Intermediate Thermodynamics: A Romantic Comedy (Chemistry Lessons Book 2)
Page 28
What had she ever done to deserve him? She reached for his face, holding it in her hands like it was something precious and fragile. “I love you, Jonathan Brinkerhoff.”
He captured her lips in a kiss that was impossibly sweet and tender. He tasted like coffee and security. Like unconditional love.
Goose bumps shimmered over her skin as his mouth traveled to her pulse point. She tipped her head back, exposing her throat to him.
The smell of smoke intruded on her happy moment. “I think the pancake’s burning.”
“I don’t care about the pancake,” he muttered into her cleavage.
“What if I do?”
He lifted his head enough to raise an eyebrow at her as his fingers moved up the inside of her thigh. “Do you care about the pancake right now?”
“Nope, definitely not,” she said, shuddering with pleasure. “As long you promise to make me more pancakes later.”
Without letting go of her, he reached a long arm out to turn off the stove. “I will make you all the pancakes you want. I will make you pancakes every single morning. I’ll make you pancakes for dinner, I’ll bring them to your office for lunch, I’ll—”
“Okay, that’s enough pancakes. Sex now, please.”
He lunged forward to bury his face in her neck again. Her hands slid down his torso, and he let out a shaky breath as her fingers dipped inside the waistband of his underwear.
“Fuck,” he said, freezing against her.
“That is what I’m trying to do.”
His head sagged heavily against her shoulder. “I have to go to my parents’ today.”
Esther took her hand out of his underwear. “When?”
He straightened, sighing. “Soon. My mother wants me there for lunch, and it’s a long drive.”
“Oh.” He looked so glum at the prospect, it made her insides clench. She pulled his head down to kiss away his distress. “We can take a rain check on the sex.”
“I don’t suppose…” He bit his lip, suddenly shy.
“What?”
His eyes glimmered with guarded hope. “You’d want to come with me?”
“To your parents’?” She hadn’t expected that.
A cloud passed across his face. “I know, it’s too soon. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“I always want you with me.”
Her knees tried to go all melty but she shook it off. There were more pressing matters at hand. “Yeah, but to meet your parents? Are you ready for that? Are they?”
“Are you?”
She smoothed a hand over his shoulder. “Will it make it easier or harder for you if I’m there?”
“Easier. Definitely easier.”
Her hand stroked up the side of his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. “Then I’ll come.”
“Really?” His sigh of relief tasted as sweet as cotton candy.
“Of course. I’m happy to do it.” Anything to keep him from being sad. She would wrestle a bear if it would put a smile back on his face. Staring down a couple of Orange County WASPs was nothing.
His pulse fluttered against her fingers. “Are you sure? Because my parents are no picnic. And I’m miserable company when I’m around them, so it’s not going to be any fun for you.”
“I’m not going for fun. I’m going to support you. That’s what friends are for.”
He arched a very sexy eyebrow. He was still wearing the hat she’d made him, and he’d never looked more adorable. “Friends?”
“Friends in love.” She reached up to pet his beard. “That’s the goal, right?”
The corner of his mouth quirked. “That’s the goal.” Behind his glasses, his eyes were soft and bottomless.
Her lips found his, needing to taste his sweetness and vulnerability. Maybe, if she kissed him long enough and hard enough, some of it would wear off on her.
His fingers dug softly into her spine as he leaned into her, opening his mouth to hers. She could have absolutely stayed there all day, kissing him like this. But if she was going to meet his parents today—soon—she had other priorities.
Esther pulled away, ignoring his moan of protest. “What should I wear? Are they casual people or formal?”
Jonathan’s mouth turned down at the reminder of their impending social obligation. “They are definitely not casual people. We’ll probably go to the club, so you should dress up a little.”
She traced his frown with her fingers until it dissolved into a smile. “There’s a club?”
“There’s a club.”
“I’ve never been to a club before.”
He turned his head to kiss her fingertips. “It’s not that exciting. Neither are my parents.”
Her heart was glowing so brightly in her chest, it felt like it could light up the world. “I don’t care. As long as I’m with you.”
Esther wrapped her arms around him, and promised herself she’d never let go again.
Don’t miss the next geeky romance in the “Chemistry Lessons” series,
ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY,
coming in 2018.
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Author’s Note
If you enjoyed this book, please consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Even just a few short words can be a huge help to a book in search of an audience, and would mean the world to me.
—Susannah Nix
Acknowledgments
As always, the first people who need to be thanked are my family: my husband, Dave, and my daughter, Emma. Their love and support made this book possible.
Special thanks must also go out to:
My marvelous editor Julia, for her impeccable guidance and attention to detail, and for liking my jokes.
Nicole, who explained very patiently to me what an aerospace engineer actually does. Any inaccuracies are my bad and not hers.
Joanna, who catches the mistakes that slip by everyone else; Lisa, the best cheerleader and Los Angeles fact-checker an author could ever want; and Jeny, who answered all my Seattle questions.
Mer, Jaimie, Kat, and Bethany, who told me what I needed to hear to make this story better.
Genie and Jen, for going above and beyond to support my last book.
And last, but definitely not least, my ever-supportive friends Mikaela, Lisa, Dena, and Tammy. I love you all to the moon and back.
About the Author
SUSANNAH NIX lives in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, watching stupid amounts of television, and getting distracted by Tumblr. She is also a powerlifter who can deadlift as much as Captain America weighs.
www.susannahnix.com
Also by Susannah Nix
I and Love and You: A Romantic Short Story Collection
Chemistry Lessons Series:
Remedial Rocket Science
Intermediate Thermodynamics
Advanced Physical Chemistry (coming soon)