Sweet Chemistry (16 page)

“Do we have to?”

She propped a hand on her hip. “I think we should eat. Aren’t you hungry?”

James nodded, taking in the sight of her slender wrist leading to her round hip. “Very hungry.”

“I’m serious.” She stomped her foot, and then her other hand was on her hip.

“I can see that. Pick whatever one you want.” His eyes danced as he watched her pull a shirt on. It barely covered her ass. He imagined how much fun it would be to take it off her later.

By the time James pulled a pair of lounge pants on, Kate already had a box of macaroni and cheese opened and a pan of water boiling on the stove.

“You like mac and cheese?” James wrapped his arms around her waist as he came up behind her.

“Everyone likes mac and cheese. You make it sound like I’m some kind of weirdo.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. It just seems weird that someone who makes their own bread also enjoys boxed macaroni and powdered cheese.”

Kate shrugged. “Yeah, well, don’t tell anyone, but I like ramen too.”

James covered his mouth in mock surprise and they both laughed.

He never got a chance to undress her again, because she had to leave after they ate.

“I’ve got plans with Meg in the morning, and you’ve got grading. Works out well for both of us.”

He didn’t want her to go home, but they had discussed enough serious relationship topics for the night, and her sleeping over seemed like too much to hope for. He couldn’t risk screwing things up. Not again.

Saturday morning, Kate tapped her foot as she waited for Meg to get her shoes on. “Are you ready? We need to be there by ten.”

Meg rolled her eyes. “Hold your horses. Okay. Now I’m ready.”

In no time, they were parked outside Kate’s future bakery. Meg looked through the windshield at the paper-covered windows and shrugged.

“I know it doesn’t look like much, but wait until you see inside.” Kate stepped out of the car and shook hands with Liz, who was waiting by the front door. “This is the friend I was telling you about. Meg this is Liz.”

Liz smiled as she shook Meg’s hand. “Good to meet you. Are you ready to go in?”

Kate and Meg both nodded. Warmth flooded through Kate’s body as she looked around for the second time. As Meg explored the kitchen, Kate opened her notebook and added more specific details about the position of the tables and how many stools there were. The only thing she needed to add was another oven.

“Oh Kate, I think it’ll be perfect. Honestly, it’s just what I imagined it would be like.”

“Me too.” Kate grinned at her. “It gets better.”

“It does?”

“Liz, can we see the apartment too?”

“Apartment?” Meg mouthed as Liz pulled the keys out of her pocket.

Liz let them go up alone, and once they were upstairs, Meg formed a square with her fingers and thumbs up as if she were framing a picture. “You could get a couch for right there, and that spot looks perfect for a little table. This is in your price range?”

Kate nodded. “The restaurant and apartment combined are less than I calculated for, so getting a loan shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I hope it all works out.” Meg gave her a serious look. “I know how you are when you get your mind set on something. I just hope it goes the way you want it to.”

“You make me sound like a spoiled brat.” Kate feigned mock hurt.

“No. Not a spoiled brat, just lucky. You always seem to get what you want.”

“Of course I do, because I work for it. You think I got a scholarship by accident? You think I like working three jobs every summer instead of lounging around the beach? I’ve been saving…for my future.”

Meg put her hands up. “I didn’t mean to get you all huffy. I just want to make sure you have realistic expectations.”

Kate shook her head. “I know. I’m just anxious. If this doesn’t work out, I have to start over.”

“You just started looking.” Meg stared at her.

“Yeah, but I’m done. I don’t want to look any more. I know this is right. I can see everything so clearly. This is the life I’ve been working toward.”

Meg hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. You know that, right? You just say the word and I’ll help you move in.”

“It’s small, but nice, isn’t it?” Kate sat on the window ledge and looked across the empty room.

“How much space do you need? It’s just you.”

“Well, I was hoping, maybe, James might want—”

“What? Are you seriously talking about moving in together?” Meg’s mouth hung open.

“Maybe? I don’t know.” Kate’s shoulders fell.

“Have you talked about that with him?”

Kate shook her head. “No, we just barely discussed whether we’re exclusive or not. Which we are,” she added quickly. “In fact, he wants to take me away for Thanksgiving weekend.”

“Wow.”

“Yep, a whole weekend. It’ll be just the two of us in Santa Barbara where we can hold hands and kiss in public. It’s going to be like a real relationship. So far it’s just been lots of secret sex.”

“So things are going well?” Meg grimaced.

“What’s that face?”

Meg shrugged. “Realistic expectations. All I’m saying.”

They both turned toward the stairs as Liz ascended. “Well, do you still love it?” A tight smile was plastered on her face, and when Kate nodded, relief washed it away. “Good.”

As they left, Liz told her she would be in touch when she had news from Kate’s credit union.

“Thanks for going with me, and thanks for being honest.” Kate nudged her friend’s shoulder in the car.

“What are friends for, if not to try and crush your hopes and dreams?”

“No crushing, just a little reality check. Thanks to you, I’m calm and collected. Just in time for my meeting with Ms. Watts.”

“Thanks for dropping me off so I don’t have to go with you to a boring meeting.” Meg got out in front of a coffee shop and leaned through the open passenger window. “Call me and let me know how it goes.”

“You know I will.”

Kate got to her appointment a few minutes early, just like last time, and waited anxiously outside Ms. Watts’ office. Her calm façade was long gone, and turned into worry about her plan falling apart again.

“You found something you like?”

Kate nodded. “Yes. I’ll need an extra oven, but I’ve got a contact that can help me get a used one. Other than that, it’s perfect.”

Ms. Watts smiled as she looked around her computer monitor. “Based on your account history and the property you’ve chosen, we can offer you a thirty thousand dollar loan, with a revolving line of credit for twenty thousand. That’ll give you a running start.”

It was happening. Kate was on her way to becoming a small business owner. Now all she had to do was wait for the contract to be drawn up.

Elation filled her body as she sat in her car outside the credit union. Her hands shook as she dialed Meg. “I got it!” Her voice squeaked.

“Congrats Kate! Sounds like we need to celebrate. Does Tim know?” Meg was practically screaming into her phone.

“No, I need to tell him.”

“Let’s go to dinner, and you can break the news to both of us. I’ll play along, and that way, Tim won’t be the wiser about being left out.”

“I can’t think straight. Will you make the plans?”

“I’m on it. Be ready at six.”

Kate stared at the paperwork in her hands. Her future was about to begin.

* * * *

“So what are you going to name it?” Tim leaned toward Kate.

“I’ve been thinking about it and I really like ‘Sweet Chemistry.’ And I thought it would be really cool to put the chemical formula for sucrose on T-shirts, aprons, and stuff to sell in the restaurant.”

“Love it!” Tim grinned.

Meg tried to disguise the word “Nerd” in a cough.

Kate shrugged. “I’ve got to put my chemistry degree to use somehow, right?”

“Don’t listen to her, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I think it’s perfect. Perfectly you.”

Meg nodded. “Tim’s right. It’s perfect.”

“Now I have to wait until all the paperwork is ready. It could take up to two weeks.” She would also have to hire a part-time employee, but that could wait. Finding someone she could trust would be the hardest part.

“Don’t worry, honey, I’m sure your classes will keep you preoccupied.” Tim patted her hand.

“Mm hmm,
classes
.” Meg gave her a knowing smile.

“So, how are things with Mark?” Kate asked, ignoring Meg’s comment. Of course, Kate asked about Mark knowing the conversation would be as far away from her and James as possible. It worked like a charm.

* * * *

“Uh,” Kate shouted as she served. The sound echoed as the ball whizzed against the wall, bounced off the floor and hit the back wall.

“What the hell was that?” James was staring at the ball still bouncing on the floor.

“Me giving you a run for your money.” Kate winked at him. “Ready to try again?”

James narrowed his eyes and squared his shoulders. He held his racquet in front of him and nodded.

Kate served again and the ball followed the same path, only this time James swung to hit it. His racquet clattered against the wall, filling the enclosed room with the sound of the collision and James swearing.

“You okay?” Kate was smiling.

James shook his hand and then repositioned his hold on the handle. “Yes, I’m fine. Serve again.”

“Uh.” The ball knocked against the front wall and coasted by James. He hit the wall again, but not nearly as hard.

“Again.”

“Uh.” Kate was waiting for the sound of the racquet bashing into the wall, but was surprised by the ball hitting her in the low back. “Ow.” She contorted her arm and rubbed tiny circles over the tender spot.

“I’m so sorry Kate. Are you okay?” James was behind her, touching her gently.

Kate nodded. “Good job returning it.”

“I’m supposed to hit the front wall. Not you.” James frowned. “That is a killer serve.”

“I know. It’s nearly impossible to return, and by the time your opponent figures it out, you’re well ahead in points.”

“Will you show me?”

Kate pointed to the square on the floor. “Stand there, bend your knees. You’ll want to hit it underhand. Aim for that spot on the front wall. Watch.” She moved him out of the way and demonstrated the serve in slow motion. “Now you try.”

James mimicked her movements and hit the ball so hard it hit the back wall before it could touch the ground.

Kate came up behind him with a new ball and touched his hand holding the racquet. “Be gentler. Loosen your grip on the handle, it should be an extension of your arm.” She stroked his arm and let her fingers glide down his hand and onto the handle. She was breathing heavily onto his back. She put the ball in his left hand, closing his fingers around it. “Try again,” she whispered. As she took a step away from him, his body wavered.

As James swung his racquet, Kate could tell his serve was perfect. The ball bounced just behind her, and then it hit the back wall. “Excellent. Try again, and this time, I’ll return it.” Kate got into position with her foot propped against the side wall. “When you’re expecting a serve like that, the trick is to lean against the side wall, but have your foot ready to push off in case they surprise you with a different serve.” She gave him a nod.

James grunted and served perfectly. Kate returned it, sending the ball flying over his head to the front wall. She pushed away from the wall and stood ready in the center of the court. They volleyed the ball until they were both panting, and then James moved in front of her and got in the path of the ball, where it connected squarely with his shoulder.

“Ow. I guess we’re even.” James smiled.

“Are you okay? Need me to kiss it better?”

James pouted and nodded, pulling his sleeve up enough to expose the angry red welt on his shoulder. His eyes darted to the tiny door they had crawled through.

“Don’t worry. We have the room reserved for another forty-five minutes. No one ever comes down here anyway, since everyone wants the courts with a glass observation wall.” Kate inhaled the masculine scent that lingered and kissed the circle of hot skin.

James wrapped his arm around her, tugged at the hem of her shirt. “I should kiss yours too. You know, to be fair.” His pretty lips pulled back into a half smile, and then he was on his knees.

Kate’s pulse quickened as his lips moved along her belly and around to her back. He tugged the waistband of her shorts down and trailed kisses on every inch of exposed skin. His hot breath licked the curves of her hips and ass.

He turned her body until his mouth was nestled in her belly button again. “So no one comes down here, huh?”

Kate shook her head and gave him a wicked grin. “That’s why I reserved
this
court.”

“You are so clever.” He untied the drawstring of her shorts and nipped at the waistband of her panties.

She gasped and held onto his head.

He pushed her shorts and panties down to her ankles and grazed her clit ever so slightly with his fingers.

“Gah.” Kate’s legs trembled.

“Against the wall,” James commanded.

She stepped out of her shoes and clothes as she got into position.

“Spread your legs.”

Kate leaned her shoulders against the wall and spread her legs.

James crawled across the floor and buried his nose in her damp curls. He gripped her thigh and positioned her leg over his shoulder as his tongue parted her delicate folds.

Her moan echoed off the walls, surrounding them with the sounds of pleasure.

He rubbed her clit with his tongue and then sucked on the sensitive skin, rubbing and squeezing it with his lips.

Kate’s moan intensified as she came, her cries deafening her. She closed her eyes and slumped against the wall. She could hear the sound of fabric moving and a package ripping open and then he was between her legs again. Her eyes opened when he kissed her, and then he was lifting her off the ground and his cock was nudging against her opening. She pushed her tongue into his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her moan filled his mouth as he thrust into her.

James gulped a breath of air and then dove back to her mouth, sucking and licking her lips as he fucked her, his tongue echoing the movement of his dick.