Page 32 of Renard's Deliverance

For some reason she didn’t want to tell him that it had been smashed into little pieces.

Renard grunted. “Good thing we’re installing a new one.” Then he started pulling her gently out of the shop again and onto the sidewalk.

“You said that wasn’t for me.”

“I did?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Huh. Must have lied. It’s definitely for you.”

“What do you mean, you lied?”

He turned and stared down at her. “I lied.”

“Why?”

Renard raised his eyebrows, looking incredulous. “To get what I wanted, of course. Why else would I have lied?”

“I just . . . I don’t . . . I can’t believe you’re just admitting it!”

“Ahh, so you’d rather I lie? You know, you should work on your communication skills. It can be hard to understand you.”

It was hard to understand her?

He was . . . running rings around her.

The rat!

“You’re just trying to distract me so I don’t point out the actual issue here,” she said as they headed toward his truck.

“There’s an issue? Do tell.”

“The issue is that you bought me a security light when I was going to buy my own. I also wanted to get some other things, but you dragged me out of there before I could.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“Like pliers.”

“I have pliers,” he stated as he opened the passenger door.

“Um, what are you doing?” she asked, staring from him to the open door.

“Opening the door for you,” he replied. “Do you want me to lift you in? Not sure how you can get up in those heels.”

“I can do anything in these heels,” she countered.

“Good to know,” he said, “Now, get in my truck.”

“Um. Have you ever heard of the word ‘please?’”

He grinned. “I have.”

Damn, he was so sexy when he smiled.

“Have you ever thought about using it?” she asked.

“Hmm, can’t say that I have.” He rubbed a hand over his beard, but she saw his grin widen.

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