1. The Shy Shopkeeper

Transcript

There he was, the man with smoldering eyes and a gorgeous smile, backed by herbs from our little apothecary and flower shop. He came by once in a while to restock to gather ingredients he needed to make some of his products. He owned a boutique selling handmade grilling marinades and fresh salsas.

I always had a bit of a crush on him. He seemed kind and respectful. There was this magnetic aura about him that drew everyone in.

I smiled as I watched him. Confidence drifted from him with every step. I had to admit, I loved watching his muscles move as he walked away, especially his glutes.

I wasn't expecting him to look my way as I smiled, but he did. He smiled back and headed straight towards me. Shit.

I quickly looked down and tried to look busy separating the herbs I had in front of me. My sister Heather was the one in charge of talking to customers. I hoped she would come down so he could talk to her instead.

Not that there was anything wrong with Mr. Silva. In fact, he was perfect, but I never knew what to say to him.

I turned into a bag of nerves and couldn't even speak sometimes. My sister would always be the one to jump in and save me from embarrassment. Too late.

I saw his hands come to rest on the table I was working on. Hello, Anna, I heard him say. He sounded out of breath, though.

I couldn't help but look up at that. I was met with the most brilliant smile which I unconsciously returned. Hi, I whispered.

It was probably just me, but it seemed like Mr. Silva's smile broadened at the sound of my voice. His eyes found mine and I couldn't help getting lost in their depths.

Those mysterious and mesmerizing eyes. I watched him bite his lower lip. It was so easy to imagine his mouth on me.

I could already feel his soft lips traveling over my skin. His breath hot against my neck, sending shivers down my spine. It wasn't the first time I had imagined what his lips would feel like on my skin.

Just now, I wondered how he would taste. He smelled divine. I bet he would taste as good.

I was picturing him grabbing me from behind and kissing the back of my neck as his hands traveled up and down my body, cupping my breasts while I ground against his hardness, his movements eventually matching mine. Mr. Silva put his hand on mine.

It was warm, soft, and sent electricity up my arm. I shivered more noticeably this time. Are you okay? He asked me, concerned in his beautiful eyes.

I realized I had been staring at him without saying anything. I shook my head quickly and tried to apologize. Sorry, I stammered.

Yes, I'm fine. He chuckled softly, making me melt. It's quite alright.

I imagine taking care of the shop yourself today is exhausting, he said. Taking care of the shop myself? I was never alone.

Heather was always upstairs taking care of the orders. Oh, I suddenly remembered that my sister had taken these few days off to visit her boyfriend. How could I have forgotten that? Now I had to be the one talking to customers, talking to… Mr.

Silva. Right, because Heather is on vacation. I trailed off.

I cleared my throat, embarrassed. Yes, it's a bit overwhelming, but nothing I can't handle, I said, hoping it was true. How may I help you, Mr.

Silva? I whispered. David, he said.

Call me David. David, I said slowly, savoring his name. Yes, he said with a smile.

A thrill went through me. Unbeknownst to me, a smile formed on my lips. I was still high in excitement when I realized that David was still talking.

I was fortunate to have caught the last of what he said and wasn't so completely lost. I can check the back for fresh coriander and thyme, I paused, but we don't have any fresh sage, only dried. You might want to ask at Martinique's.

As I turned to leave, I noticed that his hand was still on top of mine. I don't know why, but it was very comforting. Um, I said looking down at his hand and at his eyes again, trying very hard not to get lost in them.

David quickly withdrew his hand and I was able to move. I felt the absence immediately and wondered if I really should have said anything. He followed me on his side of the counter as I moved towards the back room.

I led him to the cash register to ring up his order after I got his plant. You know, you're even more beautiful when you smile. He said, catching my eyes with his.

I froze. My fingers stopped their work on the cash register and my mouth fell open. I hadn't realized I was still smiling.

Also, I had never been called beautiful in my life by anyone other than my father. It was a true shock to me. Standing beside Heather, I had always been the plain Jane.

Heather had been the one to land several modeling contracts from the time that she was a baby to her teens. She had been the one to attract a lot of attention from both boys and girls. This must just be David being nice since my sister wasn't here.

I smiled at David. Thank you, I said and continued to ring up his order but with much less enthusiasm. David's hand brushed against mine as I gave him his plant and I felt another jolt.

I looked up and was taken aback. David looked very sad and apologetic. I was a sucker for sad people.

What's wrong, he asked. It's fine. I waved him off.

I'm just not used to people calling me beautiful. I started to go back to separating the herbs but felt a pull on my shoulder. Wait, he said quickly.

Would you go out with me tonight? I stared at him for a good amount of time before I blurted out, what? Suddenly I was laughing.

David on the other hand looked very confused as he took a step back. Right, I said. Good one.

Thanks for the laugh. I'll see you next week. I continued on to my previous post and sat down.

David stood there for a few minutes in shocked silence. I'm not joking, he said more determined than before. I frowned up at him.

You must be. There's no reason why you would take me out on a date. I said.

I mean, you were always talking to Heather anyway. Did she reject you? Or were you hoping to make her jealous? What? No.

It was his turn to sound confused. I like you. Why would you even ask that? Because I was getting frustrated now.

I'm not special. There's nothing interesting about me. I like the quiet and peaceful life and I'm not like my sister at all and I'm shy.

I looked up and met his eyes. You are so, so beautiful, Anna. He whispered softly.

Please, let me take you out to dinner. I stared down at the herbs in my hand, not knowing what to say. I did see him frequently, but I didn't know David.

I had no idea what his intentions were. He took my hand, turning it to face him, and kissed my inner wrist. It was soft, warm, and tender.

My heart beat wildly as his soft lips pressed against my skin. If you don't enjoy it, I promise to leave you alone, he pleaded. I had never had anyone plead to me before, and he sounded genuine.

I pressed my lips into a thin line. Alright, I'll go on a date with you, I said against my better judgment. Instantly, his face lit up and he was smiling brilliantly again.

Thank you, he exclaimed. You won't regret it, I promise. After agreeing on a time and which car to take, David took my hand again and kissed it before leaving the store.

I had never had anyone plead to me before, and he sounded genuine. I had never had anyone plead to me before, and he sounded genuine.