Roasting Up Love (Insta Love Shy Girl Romance 6)

My head snapped up to take in his wide smile. Did he really call me that in front of his customers and staff? “Hi.”

He pulled a chair over to sit beside me, instantly tucking his arm around me so that he could see my screen.

“I’ve arranged your product page, and dropped in real photos,” I said quickly, showing him my work. His fingers were circling the back of my shoulder, and I almost lost my train of thought.

“This is amazing, Valerie.” He turned to stare into my eyes. “May I take you out tonight? Anywhere you like.”

“Oh. Um, sure.”

“Where would you like to go?”

“Anywhere is fine with me.”

He flashed me a stern glare but his eyes were smiling. “What were you going to do tonight before I said anything?”

“There’s a poetry reading at a bookstore a few blocks north. It’s a monthly event, and I’ve sort of become friendly with a few people there. But it’s likely not your thing.”

Dave shrugged. “I’ve actually never been to a poetry reading. But I love words. Let’s go.”

“Really?” I couldn’t help my exclamation of surprise.

“Yes. Remember, this is the project we’re working on together. So let’s go check it out. What time does it start?”

“Eight.”

He pointed to my phone that was sticking out of my purse. “Why don’t you text me your address? You must live nearby if you come here in the mornings, right?”

“I’m just a few blocks south.”

Dave pointed again until I took out my phone, added him as a contact, and sent him the address, making his back pocket beep.

“I’ll pick you up at seven and we’ll walk slowly,” he said with a grin.

He leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You’re so pretty. I’m sorry I have to go roast a bunch of huge batches of beans. Would I be terrible if I kissed you right now?”

My lips turned to his without thought, and we were already kissing. I couldn’t believe that this was happening right in his shop, but I was helpless, drawn under his spell.

His large, warm hand slid across my back, pulling me closer as his lips pressed to mine, deeper. I had to swallow a moan, the way he held me driving a strange heat straight through me.

Then he pulled away, his eyes blazing. “I can’t believe what you do to me,” he said softly. “I’m already addicted to you, Valerie.” He grinned, kissing my forehead. “Don’t worry, it’s a good addiction. Like coffee.” Then his lips met mine again for just a breath before he took off to the back of the shop.

Packing up my things, I was halfway home when I got a text that read, “I miss you already. Can’t wait for seven.”

He’d added a huge heart icon. Was he really this romantic? Willing to go anywhere I liked? I didn’t quite believe that this was happening to me.

It was hard for me to go with the flow in any way. It seemed like things were just happening to me, and since they were good, perhaps for once I could just try to stay out of my own way and see how everything unfolded.

CHAPTER SIX

* Dave *

I was infatuated. I was smitten. I was head over heels for this girl I barely knew. Everything in my life has been relatively logical and methodical so far. Perhaps I was due for something a tiny bit crazy.

Her magical eyes pulled me in, and I wanted to protect her from whatever it was that made her a bit jumpy. She seemed a bit skittish, but it felt like she relaxed once I had been touching her for a few moments. Maybe she needed a bit of external strength to boost her energy and keep her calm.

I didn’t want to pry, but I hoped that as I got to know her, everything would make sense.

When I got to her door at five minutes to seven, I tried to remind myself not to overwhelm her. I needed to try to be a slightly quieter version of myself for a little while until she trusted me.