“I made breakfast since the power is back on. Apparently, it keeps going off again, so I thought I’d make the most of it while it was here. It’s only bacon, eggs, and toast, but I thought it was better than another lunchable.” He paused and looked down at me, lips twitching as if he were fighting a smile. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I was going to make today the day I assemble an army and fly to Denmark to usurp the Danish Royal Family.”

“Just as well I made breakfast, then.”

“Indeed.” I stared flatly at him. Why was he so handsome in the morning? God only knew I looked like a sheep that had been dragged through several hedges backwards. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“It looks like you’re not having much luck assembling that army,” he quipped. “Is that Tudor novel you were reading going to your head?”

“How do you know it was a Tudor novel?”

“It’s titled ‘The War of the Roses,’ Gabriella. It’s hardly inconspicuous.” He approached me and looked down at me. “Your foot hurts, doesn’t it?”

“I was going to hunt down some painkillers,” I admitted, dropping the sarcasm. “I’m sure I’ll be fine once I’ve moved it some.”

“Well, let me help you into the kitchen. You won’t have to use it as much and you can stretch it on the stools.”

“I’m fine. I can—”

Miles grabbed my hands before I could finish my sentence, and I swear to God, all the moisture left my body.

Dry throat.

Dry mouth.

Hell, even my eyes were dry.

He gently pulled me up until I was standing right in front of him. He smelled amazing, exactly like my favourite laundry detergent, and I realised he was in his own clothes.

They must have dried.

It also meant his t-shirt fit him like a glove.

I peered up at him, swallowing. He was so dangerously close to me, and his fingers were wrapped tightly around mine. His hold on me lingered for a little too long, although I was almost certain it was entirely my imagination.

It had to be my imagination.

Wasn’t it?

“It feels better now,” I said in a scratchy tone. “Just needed to loosen up.”

“Right. Well, I’m here if you need me.” Miles’ voice was low, and he hovered just a second too long before he released my hands and stepped back. His fingers trailed down my hand, and I bit back a squeak as a tingle danced down my spine.

All right.

Not everything about me was dry.

Ahem.

Moving on.

Very.

Far.

On.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Thankfully for me, Miles could cook.

It was the simplest of breakfasts, but it was very much welcomed after the storm. Besides, there was no telling how long the power would actually stay on for. It wasn’t uncommon for it to flick on and off over a period of several hours while the power company attempted to fix whatever the issue was.