“That’s right, buddy, I’m useful!” Katherine proclaimed, tossing the towel at his head.
He caught the towel and tossed it back. “So violent, Miss Chase.” He walked over to the table and pulled out a chair. “It just so happens, dinner is already done. Come on over here and have a seat.”
Katherine took the seat he offered. She was eager to taste Joseph’s cooking, but more than anything, she was starving.
Chapter Nine
JOSEPH
After spreading the sheet on the couch, all he would need for a decent night’s sleep, Joseph tossed a pillow on the sofa and went into the kitchen to help Katherine with the dinner dishes.
“Joseph, really, you don’t have to give up your room. I can sleep out here.”
Joseph waved off her concerns and grabbed a dishtowel. She washed, he dried.
“Dinner was amazing. You are quite the cook.”
“Thank you.”
Katherine washed and rinsed a plate, but when Joseph grabbed to dry it, she held on. “I thought you worked at the Ford plant at night?”
“I do, but I took off tonight to help you get settled.”
Katherine released the plate and looked up at him with furrowed brows. “Wow, I’m sorry. I have completely disrupted your life.”
“Don’t be silly, Katherine. Taking off is no big deal. They’ll survive one night without me.”
Joseph wanted to tell her that he enjoyed her presence in his home. He liked being near her.
When they finished the kitchen, Joseph grabbed a bottle of red wine from a cabinet. “Wanna glass? It’s nothing fancy, but I like it.”
Katherine smiled. “Yes, please,” she responded politely.
Joseph pulled some glasses from a different cabinet and placed them on the table. He pulled out a chair for Katherine before searching the drawer for a corkscrew. Once he found it, he opened the bottle. While filling her glass, Joseph found himself admiring her cleavage escaping the tiny tank top she was wearing.
He looked away and slid it over.
She raised her glass and pressed it to her lips, igniting something wild in him. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to pull her in his arms and take her right there on the table. He found himself feeling guilty about his carnal thoughts. Between the horrifying things going on in her family, and the horrifying things her father had done to her, Katherine had enough problems. She certainly didn’t need to be objectified by him.
“Joseph, I meant to tell you, I really like your family. Your mom and brother seem really great. I can see the love you all have for each other.”
Joseph filled his own glass and took a seat next to her. “Yes, we do love each other, but no family is perfect, Katherine. We’ve had our share of trials and tribulations.”
“Yeah?”
Joseph dropped his head. After all, he was the main cause of said trials and tribulations.
“Yes,” he admitted shamefully.
Katherine cleared her throat. “Are you done with finals?” she asked, changing the subject. Maybe she could sense how uncomfortable he was.
“Yes, I had my last final today. You?”
“One more tomorrow,” she responded with a sigh of relief. “Civil Procedure.”
“Then what?” Joseph asked. “Internship?”
Katherine shook her head. “It’s up in the air right now. How about you?”
