Sweet Chemistry (19 page)

He was staring at the floor again. “No rush. Do you want to shower before you leave?”

Kate nodded. “I’d love to. Would you care to join me?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

They embraced under the warm water, and the only thing that pulled them out of the shower was the knowledge that they needed to leave for study group.

Kate kissed him one more time before she left. “See you soon.” She hated to leave. Sure she was going to see him in less than an hour, but it wasn’t the same as the moments they shared alone, and it might be days before she got to be with him like this again.

She picked Tim up on the way to Angelica’s house. James must’ve gotten there early and had time alone with Angelica, since she was holding his arm when they arrived.

“Dr. Baker? Can I ask you a question about lecture yesterday?” Tim pulled his notebook out of his backpack.

James gave him a grateful smile, pulled his arm out of Angelica’s grasp, and sat next to him.

Once study group officially started, Kate leaned toward Tim and whispered, “Did you really not understand what he said about protein extraction techniques?”

Tim shook his head and smiled. “It looked like Dr. Baker needed help. So I helped him.” He elbowed her. “
And
you.”

Kate looked away. If Tim knew, who else did?

In the car, she asked him what she had been thinking about the past two hours. “Is it obvious?”

“Only for me because I know how you met. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that Angelica knows something is going on too, because she’s turned up the charm.” He tossed imaginary hair over his shoulders. “Oh Dr. B, you’re
so
funny.” He giggled while covering his mouth, and then gagged.

Kate laughed at his impression.

“How often are you seeing each other?”

Kate stared at the road. “Depends on our schedules. You can’t say anything, Timmy.”

“As if I would.” Tim folded his arms over his chest.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to imply anything, but I have to be careful.”

“Have you had sex in Hatch Hall?”

Kate scoffed. “
No
. But I did kiss him in his office once.”

Tim mimed jerking him off and Kate slapped his hand. “Stop it Timmy.”

“What? I totally would. He’s so hot, with that sexy, manscaped beard. Are you sure he’s not gay?”

Kate grinned. “I’m sure. How’s Mark?”

“Don’t change the subject. That may work with Meg, but it doesn’t with me.”

“Hey, do you want to see the property?”

Tim sat up straight in his seat. “Now
that
is tempting. Are we close?”

“I’ve been headed that direction for a few minutes now. Should be another minute or so. I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”

“I was too busy trying to get you to spill details about Dr. Hottie.” Tim elbowed her.

“No more talking. We’re here.” Kate got out and tugged Tim over to one of the paper-covered windows. “I wish you could see it. It’s going to be so perfect.”

As they were talking about the font for the sign, a stout muscular man came up next to them. “Can I help you?” His words were clipped and even, just like his gray hair.

Kate smiled. “Um, I was just showing my friend the restaurant.”

“I’d show it to you, but it’s under contract.”

“Under contract?” Kate’s mouth went dry and her heart began to pound. Her dream was trying to slip through her fingers.

“Yeah, my realtor is drawing up a contract to get a bakery in here.”

Kate sighed as she got a firm hold on her dream again. “Are you Mr. Crane?”

The man nodded slowly and narrowed his eyes. “And you are?”

“Kate Rhodes, the girl who’s going to open a bakery here.” Kate held her hand out and smiled as he shook it.

“Philip Crane. Pleasure to meet you. I guess I
can
show you inside, if you and your friend are interested.”

Kate looked at Tim, who was nodding. “Sorry, where are my manners? Mr. Crane, this is Tim.”

The two men shook hands.

“Please call me Philip.” He pulled his keys out of his pocket and let them into the building. “If you’ll excuse me, I was just coming down to check a water leak next door.”

Kate gasped. “At Brandie’s place?”

Philip nodded.

Kate shook her head. “Water leaks and books are not a good mix.”

“I’ve been told, which is why I’m here on a Saturday. It shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes. I’ll be back to check on you.”

“Philip?” Kate called as he turned away. “Before you go, can you unlock the apartment too?”

He gave her a smile and unlocked the door leading upstairs.

“Thank you, we won’t stay long.” Kate pulled Tim in behind her.

Tim gave his stamp of approval and made Kate promise she would take him shopping to pick out plates and flatware. Mr. Crane came back and sat at the bar next to them.

“Philip, how long do you think it’ll be? I’ve never done this before, and I don’t know how long it takes to get a contract drawn up and signed.” Kate was fidgeting with the zipper on her hoodie.

“The holidays are going to push things back a little, but I bet you’ll hear something the week after.” Philip touched her shoulder gently. “Don’t worry. Golden Realty does a good job. Liz represents several of my properties, and she always takes care of everything.”

Kate’s shoulders relaxed. “Thanks Philip. I really appreciate everything. It was really great to meet you.”

Philip shook her hand, and then Tim’s, thanking them both before he drove away.

“I don’t know how you can concentrate on school with everything else going on right now,” Tim said.

“I’m balancing it all so far. I can’t do anything with my bakery yet, so the distraction is welcome.”

Tim laughed. “No one else I know considers their final semester of college a
distraction
.”

Even though James had set aside Sunday morning and afternoon to write the biochemistry exam, he still couldn’t get it finished by the time he should’ve been leaving for Jeff and Heather’s for dinner.

James dialed his brother. “Sorry, but I have to bail on you again. I thought I’d be done by now.”

“No big. See you Thursday. I’m looking forward to meeting Kate.”

“Thanks Jeff. See you then.”

The words on his laptop screen blurred as Kate popped into his head for the hundredth time that day.

His heart raced. They were in a
relationship
; one that made him so happy he questioned whether he deserved it. Why, out of everyone, had Kate picked him?

The night she stayed over changed something between them. For the first time in years, he was content, but he couldn’t ignore the guilt that was always present with her. She was his student and he shouldn’t be in a relationship with her, but
shouldn’t
didn’t stop him from wanting her. It also didn’t stop him from being happy.

The weekend would be their first opportunity to act like a real couple. Santa Barbara was brimming with activities, and yet, he didn’t know her well enough to know what she would want to do. He didn’t know what she liked to eat, or what she did with her spare time. He was determined to change that.

James shook his head. Biochemistry. It was time to work. He had four whole days to play. He only had to work a little longer.

Carrie didn’t seem to mind being under a time constraint to make copies of the biochemistry exam for him Monday morning. She already had his intro chemistry exam copied and ready to go, since he had left it with her last week, and by the time he got back from class, he handed her the complete multiple choice forms and picked up the exams for his small class. “I’ll put these through the Scantron reader today, and I’ll have Kate sort them tomorrow if you can have the other part graded by then.”

James nodded. “I’ll get them done today. Thank you Carrie.” Every exam had gotten easier and easier.

His biochemistry class faced him with a mixture of confidence and nerves. “You have one hour. When you’re done, please pick up your lab notebooks.”

Kate was focused on the test in front of her, looking up occasionally to meet his gaze. It was going to take every ounce of self-control to stop looking at her. The intro exams were the perfect distraction. Work now. Play later.

He made a sizable dent in the pile during the exam, and by the time Michael started to clean up that night, he was all but done.

James stayed until he had a tidy stack of graded exams. Grading the biochemistry ones would have to wait until tomorrow. The cool night air cleared his head as he rode home. He stopped outside of the dorms. Kate’s light was off. He sighed and finished the trip to his apartment.

The first thing he noticed when he opened his apartment was the smell of something delicious, and then he saw his table was set and there was a note between a fork and knife.

Dinner is in the fridge. XOXO Kate

He scanned the apartment to see if she was still there, but she wasn’t. When he opened the fridge, he found a covered plate with a note stuck to it.

I made you spaghetti. The other container is for tomorrow night. XOXO

James stood in front of the fridge for a few seconds staring at the plate of food. His throat tightened. “Why are you so good to me?” he whispered to her note.

* * * *

James took his time getting to work Tuesday morning. It was going to be another long day. By the time he got in, Carrie was already buried in a pile of papers.

“Did you get those exams graded?”

He nodded. “They’re in my office.”

As soon as he started talking, Kate popped her head out of the back room. She grinned at him and then disappeared before Carrie could see her.

Carrie leaned back in her chair. “Kate? Will you help Dr. Baker collate his intro exams when you’re done alphabetizing them?”

“I’m almost done,” Kate called out. “I’ll be down in a second.”

“Thank you,” James replied.

Carrie smiled.

James was in the middle of changing out of his riding shirt when someone knocked on his door. He slipped a clean shirt over his head and opened it to Kate’s beaming face.

“Here are your exams, Dr. Baker.” Kate pushed into his office while he closed the door quietly behind her.

“Thank you for dinner last night,” he whispered just before he kissed her. Her body relaxed and her mouth opened to him.

“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea or anything. I’m not trying to sway you while you’re grading my exam, or make you biased in some way, I just thought you might be hungry after such a long day.” Kate was still holding the stack of sorted Scantrons in her hands.

James laughed. “That ship sailed a long time ago. I mean the bias and being swayed.” Kate frowned and James quickly explained. “I’m not saying you don’t deserve the grade you’re getting, because you absolutely do, I’m just saying there’s not a lot you could do to sway me
further
. And by the way, it was delicious.”

Kate smiled. “I’m glad.” She cleared her throat. “Okay. I’m here to work. Put me to work.”

“Hmm, tempting.” His hands fell between their bodies. He wanted nothing more than to put her to work all over his office. Naked.

Kate scoffed. “Organizing your exams.”

“Oh.” James let out a heavy sigh. “I guess that’ll do.”

Kate sat on the floor of his office, just as she had done in the past, and alphabetized the other part of the exams. “I’ll do this while you go fix your hair. It’s all dented. Oh, and your pants are still wrapped up.” She pointed to the elastic strap around his ankles.

James tugged the straps off his pants and rubbed his hands against his head. “There. Is that better?”

Kate peered at his hair. “Not even a little bit.”

“I’ll do it in a minute. I don’t want to leave while you’re here.”

Kate blushed and got back to work.

James was sitting at his desk unpacking his backpack and carefully hiding the biochemistry exams from Kate when she announced she was done. “How can you be done so quickly?”

She shrugged and leaned over his desk. “To give us more time for this…” Her mouth was on his again. She pulled away from him and because of how she was bending, he could see right down her V-neck shirt. His pants were suddenly very tight.

His fingers moved on their own volition, grazing the swell of her breasts making an appearance above her bra.

Kate shook her head. “I’m on the clock.”

“Can I hire you?”

She shook her head again. “I’m not for hire. I’ve already got a job. Remember?”

“That’s a real shame. I would give you a good bonus.”

Kate snorted. “I’m sure you would.” She kissed him again, sucking on his lip before she let go and turned to leave. She swiped the stapler off his desk and then opened the door and spoke loudly, “Of course I’ll take the stapler back to the main office. Glad I could help.” She winked at him and closed the door as she left.

James sat at his desk and closed his eyes. He could still taste her on his lips. He opened his pants and stroked his cock as he thought about bending her over his desk. It only took him a minute before he came.

* * * *

“Thanks for working on this with me again, Dr. Baker.” Michael handed him the vial containing the newly collected protein concentrate.

“I’m just sorry we got as far as we did without having much to show for it.”

Michael shrugged. “The good news is, I know what I’m doing now, since I’ve done it before, so it shouldn’t take me as long. I just appreciate you taking the time to be here with me.”

“It’s not a problem. I like it down here. Plus, I got all my grading done. I would’ve just been holed up in my office or apartment anyway, so it’s really not a problem.”

“I know it’s already late, but would you mind if I got some things prepped for tomorrow so I can work again before the break?”

“I’ll help you.” James stashed the graded biochemistry exams inside his backpack and started getting supplies out for Michael.

On Wednesday he handed out exams. His students were all pleased he had graded them so quickly, except for the ones who had bombed the test, which was easily ten percent of his intro class. As he was passing out the exams in biochemistry he made an announcement. “There are only two more weeks of class, and because of the holiday this weekend, there are only two lab periods remaining. Your lab notebooks are due at the end of each lab, and your final exam will be in this room on Monday December tenth. Now, let’s get back to enzyme kinetics.”