“I need to say something. Take it anyway you like,” Ian stated, his eyes boring into hers with a fervor that left her holding her breath.

Elaine started to shake her head. “Look, we just met…you don’t need to say…”

His deep, cultured voice interrupted her. “Everything you are, Laney, resides in your eyes. I need to see you—all of you. Don’t take that from me while I’m still here. Please.”

Tears welled. “You don’t even know me,” she whispered. “How can you say that?”

“Because I think I do know you—I just haven’t figured out how.”