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“Oh, no you don’t. I’m not letting you change the subject.”

I inhaled and counted to five. How could I explain why I wear colored contacts without revealing my secret?

“Fine,” I huffed out. “I got annoyed with everyone noticing my eyes aren’t the same and teasing me about it. So I got colored contacts and now it’s not an issue.” I sounded more defensive than I intended, but damn him for ruining an otherwise perfect day with his questions.

“Will you take them out, your contacts, not your eyes,” He grinned. “So I can see them?” Jack asked softly, “Please.”

Jack always seemed to sense when I was uncomfortable, and would use humor to lighten the mood. He couldn’t know how close I was to freaking out right now. At least I hoped he didn’t.

None of this made sense. Why was he so interested in me? Was it because I didn’t tell him anything? He was smart, kind, and understanding. He could have any woman he wanted. I couldn’t imagine what he saw in me. My life was a mess. A big, ugly, dangerous mess.

“Okay.” I whispered after a moment’s hesitation. He’d been so nice to me I didn’t think I could say no. A small part of me didn’t want to.

Chapter 30

Jack

Isat, tapping my feet, impatient to see what she was hiding behind those dull brown contacts. Her eyes were expressive even with the contacts, so I could only imagine what it'd be like when she removed the curtains to the windows of her soul.

I didn’t have to wait long before Meg came out and sat down beside me. When she lifted her gaze to meet mine, my heart stopped dead in its tracks.

It wasn’t the color; they were a gorgeous shade of emerald green, or because they didn’t match, and one had specks of pale blue, it was the raw vulnerability.

Meg sat at the edge of the couch, clasping her hands together. It didn’t take a professional to see how scared she was to be exposing herself. I understood why she hid her eyes. They made her stand out.

I felt her trust to my core. She might be on the fence about dating me, but she’d shown me a level of trust beyond measure. It was humbling.

I knew then, beyond the shadow of any doubt, I would protect her regardless of what happened between us.

Her grandmother had been right. The green in her eyes matched the emerald hanging on her neck.

I sucked in an exaggerated deep breath. “Jesus, no wonder you hide your eyes. They’re lethal weapons.”

“At least it’s original.” Her fake laugh was like nails on a chalkboard.Dammit, I want her real laugh back.

“What is?”

“Your reaction. Most people see them and make fun of me.”

I couldn’t imagine anyone doing that, but then I remembered.That’s not the real reason. “It’s not too bad. Sure, one has some blue spots the other one doesn’t, but they’re not completely different colors. I like ‘em, they’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks turned the cutest shade of pink. I wonder if she flushes like that during sex. I mentally slapped myself to bring myself back to the conversation.

“Are they corrective?” I wanted to know if she’d be willing to take them out when we were alone. Now that I’d seen her without her contacts, I never wanted to see them again.

“No, just a shield against getting noticed.” She shrugged, clearly uncomfortable again.

“Your eyes are stunning. Would you mind if I asked you to take them out once in a while?” She flinched, so I quickly added, “Only when we’re alone?” I wanted to hear her laugh, or at the very least see her smile, so I added, “The contacts, not your eyes.” It was cheesy, but it worked.

“Maybe.”

“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure if she was teasing me or not and considered it a win either way. I thought I was getting better at reading her, but she was all over the place lately, flirting one moment and backing off the next. She was challenging my PI skills and my confidence in them.

I wanted to kiss her, but was worried she’d pull away again and I didn’t want to lose the progress I’d made tonight. I could be patient.

“It’s getting late. I should go.” I said. “Can I see you Wednesday night?”

“Um, okay. Yes.”

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