Page 41 of Renard's Deliverance

“You won’t always get your own way, you know!”

Yeah, he would.

He liked getting his own way so he made sure it happened a lot.

When she returned with a lightweight coat on, he grinned down at her.

“Right. Put yours back on, now,” she urged, glancing around almost frantically.

“Anyone would think you were ashamed of my body. I’m hurt.” He put a hand on his chest, giving her a sad look.

Her eyes widened. “What? No! That is not what I’m saying. Why would I say that? You’ve got an incredible body. You’re sexy as hell.”

“Thanks for noticing. Tell me more.” He drew his shirt on with a wink at her.

She glared up at him, her hands on her trim hips. “You’re gorgeous. You’re sexy. And you can also be a complete dick.”

He shrugged. “Yep. I know. But at least you’re warm now.”

There was silence as he got back to work which seemed odd for her.

“Oh, you are kidding me,” she muttered as he finished up.

Turning, he saw the sheriff’s car pull up.

Well, now, this ought to be interesting.

6

How was this her life?

After the shitshow with Stefan, not to mention the crappy years before him, all she’d wanted was to live a simple life in a quiet street in a crazy town filled with weirdos.

Was that really too much to ask for?

But it seemed that some of those weirdos were also judgmental and mean.

You get that everywhere.

She’d just been stupidly hoping for a respite from it. That she could put her past behind her and be a normal, boring person.

Living a normal, boring life.

“Don’t worry about this,” Renard said, jumping off the chair. “I’ll take care of it.”

He actually stepped between her and Jake. As though . . . as he was protecting her?

Damn it.

There went her insides again, growing all fuzzy and warm.

Shit.

She had to stop this. He wasn’t her hero. He wasn’t anything but a . . . a friend.

“Sheriff, how can we help you?” Renard said formally.

Jake sighed. “Will you just call me Jake? We’ve known each other for years.”

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