Page 58 of Dead Pretty

He looks confused. Surprised almost.

“Why do you want to go out with me?”

“Do you really need me to state the obvious?”

“Aside from the fact that I make your dick hard.”

He likes that. I see it from the flare in his eyes.

“You do make my dick hard. Painfully hard.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

“I have been nothing but a bitch to you from day one.”

“Maybe I’m a masochist.”

“Jack …” I sigh.

He chuckles. “Okay. Yeah, you can be a bitch. But believe it or not, I like that about you, Audrey. I like that you don’t take shit from me or anyone. But that’s not all you are. You can be funny when you want to be.”

“I’m also a loner.”

“Me too.” He smiles. “Don’t sell yourself short, Audrey. You’re kind. I see the way you are with my Eleven.”

“Just because I like your cat doesn’t mean I’m a good person.”

“No, but taking her in when you thought she was lost does. And I think you’re forgetting the time you broke into my apartment because you were worried that I was hurt.” He’s smirking.

“You’re an ass.”

“I do have a nice ass. But yours is better.” He squeezes my butt with his hand.

I like this playful side of him. I like it a whole lot.

But I still shouldn’t go out with him.

I press my hand to his chest. “I can’t date you, Jack.”

It’s his turn to sigh. “One date, Audrey. Just give me that. One date, and if that doesn’t change your mind about me … us … then I’ll leave you alone. What do you say?”

I stare at him. Beautiful, stunning Jack. Who’s ignited something inside of me, making me feel almost alive again.

If I go out with him this one time, then I don’t have to do it again. There’s nothing saying I have to keep dating him.

Maybe I’ll go out with him and think he’s a total jackass after spending actual, real time with him. It could stop this thing between us from raging on.

Or it could stoke it further.

I mentally sigh, already knowing what I’m going to say before I do it.

“Okay,” I say. “One date. And that’s it.”

He smiles widely. “That’s all I need.”

I agreed to this date, and I have been antsy about it ever since. I’ve thought about canceling a hundred or so times over the last twenty-four hours.