Page 69 of Renard's Deliverance

“With spankings? Nope. However, not sure I could handle anything hardcore like whips and canes.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Hmm. The cane isn’t really my thing, but I get a lot of requests at the club for my whip skills. Using a whip isn’t always about inflicting a lot of pain or blood and scars and screams. Sometimes it can be a sting then a kiss of heat. With the right person wielding it.”

“You think I might like it?” she asked.

“Can’t say, Gem. Only you can know that. But being with me isn’t contingent on taking more pain than you want or can handle. Got me?”

“Yeah,” she replied. “If there’s one thing you are, it’s plain-speaking. I appreciate that.”

“Good, Gem. Because that’s what you’ll get a lot from me. I speak my mind and I prefer that people do the same with me. Especially you. Lie to the world, if you want, I don’t give a fuck. But never to me. All right?”

“Yes, all right.” She had to tell him about the painkillers. Maybe about all of it.

“I want you to tell me it all, Gem. But not while you’re sitting there in pain. So how about we get you someplace where you’ll be more comfortable and I won’t feel like punching a wall every time you wince.”

“Please don’t punch any walls. I don’t own this house.”

“Pretty sure Alec Malone has seen plenty of punched walls in his time, but I will try to refrain. If you’re sure you’re not going to take any painkillers, then let’s get you into bed.”

12

Renard helped her into her bedroom.

Fuck.

He hated that she was hurting so badly. He stood for a moment and just breathed, trying to keep himself from doing something stupid.

You cannot force her to take painkillers.

You cannot punch the wall because you’re frustrated that you can’t help her.

You cannot go punch Dean because you’re angry that he’s a dick who hurt her.

Well, he could.

That would likely bring him a lot of joy. But it wouldn’t help Opal. And it would mean leaving her, which he wasn’t going to do.

So he’d just have to keep himself under control.

“I think I’ll have a shower,” she said. “Hot water seems to help.”

He narrowed his gaze as he studied her. “Don’t like the idea of you showering on your own.”

Opal raised her eyebrows, pursing her lips. “Now, darlin’, normally I’d love to take you up on a shower together, but not sure I’d be much fun right now.”

“I didn’t say you had to be fun,” he replied. “This is about me taking care of you. About me making sure you don’t slip in the shower and hurt yourself worse than you already are.”

Her face grew soft and he could easily see there was shock there.

“That’s really kind.”

He snorted. “I’m not kind.”

“I think you are,” she countered. “And sweet.”

He scowled and pointed at her. “Don’t be spreading that shit around, Gem.”

“Why? You think the secret will get out and everyone will find out how sweet and kind you are?”

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