Defiant Heir (The Heirs 3)

“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 16FALLONI 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 him.

Kao lets out a chuckle. “I’ve missed your coffee.”

The corner of my mouth lifts a little, and then I say, “I’ve watched Noah help you. He should’ve studied medicine.”

“Yeah, but you can always take over.” It sounds like Kao is teasing me, but I can’t be sure. “I sure as hell wouldn’t mind you dressing me.”

I let out a burst of laughter. “Oh, is that so?”

I sit down next to him and sip on my coffee.

I watch as Kao carefully lifts the cup to his mouth.

“How are you coping?” I ask, wanting to know how he’s doing emotionally.

“Better.” He sets the cup down, then turns his eyes to me, and instantly I feel overly self-conscious. “Much better now that we’ve talked.”

“Yeah, me too.” It has helped to clear the air between us. I hated walking on eggshells around Kao. I feel we’ve taken a step in the right direction, and it’s taken some of the pressure off my shoulders.

I still have one question to ask, but I bite my bottom lip. It might be too soon to open that box of worms. Knowing it won’t stop bothering me, I push through and ask, “Why did you refuse the transplant?”

Kao’s eyes flit to my face before he lowers them again. He seems to think about his answer, and it makes the corner of my mouth lift. Seeing his trademark habits brings warmth to my chest.

Kao clears his throat, and his features tense. “I wanted to punish myself.”

Shocked, I gasp, “Why?”

“Because you got hurt.” His eyes lock on mine. “You could’ve died in the accident, and I just… the guilt drove me insane.”

Knowing Kao pushed me away because of his own guilt and heartache makes me regret not fighting harder for him.

“I’m sorry I gave up so quickly,” I whisper.

Kao turns his body toward me and holds his hand out to me. “Let’s make a deal.” When I place my hand in his, he says, “No more sorries. It was a hard month for both of us. Let’s focus on the future now.”