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“I don’t have any tissues.”

“Oh. I’ll get some toilet paper.”

“You’re not going anywhere, Gem.” Renard drew the sleeve of his shirt down over his hand. “Look at me.”

She leaned back to glance up at him and he started wiping away her tears with his shirt sleeve.

“What are you doing?” she cried.

“Stay still or you’ll hurt yourself. And I’m cleaning you up.” He didn’t know why he had to explain that. Thought it was obvious.

“You can’t do that with your shirt sleeve!”

“Think I just did, Gem.”

Her face softened. “I can’t believe that’s why you call me Gem. That you actually believe all of that.”

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