Page 93 of Renard's Deliverance

She swallowed heavily, feeling her body heat. The way he stared at her was so intense.

Hungry.

Hot.

He walked over and kneeled between her legs, pushing them apart.

God, he was gorgeous.

Then he cupped the side of her face. “You know why I want you to come with me to the restaurant?”

“Because you like me where you can see me?”

His lips twitched. “There’s that. I definitely like having you where I can see you. You tend to get into trouble if I’m not riding your ass.”

“I do not! I very rarely get into trouble.”

He raised his eyebrows.

Yeah, even she wasn’t buying that.

“Fine. Occasionally, I get myself into trouble. But it’s not always my fault. Mostly, but not always.”

He pressed his thumb over her lips. She guessed he wanted her to shut up now.

“Want you with me, Gem, because I like having you near me. Partially because I want to keep an eye on you, but I also like being with you. And I definitely want to make sure you’re taken care of. You’re hurting and I really don’t like that. I don’t like that I’m going to be away from you when you’re hurt, not knowing if you’ll take good care of yourself. And I’m betting that you won’t.”

Hmm.

He was likely right, but she didn’t think it was a good idea to agree with him.

“I’ll take care of myself. You can message me to check.”

“Don’t think I won’t do that,” he warned her.

Opal leaned closer, ignoring the pull in her back. “I want you to. Check on me. I dare you.”

A low moan escaped him. “You realize you’re flirting with me right now.”

She grinned. Might be a bit of a weird way to flirt, but it worked.

Cupping her cheek, he leaned in and kissed her.

And, oh boy, this was the kiss she’d been needing, wanting. This kiss was everything that had been promised to her from his brief kiss last night. It was forceful without being overwhelming. Hot without taking things too far.

All she wanted was more.

When he pulled back, she moved forward, then groaned as her back complained.

“Damn it.”

“Careful,” he warned. “See? This is why you need to come with me.”

“It’s your fault,” she grumbled. “If you weren’t such an amazing kisser, then I wouldn’t have wanted more.”

“My apologies,” he told her solemnly.

“You don’t seem all that apologetic.”

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