Defiant Heir (The Heirs #3) - Michelle Heard Page 0,44

face, and it’s only then that it sinks in, I’ve been touching her scars without her freaking out. I stare at her face, and I’m able to make out the bumps and swells I felt. The cuts are haphazard over her cheek and neck, but it does nothing to dim her beauty.

“Let’s see what happens,” she murmurs.

At least it’s not a no.

“I can work with that,” I reply, a grin tugging at my lips.

Fallon lifts her hand to my face, and her fingers brush over the corner of my mouth. “I missed seeing you smile.”

My lips curve against her fingertips. “I missed seeing you.”

She drops her hand and asks, “What can you see?”

“Everything’s still blurry and black and white, but I can see details like faces, clothing, a cup.”

“So, no color?” Fallon asks.

“Not yet. Dr. Hodgson, my ophthalmologist, said it might take another two to three weeks before I can make out the finer details and see color. It differs from person to person.”

“So… uhm,” she wets her lips nervously. “How much of… the scars did you see?”

“Enough to know it’s not a minor injury,” I admit. When Fallon remains silent, I ask, “What did your doctor say? Can he help?”

Fallon nods. “My surgery is scheduled for the twenty-fourth. Dr. Menard said he’ll be able to reduce it significantly, but there might be white marks once it’s healed completely.”

“That’s good, right?” I ask, glad we’re finally talking. I’m taking it as a huge win.

“Yeah,” Fallon agrees. “But I still have to walk around like this for three weeks. I don’t want anyone to see it.”

I lift my hand to her right cheek, but this time, Fallon scoots back. “I don’t want you touching it, Kao. Please.”

“The scars don’t make a difference how I feel about you,” I assure her.

Fallon gets up. “Still, I’m not comfortable.”

I’m starting to catch on that it’s hard for Fallon to say the word scars.

I stand up and murmur, “You’ll always be beautiful to me.”

She lets out a soft chuckle, and the heartbreak and hopelessness still shimmer through.

“Do you want to sleep, or can I talk you into having a cup of coffee with me?” I ask, wanting to spend more time with her.

“Coffee sounds good.”

A smile tugs at my lips.

Fallon’s gaze settles on me, and she asks, “You’re okay with lights, right?”

“Yeah, mostly. Sometimes my eyes are sensitive, but then I’ll just wear the sunglasses indoors, as well.”

“Anything else?”

“I’m not allowed to rub my eyes, and I have to sleep with eye shields on. Noah takes care of putting in the eyedrops.”

“He’s been amazing,” she states.

“Yeah, I’m lucky to have him.” I take a step toward the door. “Thank you for giving me a chance to explain myself.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen sooner.”

She lifts her right hand and begins to pat over her hair. Bringing my arm up, I stop her nervous movements. “I wish you wouldn’t hide your face from me.” Placing my hand on her lower back, I give her a nudge. “Lead the way.”

Fallon doesn’t respond to what I said but instead walks out of the room. The instant we step into the hallway, Jase pushes away from where he was leaning against the wall outside Fallon’s room. “Night, guys.”

“Night.” Fallon lets out a real chuckle this time.

He was probably waiting to kick my ass if I screwed things up with Fallon again. Damn, I’d let him.

From this moment on, I’ll do everything in my power to make Fallon happy. I’ll be the man she deserves.

Chapter 16

FALLON

I make coffee while Kao sits at the table.

So much happened tonight, I’m struggling to process it all.

Kao kissed me.

While I wait for the coffee pot to fill, I lift my fingers to my lips. Feeling his mouth on mine was everything and so much more than I ever thought it would be. Even though I was caught off guard, I don’t regret it happening.

I was honest when I told Kao we should first get back to being friends before we can even think of having a relationship.

I’m also hoping to have the surgery before his vision fully returns.

Deep in thought, my fingers slowly move to my cheek, and I feel the roughly raised skin. Knowing Kao touched it makes my stomach lurch.

I yank my hand away and quickly shift my hair back into place.

“What’s wrong?” Kao asks.

“Nothing.” The word bursts from me. I quickly pour the warm liquid into the cups, then add cream and sugar.

Turning to Kao, I place a cup in front of