Page 37 of Saving His Sunshine

"Your rent check."

Oh, crap. My eyes fly open wide as realization crashes through me. Rent is due today. "I'm so sorry! With everything going on, I forgot to bring the check with me."

His hard gaze bores into me for a long, tense moment. "I understand," he finally says, his voice still sharp. "Just don't make it a habit. I'd hate to have to evict you from the building, Heidi."

What the heck? My stomach twists at his words, shock running through me. He's always been nice, but this feels a whole lot like he's kicking me when I'm already down. I don’t like it.

Leia apparently agrees because she swoops in, her eyes flashing fire. "She'll mail the check to you,” she snaps. “In fact, there's no need for you to come here to pick them up at all. We'll make sure they're in your hands before the due date without you having to inconvenience yourself by coming down to the bakery to get them.” The patently false, savage smile she shoots his way makes it crystal clear she’s telling him to kick rocks and not come back.

Don scowls at her before dipping his head curtly. "Fine. I look forward to it." He pivots on his heel and stalks out without another word.

Adalynn walks over as soon as the door closes behind him, her brows furrowed. "What the heck was that about?"

"I don't know," I whisper, staring at my sisters uneasily. "That was weird."

"Super weird," Leia agrees.

An ominous feeling settles in my stomach like a lead weight. Is he mad about the break-in? Does he want me out of here now? I don’t know, but I really don’t like it.

I notice my sisters watching me, so I shake off the feeling, pasting a bright smile on my face instead. Don isn’t going to ruin this morning for me. Alessandro fixed most of the bakery. He loves me.

Everything is going to be okay. It has to be.

An hour later, the bell above the door jingles again. My heart leaps as I glance up to see Alessandro ducking inside this time, looking as freaking gorgeous as ever.

“Morning, Sunshine,” he rumbles, grinning at me.

I practically fly across the bakery to him, flinging myself into his waiting arms. He catches me effortlessly, pulling me up against his chest.

"Thank you," I whisper fervently, clinging to him as he holds me tightly. "Thank you so much, Alessandro."

"You don't ever have to thank me, angel.” His deep voice vibrates through me as he dips his head, pressing his lips to mine. "Taking care of you is what I live for."

Tears prick my eyes at how easily he says it, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. I slide my hands into his thick hair, staring up at him.

“I love you.” The truth spills out, unable to be contained any longer. I need him to know how I feel about him. I don’t think I’ll be able to breathe until he knows. "Not because of what you did today, but because of who you are. I love you."

“Fuck,” he breathes, his muscular body trembling against mine. “Fuck, Sunshine.”

“I love you,” I whisper again.

His eyes heat and darken as he reaches behind his back to flip the lock on the door. Before I can even ask what he’s doing,I’m in his arms, and he’s striding toward the kitchen, purpose in every step he takes.

"Where are we going?" I ask, nuzzling my face against his throat. My tongue flicks out, tasting the salt of his skin as he strides through the swinging doors with me.

He sets me down on the massive stainless-steel workstation stretching across the center of the massive kitchen before he answers. His heated eyes meet mine. "We're christening this bakery, Sunshine.”

The growly promise in his voice has a moan crawling up my throat.

“Christ,” he groans, staring at me like he’s never seen anything like me before. His big hands frame my face, tipping my head down to meet his until our eyes tangle together. The sweetest words I’ve ever heard spill from his lips. “I love you too, Sunshine. Every perfect, priceless piece of you.”

I launch myself at him, sobbing his name. He catches me, yanking me flush against him as our lips crash together. His hands blaze trails of heat as they run up and down my sides, and he kisses me as if he’s never going to stop.

"I need you." Desire practically vibrates in his deep voice. "I always fucking need you."

"Then take me," I whisper against his lips. "I'm yours, Alessandro."

It’s the only invitation he needs.

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