“I’m gonna help.”
“Can you bake at all?”
“No, but I am an awesome quality control person. Nothing but perfection will leave the kitchen, Sunny. You have my word.”
She laid her head on my shoulder. “I would expect nothing less from you.”
I dropped a kiss to her head. “Good.”I woke late into the night, Sunny tucked beside me, her head next to mine on my pillow. I watched her slumber, lost to her dreams. She looked peaceful and content, and a part of me hoped I was there with her.
Carefully, I slipped from the bed, making sure she was covered, then headed out to the kitchen, grabbing a drink of water and snagging a handful of the cookies from the jar on the counter. I wandered to the window, staring out on the silent town. For the first time in my life, I felt no anger or bitterness. I felt nothing but the peace of the town at rest.
I glanced at the clock. It was two a.m., but given the fact that we had fallen asleep early in the evening, I knew I wouldn’t be going back to sleep anytime soon. My mind was awake and active now.
An idea I had been thinking about was taking hold, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.
I had been serious earlier when I told Sunny I would marry her—and quickly. I was determined to start our life together sooner rather than later.
Logistics was one of the problems we were going to have to address. I knew how she felt about her bakery. The people she cared about here. The simple life a small town allowed her.
At the moment, my world centered around Toronto. I also knew Sunny would suffer terribly there—away from the water and everything familiar, and although I had no desire to move back to Mission Cove, there were compromises we could make. My office was transportable. My business would run no matter where I was.
But I had to be where Sunny was. Of that, there was no question. I had to make that happen.
I grabbed my laptop and opened it, scrolling through my contacts, until I found my favorite architect. I composed a long, detailed email, attaching files I had saved, as well as a sketch I quickly did and took a snapshot of, knowing it would amuse him.
I sat back, rereading the email, and satisfied, I sent it off.
I reached for the last cookie, munching on it, when arms wrapped around my neck.
“Why are you out here?” Sunny’s sleepy voice murmured in my ear. “I woke up and you were gone. I didn’t like it.”
I turned and tugged her to my lap. She was a warm, soft weight on my legs, nestled happily into my chest.
“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep. I got a little work done.”
“Hmm.” Her lips drifted up my neck. “I could have helped you go back to sleep.”
I chuckled at her drowsy attempt at seduction. “Is that a fact?”
She tugged my head down, nipping on my earlobe. “I have ways.”
“I bet you do.” Turning my face, I captured her lips with mine, kissing her. It took my body about three seconds to catch up with Sunny, but my erection kicked up fast and hard.
“Mmm,” she whispered. “You taste like ginger.”
“And you taste like mint, you little seductress. You planned this.”
She peered up at me, shifting on my lap. “I think it worked. Take me back to bed, Linc. I promise you’ll sleep well once I’m done with you.”
That was an offer I couldn’t refuse.The following Monday, I was busy working on my laptop. Abby was at the house with Sunny and the town librarian, letting her have first choice of the books on the shelves. After my meltdown, it was decided perhaps it was better if I didn’t return to the house. I was fine with the idea. I had what I wanted from the interior, and the one thing left on my list was to watch it disappear. In less than two weeks, I’d have my wish. Until then, I was happy to stay away. There was nothing else I wanted to take from it. Or at least I thought so, until Sunny burst in, her arms filled with picture frames and looking strangely excited.
I saved the item I was working on and shut the lid. If Sunny saw the car I was building for her, she would call a full stop to my endeavors, and I was having too much fun making it for her. She loved Abby’s SUV so much, I decided to get her one of her own. I was looking forward to seeing her reaction to it. I hoped delight would override her independent streak. Especially the way I planned to present it to her.
I smiled at her flushed cheeks. “What’s got you all excited, Sunny-girl?”