There’s attraction, but you have to save the world before you can make any progress with your intended sweetie. But then your sweetie’s brilliance in helping you accomplish stuff just makes you want him or herĀ more.
Examples
Shard and Shield Ariana and Shianan. They seem to have a thing for each other, but alas, it’s only book one, so all they can do is yearn.
Face the Night Catriona and Adrian. Cat has to keep her identity secret when she’s hired on as governess at the Caldwell ranch, and begins to like Adrian and his sister, Edith. And it takes Adrian an unusually long time to figure out who Cat is, so they flirt a little bit at a time, and Adrian shows his virtuous character multiple times and then finally they get together in the end.
The Names They Gave Us Lucy and Henry. Lucy is trying very hard to be a good girl, which means she doesn’t have time to fall in love. So it happens slowly.
When the Ice Melts Addisyn and Darius. They make a sweet and slow connection but it looks like we’re going to have to wait for book two for more to happen.
Where the Wings Rise Addisyn and Darius are getting closer, but this isn’t a poof! we’re married kind of book.