she’d launched herself at him, laughing as their lips melded together once again. With her legs wrapped around his waist and his arms holding her tight, he carried her easily up the stairs to his apartment, only fumbling for a moment with the key in the door lock.
Once inside, he whirled around and pressed her back against the door, their bodies aligned from shoulder to hips. His erection was impressive, and a desperate need to see all of him coursed through her. It had been a long time since she’d had sex… too long. But she had no doubt what she felt for Joseph was the beginning of something real. That and the total package he came wrapped up in only made her fingers tear at the buttons on his shirt even faster.
She managed to get several buttons undone by the time he turned and made their way past the kitchen counter. He started toward the sofa, then changed directions before halting as though he couldn’t make up his mind which way to go. Wanting to remove all doubt, she clutched his face with her hands, nuzzled his nose, and ordered, “Bed.”
She grinned against his lips as he turned toward the short hall between the living room and the kitchen counter. He bent and, as she felt her ass hit the mattress, unlatched her legs. Expecting him to press forward, she was surprised cool air passed between them as he stood.
He stepped back, scrubbing his hand over his face, dragging in a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, his hands landed on his hips, his chin dropped, and he stared at the floor.
Uncertain what was happening, she remained still, watching him fight an inner battle that she was witness to but not privy to. Swallowing deeply, she finally whispered his name. “Joseph. What’s wrong?” He lifted his gaze to hers, and she reached out her hand, praying he wouldn’t reject her.
He stepped forward, surprising her once again when he dropped his knees to the floor and took her hands in his, continuing to hold her gaze. “I can’t do this without being honest with you.”
She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut, her thoughts tumultuous. Swallowing deeply, she nodded. “Okay, I respect that. So, be honest.”
“I… I told you I traveled a lot. It’s more than just traveling. I just don’t feel at home anywhere long enough to put down roots.”
“A rolling stone. I remember.”
“I told you I left home… left California. It just wasn’t the life for me. But my family kept expecting me to come back when I got out of the Navy. I went back once to visit, but my parents’ lifestyle and expectations were even less than what I wanted. So, I looked for something else.”
She had no idea why he felt compelled to tell her this before they slept together, but it was obvious the confession was important to him. Now, it was her turn to drag in a ragged breath and nod with encouragement.
“I bought my bike and took off. Headed east. For months, I traveled through the Midwest and eventually ended up in Texas. It didn’t feel right to just travel and spend money, so I got a job on an oil field. Hard, dirty work, but I felt useful. My paycheck was earned because I put my back into the job, not because I was working for my dad. But after about eight months, the urge to roam came over me again, so I turned in my notice and hit the road. Traveled along the Gulf and ended up working on a shrimp boat off the coast of Louisiana. Again, hard work, but I earned an honest paycheck. After a while, I left there and traveled up through the South. Orchard in Georgia. Ended up working in a whiskey distillery in Tennessee.”
“Wow, that’s quite a resume.”
“‘Fraid it’s not the kind of resume that would impress most people.”
Understanding slowly dawned, and she grasped his hands tighter. “Is that what you’re concerned about? What will or won’t impress me?”
“Partially. According to some, finishing my engineering degree would have made me a success. Being a rambler just made me a loser.”
She assumed he was referring to his parents. She couldn’t imagine the life he’d lived for the past several years. Money must have been tight, but he'd worked everywhere he lived. Moving slightly to make sure she was in her line of vision, she said, “I can tell you right now that doesn’t matter to