Katherine chuckled nervously. She’d never referred to him as her man.
“Well, child?” Fiona prodded.
“Yeah, well?” Joseph chimed.
“I—well, yes. This is my man,” Katherine declared.
Joseph grabbed her and kissed the top of her head. “Well, there it is.”
“Now that that’s settled, I have prepared lunch for you on the patio.”
“Thanks, Fiona. We’ll be down in a bit.”
“No rush,” she responded with a wink. “It’ll keep.”
Joseph walked through the dancing sheers and stood on the terrace. “I’m gonna like being your man,” he joked.
Katherine laughed. “Enjoy while you can. All this is temporary.”
Joseph reentered the room and walked over to her. He cupped her face and kissed her lips. “No, it’s not, sweetheart. I’m gonna give you all this and more.”
“You are?” she asked with beaming admiration.
Joseph grinned with a raised brow. “I’ll have to. You’re not gonna make any money in immigration,” he teased.
Katherine slapped his arm and laughed. “You’re probably right. We need to get you back to work.”
Joseph chuckled and walked over to his suitcase. “I’m gonna grab a shower and put on some trunks.” While going through his things, he frowned and looked up. “How is it you only brought one tiny bag? “I’ve never heard of a woman under-packing.”
Katherine laughed. “I have a wardrobe that stays here.”
“Well, damn, Miss Chase. Must be nice.”
Katherine shrugged. “There’s so much more to life than material things. I know that better than anyone.”
“So true.”
He pulled his swim trunks from his suitcase and tossed them on the bed. He lifted his shirt over his head, capturing her full attention. Joseph had the kind of body a woman wanted to be under all the time. His muscular torso was a treat for the eyes and the thin hair on his chest was soft and masculine. Katherine found herself shamelessly gawking by the time he’d stepped out of his pants.
Joseph looked up and found her staring and grinned. “Can I help you with something?”
“So much,” Katherine whispered.
Joseph laughed and disappeared into the bathroom. Katherine was about to go to the other bedroom to find her swimsuit when she heard the shower. Then it occurred to her that she needed a shower too, and the thought of spreading lather all over Joseph’s Adonis-like form was too much to resist.
Chapter Twenty
JOSEPH
Joseph wanted to appreciate the beauty of the Caribbean Sea, but he couldn’t seem to look away from Katherine in her tiny yellow bikini. She was relaxing in a lounge chair with her eyes covered by shades. Her long, black hair was tied in a tight bun at the top of her head. Joseph had never seen her more relaxed.
Joseph knew all too well what was waiting for her back in Chicago. Katherine would have to testify against her own father. And, horrible or not, he was still her father. She was about to single-handedly sully their family’s undeserved “good name.” There was no way testifying would be easy, but Katherine was strong, just, and brave. She would do what she needed to do to protect any child that could fall prey to Robert Chase and men like him.
Joseph was proud of her. Not only was he going to make sure she had the time of her life on their weekend away, he was also going to be by her side to protect her from any and everything that threatened her happiness.
Joseph reached over and touched her arm. “Sweetheart, are you awake?”
“Nope. I’m up.” Her tone was relaxed and lazy.
