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.

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.

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.