Page 41 of Dead Pretty

He slides his cell into his pocket, muting the light, and his free hand finds my hip. Fingers curling around it.

My hands land on his biceps. “Jack.” His name comes out in a breathy whisper.

My heart is pounding. It’s so loud that I’m sure he can hear it.

He’s going to kiss me.

And I’m going to let him.

I really shouldn’t. But I can’t seem to remember the reasons why I should stop what’s about to happen.

A door bangs from somewhere in the hallway, and I jerk out of Jack’s hold.

It’s the wake-up call I needed.

What the hell am I doing? I make rules for myself, and the minute a hot guy comes along, I throw them all out the window.

I march over to the wall and flick the switch on, lighting up the whole room.

Jack blinks over at me. He has a look on his face that I can’t fully decipher. But it looks like surprise.

I’m assuming it’s because I broke whatever moment was about to happen between us.

“Audrey …” His voice is dark and smoky, and I know he’s going to say something that I don’t want to hear.

“Thanks for coming over to help me,” I say in a clear, steady voice.

He stares at me for a beat.

Just let it go, I silently plead.

He seems to come to some decision in his mind. He nods and says, “No problem.” He folds up the stepladder.

“I’ll replace your bulb tomorrow,” I say, needing to fill the tension-fueled air.

“Audrey, it’s not a problem.”

“No, I’ll replace it.” I’m firm with my words. I hate owing people anything.

He nods again, accepting.

Then, he moves toward me, passing by the bedroom hallway, and I know the exact moment that he spots the dead rat because he stops still and stares over at it.

Shit!

How the hell did I forget about it?

Um … because your brain was overrun by your stupid sex hormones.

“Audrey”—he turns to look at me—“did you know there’s a dead rat in your apartment?”

Yes. No.

Shit.

Do I tell him that I knew? Or do I play dumb?

Won’t he wonder why I didn’t say something to him before?