Page 20 of Dead Pretty

“Let me clean you up. Eleven must have scratched you when I scared you both.”

“It was my fault. I screamed and scared her. I shouldn’t have been in here—”

His eyes fix on mine. My heart jumps into my throat.

“You were being a good person.” He squeezes my elbow and then releases his hold on me. “Just wait there a second.”

I watch, a little dumbstruck, as he backs up out of the kitchen and goes into the living room. I want to tell him that I’m not a good person. I’m the kind of person who gets people murdered.

Jack rummages around in one of the boxes and pulls out a first aid kit a few moments later.

I avert my eyes as he walks back to me, pretending like I find the floor insanely fascinating.

He stops in front of me, putting the first aid kit on the counter beside me.

God, he smells good. Like the outdoors. Cedar wood and something inherently male.

My ovaries shimmy with happiness.

Down, girls. It ain’t happening.

He rips open an antiseptic wipe, bringing my eyes to his hands and forearms. They’re strong and tanned.

He takes hold of my arm again. “This will sting.”

I lift my eyes to his face. His eyes are already on mine.

My heart putters to a stop.

“You ready?” he asks me.

All I can do is nod.

The first brush of the wipe over the cut stings like a bitch, but I take it like a woman.

I have experienced far worse than this in the past.

“Okay?” he checks as he continues to wipe over the scratch.

I find my voice and answer, “Yes.” Although it comes out sounding a little hoarse.

He lifts my arm up, examining it. And I can’t stop looking at his face. It’s like I no longer have control over my eyes.

“The scratch is too long to put a Band-Aid on,” he tells me. “So, you’ll have to leave it uncovered. I just wanted to get it cleaned up fast, make sure it doesn’t get infected.”

His eyes flick to mine, and I look away, caught.

My pulse is pounding, and I can feel my cheeks starting to heat. “I’ll be fine.”

I tug my arm free, and he lets it go this time.

“Thank you … for helping me with the scratch.” I skirt around him, ensuring not to touch one single part of his body with mine.

“No problem.” His voice hits my back as I head for the door.

I pull it open and walk through it, closing it behind me.

I practically sprint to my apartment. Let myself inside and lock up behind me.