Page 79 of Renard's Deliverance

“Open your mouth and stick your tongue out,” he ordered. “Now, Gem.”

There was no denying the order in his voice. And she did as commanded.

Perhaps she should have taken them herself.

Maybe it wasn’t right for him to order her to take them.

But screw it. They were down and she was swallowing them with the help of the water.

And the world didn’t end.

Still, it was hard to get them to stay down. The memories of the past threatened to have her throwing them up, Renard took hold of her face with his hands, cupping her cheeks.

“That’s it, baby. Just swallow. Then breathe. Good girl. One breath. Then another. That’s all you’ve gotta do. Just breathe. I’m here. Let me take care of the rest.”

Lord.

Why? Why send her such a perfect fucking man? Was it torture?

“Such a good girl for me, Gem. Deserves a reward.”

“Am I getting a gold star?”

“Hmm, I was thinking more like my mouth on your pussy until you’ve come several times. Once you’re feeling better, that is.”

“All right. I could accept that.”

“Glad you could accept that,” he replied solemnly. “Any reason why you couldn’t take liquid painkiller?”

She grimaced. “I don’t know. Maybe? The thought of it still makes me feel ill and I don’t think I want a lot of it in the house.”

God. Did she sound like a complete lunatic?

“Understood.” He nodded and stood. “Going to check the doors and windows.”

He disappeared and she lay there for a long moment.

Renard was in her house.

And they were a . . . well, whatever they were. Could she call him her boyfriend?

It didn’t seem the right word.

Her obsession?

Yeah, that sounded more likely.

When was he going to leave? Probably soon.

And she’d be alone.

You can be alone. You’re fine.

“Gem, do you know you’ve got a broken latch on one of your living room windows?” he asked as he returned.

“What? I have?”

“Yeah. Gonna go see if I can find something to wedge in there to secure it.”

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