One thing he did know for sure, though, was that no matter how irritated he became with his brothers, sister, or even cousins, he would still always love them. He'd also be there for any of them in a heartbeat, so it went to reason that he'd also put up with their ribbing, and their long-winded advice.
That's what families did for each other. Take 'em or leave 'em.
"I gotta run," Austin said as he jumped to his feet. He had to see her, talk to her. He had to be with her again. Then his life would go back to normal.
Trenton and Max said nothing as he left the room. He was sure they'd start talking about their insane brother as soon as he was out of earshot, though. He didn't even care.
Austin made a beeline for the hospital. He looked at the employee parking lot and breathed a sigh of relief when he found her car in its usual place. He knew her shift had ended a half hour ago, but this was her on-call night.
Since Joseph's condition was steady and George was home, she was only on call at the hospital two nights a week, though also working five twelve-hour day shifts. Still, it made it difficult to track her down, try and get her alone.
Austin strode inside and made his way down the quiet hallway. He preferred the hospital late at night. There wasn't as much chaos as the lights were dimmed, the staff lighter, and the halls quiet.
He found her room and knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again and waited. Still, no answer. He tried the knob and found it unlocked so he peaked inside the incredibly small space.
A rush of relief filled him when he saw her curled up on the small bed with a book in her hand, a dim reading light illuminating the side of her face. She wore a pair of headphones, probably hoping to drown out any noise from the hallway.
Expectation.
Hunger.
Need.
They all filled him as his gaze took in her fragile frame. She was wearing her scrubs, but from the look of her damp hair, she must have recently climbed from the shower. He could just smell a hint of mint in the air, making his nostrils flair.
He didn't want to desire her, but he couldn't deny that he did. His body urged him to move forward, while his mind reasoned for him to slow down. He was too involved, too mixed up over her.
His desire won out.
He couldn't tear his gaze from her naturally pink lips, the hint of cle**age barely showing, her shapely legs curled beneath her. He knew what was underneath the unflattering scrubs, and his fingers itched to remove any barrier from their path. Her long, dark hair was resting across her shoulders. He loved it when she wore it down, the thick waves acting like a curtain. He wanted her on top of him, her hair falling forward and rubbing against his chest.
His body tightened more.
He stepped inside and closed the door, waiting for her to look up and notice him. When she did, her eyes widened as she clutched at her chest.
"You startled me," she said with a nervous laugh.
"Sorry."
"My pager hasn't gone off. Is there something wrong with Joseph?" She looked concerned as she rose from the bed, her book set aside as her instincts took over and she went into nurse mode.
He was impressed with how quickly she responded. He knew if something were to happen to Joseph, she was the one he'd want to help him. She was good at what she did - she'd already proven that.
"Joseph's fine. I wanted to talk to you," he said as he leaned closer.
She finally realized they were alone in her private room. She glanced at the closed door behind him and her eyes widened. He waited until she nervously looked back at him, and then he smiled.
There was desire burning in her eyes, and he knew it wasn't him she was afraid of. It was herself. Piece by piece, he was tearing apart her self-built walls of protection. She was going to succumb to him. She was finally going to give in to her own desires.
He knew the waiting had ended.
Kinsey looked into the predatory eyes of Austin, feeling like a cornered mouse. She fought the trembling in her body, knowing if she let her guard down even the tiniest notch more, he'd have her on her back.
She tried telling herself it wasn't worth it. She was already too used to him, looking for him each time she stepped into a room, listening for the sound of his laughter, wanting him with a burning need.
If she let him seduce her, she'd be a goner, too attached to let go of him. Their one night together had been fantastic, but their tension filled days had been … too memorable. He was carving a place for himself in her heart, and she couldn't afford to let him do that.
"I should go and check on him," she finally said after an uncomfortably long silence. It was taking all of her wits to remember they were talking about Joseph.
"I just checked. He's in good hands right now. Katherine is asleep beside him. You don't want to disturb her, do you?"