Chapter Twelve
Heidi
T wo Weeks Later
"I can't see anything, Alessandro," I complain, fidgeting with the blindfold covering my eyes.
"I know, Sunshine. That's the point." He chuckles from the driver’s seat of his truck, and I can practically feel those dimples flashing at me.
Huffing, I cross my arms over my chest. "I don't like this game very much."
"Patience, angel,” he croons. “It'll be worth it. Trust me."
“You keep saying that,” I grumble, but I’m not really irritated. I think it’s sweet that he wants to surprise me. He thinks he’s pretty slick, but he’s not. I know he’s been working on this surprise since I was in the hospital. Every time he thinks I’m not looking, he’s on his phone. If I didn’t trust him completely, I’d be worried.
But I’m not because I know what kind of man he is. He’d never do anything to hurt me. He loves me. I feel it every single time he touches me. I see it when it looks at me. This man is crazy about me.
And I feel exactly the same way about him.
The truck slows and then comes to a stop before I hear him kill the engine.
"Stay put," he instructs. "And no peeking."
I grumble under my breath as his door opens and shuts. Curiosity is killing me. What is he up to? I have a feeling it has to do with my bakery, but I don’t know what because there was no saving the building or anything in it. Until the insurance company cuts me a check, I’m in limbo. And because I lost everything thanks to arson, my stay in limbo might be a lot longer than I’d like.
But I’m trying really hard to stay optimistic. One day, I will have my dream bakery. In the meantime, I’m planning my dream wedding to the man of my dreams. It isn’t precisely the future I envisioned when I moved to Silver Spoon Falls…but it’s a pretty damn beautiful future, nonetheless.
My door opens, and Alessandro’s spicy scent envelops me as he helps me out. My feet barely even touch the ground before he wraps his arms around me from behind, his hard body pressing against my back.
His lips brush my ear and then the side of my throat, sending a shiver down my spine as heat rushes through me.
"What are you doing?" I breathe, melting into him.
"Kissing my fiancée," he growls, reaching for the blindfold.
A second later, it falls away, leaving me blinking against the sudden sunlight. I glance around, my brows furrowed. We’re in the parking lot across from the coffee shop.
And then I see the sign hanging over the door of the building next to the coffee shop— my sign .
I suck in a sharp breath.
"Alessandro," I gasp. "What did you do?"
"Bought you a building, Sunshine," he says casually, as if he just picked up milk or brought me my favorite candy.
I spin to face him, gaping. "You bought me a building? But..."
“The building belonged to Aspen. She intended to expand the coffee shop,” he explains quietly, his eyes tangling with mine. “But she decided she’d much rather have your bakery next door. As far as she’s concerned, it’s as good a business decision as expanding because people who stop at your bakery will be happy to stop next door and vice versa.”
I stare at him in awe, unable to form words.
His calloused hands cup my face, a gentle smile playing at his lips. "Half the town has been sneaking over to get it ready for you for the last two weeks, Sunshine. Your walls are pink and sparkly, with cupcakes painted all over them. Your countertop is glittery. Your floors are checkered. Everything is ready. The only thing missing is you."
Tears prick my eyes, my bottom lip quivering. "But…I can't pay for all this, Alessandro."
"You don't have to pay for it this time, angel. What your insurance won't cover, the fundraiser did."
“Fundraiser?”
His smile grows, those dimples popping out. "Remember when I said the Fire Department was making calendars? Well, this is why."
I slip a hand over my lips, my eyes growing wide as amusement courses through me. "Oh my gosh, Alessandro. You guys made thirst trap calendars to pay for my bakery?"
He tips my chin up, his warm brown eyes capturing mine. "Told you I'd do anything for you, Heidi. I fucking meant it." His brows furrow almost as if he’s surprised. “Honestly, Sunshine, who knew pictures of firefighters in their turnouts with puppies crawling all over them would be that fucking popular?”
“Um, exactly how popular are we talking?” I ask, trying not to laugh in the face of his obvious surprise. He clearly doesn’t know women very well if he’s shocked by this.
“They covered what you needed here and bought the new truck we need at the station.” He shakes his head. “Money is still pouring in.”
I can’t contain my laughter this time. Of course it is. “Which month are you on this calendar? I may need to buy a few copies.”
“November.” He smirks, his eyes lighting up. “Rivin is Mr. December. We couldn’t leave him out after he saved your life. He and Skeet are the stars of the calendar, honestly.”
"I love you." The words tumble out as I fling myself at his chest. "I love you so damn much, Alessandro."
"I love you too, Sunshine. More than anything." He kisses me soft and sweet, his hand fisted in my hair. "There's just one condition to these calendars…”
I raise my brows. "What's that?"
"I might've promised the guys that they get the first batch of cupcakes you make in the new bakery."
Laughter bubbles up. "I think I can manage that."
"Actually, you can’t." A wicked gleam enters his eyes as he pulls me flush against his hard body.
“Why not?” I ask, my core clenching at that look in his eyes.
“Because the first cupcakes you make belong to me." His lips descend on mine again, his kiss hot and hungry. "Been dreaming about eating them off this perfect fucking body for weeks now."
Heat rockets through me. "Hmm," I hum against his lips. "Maybe I can make that happen."
"Yeah?"
"Uh-huh." I press my tits to his chest, looping my arms around his neck. "Hey, Alessandro? Wanna go christen my new bak—"
I don't even get the question out before he scoops me up, my laughter pealing out around us.
"Oh, fuck yeah," he growls, practically bolting across the street toward the bakery—my bakery.
God, I can’t believe this crazy man bought me a building for my bakery. Actually, I can believe it. This growly, gorgeous firefighter would do anything for me.
My parents might not have wanted me, but that doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it did even a few weeks ago because Alessandro wants me.
He wants every single piece of me.
For once, life is pretty damn sweet.
No. It’s perfect.