Beauty and the Bouncer (A Curvy Girl Romance): Coffee & Curves, #3

By L. Moone

He can't forgive himself. Can she? 

 

With looks like a Viking, Dean scares more people off than he attracts. As a bouncer, he likes it that way.

 

Until Megan.

 

Her beauty tempts him. Makes him forget why he avoids people and rejects relationships.

 

But she came here on Valentine's day to find love, or at least enjoy herself. Not to fall into bed with the scary bouncer!  He should listen to his head, not his heart, and stay far, far away where he belongs.

 

This third installment of L. Moone's Coffee & Curves series will melt not just your eReader but also your heart. All books in the series can be read as stand-alones, but for extra enjoyment, start at the beginning with some Fireworks.

 

Coffee & Curves Reading Order:
Christmas with my Boss (#0)
Fireworks for the Billionaire (#1)
Falling for my Friend's Dad (#2)
Beauty and the Bouncer (#3)
One Night with my Boss (#4)
Sugar Baby's First Time (#5)

• Language: English
• Publisher: eXplicitTales
• Release date: Sep 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393325284

L. Moone

L. Moone is a Contemporary Romance author based in rainy England. Addicted to caffeine, chocolate and impure thoughts, she loves to write sweet yet spicy romances featuring husky men, curvy heroines and everything in between. In her world, the men are cinnamon roll sweet and the women are fierce and fabulous. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. And the only path toward happiness is the one travelled together. *** Sweet Heroes, Sexy Books *** "I first started writing and publishing in 2012 because I craved to see more of "my kind of books" on the shelves. In any scenario, you'll find me rooting for the underdog. The (emotionally) scarred hero who hasn't really had much luck in love and finds himself yearning for that which has so far been out of reach. The shy office worker who is too terrified to approach the big & sexy man of her dreams, until one day she decides to throw caution in the wind.  Cinnamon roll heroes are a huge part of my brand, so are independent heroines. All my characters are beautifully flawed and messed up, in a way that makes them perfect for one another. And once they get an intimate taste of the sometimes forbidden fruit, there's no turning back... Expect some drama, a sprinkling of challenging themes, as well as plenty of smexy times along the way, but the rollercoaster always leads to a heartfelt happily ever after! Find all of the above mentioned themes in the following series I have out: Husky Men Do It Better, Coffee & Curves, and Chance Encounters. All my books can be read as stand-alones, but they'll be a lot more fun to read in series. If all this sounds like your cup of tea, visit me for a free story at lmoone.com/newsletter By the way, I also write Paranormal and Fantasy Romance as Lorelei Moone."

Book preview

Prologue

* Megan *

The closed sign is already in place when I make it to the coffee shop. I push the door open and find that the meet-up is already well underway.

Sorry I’m late! I missed my bus today. I take off my gloves and rub my hands together to force some warmth into them.

Hey Meg! Alice waves at me from behind the counter. Coffee?

Have I ever said no to one of your famous cuppas?

I watch as she pours me one, and nod at Alexis, who appears to be mid-sentence already.

—It’s on Valentine’s Day, because obviously! Alexis says. Sadly, that means I’ll have to work that night as well.

Alice clicks her tongue. Still, it could be a laugh.

My ears perk up at the mention of Valentine’s Day. Already? Where has January gone?

What did I miss? I ask. And are Kayla and Amber still coming?

Alexis shrugs and rolls her eyes. Kayla is busy with her new sugar daddy. And I believe Amber made plans with her old one.

The newest addition to the bunch, Lauren, turns in our direction with a frown on her face. Watch it! That’s my dad you’re talking about.

Alexis makes a calming motion with her hands. No offense! It was just a figure of speech. The point is, both of them are too busy for us and our little gathering.

I bite my bottom lip and glance back and forth between the two of them. The whole situation with Lauren’s dad and Kayla is probably weird enough without Alexis doling out her smart-ass comments.

You still didn’t tell me what you were discussing just now, I remind her. About Valentine’s day.

Speed dating, Alexis, Lauren, and Alice answer simultaneously.

At the pub, Alexis adds.

Ah.

Wanna go? Alice asks. It’s not even spring yet, but new relationships are blooming all around. Why should we be left out, huh?

You really think speed dating is the recipe for true love? Lauren asks.

We can’t all be so lucky to bump into our Mr. Right here at the coffee shop, Alice remarks.

I frown. "Now, what else did I miss?"

Nothing! Lauren says.

Alice leans across the counter. "Lauren managed to snag herself one of London’s most eligible bachelors right here in this shop! I’ve been working here for five years now, and never once did I get a date out of it!"

Oh? When did this fairy tale romance happen? And I missed the whole thing as usual! I complain.

It’s been about a month, Lauren says, her cheeks turning redder by the second.

Nice, congrats!

Alice, how come you never told me that this coffee shop has such a distinguished male clientele? I ask.

Because it doesn’t, Alexis remarks dryly.

I glance at Lauren just to check how badly Alexis must be getting on her nerves, when Alice quickly interjects. To be fair, this is the first time something like this has happened that I know of.

Alrighty then, I say, and exhale sharply.

It was really cute how it happened, though, Alice says. Like right out of a Richard Curtis flick.

Lauren cocks her head to the side. Cute, huh? If I remember correctly, you were going to throw Lawrence out of the shop.

In hindsight, I might have been too quick to judge him. Alice smiles sweetly.

Uh-huh.

I share a look with Alexis, who just rolls her eyes.

You were saying something about Amber earlier? I ask her.

Yeah. Trouble in paradise, apparently. Who knows what she’s up to? Alexis says.

What’s the guy’s name again? I can’t remember.

Jamie. Unless she has some new flavour of the month now, Alexis replies. I doubt it’s anything serious. Never really is with her.

I glance at Lauren again, who is frowning at Alexis and slowly shaking her head.

She’s an acquired taste for sure. But, deep down under all that gruffness and cynicism, hides a heart of gold. I hope Lauren won’t be too quick to judge her and miss out on the real Alexis I know and love.

Have any of you actually ever tried speed dating? I ask.

Never, Alice says. But, why not? I’ve done everything else.

Right. Same here. What’s the worst that’ll happen?

That’s what I said just before you came in, Alice says. Let’s do it! You and me. What do you say?

I grin at her, and she grins at me. It sure sounds more interesting than feeling sorry for myself and eating a pint of ice cream in front of the TV, come Valentine’s Day.

Alexis continues to shake her head. These two have gone insane.

Agreed, Lauren says.

Chapter One

* Dean *

Friday nights tend to be busy, and tonight won’t be any different.

Since it’s Valentine’s day, there will be fewer regulars coming in. Anyone with a significant other has better places to be.

But, especially for tonight, Bob has actually cooked up a scheme to get more people through the doors. Younger people. Single people.

Ever since he’s taken over the lease of the pub, he’s making an effort to breathe new life into this place. Theme nights, pub quizzes, and now, singles events. He’s working hard to try new things.

I push open the double doors that grace the front entrance of the pub all the way, but it’s still a tight fit for me.

Hey, Dean, Alexis greets me as soon as I make it inside.

She’s already behind the bar, lining up washed glasses and drying the well-worn wooden counter with a tea towel.

Hey. I glance at the huge array of bottles lining the wall behind her. Every day, their attraction seems less pronounced, but some element of temptation remains nonetheless. I consider it a test of my resolve.

So, speed dating, huh? she asks.

I shrug.

If you ask me— I hadn’t asked her, but that’s never stopped her before. The whole thing just seems utterly desperate to me. Happy fuckin’ Valentine’s day to us: the only sane people left in this world.

I nod, then accept the tall tumbler she hands me. If you say so.

It’s our daily ritual. I come in, she says something snarky, I