The Draglen Brothers - SHOWKEN (BK 2) (6 page)

“What are you doing? Stay here
, I’ll start the bath,” I say, standing and heading for the bathroom. I look in and shit, it’s tiny.

“I don’t have time for a bath, I’ll
take a shower so I can get going,” she says, and I start laughing. She’s so determined.

“I think you should stay right there and wait for me
,” I say, turning and starting the bath water. I blow into the water, and hopefully my fire can take her soreness away. I come back into the room, only to find Marilyn lying on the floor and Bruiser licking her face. She looks pissed. I chuckle, for one I didn’t hear her fall, and second she looks adorable on the floor naked with Bruiser licking her face.

“Stop your smirking and help me up
, please,” she snaps. I walk over and stand there, shaking my head. I told this stubborn woman to be still.

“I told you to wait for me
,” I say, trying to contain my laughter, but I can’t. I’m in full hysterics in no time.

“This is not funny, Showken
, you did this on purpose,” she says, in full pout mode.

“Yes, I did do it on purpose. I wanted you to feel so good, and by the looks of it
you forgot I held your legs up for hours. Bruiser, stop licking her face,” I say, bending and picking her up. I walk her into the bathroom and gently lower her into the tub.

“Showken, I need to get ready, and
, umm, you don’t have to stay. In fact, I can’t think straight, and really need time alone,” she says, looking me in the eye. Those grey eyes are so fucking beautiful. I shouldn’t care that she wants me to leave, I’m usually the one leaving anyway, but I don’t want to leave right now. I will respect her wish, though, this time.

“Oh, yeah
, I need to get home and start getting prepared for work tomorrow,” I say, feeling strange. I don’t like this feeling. I turn and walk into the bedroom, slipping my clothes back on, giving Bruiser a rub and heading for her door.

“Hurry up so
you can come lock your door, love,” I say, shutting the door, not wanting to hear her complaining about taking care of herself. I drive myself home and walk into my room, crashing on the bed. I need to rest before work tomorrow.

***

Walking into work with my brothers and not having Draken here is strange. He has always made sure everything went along fine with the business. I pass my secretary going to my office. I don’t want Draken’s office, he may show up at any time. He’s very controlling, but I would kill for my brother.

“Mr. Draglen
,” Kim says, as I turn my doorknob. I turn and see the woman smiling at me. She’s very attractive, and any other time I would be flirting with her, but I can’t get my mind off Marilyn.

“Showken, remember? I’m not my brother, just Showken
,” I say, giving her a small smile and causing her to blush furiously. Shit. I can’t flirt with you, lady. Let me get into my office.

“O
kay, Showken. Your 10 a.m. is on the phone and would like to do a conference call with you right now. What would you like to do?” she asks, falling back into business mode.

“
Really? Okay, tell him I’ll be ready in five minutes, and then just transfer the call. Let my brothers know that I’m doing a conference call with the banks and if at least one could join. That will be great,” I say, walking away and shutting my door. Today is a big day, as three large banking corporations are approaching us with investments to help insure our funding. This will be a lucrative deal for the family, to increase our wealth in this land. I can’t screw this up, but I’m missing Marilyn’s touch and her snappy mouth. I had better be focused on this deal, or Draken will come visit, and everyone knows he’s a hard ass. I’m pulled out of my thoughts when the phone rings, Kim’s voice comes in.

“Mr. Showken, Domlen has agreed to join you on the
call; shall I connect you now?” she says, and I’m amazed at how she still puts Mr. in front of Showken.

“Yes
, Kim, thanks,” I say, and I’m connected with the conference call in seconds. Everyone does greetings, and I start off by saying, “Out of World Enterprises will expect nothing less than what we offer on every fifty million we supply or insure.” I’m glad Domlen is on this call, he’s a hard ass, too, and doesn’t negotiate. He’s offer or no offer. The meeting lasts over forty-five minutes, but in the end Draglen brothers are able to close the deal. I feel very proud right now, and would like to share the good news with someone. My mind instantly goes to Marilyn, and I think maybe I should send a text. I don’t want to bother her at work with a ringing cell. Shit, I need to get a grip, but after my text.

Hey, beautiful. Hope work is going well for you. I just wanted to share that I closed a really big deal today and yeah just want to share with someone.
Showken Draglen

I hope
she responds. I begin typing on another project we are working on with some of the oil companies. My cell beeps, I shouldn’t be excited, but I am.

Hello Showken, glad you closed a deal. Umm I really don’t know anything about this deal, but I’m still happy for you.
Marilyn

She responded, shit. I’m not sure what to do. I never see a woman
for more than one night, but with her I need to see her again, tonight. I can’t be falling for her, I think the smart mouth and the hot sex has me wanting more. Well, I’ve had some very hot sex with some women, but I never texted them the next day. Marilyn, I need to figure out your pull on me. I text back:

So, when you get off tonight can I see you again? Showken Draglen

I can’t believe I just texted that. I sound desperate. I should just walk away. I’ve already had sex with her, if I stick around she’ll become needy. I’m not ready to settle down. My phone beeps and I grab it fast. She truly excites me.

Showken, we had a good time last night and I think it would be best if we leave it just like that. I don’t and really
am not ready to start seeing anyone. I enjoyed you last night, but we can’t see each other again. Take care. Marilyn

Fuck, she just shut me down a
fter a night of hot sex? I’ve never had this happen. My beast is pissed. I look at my reflection in the glass of the picture of my siblings on my desk, and, sure enough, my eyes are glowing. I will the door to lock, just in case my brothers want to come in. I can’t believe she said take care, what kind of shit is that? Fuck that. I text back:

We need to discuss this in person and take care
Marilyn, don’t piss me off. Showken Draglen

I’m pacing my office right now. If there is going to be anyone getting
let go it’s her, not me. She’s trying to shut me down again. My cell beeps.

Showken I don’t owe you shit and if I say it’s over then it’s over just accept it and move on please and stop texting me.
Marilyn

WHAT! I should just accept it and leave her alone, but not when she says
so. Marilyn, you pissed off a dragon and you don’t even know it.

Precious, you have no idea who you’re trying to shut down. I don’t do shut down and you have caused me a very stressful day now. I WILL SEE YOU LATER! Showken Draglen

I don’t know who she thinks she is. I do the break-ups, not her. I say when, and I’m not done. My phone rings and I snatch it and scream “Hello” forgetting I’m at work.

“Showken, I see you’re really pissed and it has to do with
Marilyn. I told you to leave her alone.”

“Layern, this is not the fucking time. You know you should not get in
to this, I know to leave her alone, but when I’m done with her!” I snap.

“You
’re joking right, listen, the longer you stay around this woman the more attached you will be, and I know all about being attached, but if you want her then go for her, just don’t pretend you don’t want her.”

“Pretending, I’m not fucking pretending
,” I growl. I can’t believe she got me like this. I look and she’s not responded yet, this is not happening. I’m her one night stand, NO! I will not allow it.

“Brother, calm down.
” Layern says, forcefully. “You know what your beast can do. Get it together and let her go. I’m sure your eyes are glowing, and you know your beast has issues with rejection, get calm now,” I know this is to calm my beast and bring me back from anger. My beast can get angry, and once it’s angry, a true beast rises. Marilyn started this and damn it, she will not end it.

“I’m calm, I need to get off the phone
,” I say, hanging up the phone and sending another text:

Beautiful, I know my last text was demanding and really I’m not that guy. I just need to understand how you can shut off something that you know we have together, I’m sorry for using caps, which I know means yelling. I’m angry at me. I want to see
you and I know you do too, I’m not sure why you are denying yourself. Please forgive me and speak with me. Showken Draglen

I fumble around my desk waiting for my phone to beep
, and it seems like forever, but it does.

First my name is
Marilyn get that in your head and second. Why can’t you respect my decision? You should not make this hard. We had fun. I enjoyed you Showken, but like I said I never wanted this between us to happen, you seduced me. I’m not blaming you, but I didn’t ask for this in fact you chased me down. It was only one night; please move on and yes I accept your apology. Now, I’m at work. Marilyn

She’s been sent into my life to put me through hell. There is no other way to explain this. I’ve never been rejected. If she wants to end then so be it, but I can make her wish she didn’t. I will see her tonight
, just not how she may have thought.

Marilyn
, I understand. Showken Draglen

After I hit send, I call up an old friend of mine to see about a night at a bar. Narrowing my eyes, I feel my beast p
acing inside and I calm him. It’s not long before everything’s set for tonight. I have a surprise for Marilyn, and she’ll confess her real feelings, and then I will be able to let her go. I first need to do a background check on her; her crying about her family makes me wonder if this could be a reason for her bitterness. What is in her past that has her closed? This is a job for Hawken. I close my eyes, pushing on my brother’s mind, and I feel him try to pull away, that makes me chuckle. He finally lets me in, and I tell him I need all information on Marilyn Carrington. He agrees reluctantly, but I know he can get it done with his brilliant computer skills. I start to feel better about Marilyn; she’s not going to be able to resist me. I feel the cell from my real home ringing. Shit, it’s Mother.

“Hello
, Mother,” I say, not greeting her as I would in our land.

“My son,
” Mother says. “I see a woman, and I think you like her. I warn you though, she’s not like other women you’re used to.” Her gift for her children is amazing; she always sees things when we don’t want her to. Layern gets his gift from her, and although she says his is stronger, I have yet to see him predict like her.

“
Do not worry, Mother. I promise my affairs with that woman are temporary. I’m here on business and just like to have fun,” I say, hoping she will leave this subject alone.

“My son, your brother Draken did not listen
, and you see he is married now. So, because I know how you and your beast are, I need to stay closer to you, as you and your beast tend to lose control. I will keep more of a close eye on you. Remember, your beast is the powerful green; you have not taken a Wella, which would have helped you, my son. Now, what is the human’s name?”

“
Marilyn,” I say, feeling like a fucking kid. I hate when she’s right, and I hate it even more when I can’t say anything back. My mother can be really sweet, but she’s the deadliest beast I know. It’s best to agree and not anger her.

“
Marilyn, what a very sophisticated name. My son, I will speak with you later,” she says, and the phone is dead. I’m not sure what the hell is private in this family. My brother can sense your feelings and my mother can see your future, not to mention my other brothers have gifts, fuck. I hear knocking and I will the door unlocked. Hawken comes strolling in like he’s a model.

“Hey, you got the information
?” I ask, rubbing my hands in my hair.

“Yes, I do. Showken, this is not the type of w
oman you usually deal with. I mean just look,” Hawken says, handing me a stack of papers, shit, this is not a good sign.

I begi
n to read them.

Marilyn
Jackie Carrington born December 20
th
1986

Mother
- Linda Mary Boren

Father-John Steve Carrington

Marilyn Carrington was removed from her mother’s care at 9 years old after suffering a sexual assault by her mother’s boyfriend Richard Thomas. Linda Boren refused to remove the boyfriend and Marilyn was never reunited with her mother. Marilyn was placed in her father’s care until the age of 16 years old, when she petitioned the court to be emancipated. No reason was given and John Carrington didn’t contest this.

“Shit, Hawken, I wasn’t expecting this. What kind of parents did Marilyn have? I don’t think I need to read any more,” I say, turning the stack over. Damn. She carries a gun, has a guard dog and wants to be left alone. I’m guessing she has never been able to trust anyone.