Chapter Three
Heidi
" I can't believe you didn't bring us a single kolache." Gemma pouts at me like I've broken an inviolable rule of sisterhood, her bottom lip poking out.
"Did you miss the part of the story where the hot neighbor's dog ate them?" Leia asks, running her paint roller up the wall with the tip of her tongue poking from between her lips.
"What the fuck, Leia?" Colter growls, his eyes narrowed on his wife.
She bites her lip, hiding a smirk. "Mind your business, Colter. This is a sister conversation."
Colter sighs heavily, glancing at Xavier and Bronx, who are wrestling my new countertop into place. "Have either of you two noticed that anytime they talk about shit we don't approve of, they declare it a sister conversation ?"
"Noticed that, huh?" Bronx grunts, heaving the countertop into position as Xavier balances it. They're both breathing hard and sweating. "Happens every goddamn time they decide to talk about some fucking asshole in town."
Gemma giggles beside me, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Worry about yourself, Bronx Kaiser. This doesn't concern you."
Her husband's gray eyes narrow on her. "Keep telling yourself that, Dilemma," he growls, wiping the back of his arm across his bald head. "You'll be the one paying for it later."
"If this is another sex conversation, I don't want to hear it!" Charlie cries, slinging paint across the tarp in the process. "I'm too tired to think about sex."
"I don't even have sex, and I'm too tired to think about sex," I mumble, making all three of my sisters laugh. It's true, though. I've been at the bakery since the sun came up. Every part of my body hurts, but the final wall is almost painted. My bakery is officially sparkly pink.
If it weren't for my sisters and their husbands, there's no way I'd have gotten this much done today. But they showed up a few hours ago, ready to work. They may bicker and tease a lot, but they know how to get the job done.
"We're not talking about sex," Xavier growls, cutting his eyes at Don Waters, who owns the building. He's trying to fix a leaky sink in the bathroom.
"Oh," Charlie stage whispers, peeking over at the man. "Right."
Don pretends not to hear her even though he smiles. He's gotten pretty good at ignoring my sisters since I rented this place. I think he may have daughters our age. I'm not sure. He's not very forthcoming with the personal information.
He's been nice, though. And this building is a dream come true. I can't figure out why he can't keep it rented when it's located downtown, is in great shape, and he's a decent landlord. But I guess business hasn't been great for previous tenants. They've all ended their leases early...which is precisely how I ended up with this place.
The last tenant went out of business, leaving the building vacant well before their lease was set to expire. Don offered me a deal on the place if I signed for the duration of their term. I couldn't say no to that.
But it means my bakery has to succeed. Otherwise, I'll be out thousands of dollars. I really can't afford that. My life savings are tied up in this place.
"I still think Heidi should have brought us kolaches," Gemma mumbles.
"Heidi didn't know you were coming," I protest. "Besides, I didn't make very many."
"Rude," Charlie sniffs, making Gemma laugh.
I shake my head, smiling. I always make enough for my sisters, but after Alessandro and Rivin left last night and I managed to calm Skeet and clean the kitchen, I didn't have the energy to tackle an entire batch. I used what remaining ingredients I had in the fridge, and that was it.
"Less talking, more painting!" Leia demands. "Otherwise, no one is eating anything anytime soon."
Gemma gasps as if the thought is an affront to her dignity, but she and Charlie quiet down and get back to painting while their husbands finish wrestling the countertop into place for Colter to bolt it down.
We've almost managed to get the wall completely painted when the bell over the front door jangles. I turn that way to see Alessandro striding in like he owns the place, a pink box balanced on one muscular arm. His black hair is tousled, his Fire Department t-shirt stretched tight over his broad chest. His dimples pop out, a sinful smirk curving his lips upward as he takes in my paint-splattered overalls and messy ponytail.
"Hello, Sunshine," he purrs as I practically scurry across the bakery toward him, hoping to keep him far away from my sisters. "I come bearing gifts."
"What are you doing here?" I narrow my eyes on him even as my traitorous heart skips a beat. "And how did you even find me?"
I don't even have to look to know all three of my sisters are staring at us. I feel their eyes boring into me.
"One of the perks of being a firefighter is knowing all the secrets in this town." When I roll my eyes, he laughs. "Actually, Dillon told me where to find you." Stepping closer, he leans in to murmur, "You didn't mention that the Sheriff is basically your family."
"I didn't realize it was your business," I retort, but there's no heat behind it.
His grin only widens. "Everything about you is my business." His gaze drifts past me to my sisters and brothers-in-law. "Hey, everyone."
"Hey, man," Colter says with a jerk of his chin. "Good to see you."
"What's up?" Bronx grunts.
"Yo," Xavier adds, not even looking up from the counter.
Are you freaking kidding me? The one time I need them to be crazy, overprotective people, and they're completely chill?
Even my sisters betray me.
"Hey," Leia says. "Glad to see you without flames in the background for once."
"You too. Although, you look like you're having way more fun with a notebook in your hands than that paint roller," he says with a laugh.
"Don't remind me," Leia groans. "She owes me so many free cupcakes for this."
"Hi." Charlie beams at him.
Alessandro grins at her. "Hey, Charlie. I'm Alessandro." His gaze shifts to Gemma. "That must make you Gemma?"
What the heck? How has he already learned all of their names?
"Yep." Gemma waves at him, smiling brightly as she slaps more paint on the wall. "It's nice to finally meet you."
"Finally, huh?" he murmurs to me, his voice pitched low. "You've been talking about me, haven't you?"
"What? No." I scowl daggers at him, which only makes him laugh again. And gosh darn it, that laugh is perfect. So is his stupid, perfect face. "We're busy. You should leave. We can talk later."
"Can't. Sorry." He smirks at me, those dimples popping out as he throws my words from last night back at me. "I have plans later."
Plans? What plans?
Before I can ask, Don abruptly sets down his wrench, hauling himself to his feet. Alessandro glances that way as if noticing him for the first time.
"How bad is it?" I ask, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth when I see the disgruntled look on Don's face.
"Not bad," he grunts, his silver hair shining under the overhead lights. His dark gaze skirts over Alessandro. "Just gotta run and grab some things to finish up here. Back in a few." He hurries out without a backward glance.
"Another family member?" Alessandro asks.
"Landlord," I mutter, shrugging off his abrupt exit as I begrudgingly introduce Alessandro to my brothers-in-law, hoping for at least a few invasive questions. To my shock, he gets none. In fact, they all seem to know him already.
"You need help with that?" he asks, setting the box down and strolling in their direction.
"Where were you when we were carrying the motherfucker in fifteen minutes ago?" Bronx growls.
"No kidding." Xavier scowls at the sparkly countertop. "Who knew glitter and Formica weighed so goddamn much?"
"Porcelain," I sniff. "It's porcelain."
"Right." Xavier shakes his head, grinning. "My bad. Who knew glitter and porcelain weighed so goddamn much?"
I stick my tongue out at him, earning a chuckle from Alessandro.
"Help me bolt this bitch down, will you?" Colter says to him.
Alessandro immediately stoops to help. I watch the four of them in amazement as Colter and Alessandro work together to bolt the countertop to the frame while Bronx and Xavier hold it in place. They joke around like they're long-lost war buddies or something.
Gemma steps up beside me, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "You look so annoyed," she whispers.
"I am not annoyed," I huff and then scowl. "Why is it when you and Bronx got together, everyone wanted to beat Bronx up, but everyone is all buddy, buddy with Alessandro?"
"You can't beat up a town hero, Heidi," she says, laughing quietly. "Everyone loves Alessandro. Remember Leia's story about that firefighter a couple of weeks ago?"
I narrow my eyes, thinking back, and then my brows shoot up. She was in Granite Hills covering the wildfire when an elderly woman got trapped by the flames. One of the Silver Spoon Falls firefighters and a fire dog went after her. They got her out, but the dog got trapped.
"That was Alessandro and Rivin?" I whisper to Gemma.
"Yep," she says. "That was your man. He almost died trying to save his dog."
A pang of admiration mixed with regret jolts through me. His department had to carry him out because he was so out of it after saving the dog. And I basically called him a terrible pet dad.
I study his profile, noting the tiny laugh lines around his mouth, the strength in his broad shoulders. He's a walking contradiction—cocky and infuriating one moment, selfless and heroic the next.
And I'm a jerk...or whatever comes after jerk. I was a total crazy person last night, and he just let me basically yell at him.
Why?
Because there's more to him than you let yourself believe, a little voice whispers. And darn it all, that little voice is right. It's also right when it demands that I admit that I want to uncover every hidden facet.
But that scares the crap out of me. He's a freaking firefighter—a gorgeous one at that. I'm a snarky baker still trying to figure out how to let people in. We're polar opposites. And yet…there's a reason I spent all night tossing and turning, thinking about him. There's a reason he's here right now.
I startle when Leia suddenly claps her hands together. "Well, we should probably get going. Lots to do today!" She flashes me a pointed look.
Panic rises in my throat when I glance around and realize the guys have finished placing the countertop and my sisters are cleaning off their paint rollers. Jeez. How long was I standing there, staring into space?
"No, stay! I could really use the help." I aim for nonchalance, but it comes out slightly desperate.
Colter chuckles as if he's on to me, wrapping an arm around Leia's waist. "Sorry, little sis. We gotta be at the arena soon. There's a game next week, you know."
"Yeah. We have things to do." Leia smirks at me. "Have fun."
One by one, my sisters and their husbands make flimsy excuses and file out, leaving me gaping after them.
Alessandro saunters over, amusement dancing in his warm brown eyes. "You really thought that would work, huh?"
"Yes," I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest.
The deep timbre of his laughter sends shivers down my spine. Good lord. It should really be criminal to laugh like that. Actually, everything about him should be criminal. It's really not fair for him to walk around being so hot and perfect while the rest of us are freaking mortal. Rude, baby Jesus. Rude.
Tipping my head, I meet his gaze, and the laughter dies on his lips. His eyes darken, his expression heating.
I grasp for something to say, and land on what Gemma told me. "Did you really save that elderly woman out in Granite Hills?"
Something flickers in his expression, gone too quickly for me to read. "It wasn't just me, Heidi. The whole squad deserves the credit."
"You almost died trying to get Rivin out," I whisper.
"I did what I was supposed to do, angel. We don't leave men behind, not even our dogs." His jaw tightens, his gaze shifting from mine as if he'd rather not talk about it.
But in that moment, I see past the silent bravado to the man beneath. A man who would risk everything for his dog, even if it meant putting his own life on the line.
I misjudged him last night. By a lot.
The realization both thrills and terrifies me.
"Alessandro, I…" I grasp for a suitable apology. "I'm a jerk," I say simply.
"Nah, angel," he says quietly. "You were right. I should have been keeping a closer eye on him. He could have been hurt, and it would have been on me. You were right to call me on it."
"I didn't have to be a bitch about it," I whisper, feeling guilty.
"You were passionate. There's a difference." He narrows his eyes on me. "Don't insult yourself. I don't like it."
"I…"
He pops the lid on the box he set on the worktable, holding out a kolache. The sweet aroma wafts between us. "Peace offering?"
"You brought me kolaches?" I stare up at him, shocked.
"Figured since my asshole dog ate yours…" His dimples flash as he grins. "Here, take it."
I take it and my fingers brush his, sending a jolt up my arm. He feels it too and mutters a curse. I quickly bite into the soft dough, hoping to hide the way my cheeks burn. Flavors burst on my tongue, and my eyes widen in surprise. "Holy crap," I mutter around the bite in my mouth. "This is actually good. Did you make these?"
Alessandro's booming laughter fills the bakery. "Surprised?"
"Yes." I take another bite, savoring the taste.
"Good, because I can't cook for shit." He leans in conspiratorially. "I called in a favor and had Dacen at the department make them. An apology for yesterday." His expression sobers. "How's the cat doing?"
"Skeet's fine," I assure him, touched by his concern. And then I frown, glancing around. "Where's Rivin?"
His clenches his jaw. "Suspended. Chief decided he needed a time-out for not listening."
Guilt twists through me. "Oh, Alessandro. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get him in trouble!"
"Believe me, Sunshine, you didn't get him into trouble. He did that all by himself." He shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But if you want to make me feel better about it, you can do it by agreeing to go out with me."
My heart stutters. A big part of me wants to say yes, but the other part is frozen in fear. Instead of saying anything, I just stare at him like a freaking deer caught in the headlights. "I…I…I…"
Great. I sound like a record skipping in the same groove.
"Fuck it." His growl sends heat rushing through me. In one swift move, he wraps his hands around my waist, yanking me into his arms. His lips crash against mine in a searing kiss.
I melt into him with a whimper, my hands fisting in his shirt as his tongue sweeps into my mouth. He tastes like cinnamon and salvation, a heady combination that leaves me breathless and not thinking clearly. At least, that's the excuse I give myself when I practically climb his body, trying to get closer to his mouth.
He plants his hands on my ass, boosting me up. Somehow, I end up plastered against the wall, pinned between it and his hard body.
"Wet paint," I gasp.
"I'll repaint the entire fucking bakery for you," he growls, bucking his hips into me as he kisses a hot trail down my throat. "Christ, I'll give you whatever you want if you keep grinding on my cock like that, angel. You feel fucking perfect."
"I know!" I cry, my nails embedded in his back as I rock against him, chasing some high that's far beyond anything I've ever felt before.
His dark chuckle sends flows of lava directly into my veins. And then I feel his stubble abrading the sensitive skin of my throat. I rock faster, moaning so loud I'm sure the business next door probably hears me.
Oh my God. They probably see us through the windows.
"The windows," I manage to gasp.
"Don't fucking care who sees me kissing you," he snarls, one big hand closing around my breast. "You feel too fucking good."
I sob his name, my head thumping against the wall as another flow of lava pours through my veins. This is...good grief. Is this what my sisters are always talking about? Is this the magic? It certainly feels like magic.
He pinches my nipple hard, and I see stars. I hear alarm bells.
"Motherfucker!" he swears violently.
Nope. I'm definitely not hearing alarm bells. Those are real.
"What the heck is that?"
Alessandro pulls back with another curse, breathing hard. "My pager is going off, angel. We gotta stop."
I whimper like a pitiful, eager little mess.
"I know, baby," he croons, tipping my head back to kiss me softly. "I know. But there's a call. I gotta go."
Right. Play with fire, get burned. Stupid motto. Stupid vagina. Stupid hot body pressed against mine, burning me all up.
He touches his forehead to mine, his breathing ragged. "Go out with me, Heidi. Give us a chance."
"I…"
"Please, Sunshine. One date."
"Okay," I whisper.
He groans and kisses me again, a wildness to it that sets my blood on fire all over again. When he pulls back to look at me this time, his eyes are so dilated they're almost black.
"This isn't over, angel," he growls. "Not by a long shot."
"Okay," I whisper. Apparently, it's the only word I know right now.
He stares at me for a minute and then chuckles. "You gotta let me go, baby."
What? Oh, right. My cheeks heat as I unwrap my arms and legs from around him, allowing him to slide me down his body. His erection presses against my stomach, and I have to fight the urge to whimper.
Once he's sure I'm steady, he touches his lips to my forehead, and then steps back, his hot gaze running over me.
"Jesus," he rumbles, shaking his head. "So fucking sexy."
I'm not sure if he's talking about me or him, but he should definitely look in the mirror because wow. He looks sexy as sin with his cheeks flushed and his eyes all smoldering and dilated.
"Be safe," I murmur.
He winks at me and then spins on his heel and strides out the door.
I lean back against the wall, my heart racing. What the heck just happened? One minute, we were talking. The next, I'm basically climbing his body. That was not part of the plan.
I think I like this plan better.
I touch my lips, still feeling the imprint of his. I've never been kissed before, but that one was definitely something to remember. It's as if he poured every ounce of his desire into that one moment. I felt his need as if it were my own.
Whatever this is between us…it's powerful. But it's more than just physical. There's a connection between us, a spark that ignites like a freaking electrical storm whenever we're together.
It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
I shouldn't want him this much. I barely know him, and yet, I can't help but be drawn to him. His strength, his humor, his unwavering dedication to his job and those he cares about. I can't think of a single other man who would call in a favor just to bring me kolaches. But he did.
Gemma's words echo in my mind. Everyone loves Alessandro.
I'm starting to understand why. Beneath that cocky exterior lies a heart of gold. He isn't just a firefighter because he likes the thrill of being a hero. He's actually the type of man willing to risk everything without asking for credit.
But falling for him? That's a risk I'm not sure I'm ready to take. Being that vulnerable, sharing all those raw pieces of myself...that's far more frightening a prospect than opening this bakery. Frankly, the thought alone is terrifying.
But when I touch my lips again, and still feel the imprint of his, I can't help but wonder if maybe he's worth the leap.
Maybe, just maybe, this is worth the risk.