Austin grumbled as he started pacing the room. He needed something, anything to get his mind off what was going on. He didn't know what he'd do if something happened to either of the men.
He couldn't stand being in the hospital. He hated everything about the place, the smell, look, feel. He'd spent too many hours in one when his mother had been fighting for her life. A fight she'd lost.
He ran his hand through his hair as anger, fatigue, confusion and grief poured through him. He needed to get out of there, but he couldn't leave. He didn't want to even think about what it would do to his family if they lost their dad. They couldn't lose both parents.
No. Just, no. He wouldn't go there. It wouldn't happen – it couldn't.
He paced the room to the point he was sure his footprints would be permanently stamped into the floor. After about the hundredth time across, he turned, then froze in place.
"Kinsey," he whispered.
Austin closed his eyes as he allowed himself a moment to remember his night with Kinsey a year ago at Cassie's wedding. Thinking of her always sent fire through his veins, and he was grateful to have the distraction. Anything was better than the suffering he was going through while waiting to hear about his father. He shut out the noise around him as he thought back …
He'd spotted Kinsey on the dance floor, her shiny lips open as laughter spilled freely from her. He'd been instantly intrigued, deciding he had to meet the incredibly lovely bridesmaid. It was a wedding, after-all. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were expected to hook up.
He grabbed a couple flutes of champagne from a passing waiter, then approached her, dripping with confidence. He had no reason to feel anything other than on top of the world. Women adored him.
"Excuse me, but I noticed you looked thirsty," he said, giving her his sexiest smile. She was worth his full bag of charm, after-all. He needed to thank his new sister-in-law because the dresses she'd picked were stunning, showcasing the woman's assets to perfection.
His groin tightened as he pictured peeling the satin fabric off her.
"How nice of you, but no thanks." Austin stood there as she turned and walked away. He knew his mouth was hanging open, but he was at a loss for words. His eyes were glued to the sensual movement of her hips as she crossed the floor, before a flood of bodies swallowed her up.
He drained his glass, then smiled from ear to ear.
A challenge!
He spent the next two hours trying to convince her to dance. When she finally agreed, he felt like he won the lottery.
Pulling her onto the dance floor, her curves melted against him, sending his body into permanent meltdown. His hand slid low as he pulled her close so she'd have no doubt of his desire. Her eyes widened as he pushed against her, a groan rumbling from his chest.
He knew they'd both had too much to drink. He knew something was off, but he didn't listen to his conscious. After dancing for hours, laughing, talking, flirting, he carried her up the stairs to his guest room.
He'd never forget how it felt having their bodies entwined. Kinsey's curves pressed against his own. The sound of his name gasped from her lips as he sank deep within her.
"Austin? Hey, earth to Austin."
Austin opened his eyes to find his brother standing next to him, but he couldn't quite focus on what he was saying, his mind foggy as he tried to push the memories back where they came from. With Kinsey being so close, it wasn't easy. Just seeing her made him ache.
Their night together had been the most passion filled and satisfying night he could ever remember.
The next morning he'd woken to find her gone.
Not able to get her out of his mind, he'd called her, stopped by her house, even begged Cassie for information – all of it was to no avail. She avoided him like he was contagious – he didn't get it. Normally, women were slipping keys into his pockets, phone numbers in his fingers, making it more than clear they were available for his pleasure, day or night.
The one woman he wanted a second date with couldn't seem to get far enough away from him. He finally found her at one of his family holiday parties. She'd told him she'd made a mistake, and she'd rather forget about the entire night.
He'd managed to change her mind, though, once again getting her to dance with him, until they'd ended up sneaking off for a little privacy. He'd nearly taken her again on one of the private balconies. Someone had interrupted them, and the next thing he knew, she was gone again.
The next time he'd seen her had been at Bree's wedding, only a few months ago. She'd once again tried to ignore him, but then, their eyes met across the room, hers unguarded for just a moment, and the need he saw in her stormy brown depths nearly dropped him to his knees. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder, and find somewhere they could be alone, so he could love her until they were both fully sated. He'd managed to stop himself – just barely.