Free Sweet Chemistry by September Roberts Page A

straightened her dress as she looked around for the tripping hazard. Her heart was pounding. Falling off the stage and into his arms wasn’t exactly the reconnection she was hoping for.
    “T’was the alligator’s tail.” James pointed to a floppy foam tail thrashing around near the edge of the dance floor.
    “Oh.” Kate nodded. “I’m going to get a drink.”
    “Me’s be goin’ ta get more grog too.”
    She led the way to the bar, looking carefully at the ground for more costume accessories. James was a step behind her the whole way. It was comforting to have him so close.
    The bartender grinned and licked his lips as he made his way to where Kate was standing. “What can I get you?”
    “Two waters, please.”
    The bartender filled up two cups and put them down in front of her. “Are you sure you don’t want anything else? I know I’m hungry, and I’d like to eat more than your brains.” The bartender reached across the bar and gripped the band around Kate’s arm.
    “Belay that talk and git yer hooks off, ye scurvy bilge rat.” James darted to the side and shoved the bartender’s hand off her.
    Her breath caught in her throat. “Yeah, what he said.” She motioned to James, who was still scowling at the bartender.
    “Hey, I was just playing around.” The bartender skulked a few feet away.
    Kate turned toward James, brushing her arm against his chest. The heat from his skin warmed her. “Thank you for sticking up for me. That guy’s a creep.”
    “He needs a proper flogging.” The muscles in James’ jaw tightened as he stared at the bar behind her.
    She sighed. It was time to be confident and in control. “Look, this is ridiculous. We’re both adults, we should act like adults. I can control myself, and you can control yourself. Right?”
    “Aye.” James gave her a somber nod.
    “So, can we just be here and have a good time without feeling awkward?” Awkward sounded better than anxious. He didn’t need to know she was a nervous wreck around him.
    “Aye aye, Cap’n.”
    Kate smiled and handed him a cup of water. “I like your costume. What happened to your eye?” Her eyebrows knitted together in mock concern.
    “Arr, t’was a most unfortunate accident with picric acid.”
    Kate snorted. “I almost believed the whole pirate thing, until you got all nerdy-chemist on me.” She touched his arm and a pulse of electricity shot through her hand. Could he feel it too? If he did, he didn’t let on. The feeling remained until she removed her hand.
    James laughed. “Yer costume be amazing. Ye look a right saucy wench.”
    Her body melted at his compliment. She brushed her hands down the sides of the dress. “Meg is a miracle worker. She’s also a bit tipsy at the moment.” She finished her drink. “Do you want to join us?”
    “Aye. That I would.”
    Meg’s eyes bulged when they returned, and before she could say anything, Kate leaned toward her and said, “It’s cool. We had a talk.” Meg scowled, but didn’t force the discussion at that moment either.
    Kate and James spent the next hour dancing casually next to each other. James continued to talk like a pirate, making Kate laugh, especially when he called another pirate a “son of a biscuit eater.” There were plenty of distractions, which was fortunate, since looking at James too long made her heart pound and her mouth dry. How could his costume make him even more attractive than usual? At one point, Meg got the attention of a very good-looking man dressed as a pimp, who was devoting all his time and attention to her. The last time Kate saw them, Meg was stroking the purple feather in his hat by the bar.
    As the club emptied, Kate tried to catch a glimpse of Meg, but had no such luck. There were quite a few people lingering in the parking lot, and James stayed close as they searched for Meg. “I drove, but she’s got the ticket for my purse, which has my keys.”
    “Pr’haps she be at yer car.” James scanned the dark