Silence Breaking (Storm and Silence 4)

Isn’t it?

I had a feeling she was going to be the death of me.

‘I…have feelings towards you.’

She inclined her head sombrely. ‘Clearly. I knew that from the first day from the way you shouted at me and pelted me with threats.’

Someone had told me once that counting down from ten helped to calm people. So far, I had never had a need to test the theory. Now, however…

Ten…nine…eight…

Do not strangle. Repeat. Do not strangle.

…seven…six…five…

Repeat. Do not strangle. This is an order.

…four…three…tw—

Oh, Bugger!

‘Not those kinds of feelings!’

She blinked up at me, eyes so innocent, so warm, like molten chocolate. ‘What kind, then?’

‘I feel…affection towards you.’

‘You’re nearly there.’ Her smile widened. ‘Just four little letters. The word starts with L. Go on. You can do it.’

My eyes narrowed to slits. ‘You’re enjoying this, Miss Linton, aren’t you?’

‘Very much so.’

‘Oh, to hell with it!’ Dropping my hand from her face, I grabbed hold of her and pulled. A moment later, my lips were on hers, and I was kissing her. Kissing her as if my life depended on it.

Which it does.

This girl…no, this woman had turned my ordered world upside down. And somehow I knew that, if I tried to force it back right side up again, it would be empty. And most likely, I wouldn’t be able to lease the empty space out for three shillings per square yard.

Breaking our kiss, I gazed down at my little ifrit, and whispered, ‘I love you!’

THE MIDDLE