Kate shook her head. “No way.” She started crying again. There was no way she was going to let herself get hurt after this. She honestly thought he liked her, but now it was obvious he had used her for sex and didn’t want anything to do with her.
Later that night, while she was alone in her room, her phone vibrated. Her mouth hung open as she stared at the screen. Why was James calling her? She couldn’t bring herself to answer it. James didn’t leave a message.
When she went to work Tuesday, she hid in the back room. Normally, her part time job as the chemistry department office assistant’s assistant was a nice break in her day, but now, she was on the edge of her seat. What if she ran into James? What would she say to Carrie?
Kate had started working with Carrie last year, and the job was perfect. It was flexible and stress-free, and unlike her seasonal jobs waitressing, she got to sit a lot. Plus, Carrie was a kind, motherly woman, which was comforting since her own mother was more than eight hundred miles away. Kate enjoyed working with her.
“You okay back here Kate?” Carrie was frowning.
Kate shrugged, and tried to relax. “Yep, I’m just cleaning up this mess.” She flipped through the papers spread over the counter in the back office. “I meant to tell you, I can work on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few hours at a time, or for an hour here and there the rest of the week if you need me.”
Carrie smiled warmly. “I always need you. Just show up whenever you can and I’ll put you to work. You know these professors, they can always use help getting their act together.”
Kate smiled and went back to work. She practically tiptoed out of the office when she was done for the day. It was ridiculous, but better than the alternative. At the same time that night, James called her. For the second night, she didn’t answer, and he didn’t leave a message.
She only had to see him three times a week, but Friday was going to kill her. Biochem lab lasted for three hours, starting right after class ended. Four hours was a long time to have to spend with someone who didn’t want you around.
She got to class early on Wednesday, and begged Angelica to switch seats, so she was shielded in the second row.
Angelica didn’t mind getting a little closer to the front of the class. “I could stare at Dr. B all day.”
Bile rose in the back of her throat.
When Tim came in, he sat in the second row with her. “Where’d you go? I waited in the majors’ room, but you never came back.”
“Long story…coffee?”
Tim nodded.
James came in right on time, and after briefly glancing around the classroom, he began lecturing. Kate could feel his eyes on her whenever her head was down, but every time she looked up, he quickly focused his gaze somewhere else.
Kate took Tim’s arm, leaving immediately for the coffee shop before James could say anything to stop her.
“No way!” Tim squealed. “You and Dr. Baker?”
Kate nodded her head and frowned at the attention he was drawing. “You can’t tell anyone! I’m serious, Timmy.” She leveled him with her gaze. “I’m just sick about it. It really felt like we had a connection. I just don’t understand.” Kate let her head fall into her hands.
“You’re a student. He’s a professor. What is there to understand? That kind of thing is bad news.”
“Yeah, but…he didn’t have to be such a jerk. And why is he calling me?”
“I couldn’t tell you. And it’s true. He didn’t have to be a jerk. Men are dogs. Believe me.”
“Things aren’t working out with Mark again?”
Tim shook his head. “He’s so hot and cold. One day we’re fine, the next, not so much. When it’s good, it’s really good…but sometimes I wonder if it’s enough.”
They spent the next hour commiserating over the woes of dating worthless men. Kate explained to him that on top of being handsome, Tim was also a kind and generous person and if Mark couldn’t see it, he didn’t deserve Tim. Of course, when Tim echoed her sentiments, telling her she was beautiful and deserved better treatment, she ignored him.
James called the next two nights but Kate was too upset to answer. She never found out why he was calling because he never left a message.
Kate’s stomach churned all morning Friday. Lecture and lab. Four hours of listening to James talk and being close enough to touch him without getting to. Four hours of watching his mouth move and not being able to kiss him. Four hours of trying to figure out why he kept calling her when he obviously didn’t want anything to do with her and not getting to punch him.
The lab required students to pair up, so Kate and Tim claimed a bench near the back of the room. They were assigned lockers to keep the glassware they were renting, and everyone was required to keep a lab notebook.
Almost everyone had their own lab coat, but hers was the only one tie dyed hot pink. Usually, she loved it, but for the first time in her career as a student, she wished her professor wouldn’t notice her. Reluctantly, she pulled it on, snapping up the front and sliding her safety glasses over her eyes.
As the students worked, James made his rounds, checking on their progress. When he approached their bench, Tim saw him coming and stepped between them, putting his hands on his hips. He narrowed his eyes at James and pressed his lips together.
“I’m checking to see how your solution is coming.” James peered around Tim, looking from Kate to the flask on the hotplate in front of her. “Looks perfect.” He flashed a quick smile, revealing his perfectly straight teeth and yummy lips. “By the way, I love your lab coat, Miss Rhodes.”
Kate’s forehead creased. “Thanks,” she mumbled, remembering too late she shouldn’t be staring at his mouth like that.
Tim took a step back until he was next to Kate, putting his hand on her back.
James’ gaze followed Tim’s arm. He narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. At that moment, a beaker shattered in the corner of the room, breaking the odd tension between the two men.
Hours later, in the hall outside lab, Kate sagged against the wall and sighed. She made it through her first week of classes.
* * * *
Kate spent the weekend hanging out with Meg, who did a good job at keeping her mind off James. Thankfully, he had stopped calling.
The second week of class came and went as she tried to avoid James. She kept her head down, and asked as little questions as possible. When she went to work, she stayed out of sight. James only looked at her warily during lab, seemingly content to keep a distance as well.
The next week was filled with a flurry of excitement over their first exam. The test was scheduled for the following Monday, and it was all anyone could talk about.
Friday after class, Angelica turned around in her seat to face Kate and Tim. “I’m hosting a study group. If you guys want to come, we’re going to start Saturday afternoon around four. It’ll be a potluck, so bring something to share if you’re coming.”
Kate and Tim had both been to her study groups when they were all in O Chem together last semester. She lived with her parents, and had a spacious house and a lovely yard to relax in while they compared notes and helped each other. Study group would be a perfect distraction.
The lab that day was an enzyme assay. While Tim went to retrieve chemicals from the inventory shelves, Kate worked to get the glassware set up, pulling it out of her locker. The laboratory was noisy and everyone was bustling to get everything done in time.
When she stood, she squeaked and clutched her chest. James was standing in front of her.
“Do you have everything you need?” His jaw was set in a firm line as he looked at her and then over to Tim.
As she struggled to understand the meaning behind his words, Tim came back with a tray full of brown glass bottles. “Come on, Katie, help me weigh these.”
Without looking back, she walked away from James and set her sights on finishing her lab on time. Spending a minute more trying to understand him would have made her head explo
de.
* * * *
Kate spent Saturday morning baking in the communal kitchen in her dorm. She danced around the large space, adding a little of this and a little of that to the blueberry coffee cake batter. Every time she made it, she changed the spices in it. This time, she added cinnamon and nutmeg. It was a lot like being in lab only she got to taste the concoctions she made here. Once it had cooled, she wrapped her cake, picked up Tim, and headed to Angelica’s house.
Nearly everyone from class was there, mulling around and chatting quietly. Ever the gracious hostess, Angelica gathered everyone and opened her notes. Study group had begun.
About an hour in, Angelica was pulled away to answer the front door. The room filled with excited chatter when she returned with James.
Chapter 4
When Angelica came to his office and asked James if he would help at her study group Saturday afternoon, he said yes, and then he began to notice the way she touched his arm and played with her hair while she talked to him. James’ head spun. Did Angelica know about Kate and thought he was the kind of professor who had sex with his students? It was too late to change his mind. Angelica had his word.
Joining the study group would be the perfect distraction. Angelica told him it started at four in the afternoon, but warned him it always took a while before they got started. She also let him know it was a potluck. He stopped at the store on the way and bought a few bottles of soda.
Angelica greeted him at the door and played with her hair again. She offered to give him a tour of her house, but James declined. He made a point to be as short and gruff with her as possible. He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea.
He followed her into the living room and stifled a gasp when his gaze fell on Kate. What was she doing here?
“Where should I put this?” James raised the bag of soda. He couldn’t sit down. He needed time to think.
Angelica turned to face him. “In the kitchen, it’s on the right. I’ll show you.”
“No, I’ll find it.” James backed away and turned to the right. It was a long hall leading to bedrooms. She must’ve meant her right, not his. He retraced his steps and pushed open a swinging door to the kitchen.
His mouth went dry and his head swam when he noticed Kate standing at the sink drinking a glass of water. He froze. The sleek muscles of her neck moved as she swallowed. He wanted to trail kisses along her taut skin. She’s your student. Remember? The door slipped out of his hand and swooshed shut behind him. Kate’s eyes met his. If looks could kill, he would’ve died right then.
She opened her mouth and her venomous whisper paralyzed him. “What the hell are you doing here? This is a study group. For students.” Her gaze focused on the swinging door. Was she waiting for someone? Of course she was. She was waiting for Tim. Lucky bastard.
The plastic handles of the bag started to cut into the skin of his hand. “I didn’t know you’d be here either. Angelica asked me to come tonight. She said it would be helpful if the group ran into any problems.” Why was he apologizing? He was doing his students a huge favor.
Her murderous gaze returned. “I see you’re moving on to the next student. I suppose you’re married too.” She clutched her glass with both hands.
How could she say something like that when it was obvious she and Tim were together? “You’re one to talk.”
“Dr. B, there you are,” Angelica said sweetly. She looked at James, and then at Kate, and gripped James’ arm possessively. “Sorry, I should’ve shown you where you should put the drinks. You’re so nice to bring anything at all.”
James shrugged and tried to pull out of her grasp, and only succeeded when the rest of the students came in to load their plates with the odd assortment of food. It was pandemonium. As he backed away from the swarm around the table, he scanned the room. Where had Kate gone?
As he waited in line, James nibbled on the piece of blueberry cake on his plate, which practically called his name the moment he saw it. His mouth watered. It was soft and delicious, and melted against his tongue. He glanced at the pan and decided he would come back for another piece after the line died down.
When James joined the study group, Tim and Kate were sitting together, whispering, and eating off the same plate. To make things worse, Tim put his hand on her knee and squeezed it.
James forced down the last bite of blueberry cake and turned to the group. “Thank you for the food. This blueberry cake is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
“I know, right? Kate can seriously cook. Not that the rest of the food isn’t delicious,” Tim added quickly. “Angelica, this seven layer dip is awesome.”
Strike that. It was the second best thing he’d tasted. Kate still held first place. He looked at her while he licked his finger. Did she just shudder?
“Thanks for bringing soda, Dr. B.” Angelica sat in the chair next to him and batted her eyelashes. She smiled for too long and it made his skin crawl.
James buried his nose in his textbook, scanning through the material as the students quizzed each other, hoping she would take the hint.
Around the edge of the book, he could block out Tim and look at Kate. Why hadn’t he taken things slower with her? If he had known he would only have one night with her, he would’ve worshiped every inch of her body, every inch of her relationship-committed body.
James squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t spend the next twelve weeks pining for a taken woman.
The pieces started to fall into place during the second week. Tim’s hand on her back, the protective stance he took when James tried to talk to her, and the way he escorted her from class. It was all the proof he needed Tim and Kate were together. He was familiar with this feeling of betrayal, but this time, she hadn’t cheated on him, she had cheated with him. Apparently when she said ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ this meant cheating on Tim.
When Kate got up to leave, James’ heart sank. Of course, Tim went with her.
James went back to Addiction that night. He needed a distraction more than ever. He had been there every Saturday in the hopes of finding someone who would spark something inside him again, but no one did.
During Sunday dinner, Jeff was a complete ass.
“It’s not funny, Jeff.”
“No, not funny. Ironic. Leave it to my hermit brother to finally go out and find the only woman he can’t have.” Jeff laughed.
“Thanks a lot. What am I supposed to do?”
“What do you want to do?”
“I want her. She’s all I can think about.”
“Well then, I guess you’re fucked.”
Heather put her fingers on her husband’s lips. “James, don’t give up on her. Have you actually asked her if she’s dating that Tim guy?”
“You told her?” James scowled at his brother.
Heather shook her head. “No, I asked him. You didn’t come over last Sunday, so I knew something was up. Well? Have you asked her?” She raised an eyebrow.
“No,” James admitted sadly. “She wouldn’t answer my phone calls, and now…You should see the way they are together. He calls her ‘Katie.’ It makes me sick.” He shook his head. “I wonder if he knows.”
“Knows what?” Jeff peeled his mouth away from Heather’s hand.
“That she cheated on him, with me.”
“Bro, he’s not your friend, you don’t owe him anything. If she really was with him when you two hooked up, she’s not the kind of girl you should even be wasting your time on.” Jeff dusted his hands together to emphasize his point.
“I know.” James rested his forehead on the dining room table. She didn’t seem like that kind of girl, but his perception and reality were obviously miles apart.
* * * *
James’ students were restless Monday afternoon, and when he passed the exams around, they all voiced the same question. “Where do we write our names?”
“No names. Student ID numbers.” He beamed while they frowned. “They’re on your ID cards. I
like to keep an open mind while I grade.”
The truth was, he was painfully aware of the bias he might have toward Kate, but if he could grade his biochemistry exams using ID numbers, it would be better for everyone. His intro class was a different story. He used ID numbers and names for the ease of handing them back.
While his students worked, James sat behind the desk and graded their lab notebooks. Thirty minutes in, he started a pile of completed exams. A few minutes later, he looked up from his work and into Kate’s face. She licked her lips. His heart jumped a beat. She had done that the night they were together. He held his hand out, waiting expectantly for her to turn in her exam, and when she finally did, she caressed his hand with hers.
He was grateful for the position of his desk because it shielded his body, which was beginning to betray him. His eyes flicked to where Tim sat, to see if he was watching them. He wasn’t. Was she flirting with him? If she was, Tim was oblivious to it.
James cleared his throat. “Thank you, Miss Rhodes.” He still couldn’t bring himself to call her by her first name for fear his voice would betray his feelings. He put her exam on top of the others and then moved a stack of notebooks on top. He watched her spectacular ass walk away and attempted to adjust his uncomfortably tight pants.
Grading took him two days. There were a few exams that stood out from the rest, Angelica, Tim and Kate. It turns out Kate would’ve excelled without his bias. She was brilliant.
When he handed them back, Kate and Tim compared their scores and talked quietly. The mood in the classroom was a mixture of excitement and disappointment, except for Kate, who seemed prepared for her score. He wanted to congratulate her during lab, but never got the chance to get her alone.
* * * *
Like a fool, James went to Addiction Saturday night. He sat at the bar in his spot and flagged down the bartender.
“Your usual?” The bartender asked pulling a glass out from under the counter.
Sweet Chemistry Page 3