Love and Lattes by Heather Thurmeier Read Free Book Online

and café were busy, but still not nearly distracting enough to prevent his thoughts from drifting back to Julia and their amazing night together.
    Chase turned right to take a shortcut through the reference section. That section was usually one of the quietest areas of the store, which meant he wouldn't have to weave around people like a New York City taxi driver. He wasn't the world's best driver, so avoiding potential collisions along the way seemed like a smart choice. He'd already changed his shirt once today, and it was the only spare he had available without a trip home.
    Rounding the corner into the gardening aisle, Chase glanced at his watch to see how long he had until the fresh baked cookies would be ready in the café. Only a few minutes after two meant he still had to wait another hour until he could get his cookie fix. Stealing a cookie hot from the oven to go with his iced latte was his favorite part of the work day—one he practically drooled for as soon as he stepped foot inside the front door in the morning.
    Chase stumbled as his leg connected with something hard, warm, and distinctly human-shaped. He jumped around on his other leg, catching his balance moments before falling forward onto the person squatting down by the lower shelves.
    "Are you okay?" He knelt and came face-to-face with Julia. Unblinking, she stared back at him with those gorgeous eyes of hers. He instantly remembered her staring up at him from the piles of pillows strewn across her bed—so strikingly beautiful. His heartbeat quickened.
    "I'm fine. It was just a little tap," she said. "I shouldn't have been hanging out on the floor." She straightened the pile of books in her arms that had gone askew and tugged at the hem of her T-shirt.
    "No, it's my fault. I should've been watching where I was going." He tilted his head to the side and chuckled. "So what are you doing down here anyway?"
    "I'm looking for a book, but I can't find the stupid thing anywhere, and I know it must be here somewhere…" Her voice trailed off when her eyes met his, her cheeks pinking. "Sorry. I guess I shouldn't complain to the boss about my job on my first day, huh?"
    He ignored her question, too intrigued by her to care if she liked her job at the bookstore or not. In fact, he actually hoped she hated working for him and quit immediately. That would solve their problem nicely. Then he could take her out to lunch, find out more about her, and hopefully take her to bed again at some point.
    Stop thinking that way. She's not going to quit. You're not going to fire her. End of story.
    Frustration nibbled at his brain at the thought of never getting to do any of those things with her. Why did things have to be so difficult all the time? Why couldn't he catch a break when it came to women?
    "Don't worry about it." He smiled at her. "I'm not the kind of boss who gets upset about a little complaining."
    "I'm glad to see you found a new shirt."
    Her eyes trailed along his shirt and the warmth of desire started building inside of him. He wondered what it would feel like if her hand touched his bare chest again. Would he burst into flames at the heat of her touch if a mere glance was already kindling his internal fires? Damn, I might never get to know the answer .
    "You were saying something about needing a book?" He moved the conversation to something more neutral rather than the fantasies he'd started to formulate in his mind.
    "Sorry, it's—um, a book. I can't seem to find the one I need and I'm getting frustrated." She scrunched her eyebrows together as if she was doing long division in her head. Unsuccessfully.
    She was cute, really cute. Frustration looked good on this girl. As she tucked a few loose strands of her black hair behind her ear, the remembered taste of her delicious skin flooded his brain, making it almost impossible to focus.
    Stop.
    "Maybe I can help you find the book you need. What's it called?"
    She sighed. "That's the problem. It's for the lady