Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods Book 5)

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He nods. “I saw an article about you the other day. They said you were with an underaged—”

  “Don’t even fucking go there,” I growl. “It’s bullshit.”

  “I know that.” Tri puts up his hands. “I get why you need to lay low. Hence us being here instead of at the club on the nineteenth.” He sighs. “You do have an amazing view, so I guess it’s okay.” Then he walks to my wet bar. “And a fantastic selection of—”

  “Don’t touch what you can’t afford.”

  “I can afford everything just fine.” He scowls at me before grinning. I don’t understand how Trident can be so happy all the time. Today, for whatever reason, it’s contagious. I think it has something to do with Miss Shaw and her ability to make me laugh. She has me using muscles I thought were paralyzed. It’s like my face remembers how to smile after being with her for the last few days. How to laugh, which I do right now. It’s short and gruff.

  I laugh at Tri, not because he can’t afford the drinks in my wet bar, but because of the look on his face for insinuating that he can’t. Trident might be all fun and games, but he’s done very well for himself. He owns a string of water-themed amusement parks across the country. As for clubs and bars, he owns a couple of those as well. He can afford even the ridiculously expensive whiskeys in my bar…no problem.

  “Help yourself,” I say, waving in the direction of the bar.

  Trident stops dead. His eyes widen, and he’s frowning. “You just laughed. What’s going on?” His eyes narrow, and he cocks his head.

  I frown. “Nothing.”

  “Out with it.” He takes a step back. “Did you decide you like them young?” he refers back to the underage girl.

  “Fuck off!” I growl.

  “Who is she, then?”

  “There is no ‘she’. Get a grip.”

  “Come to think of it,” he walks over to the window, “we’ve had fantastic weather all morning. Normally rain follows you…don’t think we haven’t noticed. We even started calling you Lord of Rain as a joke. No offense.”

  “That’s bull. Rain does not follow me,” I say, even though I know he’s more than likely right.

  “We’ve had a particularly bad rainy season this year. The clouds follow you, man. You must have noticed. Then again, you’ve probably been too glum to notice much of anything. All of a sudden…bright skies, and you’re laughing.” He looks incredulous. “This isn’t a coincidence. Who is she? Out with it!”

  “I hired a new assistant. I’m not as buried in work,” I lie. At this stage, Miss Shaw is doing about twenty percent of what Janet used to do. I have no doubt it will get better given time. She’s a quick learner. I haven’t been pushing her.

  “Holy fuck!” Tri takes a step back. “You’re almost smiling. This is…weird. Stop!”

  “I’m not smiling. I have gas.” I hold back a laugh at that statement. It’s the first thing that came to mind. I wipe my face.

  “Gas?” He raises his brows. “Okay…whatever.” He chuckles.

  I decide to change the subject. “My chef has his off day on a Saturday. We can order in some lunch.”

  “Your chef is off on a Saturday,” he mumbles. “You are spoiled.”

  “I’m busy,” I say. “There’s a difference.” I open a drawer and pull out a stack of takeout menus. I hand them to Trident.

  “I could murder a pizza.” He sifts through the batch, pulling out a menu for our local Italian restaurant. “I’ll have a large Carnivore,” he says.

  That was easy. I take the menu from him and look through it. It makes me think of Miss Shaw and her enthusiasm for everything to do with food. Make that, her enthusiasm for everything. It’s refreshing. She loved ‘The Fat Duck’. I can’t recall what the Italian name for the restaurant was. She’s a romantic at heart. That worries me. That’s why I have to approach this with caution. I don’t know how she will take my proposal. My stomach gets this tight feeling. I’m nervous! Holy fuck! I don’t get nervous. This is new to me. I’m also excited. I have a feeling she’s going to be a challenge. She’s ultimately seriously attracted to me, so I don’t think it will take too much to convince her. I need that blasted NDA. My lawyer said it would be ready later this afternoon. I need to get Trident fed and out of my hair before he gets here.

  “It can’t be that hard to choose something,” Tri says, pulling me out of my musings. I realize that I’ve been staring at the menu for a while. “I’ll have the gnocchi with Napolitano sauce and some garlic bread. How’s about some tiramisu for dessert?” Shit! I order the same thing Miss Shaw did the other night. It sounded good then, and it’s what I feel like now.

  “I have a sweet tooth.” Trident gives me a double thumbs-up.

  “Okay, then.” I call the restaurant and place our order. I’m told that it will be between forty-five minutes to an hour before it will arrive.

  “Can I make you a drink?” I head towards the wet bar.

  “I think I’ll have a beer.”

  I turn and bypass the wine fridge. There’s one for white and one for red, and then a bar fridge for beers. I take out two and hand one to Tri.

  “To me whipping your ass.” Tri grins, holding up the bottle.

  I scowl at him. “Hardly. It was touch and go there for a few holes because I’m rusty. I still nearly took you.”

  “I won. That’s all! No excuses.”

  “Whatever.” I choke out a laugh.

  “This laughing thing is still weird to me. I mean, you used to sometimes laugh. Was it this much?” He looks at me skeptically.

  “Yes. You’ve just forgotten all about it since I’ve been a grouch for a couple of months.” We take a seat on the patio outside since there isn’t a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. The sun is warm.

  “I like seeing you…happy…and I’m glad you’re finally getting over her.”

  Her.

  Gabby.

  I’m not getting over her. I’m about to start living a pathetic lie, but it is what it has to be. I need to keep things very straight in my head. I like Miss Shaw very much, but I would never have looked at her twice if she didn’t remind me of Gabby. It’s not because there’s anything wrong with her. It’s not because she’s unattractive, she’s just not my type. Although, now she is. More than just my type. Miss Shaw is my obsession. My lie and my obsession. The whole thing is unhealthy as fuck!

  “I’m trying,” I finally mutter.

  “You’re more than trying. You’re doing it, bro.” He nods his head with vast amounts of enthusiasm. “I’m so happy for you.”

  We sit in silence for a few minutes drinking our beers and enjoying the great weather.

  “Other than the new personal assistant, how are things at work?”

  I shrug. “Same old.” I fill him in on my new acquisition. On my recent business trip, but without mentioning Miss Shaw.

  “I’m impressed,” Tri says. “Even I can’t get into The Black Swan with such little notice.”

  “It’s good to be me,” I smirk.

  “How’s your mom, by the way?”

  “She’s well.” I smile.

  “Still not letting you buy her anything or have you solved that riddle?”

  I shake my head. “Nope, she’s not letting me buy her anything yet, but at least she’s finally letting me fix her roof. I’m going over there later to oversee the work.”

  He grins. “That’s a win.”

  I’m thinking I might need to invite her to go shopping with me instead of sending furniture to her house. We could make an afternoon of it. Maybe next weekend. “What about your family?”

  “All good. Claudia is getting married in a couple of weeks.”

  “Oh!” I nod. “Nice guy?”

  His eyes narrow. “No one is good enough for my sisters, but Winston isn’t bad…I suppose.” Tri has five younger sisters, for his sins. Claudia is the middle sister. The older two are married, and the younger two are still too young. His mothe
r married a shifter while she was still pregnant with Tri. In many ways, he has had the most functional upbringing. His stepdad is a really good guy. He raised Trident as if he was his own son. Sure, he had to deal with plenty of crap from the shifter community, but if you have a strong family bond a person can take a lot. Trident has always been very protective of his sisters, which is funny considering he’ll fuck anything with a skirt. I remember how he would pound on us for even cocking half an eye in their direction. Double standards if I ever saw them.

  “How are Avery and Jess?” The eldest two of all his sisters.

  “Avery is pregnant with their second and—”

  My doorbell rings. I look at my watch. It’s only been half an hour since we ordered. “That was quick. I’ll be back in a sec.”

  Tri nods, taking a gulp of his beer.

  I head back inside and through the living room. I do a double-take when I open the door, because it’s not the takeout guy. My lawyer is standing there. “Adrian!”

  “Don’t sound so shocked,” he says. “I did say I was coming this afternoon.”

  It’s true. I let them know at security downstairs, and that’s why he’s here, at my door. Fuck! “I hadn’t expected you until later, that’s all.”

  He frowns, looking over my shoulder…or trying to. “If this is a bad time…”

  He has a folder in his hands. I want that document ironed out already. Part of me feels like I’m lying to Miss Shaw, even though I have done no such thing. I want everything out in the open… Well, make that, almost everything out in the open. The important parts, at any rate. The sooner, the better. Also, I’m itching to get my hands on her.

  “Come in,” I say. “My office is through there.” I point at a door. “I won’t be a second.”

  Adrian nods and disappears behind the door. I go over to the patio. I open the door that leads outside, and Tri turns in his chair. “Work?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair. “Give me a few more minutes.”

  “No problem.”

  “Sorry, I thought he was coming much later.”

  “No sweat.” Tri leans back in his chair.

  “Listen out for the door, will you? Our food will be here soon.”

  “Sure thing.” He takes another swig of his beer.

  I close the door and once in the living room, I put some music on. I hope the noise drowns out the conversation I’m about to have. Then I go into my office. Adrian is still standing. His stance is tense. “Are you sure about this?” He holds up the file before taking out the document and placing it on my desk.

  “Yes.”

  After a few moments, he realizes I’m not going to say anything more and goes on, “This is unorthodox and quite frankly a little…” He widens his eyes and shrugs, looking unsure of what to say.

  “Wrong? Sick? Fucked up?” I fill in the blanks, trying to keep my voice down.

  “Yes.” He nods. “This skirts the legal line for a number of charges that could be brought against you.”

  “I assure you that if Ashley Shaw decides to sign that,” I point at the document, “she will know exactly what’s she’s getting into. She’ll do it with her eyes open. It’ll be her choice. Besides, that document should protect me from any legal action.”

  “You’re right, and technically it will protect you.” He nods, his jaw tight.

  “Technically. It’s supposed to be comprehensive and specific.”

  “It is. You did have me put a clause in for every eventuality. Although I found that one or two clauses left you open to…to you being in breach, which would make the contract null and void. As your attorney, I have to advise you against putting them in there. I left them out of the draft.” He gestures to the document, with the wave of a hand, looking more flustered than I’ve ever seen him.

  “Which clauses exactly?”

  “Nine-point-two-A leaves you the most vulnerable,” he says it like I know which one that is off the top of my head.

  “Expand.”

  “The clause that states you would be in breach if Ashley Shaw doesn’t orgasm every time you have sex.” He winces when he says ‘orgasm’. Like it’s a dirty word. “Part B, too. Namely that she will…you know…before you every time.” He looks at his feet when he says the second part.

  “You do know that there are sex therapists who can help you with that, Adrian.” I think back to my conversation with Miss Shaw. I have to bite back a smile.

  “Excuse me?” He frowns.

  “I recently found out that only 30 to 40% of women actually achieve climax during intercourse. A paltry 20 to 30% come without assistance – so very few women – and around 50% with assistance. Only fifty! That’s terrible.”

  “Exactly,” he goes on. “The odds are only fifty-fifty. That’s why that clause is setting yourself up for—”

  “I’m not worried, Adrian. Not pleasing a woman every time should be a crime. I want her to accept and sign. That clause will help me with that.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing. I’m not worried because I know I can make good on those clauses every time. There will not be a breach. Like I was saying, there are sex therapists out there and great books on the market that can help you with your…shall we say shortcomings? Don’t push your problems onto me. I see you’re not married.” I look down at his hand.

  “I’m divorced, actually.”

  I raise my brows. “You might want to take my advice then. There’s no shame in getting some help. Knowledge is power.”

  “It…I…” he splutters.

  “Put the clauses back in. What else was there of concern to you?”

  “Is the clause referring to sex toys really necessary?”

  “Yes.” I nod. “I want Miss Shaw to feel like she’s in full control. She should decide what she likes and dislikes.”

  “I guess it will be the same for the clause about a safeword and the one pertaining to sexual positions?”

  “Yes.” I fold my arms.

  “Okay, then.” Adrian is flustered. “Please read through the document and send me your feedback as soon as possible. I will ensure that the discussed clauses are added back.”

  “When can I get the final draft?”

  “Monday, possibly Tuesday.”

  “Monday,” I snap back at him. “I’ll have the changes to you tonight.” I’ll need to do that when I get back from my mother’s house.

  “Yes, sir.” He nods. “Monday, end of business. It’s my youngest’s birthday tom—”

  “That’s fine, but don’t change anything without my express consent.”

  “Understood.”

  “Thanks for coming by on a weekend.”

  He lifts his brows, looking at me in much the same way Trident did earlier when I laughed. I guess I don’t thank my staff enough because Adrian is shocked that I did just that.

  “No problem. We’ll talk on Monday.” I walk to the office door, and we walk out together. Then I let him out of my apartment. He mutters his goodbyes. I can see that he can’t wait to leave.

  I turn and head for the kitchen. Trident is unpacking our food. He has an amused expression on his face. “Who is she?” he asks.

  I push out a breath. “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough. Nice clauses.” He nods. “I knew there was someone.”

  “There isn’t.”

  “Like hell! Ashley Shaw is a someone.” He bobs his brows.

  “You should have stayed on the balcony,” I growl.

  “Our food arrived, asshole.” He pushes my plate over to me. It’s piled high with gnocchi and garlic bread. “I couldn’t help but overhear. I didn’t want to, but...”

  Like hell! I notice that the music has been turned down. I give him a dirty look, and he laughs. “Who is she? I have to know.”

  “My new personal assistant.”

  He frowns. “I thought you didn’t fuck your employees.”

  “This is different. It works for me right now.
I can’t be seen fucking around…dating…doing anything. I need to sit tight for a while, until the media attention dies down. In the meanwhile—”

  “You get to do your PA behind closed doors. If you’re seen together…” He shrugs. “It will be common knowledge that she’s a staff member. You do have a reputation for staying away from staff.” He narrows his eyes, and his mouth drops open. “You’re a fucking genius.”

  I nod. “I am.” I feel like a grade-A prick, but I’ll take genius.

  “I take it she’s a bit of a…hussy?”

  Everything in me bristles. “Not at all,” I growl the words, taking a step towards him. My jaw goes tight. I don’t like how he is talking about Miss Shaw. It just feels…wrong. “She’s actually quite sweet.” Very fucking sweet.

  He frowns. “But she’ll agree to the whole thing, though? Won’t she?”

  “I doubt it.” I smile when I say it.

  “What? And that makes you smile…why?”

  I shrug. “She’s definitely not the kind of person who would sign something like that.” She’s relationship material. It’s a fuck-up.

  “Why are you even going there?”

  “She’s the first woman I’ve felt attracted to since…since…”

  “Her.”

  I nod. “Yes, since the harpy. My PA is the kind of woman who will want a relationship. I don’t! I’m fucked up. I was before, and I’m even more so now. There need to be rules. There need to be…barriers, and an understanding from the start. It’s just going to be sex, and she can’t disclose our non-relationship to anyone. Not even to her closest friend. I can’t have this getting out. By the time it’s over, the whole ‘most eligible bachelor’ debacle will have blown over…and I can continue like before.”

  “You’ll be ready to get back in the saddle for real,” Tri smirks.

  “Something like that, except we aren’t all sluts like you.” I ‘date’ women from time to time. Usually, only one at a time. It’s not unusual for me to take breaks.

  Tri snorts. “You’re the one who’s about to bang his PA. You’re the one putting sex toy clauses into NDA contracts.” He laughs. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “Not really.” It’s true. I don’t have a clue. This is uncharted territory. These feelings of anxiety are new to me, as well. The whole fucking thing is new to me. I’m scared but exhilarated.