Free Sweet Chemistry by September Roberts

time are we leaving?”
    “I think the party starts at nine, so how does ten sound?”
    “Sounds like I have enough time to get my makeup done.”
    As Kate turned to leave Meg’s room, Meg touched her shoulder. “It’s good to see you smile.”
    Her secret plan was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell her. “I’ve found a new focus.”
    “Good. See you in a couple of hours?”
    Kate nodded and slung the white dress over her shoulder. When she got back to her room, she put on a pair of sandals that would be perfect with the costume, but when she tried the dress on, she didn’t like the visible panty line. She slipped her panties off and was much happier with how it looked. The thick golden belt hung straight between her legs, covering the shadowy patch of tight curls.
    The front of the dress had two slits, one up each leg, stopping mid-thigh, which would give her plenty of mobility. When she and Meg discussed costumes, they both agreed their costumes would have to be suitable for the dance floor since that was where they were headed. Kate used a picture from the Internet as a guide for her makeup and then clamped the gold arm cuffs in place. As she walked to Meg’s room, she enjoyed the way the material swished against her naked body.
    “Holy shit, how did you get your hair to do that?” Kate gaped at her friend who had a perfect beehive hairdo, held in place with a white headband, which matched her knee-high white boots and her thick white vinyl belt. The dress she was wearing was covered with huge, brightly colored flowers, and barely concealed her ass.
    “Hairspray and about a hundred bobby-pins.” Meg grinned. “You like it?”
    “Love it. You’re the best go-go dancer I’ve seen.”
    Meg patted her fluffed hair. “Your makeup is perfect.”
    “Thanks. Shall we?” Kate held her arm out to Meg, and when they got to the parking lot, she pulled her keys out of her purse. “I’ll drive tonight.”
    The Halloween party at Addiction was in full swing when they got there. They checked their purses at the coat check and Meg slipped the ticket in her bra, claiming it was the safest place. The bar was decorated with splatters of blood, and the bartender, who was dressed as a zombie, stared at their cleavage. “Where’s your boyfriend, or did you wear him out?”
    “With his boyfriend.” Kate pulled Meg away from him before he could say anything else.
    The dance floor was more crowded and the music was louder than normal. Most of the women in the club were dressed like Meg, in sexy short costumes, which made Kate stick out like a sore thumb. As she scanned the room, her eyes fell on a gorgeous pirate, and when their eyes met, she sighed. It was James. Even in costume, she was attracted to him.
    “He’s here,” Kate shouted.
    Meg’s gaze followed hers and she frowned. “Don’t talk to him. He thought you were a slut who was dating Tim while you had sex with him. Have you forgotten all the crying? I haven’t. He’s a dick, and you can’t let him make you feel bad anymore.”
    Meg didn’t know the whole truth. She didn’t know about James’ ex-fiancée, and she certainly didn’t know about their most recent conversation. James wasn’t a dick. He had been hurt.
    He was also her professor for seven more weeks.
    After an hour of observation, Kate realized James had come alone. Talking required more confidence than she possessed, so Kate clung to Meg, but eventually, thirst overcame anxiety.
    “I need water.” Kate shouted to Meg and then moved through the crowd. As she stepped off the dance floor, she tripped and landed in strong arms. Warm hands rolled her body, cradling her waist and the back of her neck, until she was face to face with a devastatingly handsome pirate. “Hi.”
    “Ahoy.” James smiled at her, making his eye patch lift off his cheek a little.
    “Thanks for catching me. I don’t know what I tripped on.” Kate pulled out of his grasp and