"I don't think they serve what you need, here. I'll take you to the bar as soon as we get information," Trenton promised.
"I'm fine. This has just been a stressful night," Austin said, making himself calm down.
"So, are you going to talk to her, or are you going to torture yourself more?" Trenton asked as the two men watched the doctor walk away. Kinsey's head was bent down, either in frustration or defeat. Austin was surprised by the surge of overprotectiveness coursing through him.
"I'm just going to find out what's going on, not that it's any of your business."
"Sure … "
"Why don't you go harass some of our other family members?" Austin snapped. He knew Trenton was trying to push his buttons. Well, congrats, he'd done it.
"Okay, okay, I get it. I'll mind my own business. Just remember the saying about honey, vinegar and insects. Whatever mom used to say, though I still haven't figured out why anyone would want to catch flies."
Austin ignored him as he moved forward. It was time to talk to Kinsey. His heart rate picked up as he stepped closer. She hadn't noticed him yet. He liked having the element of surprise on his side. She'd managed to avoid him for months. Well, she was at work now, and couldn't run away.
How he wanted to play games with her. Very, very adult games, where they both walked away fully satisfied winners.
Kinsey allowed herself to sag next to the wall for just a moment. The idiot doctor wasn't going to rest until he had her head on a platter. She'd been right, him wrong, and his huge ego couldn't deal with the fact.
He was heading to her supervisor with a list of grievances against her. She may not have a job by the end of the day. She didn't care. It would be worth it if Joseph pulled through.
After a few seconds, she lifted her head, squared her shoulders and decided she wasn't going to be a victim. The new doctor could try and get her fired, but she wasn't going down without a fight. If he wanted to throw out accusations, then she'd be there to defend herself.
With fire burning in her eyes, she took a step toward the corridor. Before she could get far, a man's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Looks like you're having problems."
Kinsey stopped with her foot still in the air. She slowly turned her head and came face to face with Austin. She knew he'd be at the hospital. After all, his father and uncle were both here, but she'd really hoped to avoid him. She desperately worked to compose her features, not wanting him to know how his presence affected her.
She never had one night stands.
Never!
For some reason, though, she hadn't been able to resist him at her best friend's wedding. He'd been suave, romantic, and funny - the perfect guy. Knowing she'd made a mistake the second she awoke the next morning, she'd slipped from his bed and ran as fast as she could. Regret nipping at her toes the entire way.
Each time she'd seen him since, her stomach fluttered and her body heated. She'd ended up coming close to a repeat performance of what had happened at Cassie's wedding. She'd come to the family Christmas party at Cassie's insistence, then practically made love to him on the Andersons balcony. After that incident, she knew she couldn't trust herself to be alone with him without somehow losing articles of her clothes. He was no good for her, she knew that, but convincing her body was a whole other matter.
Leaning against the wall, looking as striking as ever, even in the blaring florescent lights of the hospital, he had her speechless. Her eyes traveled down his fitted shirt to the worn jeans covering his impressive build. A shudder traveled down her spine and her mouth filled with moisture.
She stiffened her knees to keep from sinking into a puddle at his feet and braced herself as she looked into his wintry blue eyes, where a sensual storm was brewing behind their gleaming surface.
"Hello, Austin."
"Been a while." The way he said the words was an accusation, not a statement.
"Could've been longer," she quickly replied. He raised his brows and the corner of his lip quivered.
Kinsey immediately felt terrible that she was snapping at him, considering his family was admitted in the hospital. What kind of person acts that way?
"I'm sorry about your family, Austin. Our staff is doing a wonderful job with them," she said, making sure her tone stayed professional.
"Thank you," he murmured, worry infusing his eyes until she saw him visibly push it back. It seemed he was refusing to focus on what he couldn't control. She'd seen the same thing with many of her patients' families.
"How have you been, Kinsey?"
There was no way she was going there with him.
"I have work to do," she said, turning to leave. His hand snaked out and gripped her arm. He applied just enough pressure to let her know he wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon, but not so much that it hurt.