Perhaps it was simply the old adage that opposites attract. I couldn’t help but be loud, my voice was a bit booming. And I was a pretty big guy, physically. But I also liked all sorts of outdoor adventures, and random weird parties like karaoke at backyard barbecues. I loved hanging out with a lot of people and having a good time.
But I would also be perfectly happy having a quiet evening with a gorgeous girl like Valerie. I couldn’t believe my luck that she happened to be a web designer. Although I would have been tempted to give her the job just so I could talk to her more, her work was precisely what I needed.
It would be best if I could try to remain professional until the job was finished, but I honestly didn’t know if I could. The urge to pull her against me and kiss those perfect full lips was nearly overwhelming.
I’d like to think that I wasn’t one of those alpha male caveman types, but for half a second, I actually felt a pull toward her that was so intense it was shocking to me. Valerie was utterly fascinating. I’d never felt such a deep spark from simply shaking a woman’s hand.
Since she seemed the mellow sort, I’d be extra careful to tone down my exuberant personality so that I didn’t frighten her off. I could be the quiet, sensitive side of myself until she was comfortable with me.
CHAPTER THREE
* Valerie *
Randomly finding a wonderful new coffee shop completely out of the blue was amazing, but also finding a client who appreciated my style was a great help. Although I was doing okay financially and had some savings, I was always a bit paranoid about money since I was self-employed. I’d had great luck with steadily finding new clients, but I had to keep hustling.
Yet I’d never expected to find a client that I had such an instant, intense physical reaction to.
I was able to force myself to speak with men if they were clients, but I found my shyness often preventing me from chatting beyond that. I sort of assumed that I’d be too much of a pain for men to deal with, so I didn’t think about it much.
In the small town where I grew up, bookish nerdy girls were mocked or ignored. Not being popular didn’t bother me at all, but I was a bit isolated, and found it hard to make friends. I was used to having only a few people around me. Smaller circles were tighter, I told myself.
When I saw some of the louder people going to parties and chatting about their endless social events, I was curious. Not jealous. I just wondered what it was like. Especially having a romantic partner that was always there for you.
Over the past few years, I’d been having vivid dreams about finding a boyfriend, and truly wanting to explore the physical aspect of bonding in that way. But I’d never really met someone in person that made me want to tear their clothing off until I looked into Dave’s eyes.
The things I instantly thought about him made me blush down to the soles of my feet. Now that he was a client, I’d be able to hold it together, since he was obviously off-limits.
Until I read his emails. His manner of speaking, his word choices, his style. It was all so darn charming. He was obviously a tough, sporty sort of guy, but chose to use the phrase “so sweet and light you’ll think it was roasted by fairies” to describe one of his coffee blends. He made me laugh, which I wasn’t expecting.
I was able to make short work of my other projects to make way for his job. Wanting to do my best possible job, I analyzed his existing site, then jotted down notes on the elements of my portfolio that he’d reacted to most strongly. I designed a website that I was fairly sure was precisely what he would like.
It would take more time for the back end programming of his online ordering, and I’d have to arrange his entire coffee selection. By the end of the day, meaning nine o’clock at night, I had a very clean layout, with two options for some details.
That night I tried to tell myself that I was a strong, confident person who could easily speak to men, hoping that it would sink into my mind while I slept. Instead, I dreamed of Dave sitting down beside me, and immediately pulling me into his arms to kiss me. I woke up breathless and tingling. For a moment, I wondered if I’d be able to hold myself together to speak with Dave about his site.
Then I got straight down to business. This was a project, and I knew how to deal with those. Nice skirt, a nice sweater, sensible boots. Just a pinch of makeup, hair brushed back smoothly. Casually professional.
By the time I arrived at the coffee shop, I had talked myself into the right frame of mind, I hoped.
As I walked in the front door, my plan was destroyed by Dave’s immediate sunny smile. He was so casually handsome, as if he were completely unaware that every single woman likely turned to openly stare as he walked by. The thick muscles of his arms rippled under his snug t-shirt, and I saw a few slashes of a tattoo peek out from under his sleeve.
“Valerie!” His voice rang through the shop.
“Hi,” I said quickly, forcing myself to speak. “I have some layouts to show you if you have a minute.”
“Sure, I’m in the middle of setting up some things. Can I get you a coffee and I’ll be with you in around fifteen minutes?”
“Sure.”
I arranged my things in the far corner, which I already thought of as my table. Dave brought me an Americano, with another huge smile.
“I’m so glad to see you,” he said much more softly as he set down my cup and saucer.
Smiling up at him, I had no idea what to say.
“I’ll finish these things as fast as I can, then we’ll go back to my office, okay?”
“Sure,” I said, watching his broad back as he darted away.