Sweet Chemistry by September Roberts Page A

Baker. I forgot to ask before.”
    “Fine.” Kate blushed. Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. And yet her heart was trying to jump right out of her chest. “Why do you ask?”
    “That was only the second time he’d asked me for help. Honestly, I think he’s a bit weird. He keeps to himself in his office all the time and doesn’t talk to anyone much, but you two seem to get along.”
    Words failed her so she nodded.
    Carrie narrowed her eyes. “Is he always weird?”
    Kate shrugged. “I don’t know. We organized his tests and homework. We didn’t do much talking.”
    That was fine with her. Talking only made her want him more.
    * * * *
    When lab ended on Friday, Kate handed James a list on her way out.
    “What was that?” Tim nudged her shoulder.
    “Just an ingredient list.”
    Tim smiled at her. “So he actually wants to cook with you? I thought that was some kind of euphemism.”
    Kate sighed. “As much as I’d like ‘making lemon bars’ to mean something else, it is what it is.”
    She left her dorm a little early on Saturday, closing the door on the heap of clothes she tried on before settling on the outfit she was wearing. Even though it was already mid-October, she dressed in a tank top and board shorts, and pulled a hoodie on for the walk home. San Clemente never got really cold, but the nights were chilly.
    Each step required a deep, calming breath. Her mind flooded with memories of the night she went home with him. The moment he stopped and kissed her as they rounded the second flight. His hands shaking as he unlocked the door. The way he moaned when she undressed him. She lifted her hand to knock when the door opened.
    “You’re early.” James’ cheeks were flushed.
    “Sorry. I can wait if you’re not ready.”
    “I was just cleaning up a little. More grading.” He swept his hand inside. “Please come in.”
    Kate’s eyes bulged. “You’re not kidding.” The living room was covered with papers, including a new couch. “Hey, you got a couch.”
    “My brother kept bringing it up. Telling me I needed a couch to be a credible adult.”
    “It seems like it’s coming in handy for all those papers.” Her mouth went dry. His bedroom door was open a few feet away: soft sheets, a cozy mattress, juniper and musk, and a nightstand full of condoms. She shivered.
    James frowned. “I’m a little unorganized. But hey, the kitchen is clean.” He pointed to the small kitchen to her left. “I went shopping.” He pulled the list out of his pocket and smiled. A line of ingredients spanned the length of the counter.
    “I see that. Do you want to get started?”
    James nodded, and fidgeted.
    Kate put her bag down and tugged the hoodie off her head. She smoothed her hair down and tucked it behind her ears. His eyes were on her.
    James lunged, gripping the hoodie out of her hands. “Here, let me take that.” He darted out of the room.
    Kate faced the counter and verified all the ingredients were present.
    “Did I buy the right things?” His voice was incredibly close.
    She clutched her chest and turned around, nearly bumping into him. “Geez, you scared me.” She was staring at his lips; those perfect, soft, delicious lips. Stop it. He’s your professor. She shook her head. “Ready?” Kate didn’t wait for him to respond. “Preheat your oven.” When James didn’t move, she added, “It’s that knob. Three fifty.”
    Kate took longer than she expected explaining things to James. He had no idea what he was doing, and it made her laugh. She had given a baking lesson to Meg once, which was a complete disaster. Despite the similarities in their lack of knowledge, she assumed James would understand the science behind baking more than Meg did, so she focused on that.
    “Okay. Lemon bars have two parts: a shortbread-like cookie on the bottom and lemon custard on top. Let’s start with the cookie part.”
    She guided him as he opened packages of butter and attempted to measure sugar and