Sweet Chemistry

by September Roberts

  “This is a big deal, and I’m not ready to put myself out there.”

  “Wait a minute. You were just talking about moving in together, but you’re not going to tell him about your bakery?”

  Kate shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s terrifying.”

  “I’ve never seen you so unsure before.” Meg narrowed her eyes.

  “I know what I want. I just don’t know what he wants.”

  Chapter 16

  On Wednesday, when James announced the upcoming test in biochemistry, he was surprised when Angelica didn’t ask him to join her study group. The surprise ended a few minutes after class when she knocked on his office door.

  “Angelica, did you forget something?” He stood in the doorway, blocking her from coming in.

  She batted her eyelashes at him. “I forgot to ask if you would come to my study group again.”

  James crossed his arms over his chest. “I would be glad to help. Four o’clock?”

  “Thanks. You’re the best.” Angelica touched his arm and didn’t pull her hand away.

  James opened his mouth to reply, but his thoughts were interrupted by a noise down the hall. It was Lloyd, standing in the doorway to the main office. James cleared his throat. “Okay then, Angelica. See you then.”

  “Thanks Dr. B.” She turned and walked down the hall, swishing her hips as she went.

  He ducked back into his office and heard Angelica and Lloyd talking for a moment as he tried to get back to work.

  James stared at the papers on his desk. He had been working with his research student, Michael, all afternoon Monday and most of Tuesday, but despite their long hours, there was an issue with part of the project, and it took him the better part of the next afternoon to track down the source of the problem.

  Thursday morning, Sam knocked on James’ door. “Ready to play?”

  James rubbed his temples. “Yeah, just give me a second.” He made a few notes on Michael’s paper.

  “Everything okay?” Sam asked as they walked to the gym.

  James shook his head. “No, Michael needs to repeat a part of his experiment. The results were a little too murky. He’s not going to be happy.”

  Sam shrugged. “At least we’ve got a break coming up, you could always work on it then.”

  “I’ve got plans. With my family,” he added quickly. “There might be time next week. I’ll have to talk to him about it.”

  When the four men met at the racquetball court, they divided into new teams. Jon and Sam played together and James and David played together. As James got in position to serve, he knew no one would be able to return it. David high-fived him between serves. They scored several points before Jon switched positions with Sam and started returning the wicked serve.

  After the game, Jon shook hands with everyone again. “Where’d you learn that serve?”

  “I’ve got a source.” James chuckled.

  “Did your secret girlfriend teach you?” Sam teased.

  James’ cheeks burned. Just like that, he was fourteen again, getting teased by his friend for liking a girl. He took a deep breath and reminded himself he was an adult now, and this friend was a good guy.

  “Secret girlfriend?” David smiled.

  Sam piped up, “He won’t say anything, no matter how much I pry.”

  James cleared his throat. “Oh, David, I wanted to thank you for putting in a good word for me with Lloyd Moore.”

  “Don’t mention it James. Lloyd’s a tough nut to crack, so I figured it couldn’t hurt.” David patted him on the back. “Since next week is Thanksgiving, are we on for the week after?”

  Jon nodded. “You can count on me.”

  Sam and James both murmured agreement.

  “See you in two weeks.” David slung his bag over his shoulder and he and Jon both left.

  Sam tightened the laces on his shoes. “You’re a sly guy.”

  James shrugged.

  “I hope you know I’m just giving you a hard time.” Sam straightened his back and added, “Although I must admit the more you won’t talk about her, the more curious I am.”

  “Good thing you’re not a cat.” A smile cracked James’ serious face, and then they both laughed.

  * * * *

  “Are you coming to Angelica’s on Saturday?” Kate asked between lecture and lab on Friday.

  “Yes, are you?” James sat on his desk, resisting every urge to grab her and kiss her.

  “Only if you are.” She grinned and it made his stomach flip. “Can I see you tonight?”

  “Can’t. Michael and I need to work on his research project.”

  Kate pouted. “On a Friday night?”

  James shrugged. “He wanted to work on it over Thanksgiving break, and because I already have plans, he suggested we work on it tonight, Monday and Tuesday.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll just make dinner for Meg again.”

  Now it was James who was pouting. “What are you bringing tomorrow?”

  “What do you want?”

  James thought for a second. “Pumpkin cookies.”

  Kate laughed. “You really like fruity desserts, don’t you?”

  “Almost as much as I like you.” He couldn’t stop himself. He gripped her hips and dragged her between his legs. His mouth was on hers as his finger wound into her hair.

  Kate pulled away slowly and opened her mouth. He put his fingers on her lips.

  “I know what you’re going to say about the rules, but I miss you.” He kissed her again.

  She shook her head. “What if someone is listening outside? I shouldn’t even be in here with you. What if someone saw us leaving together?” He hated the panic in her voice and the fear in her eyes.

  “Simple. You had a question about lab.” He touched her neck. “It’s almost gone.”

  “I heal fast.” Kate smiled and pulled her lab notebook out of her backpack and turned the doorknob. “Thank you for answering that question, Dr. Baker.”

  Even though he had worked for years for that title, he hated hearing her say it. By the time he got to lab, everyone had already started working. He could still taste Kate on his lips and it was driving him crazy to be this close to her without being able to touch her again.

  Usually, James looked forward to lab, because it meant the beginning of the weekend, but this Friday, it only meant more work. James grabbed the pile of lab notebooks, and went down to the research lab.

  “Hi Michael. I’m going to be over here grading biochemistry notebooks while you work. Feel free to interrupt if you have questions though, okay?”

  Michael nodded. “I wish I had waited to take Biochem so I could’ve taken it from you. I bet you’re a really good professor.”

  James smiled and shifted uncomfortably. “Thanks Michael.”

  Over the next three hours, James finished grading and Michael got to a stopping point where he could easily start on Monday. The ride back to his apartment was dark, and he was grateful for the tiny headlight he strapped on the front of his bike. He glanced up at Kate’s window. The light was still on. He stopped outside her dorm and called her.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Writing a paper. Are you done?” Kate yawned.

  “I’m outside.”

  Kate appeared in her window. “I can’t see you.”

  James shined his headlight at her window and covered it with his hand so it would appear to flash. “Now can you see me?”

  “Sure can. Well, I can see a flashing light.”

  “It’s been a long week.” James sighed and then added, “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too.” Her voice was soft and she was touching the glass.

  He started breathing hard and his throat tightened. “Will you come over?”

  “It’s kind of late.”

  He had to force the next words out of his mouth. “I meant to stay over.”

  The longer Kate paused, the more he regretted saying anything. When she finally answered,
he could hear her smile. “I’d love to. Give me a minute?”

  James sat on the curb in the empty parking lot and propped his bike against his leg while he waited for her. His leg bounced the entire time. When she came through the door, he jumped up. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Kate smiled at him. Her backpack was over her shoulder.

  “Do you want a ride on my handlebars?” James joked.

  Kate laughed. “What am I, ten?” She shook her head. “No, I’ll just walk next to you.”

  At the bottom of the steps, Kate looked at his bike. “Is it heavy?”

  “No, it’s a carbon-fiber road bike. It weighs eighteen pounds.”

  “The whole bike?” Kate’s mouth hung open.

  James nodded. “It also cost more than my first car. That’s why I keep it with me.”

  “I can see why. Can I carry your bag while you haul your bike up three flights of stairs?”

  “It’s probably heavier than my bike since my laptop is in there.” James handed his backpack to her. “You sure you don’t mind?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Once they were inside his apartment, they stared at each other for a few seconds. “Here’s your bag.”

  “Thanks.” He pointed to the table in the living room. “You can put your stuff down.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  James shook his head. As if on cue, his stomach growled.

  Kate grinned at him and retrieved a container from her backpack. “I thought that might be your answer.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Dinner.”

  Words wouldn’t form in his mouth and he couldn’t move to take it from her. Kate pushed past him and went into the kitchen. A minute later the microwave dinged. Kate set a spot at the table for him.

  “Come and eat it while it’s warm.” Kate pointed to the seat, and when he still didn’t move, she tugged him by his hand.

  “Thank you.” His words were quiet and sounded small. He wanted to say so much more, but nothing came out. Instead, he sat and ate. “That was delicious.”

  “You should’ve tried it fresh. It doesn’t taste the same when it’s reheated.”

  “I’m sure Meg appreciated it.”

  Kate nodded. “Yes she did.”

  Their normally easy conversation was stifled by the tension between them. James’ throat started to squeeze tight again. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I just really wanted to see you. You certainly didn’t have to make me dinner.”

  Kate’s shoulders relaxed and she leaned on the chair next to him. “No one said anything about ‘have to.’ I was hoping I would see you when you were done, and I’m glad you called. I’m even more grateful for the invitation to spend the night. I just wasn't sure—”

  “Me either. I don’t know what I’m doing,” James stammered.

  “That makes two of us.”

  James turned his body toward her and opened his arms. Kate stepped between his legs and cradled his head against her body. He smiled because he was level with her breasts, and then grinned when he noticed her nipples were hard. He rubbed against them lightly with one hand while the other cupped her ass.

  Kate sighed. “I promise I have some control over my body. At least I used to. Before I met you. It’s pathetic, my nipples get hard when I even think about you.”

  “I’m in a similar situation, only it’s not only my nipples that get hard.” He glanced down.

  She licked her lips and then straddled his lap. She rested her hands lightly on his shoulders and kissed him. Sweetly at first, and then she was devouring his mouth while she rubbed against his hard-on. He wrapped his arms around her body and carried her into the bedroom.

  Knowing she wasn’t going to leave gave him the patience he needed to take things slowly. He took his time undressing her, and then he stripped for her. She giggled when he shook his ass. He loved the sound of her laugh, so he shook it again.

  She opened her arms and legs to him, and he did not hesitate to accept her invitation. He worshiped every inch of her body. Each curve received a kiss, turning her soft flesh a deeper shade of pink. When his tongue parted the lips hiding her sex, she writhed under him and filled his head with sounds of pleasure. He dug his fingers into her hips never relenting his attack on her clit, and then her muscles tensed, her legs clamping on either side of his face as her orgasm claimed her. Her chest heaved with each ragged breath.

  Her mouth opened just enough for one word to escape. “More.”

  His cock throbbed against the bed, jealous of his tongue and lips. When he unrolled the condom, his hips jerked and then he was pushing against her sex, waiting for her wet lips to engulf him. Surrounded by her, he was able to let go of everything else. Nothing else mattered. Sweat covered their bodies, skin gliding against skin with each thrust.

  When they finally came, the sounds of their pleasure erupted out of them, filling the room with bliss that hung heavily in the air like the fragrance of summer flowers at night.

  Leaving the bed was the most difficult thing he’d done all night. After visiting the bathroom, he stood over Kate and looked at her peaceful face. Her eyes were closed and her arms were bent and her hands tucked behind her head. It was such a vulnerable pose, but she looked happy. Her chest was rising and falling evenly, making the sheets move rhythmically. Her eyes opened when he joined her on the bed.

  “Hi.” Her voice sounded as drowsy as she looked.

  “Hi.” He touched her cheek and then traced the contour of her smooth inner arm, following the bend at her elbow and stopping short of reaching her armpit. His fingers fell on a ridge under the skin covering her bicep. “What’s this?”

  Kate opened one eye and looked at his fingers. “It’s my implant. Got it last year.” Her eyes closed again.

  “What kind of implant?”

  Kate smiled but didn’t open her eyes. “The birth control kind. It was more cost effective than the pill, so I got it. It lasts for three years. I also got tested. All negative. Just in case you were wondering.”

  Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases was the first thing he did after Tina left. “Me too. All clear.” He didn’t want to think of her anymore. He touched the implant in her arm lightly. “Does it hurt?”

  Kate shook her head slowly. “Never seen one before?”

  “No, I’ve never even heard of them.”

  Kate’s eyes opened slightly. “You need to spend more time in the Student Health Services building. Oh, and have a uterus and ovaries.”

  James laughed. “I’ll get right on that.” He kissed her and turned the light out. “See you in the morning.”

  Kate mumbled something and rolled her body, draping an arm and leg over him. She was warm and soft and her deep, even breathing lulled him to sleep almost immediately.

  The next time his eyes opened, the windows were bright. He was disoriented. The clock told him it was eight-thirty, and for a second, he thought he was late to class, until he remembered it was Saturday. And then he remembered Kate had stayed over, but the bed next to him was cold and no one answered when he called out. She was gone, just like last time.

  Chapter 17

  The sky was just beginning to lighten when she woke. She stretched and nearly punched James in the head. She rolled over to face him and smiled. He was sleeping soundly, and she was suddenly inspired to make him breakfast in bed.

  She snuck out of the other side of the bed, got dressed, and tiptoed into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and found a few eggs, a box of pizza, and a door full of condiments. The cupboard didn’t have much more in it. She couldn’t serve him breakfast in bed with this selection of food. She made a list of things to get and realized she had everything in her dorm.

  As Kate stood in front of the locked door, she couldn’t decide what to do. Should she leave it unlocked while she ran to her dorm or try to find his keys? A horrifying image of someone coming into his apartment and hurting him while he was sleeping was enough to encourage h
er to dig through his pockets until she found his keys. Was it more important to worry about his trust or protect him? Protection won. She wrote him a note and stuck it to the fridge and slipped outside, locking the door behind her.

  Kate ran to her room and began to gather breakfast supplies. Now she was faced with an even greater problem. She didn’t know what he liked for breakfast. A list of options ran through her head, so she took a little of everything.

  She was out of breath when she slid the key back into the lock. Her smile fell when she saw he was awake and sitting on the edge of the bed. His whole body drooped and his forehead was resting in his hands.

  “Hi.” Her words got his attention, but his gaze was unfocused and sad. “Sorry, I was hoping to surprise you.” She smiled at him, but he didn’t respond. Her heart started to pound. “Are you mad at me for taking your keys? I’m sorry. I just had this crazy thought someone was going to break in or something while I was gone.” She got closer to him with each word until she was standing in front of him.

  His eyes were stormy. “What?” He shook his head as if he was trying to knock her words into place.

  “Are you mad because I borrowed your keys?” Kate repeated.

  “Why would I be mad about that? I thought you left.”

  Kate shook her head and touched his scruffy cheek. “Just for a minute. I wanted to make you breakfast, but your fridge is empty. I brought stuff.” She opened her bag and showed him the groceries poking out. “Do you like pancakes, French toast, omelets, biscuits and gravy, or—”

  “Yes. All of the above.” The creases of worry on his face melted into a smile.

  Kate put her hand on her hip. “That’s not helpful. If you were to order from a restaurant, what would you order?”

  James closed his hand around her wrist and pulled her between his legs. “Good morning.” He buried his face against her chest and gripped her shirt.

  She stroked and then kissed the top of his head. “Good morning. What’ll you have?”

  “At a restaurant? French toast and eggs over medium, but I usually eat cereal or instant oatmeal.”