Page 121 of Dead Pretty

Stop. Don’t think that way.

Jack is silent. Watching me.

I’m scared. My insides are quaking.

I’m about to reveal the worst thing about me.

I might not be vocalizing it. Telling him my past. What happened to me. Where these scars came from.

But I will be telling him that something happened to me.

I’ll be making myself vulnerable to him.

And it’s absolutely fucking terrifying.

My hands are shaking as they reach for the hem of my tank top.

I see the change in Jack’s expression when he realizes what I’m about to do.

But his expression isn’t one of curiosity. It’s admiration. Because he knows exactly how hard this is for me.

And that gives me the last boost of confidence I need to lift my top up and over my head, exposing my ugly, physical flaw to him.

My eyes are closed. I’m afraid to open them. Afraid of what I’ll see when I look at Jack.

“Audrey.” His deep, soft voice reverberates over my skin.

Taking a strengthening breath, I open my eyes.

Jack is standing now.

His eyes on mine.

I’m naked … completely defenseless in front of him.

My heart is beating fast. My body vibrating with nerves.

I feel raw. Like someone took a grater to my insides.

Jack’s hand lifts to my face, cupping my cheek.

I stare up into his eyes. Those eyes I just can’t seem to ever look away from.

“You are beautiful, Audrey.” His voice is raspy. “You are always beautiful.”

In this moment, it feels as if a dark cloud lifts off me. A barrier gone between us.

And nothing matters but Jack and me.

Not my past. The scars on my skin.

Nothing.

Just him and me.

I reach up on my toes and press my lips to his.

The kiss turns molten in seconds.