Page 69 of Chemistry: The Chemist

Chem only said a few words. They didn’t concern his car. They were a warning for the precious cargo inside.

“I, in fact, have no intentions of doing that, so I will let you have at it.”

“Wise man,” he concluded, making his way around the car.

He opened the door and assisted me onto the curb. When I was close enough, he pressed his lips against my ear.

“You’re almost too fucking good to be true.”

My cheeks peaked as my body prickled with tiny bumps that made areas of my skin painful. I pushed forward with Chem leading the way. He was dressed in a brown, long-sleeved shirt with pants that matched. His hair was freshly cut, adding another layer to his sex appeal. Under the word fine in the dictionary sat a picture of him. I was convinced.

Long legs paraded toward the entrance. I cursed every woman who’d ever seen what was between them. He was definitely a man over six feet. His dick, it was measuring at nearly four feet, itself. I was almost certain.

He was carrying a miniature version of himself between his thighs. A third leg. A pole. A water hose. A bat. And when he swung, he always hit his target.

So wrapped up in his charm, I hadn’t noticed we’d reached our seat or we’d entered through a private wing and not the actual front door. I’d missed my chance to sneak off to the restroom and ditch the com in my ear. Our waitress was waiting on us, watching with a smile that reached her eyes as we took our seats.

Please, love. This one is mine.

He was rubbing off of me. The ping of jealousy stung like a bee. But, the way our waitress was eyeing the man who belonged to me left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Chem made his way around the table for four and had a seat after making sure I was settled. The knots had begun to form in my stomach, coiling it in twelve different directions. I could feel the gas as it bubbled and rolled around the areas that weren’t constricted and curled.

It was imperative I visited the ladies’ room much sooner rather than later. By now, my team was aware I was no longer in Roulette. Where I truly was, I never wanted them to find out.

“Welcome to Charred.”

Fuck.

“I’m Taylor. I’ll be serving you tonight. It’s such a pleasure having you and it is such a pleasure seeing a familiar face.”

With raised brows, I jogged my memory. I didn’t recall the face in front of me. But, the chances of my name being revealed sent me into a panic. It wasn’t long before I realized her eyes were still trained on Chem. I was invisible to her.

Giddily, she bounced, ready to be acknowledged. Ready to be affirmed. Chem said nothing. He simply expanded his limbs and grew more comfortable in his chair. My nervous, sweaty hands pressed against my pants, relieved I wasn’t under the watchful eye. Having my cover blown would’ve ended my night and possibly my life.

Though I was freed of concern, I grew increasingly suspicious of the woman before us with a smile bright enough to light any room. The twinkle in her eyes let me know she’d had or craved more of Chem. Jealousy pushed my nostrils out further on my face. My heart drummed against my chest.

“A familiar face?” I chuckled, getting Chem’s attention.

“Yes. Yes. Since–oh my God. Forever. Chemistry Childers.”

Hearing his full name was quite surprising. I hadn’t taken him for a Chemistry, but as I repeated it in my head, it began to feel like the perfect fit. It was sophisticated, much like him.

“Oh,” I sniggered, catching his eyes, hoping he was reading mine. “The whole name?”

“Umm. Hmm. We go waaaaay back. I hate Rome and I drifted apart the way we did. I still miss her and keep telling myself I’ll get down to the theater to see her perform. How is Roulette? I tried getting into her club a few months back. Apparently, I don’t make enough to get on the guest list.” She laughed.

“Oh, God. I miss each and every one of those girls. They were like sisters to me. Everyone is on the right path, thriving and just continuing to be the girls I’ve always admired. I bumped into Roaman. She told me she finished school and finally became a surgeon. From my understanding, Rather has her own practice. I’m going to have to go sit on her couch one day. Every time I leave this place, I need therapy, but don’t we all?”

She looked over at me for a response. A sly smile stretched my lips. The agitation on Chem’s face matched the discomfort on mine. While it would make my job so much easier if she continued talking, I couldn’t help but want her to shut the fuck up–and fast.

I dug in my canal, moving the com around, hoping to scramble the device and make communication difficult. There was so much going on in my ear, my head, and my heart. I was torn a twenty-six ways, it seemed.

“And Range. I saw her on the cover of the local magazine. First female to make partner at her firm. She was always so fierce. I knew she’d be great. Hell, I knew they all would. The way your family was structured just– I never had that. That’s why I spent so much of my time with Rome. Tell my girl I miss her and I will get down to the theater to see her. I promise.”

“Cognac, neat,” was Chem’s only response.

Silence was mine. The influx of information I’d received in such little time was so overwhelming, that I was unsure of what it was I should do next. Vomit threatened to spill from my core. It was made abundantly clear the man I’d spent the last two years searching for was right in front of me, had been inside of me, and I’d fallen head first for him.

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