Sweet Chemistry
September Roberts
Published 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62210-050-7
Published by Liquid Silver Books, imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 10509 Sedgegrass Dr, Indianapolis, Indiana 46235. Copyright © Published 2013, September Roberts. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Liquid Silver Books
http://LSbooks.com
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
Blurb
After weeks of watching from a distance, Kate Rhodes meets James, igniting a desire neither of them has previously experienced. Kate, a senior at Bowman State University, is horrified the following Monday when she discovers James is her biochemistry professor.
James Baker has worked for nine years for his PhD, and has sacrificed a lot to get his position at the university. Just when he thinks he’s found the woman of his dreams, his hopes are crushed when he realizes not only is she one of his students, but she is apparently already in a relationship; neither is enough to quell his desire to be with her.
Despite the issues keeping them apart, Kate and James cannot stay away from each other. Drawn together by fate and bound by passion, they are constantly reminded of the heavy price they will pay if their relationship is discovered.
James struggles to hold on to the life he’s worked so hard for while Kate builds her future using her knowledge of food chemistry to open a bakery. Sweet Chemistry is a story filled with forbidden love and its sweet rewards, but can they find a way to be together without losing everything?
Dedication
I dedicate this book to you, my reader. You took a chance on me and that brings me joy. I hope you love this story as much as I loved writing it.
Acknowledgements
There are many people in my life who have given me their love and support and inspired me to keep writing. You know who you are, and you should know by now how much I love you. Laurie, Jason, and Einat deserve a special shout out, just based on the sheer number of hours they’ve invested in me. I’m not sure how I will ever repay their kindness. Above all others, I must thank my husband, who is my favorite chemist of all time. He has given me years of sweet chemistry.
The Liquid Silver team always comes through for me. Thank you Jennifer, Allie, Christina, and Valerie for guiding me and making my book look good.
Chapter 1
Kate was twelve again, hidden in the wind-swept tree in her back yard, watching the boys play baseball in the field behind her house. Not all of the boys. Just one. If only she hadn’t been a scrawny kid, perhaps she would have the courage to talk to him.
What was her excuse now? This was southern California, ten years later. Her heart raced as she watched him.
Mister Pretty Lips.
He sat at the other end of the bar, sipping his drink. Kate watched, trying not to be obvious and nearly choked on her water when she realized he was looking at her. He smiled, pulling his pretty lips away to reveal a perfect smile. He didn’t hold her gaze for long, tilting his eyes back to the glass in front of him after a moment.
Kate swallowed and took a deep breath. Her hands shook. His eyes met hers again and this time, she smiled. She tucked her hair behind one ear and blushed.
“Are you going to dance with me or what?” Meg asked as she bounded up.
“Yep, I’m almost done with my drink.” Kate gave Mister Pretty Lips one last smile, and then slipped onto the dance floor with her friend.
An hour passed and he was still in the same spot. Every time she looked, she found his eyes on her. Heat radiated through her.
“I’m getting a drink!” She motioned at the bar and left her friend as she turned to fight her way through the crowd.
Her shoulders fell as she walked toward the end of the bar. His seat was empty. The sleek material that covered the stool was cool to her fingertips. He left before she got a chance to talk to him. Just like last week.
She spun on her heel to return to the dance floor and collided with something. Her hands were pressed against a smooth plane of taut blue material and her foot was pinned to the ground.
“I’m so…” Kate looked up into the face of Mister Pretty Lips. He was taller than she expected. His hazel-brown eyes made her body melt. “…sorry.” Her foot started to throb, so she wiggled her toes.
He jumped away from her. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to step on your foot.” His jaw tightened and he shook his head. “Can I…”
“I was just…” Their words overlapped and Kate laughed. “What were you going to say?”
“Can I buy you a drink?” His voice was smooth and deep.
Kate grinned. “I’d love one.”
He motioned to the seat next to his and flagged down the bartender. “What are you drinking?”
“Lemon Drop.” Kate smiled as she slid onto the stool.
“Lemon Drop and gin and tonic please.”
While he was turned toward the bartender, Kate memorized every plane of his face and each hair on his head. His short hair was the color of raw chocolate and nearly the same length as his perfectly groomed, stubbly beard. His lips were fuller and more luscious than she noticed before.
She realized too late he was talking to her. She couldn’t take her eyes off his mouth and had no idea what he was saying.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
He lifted her glass. “Here’s your drink.”
“Thank you…”
“James.” He held his hand out.
Warmth spread through her body when they made contact. “Kate.”
“Nice to meet you Kate.”
“I’ve seen you here the last few weekends.”
James smiled. The words stalker and creeper popped into her mind.
“My friend and I come every Saturday night. I like the DJ, he plays really good stuff.” As if on cue, Kate’s favorite song started. The pulsing beat burrowed into her chest, forcing her body to move. “I love this song, do you want to come dance with us?”
“Sure, why not?” James tossed the rest of his drink back, grimacing as he swallowed.
Kate followed suit, finished her Lemon Drop in two long swallows, and slid off her bar stool. “Follow me.” She could feel him walking behind her and grinned at Meg when they got to the dance floor.
The music blurred into a never ending loop of driving beats and pulsing electronica, moving them closer, but never quite touching until, by accident, Kate bumped into James. When she mouthed, “Sorry,” he smiled and shrugged. While they were still touching, Kate started dancing again, and this time, James danced with her. Their hands moved independently, but their legs rubbed together. They didn’t talk. They just danced.
At one point, Meg disappeared, and when she came back, she was clutching her stomach. Kate broke away from James reluctantly and put her face next to Meg’s so she could be heard over the blaring music.
“Kate? We need to go. I don’t feel so hot.”
Kate nodded to her friend and turned to James. She stood on her tippy toes, steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder, and touched her mouth to his ear. His heavy stubble rubbed against her cheek and she inhaled. Her heart skipped a beat as his masculine scent assaulted her. “I need to go. Thank you again for the drink and dancing.”
“Maybe I’ll see you around.” His lips brushed
against her ear, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.
She gave him one last smile as she escorted her friend outside.
“I’m sorry Kate, I don’t mean to rain on your parade.” Meg gagged. “Are you okay to drive?”
“Yeah.” Her forehead creased as she rubbed Meg’s back.
Meg took a deep breath. “Who was that guy?”
“I’ll tell you all about it on the way home.”
James dominated her thoughts and controlled her dreams, his lips more than anything else. Why hadn’t she kissed him? He probably was a great kisser. Her knees wobbled every time his scent of juniper and earth came to mind.
* * * *
A week later, Kate drummed the steering wheel as she drove to the club.
“Are you anxious?”
“Maybe. A little.” Kate sighed. “Yes. I hope he shows up.”
“All we can do is wait and see.”
They waited. People came and went, but James never showed. No matter how full the club got, the only thing that mattered was his empty seat at the bar.
The next week passed in a blur, marking the end of her summer jobs. Her final semester at the university was about to start and Kate was going to enjoy herself one last time, even if it meant dancing alone. It was hard to believe she was nearly done with her degree. She had fifteen weeks to try and figure out what she wanted to do with her life. December had never been so daunting.
“That’s what you’re wearing?” Meg scoffed.
Kate looked down at her clothes. A black tank top and jeans were definitely a step up from the uniform she wore to work. “Yeah, why?”
“What if James is there tonight?”
Kate frowned. “What if he’s not?”
Meg rolled her eyes and grabbed her friend by the shoulders. “He’ll be there. I just know it. Now put this on.”
When Kate held Meg’s black shirt up to the light, she laughed. “I can see right through this.”
“That’s the idea, dummy,” Meg joked. “Just put it on.”
Kate stretched her arms up over her head to comply. “You can see the bottom of my bra.” She shook her head. “There’s no way I’m wearing this.”
“Overruled. You’re wearing it. End of discussion.”
Kate stuck her tongue out. “Just because you talk like a lawyer doesn’t make you one.”
“Someday I will be, and then you’ll be in real trouble.”
* * * *
Kate played with the hem of her borrowed shirt as the line moved inside. A sea of strangers separated them from the bar. “Meg, what if he’s here but he’s not interested in me?”
“Oh, believe me, he is.” Meg smiled and nodded her head toward the end of the bar. “He’s already here. Go get him.”
As she walked toward him her pulse quickened. James was watching her. Kate attempted to tug the short sheer black shirt down to meet her low-rise jeans and cover her exposed hips. It wouldn’t stretch, no matter how many times she tried. She wanted to run. This was a bad idea.
“I looked for you last week.” Stalker. Creeper.
“I was moving into my new place.” His voice carried a hint of regret. “Can I make it up to you?”
Kate nodded and let him take her hand. Heat burned through her hand and up her arm. James led her to the dance floor. The reacquaintance period passed quickly, giving rise to a familiar rhythm. She turned away and pressed her back against him. He carefully put his hands on her hips, guiding her body to the beat of the music. She leaned her head against his chest, arching her body in his hands.
“I’ve been thinking about you.” His voice was ragged.
She struggled to speak. “Me too.”
His warm fingers moved from her hips toward the center of her body, exploring the strip of exposed skin.
She smiled and kept her eyes closed, letting him control her body.
His breath licked at the edge of her ear and his fingers scraped against the waistband of her jeans.
She shuddered, twisted her arms behind her, and slid her hands up his muscular thighs. A moan escaped her lips when her fingers grazed against the massive bulge in his pants.
“Fuck,” he whispered, drawing her body tighter against his.
Kate turned in his arms. She looked into his face, breathing heavily as she took in the sight of his perfect full lips. Sparks of pleasure shot through her as her clit crushed against him.
“Do you want to go somewhere a little more private?” The corner of his mouth lifted as his eyebrows rose.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Kate said to herself. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes.” She wanted him, and she wanted him now. She laced her fingers through his and pulled him to where Meg was dancing. “Hey, James and I are going to take off.”
Meg grinned. “Have fun. Text me later.”
Once they were outside, James walked them over to his car and unlocked her door. She opened her mouth to thank him and her eyes fell to his lips. Kiss him. Now.
Their mouths crashed together, dragging a moan from both of their throats. His hands skimmed over her body, sending waves of pleasure crashing through her. Breathing became more and more difficult until her head began to swim.
“This isn’t much better.” Kate panted as she looked around the parking lot.
“Right. Sorry. Let’s get out of here.” James ushered her into the car and then slid into the seat next to her. “My apartment isn’t too far from here.”
Her lips were hot, swollen, and hungry for more. Her fingertips dug into her thighs, trying to dull the ache between her legs.
It wasn’t until she looked away from him that she noticed he was driving toward her dorm. She was about to say something when he turned into the parking lot of the apartment complex across the street. “You live here?”
“As of last week I do.” He pulled into a parking spot. “Do you still want to come up?” His face was hidden in shadows, but even so, she knew he wanted her to say yes.
Kate nodded, got out of the car, and followed him up three flights of stairs. His hands shook as he unlocked the door. His apartment was dark and still.
“It’s not much, but I…”
No more talking. Kate cut him off by kissing him again. She pushed him against the door, forcing it closed. Her hands fell between their bodies, and after fighting the button holding his pants closed for a few seconds, she sighed when it finally opened to her. Her hands pushed inside eagerly, too excited to wait. His body jerked when she cupped his dick and squeezed it lightly. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and she sucked on it as her fingers attempted to free his hard-on from the clothing that contained it.
He eased the hem of her shirt up, pushing it over the top of her breasts. His fingers deftly moved to the clasp holding her bra closed. He sighed when her flesh filled his hands. He rolled her nipples between his fingers. Her hot hands succeeded in their task and she pumped his cock in time with each draw on her nipples.
He closed his eyes and dipped his fingers inside her jeans, dragging them across the top of her panties, setting her nerves on fire. He pulled away from her to breathe. “Are you sure you want this?” His forehead wrinkled and his eyes wouldn’t meet hers. Everything about him was even and perfectly in place, except for the feral snarl that turned his pretty lips into pure sex.
She twisted out of her shirt, dropping it by the door. “Yes, I’m sure. Now kiss me.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice. His tongue swept inside her mouth, coaxing her tongue out. He echoed her earlier movements and sucked on her tongue each time his finger caressed her hot slit through her jeans. She squeaked when he lifted her and carried her to his bedroom. He put her down on the bed and then flipped a light on.
“Do you have a…” She was panting, looking from his lips to his dick. Before the word “condom” fully formed in her mind, he tore into the unopened box, which was poking out of the open drawer on the nightstand next to his bed, pulling one out.
He shucked his clothes and ripped open the flat package with his teeth, nearly dropping it on the floor.
She sat up and her fingers joined his, smoothing the slippery latex over his long, hard dick. She wanted to touch every inch of his body, explore the lean muscles that covered his tall frame. There wasn’t time. She needed him inside her.
He turned his attention to her jeans, which were in the way. She shimmied her hips while he pulled, dropping them and her panties onto the floor. He crawled onto the bed next to her. He cupped her pussy, pushing his middle finger inside of her. He kissed her, capturing her moan before it could leave her mouth. His dick twitched against her hip as he finger-fucked her. She came in seconds, shaking against him and squeezing his finger with each powerful contraction.
He removed his mouth so she could breathe, revealing a cocky smile that made her hungry for more, and then he sucked his finger clean.
“More.” It was the only word she could form while her body still tingled in ecstasy.
She didn’t have to wait long.
Chapter 2
It was James’ fantasy come to life: to have his Dark Haired Girl in his apartment. Naked. All he had to do was ask. His brother was right. Sometimes asking a direct question gave you the answer you wanted to hear.
He shifted between Kate’s legs, nudging them open. So soft, pink, warm, and inviting. Above all else, she was beautiful, and she was waiting for him. All thoughts disappeared when his cock pressed impatiently against her slippery sex.
“Mm, hmm. Yes. More. Please.” She gasped when the head of his cock was inside. “Holy shit.”
“So tight,” he whispered into her mouth before kissing her again.
She moaned when he was all of the way inside her.
He pulled out of her slowly, spiraling his hips when he pushed back inside. He thrust his tongue in her mouth and she bit it gently. He growled and slammed into her.
“Oh yes!” Her lean legs wrapped around his thighs. She dug her heels into him in time with each lunge of his hips.
Her eyes were shut and her lips were parted. The muscles in her neck strained with every moan. Focus. So tight. So hot. So good.
Sweet Chemistry Page 1