Page 3 of In Hawke's Eyes (Toron's Pride 2)

He leaned in so close, she could almost make out his features. A slash of green at the eyes stirred her heart and revved it to a faster beat. He didn’t touch her, and yet he might as well have with the heat engulfing her entire being.

“I would never push into where I’m not wanted. However, given the chance, I can be your eyes. Just for tonight.”

“Just for tonight,” she repeated like an idiot. She turned her head and lowered her lashes to get a grip. “Might be fun.”

Stephanie’s offhand comment attempted to hide her physical response to him, and it annoyed her that she couldn’t tell if he picked up on her reaction. Either way, she walked beside him, and they found a table toward the front of the room. While the band played, performers danced, and Hawke described to her what he saw. His description was such that Stephanie brought the image to her mind. She closed her eyes to shut out the blurred colors and leaned solely on Hawke’s words. Music mingled with his narration and twirled in her mind’s eye, while contentment had her almost resting on his chest. When the players broke for intermission, she realized her position and sat upright.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

“I can’t complain about a beautiful woman being so close.”

She blushed. “Thank you. I think there’s a thirty-minute break, so I’m going to have a drink. Can I buy you one?”

She expected him to say no, being a proud man, but he accepted, and she liked him even more. Around them conversation rose as other patrons chatted during the break. Stephanie took the opportunity to get to know her companion for the evening.

“So tell me, why haven’t you been snatched up?” She’d never been a shy woman. “I can feel from touching your arm that you’re built, and your voice is sexy. I’m assuming you’re handsome.”

Hawke chuckled. “Thank you. I haven’t been told lately that I have a face only a mother could love.”

She joined him in his humor. “That’s a good thing.”

“As to your question, I’m single because I haven’t met the right woman yet.” He seemed to hesitate. “I thought I had some time ago, but it turned out I was wrong.”

Stephanie touched his hand, and again, lust rose inside her. She drew back. “I’m sorry. It sounds like you were hurt. I know how that is.”

“And you?”

A twinge touched her heart, but it had been a long time. She attributed the sensation to loneliness more than missing her husband. “I was married, but five years ago, he was killed in a boating accident. Now there is only my daughter and me. She’s ten.”

He put a hand over hers in her lap. “And your eyes?”

That startled her. Most people avoided asking about her vision, maybe thinking the subject taboo. She appreciated Hawke’s straightforwardness. Was the man as perfect as he seemed?

“I was in a car accident seven months ago. Glass from the window got in my eyes and scratched the corneas. I have to have them replaced, but the doctors gave me a year to heal before that happens. Not long now, thank goodness, but I can only see shapes and shadows mostly. If I get really close, I can make out a bit more.” She shrugged, for some reason feeling embarrassed. The thumb still covering hers stroked her skin. Why was she letting a man she didn’t know stay so close? Not that men beat her door down or that she had to fight them off. A young daughter and being blind kept them at bay. Those it didn’t showed their true colors real quick, so dating wasn’t often. Hawke seemed different, and their attraction surprisingly strong.

“I say all that’s left is Meechi and me, but there’s her father’s family.” Aware she rambled to cover her nerves, she couldn’t stop. “They’re a challenge, and trust me, less is more.”

“I get the impression they make you feel you can’t take care of yourself and your daughter.”

She snorted. “They try. Melanie, my ex-mother-in-law, couldn’t care less about me. It’s Meechi she’s interested in. Damn, listen to me going on and on. So self-centered. What about you? Do you have kids? Any siblings?”

He grew quiet, and Stephanie wished she could see into his eyes to know what he thought.

“You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Of course, I’m going to think you’re a suspicious character, just sayin’.”

He laughed. “I don’t have much in the way of family. We’re scattered here and there and not much in contact. The person I consider my brother, my greatest friend…well, we had a falling out, and I don’t think I’m welcome in his life anymore.”

She pulled her hand from beneath his and patted it. “I’m sorry, but if he loves you as much as it sounds like he does, it’s not over. You should try talking to him.”

“Toron is…”

“What?” She leaned closer and squinted, trying to make out his expression. Meechi told her that was annoying to others, but the habit came from seeing just enough to try harder for more. At least Hawke seemed unperturbed. He didn’t move out of range but rather accepted her scrutiny with quiet confidence.

“He’s stubborn.”

The tuning of instruments started up, alerting Stephanie the break was ending. She wished they had more time to talk about Hawke, but she wanted to enjoy the rest of the show as well. Hawke slid his chair nearer and began his narration. A tingle started in Stephanie’s core as she listened in rapt attention.

Chapter Two

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