“Since we’re around each other night and day, how about we at least be friends? After all, your best friend is married to my brother. We’re going to see each other often,” he offered.

She had no way of knowing his legs were crossed. He had much bigger plans with Kinsey than just being friends. He had a few ideas about some of the empty hospital rooms. Damn, his body was in a state of half-arousal whenever she was in his vicinity.

She narrowed her eyes and he knew she wasn’t buying it, but what was she going to say? If she refused, she was admitting that he affected her. If she accepted, she’d have to fight herself and him. He knew he’d put her on the spot, and he could practically read the indecision on her face. He relaxed as he felt the power shift back into his favor.

“I wouldn’t go so far as to call us friends, but I can agree to be civil,” she finally said. He grinned, satisfaction radiating off him when her cheeks pinkened.

He’d give anything to just throw her over his shoulder and cart her off to the nearest broom closet. Oh, the possibilities of the seemingly endless hospital.

“I don’t think so. It’s either we’re friends, or… I’ll just have to prove to you how great a friend I can be. That could take a while – a really long time,” he threatened with the same confident smile in place.

He watched as her eyes widened. She knew what he intended, and she wanted him. She just didn’t want to admit to it. He had to get her away from crowded rooms. Her on-call room didn’t sound too bad at that moment.

“I have to get back to work,” she said as she quickly stood from the table. She hadn’t even touched her food. He knew the amount of hours she was working and he didn’t want her missing meals because of him.

He stood and placed his hands on her shoulders, bringing her body to within a few inches of his own. He leaned his head down, his breath brushing across her face, causing the loose strands of her fallen hair to flutter at the corners of her mouth.

“Finish your meal, Kinsey. I’ll back off… for now.”

She pulled away and dropped to her seat. It seemed he’d taken the words right out of her mouth. He liked that as well. He sat and began eating his meal while she slowly picked up a juicy piece of watermelon.

She slid it into her mouth and softly bit down, and he barely managed to stop himself from groaning. The anticipation was hell on his body, but he had a feeling the build-up would be worth it when they finally did make it to a bed. Heck, it could be a cave for all he cared, just as long as he could sink deep inside her.

A few minutes of strained silence went by as sweat beaded on his brow, and he forced food into his mouth. He didn’t know how her meal tasted, but he could’ve been eating cardboard for all the enjoyment he was getting out of his. He was satisfied, though, when he noticed that she finished her entire fruit salad. She was too skinny – smaller than when they’d been together. She was beautiful no matter what, but she could stand to put on ten pounds.

That thought led him to picturing her with a rounded belly, her breasts straining against a tight T-shirt as her body ripened. Before he could stop it, a low groan escaped and she looked up, making eye-contact. Her eyes dilated at what he was sure was unadulterated lust shining from his own.

Hell, he’d give a million dollars for just five minutes alone with her. Okay… maybe more like an hour. Her body deserved to be worshiped.

After a few more minutes of strained silence, he cleared his throat. He really did want to talk to her about his father.

“My dad will be ready to leave the hospital soon. He’s agreed to stay with Katherine at the main house to support her. She’s acting strong, but we all see the massive amount of strain this is placing on her.

“I’ve been concerned about Katherine, too. I can’t begin to imagine how she feels. I’m glad your father is doing well, at least. I’m sure that helps her.”

“I appreciate that, Kinsey. The point of all this is that Uncle Joseph will need to stay here longer, which means he still needs round the clock care. If his situation hasn’t changed in a couple weeks, we’ll look at alternatives, such as bringing him home, where he’d still need full care. My aunt will be here most of the time, and so will the rest of us. It makes no difference if it’s my dad, or Uncle Joseph. We take care of each other.”

He could see Kinsey was confused by where the conversation was leading. He could’ve just let her supervisor tell her, but then he couldn’t see her reaction.

“If we take Uncle Joseph home, we’ve requested for you to remain his nurse.”

He waited as he let his words sink in. She didn’t disappoint him when it clicked. He knew she felt safer around him in the hospital. He could see she was worried about her own ability to resist him if they were in a quiet house together – night and day.

“I… I’d have to talk to my supervisor. I don’t think the hospital can afford to let me go,” she stuttered.

“It wouldn’t be a permanent placement. My uncle will recover,” he stated with confidence.

“I really do need to get back now,” she said as she quickly stood as if afraid he was going to stop her again. He didn’t say another word – just let her walk away.

He watched as she dropped off her tray and practically ran from the room. He smiled as he sat back. She could try to run…

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

Kinsey turned the corner outside of the cafeteria, then started jogging. She needed fresh air – and she needed it now!

Her entire body felt as if it was on fire. How did the man work her up so quickly with so few words. There was no way she could be a personal nurse for Joseph. Normally, she’d love to take the job. It was ideal, and would practically ensure her a lifetime job with the hospital, considering how much money the Anderson’s donated, and the influence they had, but thinking of those long, silent nights with Austin always there…

She knew he’d be there – all the time.

A shudder racked her body as she pushed through a side exit and took in a deep breath of lilac scented air. The cool spring breeze of the late morning was just what she needed in her lungs. She took several breaths as her thoughts kept jumping over one another in her head.

She wasn’t this wanton woman. She had plans, goals. Heck, she even had a ten year plan all typed up, double spaced, Times New Roman font, sitting on her desk at home.

She absolutely didn’t get fuzzy headed, or weak in the knees, over a man, especially an arrogant, self-satisfied, amazingly great lover of a man.

Stop it!

She wouldn’t think of Austin and lover in the same sentence. She had to pull herself together and do her job. She’d simply tell her boss, thank you, but no thank you.

Yeah right. That conversation was going to go real well.

After about ten minutes, Kinsey calmed down enough to head back inside. She didn’t care if she caught slack, she was taking a few minutes to go to her on-call room and lay down. She needed to get her head to stop spinning before she faced Austin again.

She walked inside, leaving the lights off, and sighing as she closed her eyes against the pitch blackness of the space that was no bigger than an average closet. Her pager went off before she could relax too much, and she reluctantly sat up, knowing her hiding time was over.

As she left the room, she had to remind herself that she was a professional. She was being paid twice her normal salary, and she wasn’t going to let a man stand in the way of her career. She’d just have to develop thicker skin and continue to ward him off. Eventually, he’d grow bored with his game of chase. He had to, she reassured herself.

With her shoulders back, she entered the Anderson room, then let out a sigh of relief when she saw that Austin wasn’t there.

As the day wore on and she noticed herself checking the door often, she couldn’t decide if she was relieved or disappointed when he didn’t return. She may need a prescription for Valium before the day was out, let alone the month.

“I swear I’m going to walk out the door if you don’t pull yourself together,” Austin’s secretary, Margie, said as she glared at him across his desk.

“What are you talking about?” Austin glanced up at his highly irritated employee.

“You’ve been walking around here like a bear with a thorn in his paw, snapping at everyone, and acting like a horse’s ass.”

“Margie,” he said with shock. She’d worked for him for ten years and was like a member of the family. She’d never been afraid to speak her mind, but she’d never been quite as verbal before.

“Don’t you Margie me. I’m not some new kid, fresh out of college, and I refuse to put up with your bad behavior. You can either talk to me about it, or I can take the rest of the afternoon off.”

“I’m fine,” he insisted.

“Well then, I guess it’s option two. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said as she turned to leave the room.

“You can’t leave. We have a lot of work to get done,” Austin insisted, rising from his seat.

Margie turned and stared him down with her brow raised. She was waiting.

With a sigh, he resumed his seat. He knew he was being a little grumpier than usual, but he hadn’t thought it was to the point of employees walking out the door.

He was just so frustrated. He’d been avoiding the hospital for a week, thinking that maybe a bit of distance would help his hormone ravaged body.

It wasn’t helping.

Nothing was.

Margie stood in front of him with her glasses hanging halfway down her nose, her gray eyes glaring at him over the top of the gold rims. She had one hand on her hip, and her toe was tapping. He felt the corners of his mouth rise, which wasn’t a smart move on his part.

Her eyes narrowed further and she blew her breath out in frustration through her bright pink lipstick. She really was amusing when she was in a snit. He noticed this week she had bright pink streaks running through her short white hair. She was close to sixty, but she’d once told him that age was nothing but a number. She said she was a long way from being dead, and she’d dress and do what she liked.

It was one of the things he loved about her. She brought humor, love and loyalty to the office. Plus, she was a genius. He had no doubt he’d crumble without her. If she needed him to talk, he’d dang well talk, cause his office would fall down around him if she staged a walkout.

“There’s just been a lot going on… My father, Uncle Joseph…” he trailed off. He knew from her narrowed eyes that she wasn’t buying it.

“We both know that’s bull. Yes, you’ve been concerned about your family, but this has to do with something else,” she insisted.

“Well, it’s just that… I’m dealing with a personal problem,” he hedged. He really didn’t want to admit to dating issues.

“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. What’s her name? Did one of your Barbie dolls get a blister on her foot from her five inch heels?”

“Margie…” He blew out a frustrated breath.