“I don’t, but I like what I see. I don’t mean looks. You have deep, soulful eyes that could tell a thousand stories, but I’m drawn to the person inside.” He tapped his chest. “That first night I met you, I recognised some of me in you, and I know how it feels.”
“How what feels? I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to, but I know.”
Instinctively, I tugged at the sleeves of my coat lest he see the scars. They were well covered as always, but he looked anyway.
“Sometimes we don’t have to see the scars to know they’re there.”
Chapter 8
Killian
“Fuck you, Killian.”
His eyes filled with tears, and I knew my words had hit the mark. I hadn’t meant to upset him, just let him know I saw his struggles.
The way he’d pulled on his sleeves… I’d seen it before, and I knew if I were to look, I’d see an excess of scars. He said I didn’t know him, but I’d known enough people to spot his vulnerability and low self-esteem.
He rose and gathered his coat about him, ready to leave. I placed a hand on his arm.
“Hey, I just meant I see you. Please stay. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Didn’t you? ‘Cause it sounds like that was your intention. You don’t fucking know me or my life, or what I’ve been through. I don’t need you to come at me with your fucking therapy. I’ve gone through enough of that.” His voice was low and full of malice.
I’d fucked up, as usual.
“I’m sure you have, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything, but sometimes my mouth runs away with me.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” He sat back on the stool and looked down at the floor, his shoulders slumped. “No one has ever noticed before. I thought I had it well hidden.”
“To most, it probably is.” Was this a bad idea? The guy clearly had issues. Was I ready to put my own insecurities on the line for him? Damn right, I was. “Shall we start again? I know I fucked up.”
“Yeah, you did.” He refused to look at me, his gaze on the drink in front of him.
“You’re right. I don’t know exactly what you’re going through. Remember when we first spoke? Outside the bar.”
He nodded.
“You grabbed my attention then. You looked panicked, fearful even, and I don’t know, I wanted to know more.”
“I’m not some helpless stray for you to look after.”
“I didn’t say you were, but you looked like you needed a friend, and correct me if I’m wrong, but the people you were with last night didn’t look like your people.”
He sighed. “They’re just work colleagues.”
“So, why did you go out with them?”
He shrugged and faced me. “Because…”
“Because what?”
“You know, I could get up and walk out again. Why are you asking me all these questions?”
“I want to know you better. I know you don’t know me, but I’d like to change that. And you are kind of cute.” I smiled at him, but if I was expecting thanks or a smile, I got neither.
“How can you say that? I’m plain. Have you seen this face? And how do you know I want a friend?”