Sweet Chemistry (18 page)

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.

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 her 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.”

“French toast and eggs it is.” She ignored the rest of his comment and got to work in his kitchen. While she cooked, James made coffee.

“Coffee?” James offered her a mug.

“I’ll have a little. Too much and I’ll be wired for the rest of the day.” Kate took the cup out of his hands. “Thank you for inviting me to stay over. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up.”

James came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry I panicked.”

Kate rested her head against his chest and smiled. “Will you set the table? Breakfast is almost ready.”

He stroked her neck before pulling away.

James closed his eyes while he ate, moaning with each bite. “You’ve ruined me.”

Kate laughed. “I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s amazing. Is there more?” He looked into the kitchen at the empty pan.

“There’s more French toast in the microwave. We ate all the eggs, although I can make more easily enough.”

James shook his head as he got up to get more French toast. “This is plenty. You need to teach me how to make this.”

Kate grinned. “Gladly.”

James stretched out on his bed after breakfast and groaned. “I ate too much.” He patted his belly. “I’m sleepy again.”

“Five pieces of French toast will do that to you.”

“Come here.” He opened his arms and Kate crawled into them, snuggling against his body.

She propped herself up on her elbow. “If you’re tired, you should sleep.” Maybe this was her cue to leave.

“What are you going to do?”

“Make cookies for study group.”

“Here?” His eyebrows lifted.

Kate shrugged. “I need to go shopping. I don’t have any pumpkin.” She took a deep breath. “Do you want me to make them here?”

James nodded. “I’d like that.”

“Okay then. I’ll go shopping while you rest, and then I’ll bake.” She kissed him before heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

“Take my keys so you can let yourself in.” James closed his eyes and wiggled his body into his bed.

“See you soon.”

James was in the same position when Kate returned.

She moved as quietly as possible, unloading the groceries on the counter. She jumped when she heard James’ voice behind her.

“What’s that?”

Kate was clutching her chest. “I thought you were sleeping. I hope I didn’t wake you.” She tilted her face up to kiss him. “That is a Cinderella pumpkin. You know, since it looks like something a fairy godmother would turn into a coach? It’s my favorite variety for making cookies and pies.” She thumped it with her fingers. “I hope it’s ripe.” She turned the oven on.

“How are you going to make cookies out of that?” James tilted his head as he looked at the squash.

“First, I roast it, then I scoop it, then I blend it, and then I combine it with flour, spices and other stuff and
voilà
, cookies!”

James frowned. “I didn’t mean to pick something that was going to be so much work.”

“I need to roast a pumpkin for Thanksgiving pies anyway, so this will be perfect. Don’t worry about it. Now, I need to break this open.” She picked up the pumpkin and opened the front door. She lifted it over her head and threw it on the cement. It bounced toward the railing. James jumped.

“The trick is to hit it until it just barely cracks open. Don’t look at me like that. Do you have a kitchen saw?” Her eyebrows rose. “Didn’t think so. Now stand back so I don’t hit your feet.” She heaved the pumpkin onto the cement, and this time the flesh split open. “Perfect. Now I wash and roast.”

An hour later, Kate sat at the table and scooped the cooked pumpkin into a bowl.

“This seems like a lot of work.”

“It’s worth it. Believe me. Plus, there’s enough here for several pies, lots of cookies and pancakes too. I’ll freeze it. Do you mind if I store it here? The fridge and freezer in my dorm is kind of tiny.” It was the one thing Kate hated about living in the dorm, since it limited her ability to cook and bake in bulk. Soon enough, she would have a walk-in freezer.

“I’ll have to rearrange the ice cream and vodka, but I’m sure it’ll fit.”

Kate stifled a laugh. He definitely lived like a bachelor. “I like cooking here. Don’t get me wrong, the dorm kitchen is nice, and it’s got four ovens, but there’s nothing like having your own space, you know? Plus there aren’t random students popping in to ‘help’ taste everything.”

“Listen, since you’re making the pies for Thanksgiving, you’re welcome to make them here.”

“I was planning on doing that the Wednesday before. I’m sure you’ll be busy.”

James shrugged. “I may, but that doesn’t matter. I’ve got a spare key. You can just let yourself in.”

Kate stared at him with her mouth hanging open. “Okay.” She was beginning to understand how he felt about her.

James looked away and stuffed his hands in his pocket. “So does this mean I can’t taste the cookies?”

Kate tried to figure out what he was talking about and then laughed. “You’re not some random student. Eat as many cookies as you want. I made them for you. In fact, the first batch should be done right now.” Seconds later, the timer beeped.

“They’re hot,” she warned as James hovered over the cookie sheet.

James broke one open and licked a string of melted chocolate that dripped on his hand. He blew on the pieces for a second and then shoved it in his mouth. “Damn that’s good. When you open your hypothetical bakery, you need to make these.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat, still unable to tell him her news. “Yeah, okay. Anything else you think should be on the menu?” she asked as if she were playing along.

“Lemon bars.”

“Obviously.”

“Oh, and ginger snaps, and apple pie, and that blueberry cake, and pumpkin pie, and I could go on for hours.”

Kate laughed. “Want another one?”

James nodded and put one in his mouth whole. “Ow,” he mumbled. “Those are still hot.”

Kate fixed lunch before James filled up on cookies, and as they were cleaning up the kitchen, she split the remaining cookies into two containers. “One for study group. One for you.” She pushed one of the containers into his hands.

“Do you have to go?”

“I don’t think it would go unnoticed if we showed up together to study group.” Kate rolled her eyes. “Angelica would definitely notice.”

“Thanks for staying, and thanks for the cookies.” He put the cookies down and dug in the drawer next to the stove. “Here, take this for Wednesday.” He handed her a key.

Kate smiled as she took it. Warmth spread through her body. She added it to her key ring. “Thank you. I’ll get it back to you.”