Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(43)

Kinsey left her room and tried to walk with confidence down the hall. She peeked in Joseph's door, grateful when she noticed Austin wasn't there. It was only Katherine and Cassie. She felt her heart calm a little.

"Good morning, Katherine. How is Joseph this morning?" she asked as she walked over and looked at his chart. There'd been no changes the night before.

"I know this sounds silly since the night nurse said nothing was different, but I feel something. I think he's getting ready to come back to me," Katherine said with a serene smile.

Kinsey envied the unbreakable connection between Joseph and Katherine. How would it feel to have someone love her so much, they never lost faith?

"I think you're right," Kinsey agreed. There was no way Joseph could stay away for long. Not with a woman as remarkable as Katherine waiting for him.

"You ready to leave?" Cassie asked.

Kinsey wanted to say no. She knew the inquisition was coming and she needed to gather herself together before Cassie grilled her. She thought quickly of a reason to stay. Her mind raced as sweat broke out on her brow.

Got it!

"I know we're supposed to get pedicures, but I've been hanging by a thread while waiting for Katherine to tell us more about her romance with Joseph," Kinsey said with almost giddy relief. She knew Cassie would want to hear the story continued, also.

"Me too," Emily said as she stepped into the room with Amy and Jessica. "We rushed down here this morning with snacks and a do not disturb sign."

The three women pulled up chairs and looked expectantly at Katherine, who looked at the five women before her.

"Each one of you are so beautiful, inside and out. I'm so happy to have you be a part of my family," Katherine said, making eye-contact with each woman, including Kinsey.

Kinsey shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She didn't know if Katherine knew about her and Austin, but even if she did, Kinsey having sex with her nephew, didn't make her a part of the family.

"We love having you as family," Jennifer said as she stepped inside the room and brushed away a tear. "Sorry, these dang pregnancy hormones are killing me," she added with a giggle.

Kinsey looked down at Jennifer's petite frame, her belly just starting to show. She felt her own internal clock start ticking. Her hand grazed her flat stomach as she wondered what it would be like to carry a life inside her. 

"I can help you with that," Austin whispered in her ear, making her jump. She hadn't even heard him enter the room. His words sent a shiver down her spine. She could picture a little dark haired boy with bright blue eyes lying in her arms. She almost ached for the child. She knew he didn't really mean the words. He just wanted to get her back underneath him.

"This is a hospital room, brother. You may want to watch the hands," Trenton said as he walked in the room behind Jennifer. Trenton smiled at Kinsey in a knowing way, then winked. She quickly looked at the floor.

She finally realized Austin's hands were resting at the top of her butt, his thumbs dropping dangerously low. She tried to pull back, but he curled his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against his body.

All eyes in the room turned to the two of them. She didn't want to cause a scene, but she hated being the center of attention. She knew her face was flaming. As Austin's fingers caressed her hip, she melted. He was messing with her head, causing all kinds of confusion.

"Oh, leave them alone, Trenton. There used to be a time you couldn't keep your hands off me, either," Jennifer scolded her husband.

"Used to be a time," Trenton said in mock outrage before he gathered his wife in his arms and kissed her so intimately, Kinsey felt like an intruder.

"Okay, you're forgiven," Jennifer said breathlessly a few moments later when Trenton released her lips. Trenton turned her in his arms, not willing to let her go, as he backed up to a seat, pulling her onto his lap. Jennifer actually giggled as she laid her head back to rest against his chest.

Austin pulled Kinsey to the couch against the far wall of the room. He sat down, pulling her beside him. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, trapping her against the side of his chest. She was too embarrassed to look up and see if everyone was still watching the two of them.

His hand rubbed along the side of her neck, making her wish they were alone  –  one touch from him and she was putty in his hands.

"I guess I can continue the story. Where exactly was I? Oh yes, so the day after Joseph left, after making such an ass of himself in front of my neighbors, I had to deal with the aftermath," Katherine began.

All attention focused solely on Katherine as she began reflecting back …

"You have to spill. Is he an escort? Honestly, I don't even care if he was hired, just as long as you give me the number to his service."