King's Crown (Oil Kings Book 1)

by Marie Johnston

  A few questions were answered, but I had so many more. She was talking to a sibling.

  “Wendell.” There it was. Her board room voice. “Quit hitting. I don’t care if he started it. I don’t care if— She said what? Put it on speaker.” I wished she put it on speaker. How many siblings did she have? “Listen up. I’m out of town. You three need to keep your hands to yourselves and be respectful. I think you can hold out for a few hours. Right? Right?”

  I wanted nothing more than to witness this conversation. Meek and quiet Ms. Brinkley didn’t mess around with her family.

  “Goodbye. Love you all.”

  I focused on my screen, pretending I hadn’t been listening to a thing. Like the kids, all I had to do was keep my hands to myself and then I could part ways with this woman that made me want to know so much more about her.

  She crawled back into bed and was breathing deep and even within minutes.

  Until her phone rang again. Only this time when she answered, she slipped off the bed and went straight for the bathroom.

  “I told you—Look guys, I’m on a work trip. Homework? At this time of night?” Her sigh was heavy enough to make it through the door. “Jen, it’s eleven at night, can’t you help him? It’s only middle school algebra. Fine, what is it? No, you have to flip the one fraction when you multiply, remember. The x is still there. No, not for that. ’Kay? Good night.”

  Just like before, she snuck back into bed as if I didn’t notice a thing. There were several minutes of tossing and turning before she settled down.

  I did my own sneaking and got my readers out. Old eyes sucked, but at least reading glasses were all I needed. I could zoom out and see more of the screen. Tomorrow, I wouldn’t be driving any farther than to the airport so I could work through the whole night versus trying to catch a wink of sleep in this chair. Because there was no way I was crawling in bed with a woman who might be on her way to get my son to marry her.

  It was a little after midnight when I stretched my hands above my head, my fingers interlaced. Another buzz echoed in the room. I took my readers off.

  This time Ms. Brinkley took longer to rouse. When she did, she was an adorable mix of sexy and flustered. Her light, soft-looking hair was bunched up on one side and she squinted at her phone. She let out a long exhale and answered it.

  “Hello,” she said as she staggered for the bathroom.

  Was it her siblings again? I didn’t have to wait long for an answer. “What do you need money for this time? Can’t I register you two for baseball when I get back?” Another sigh. “It’s past midnight so the deadline’s up. Yeah, fine, I’ll try. For both you and Lenny? Make sure you tell Mom to pay me back.”

  She didn’t come out right away. Registering Wendell and Lenny for baseball?

  I was turned in my chair staring at the door when she abruptly opened it and marched out. When her gaze landed on me, her cheeks flushed. “Sorry.” She dug in her purse and withdrew a debit card then squinted into her phone as she punched the number in. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

  All my time with women, I’d watched them get dressed. They cooked for me. They even did yoga around me. But it’d been over fifteen years since I’d watched a woman sign kids up for sports. The nostalgia got under my skin worse than seeing her in skimpy lingerie.

  No. Not with her body. The lingerie would definitely affect me more.

  Tossing her card back into her purse, she spun and gave me a sheepish smile. “That should be the last time.”

  “All is well?” I couldn’t help but ask. I wanted to know where her parents were and how often she had to take care of her siblings.

  “Oh, yeah. This is normal.” She tucked her legs back under the blankets and plugged her phone in.

  “Why?” The CEO in me wanted answers.

  “Um…” She peered up at me from under her lashes. “My parents work a lot.”

  “How old?” When her brow furrowed, I clarified. “How old are your siblings?”

  Her flush deepened. She must’ve thought I was asking how old her parents were. My pride hoped they were older than me but I was too afraid to find out. “I have a brother that’s twenty-seven, a sister that’s twenty-three and another that’s fifteen. The twins are thirteen.”

  “Their names?” I should quit talking to her, but now that I started I couldn’t stop.

  Her face was on fire. She looked away. “Mom and Dad thought it was cute to continue the trend after I was born. Brendell, Rendell, Jendell, Lendell, and Wendell.”

  Well, they were spread out enough that most people probably didn’t catch on. “What are your parents’ names?”

  “Mike and Susan.”

  “Interesting.”

  “It is.” She gave me a tense smile before rolling to her side, giving me her back. Well, well, well. Her family was a touchy subject. Or I was just some guy that barely talked to her all day and she didn’t see a reason to put up with me any further.

  I liked that.

  Unless she was ignoring me because she thought Beckett was waiting for her.

  As soon as I turned back to my computer the lamp died.

  Bedding rustled. The room was dark. Not even the streetlights were on.

  “The power went out?” Kendall was checking her phone. “Gale said there’s a generator.”

  The lights flickered back on, then died. We waited a few heartbeats. The room stayed drenched in silence. “Looks like it couldn’t handle the job.”

  “Dammit. My stuff’s not fully charged.” I checked my computer. It was at twenty-five percent. Damn. My phone. Thirty. Why hadn’t I been working with them plugged in?

  Because I planned to charge them later. I should’ve known better in a storm like this.

  I kept my cursing under my breath as I prioritized my notes. I had a report to read from the newest geophysicist hire. She was in her twenties and I wanted her insight on the newest innovations. Then there was Aiden’s financial report on the North Dakota wells that indicated which ones we should shut down until the price of barrels went up. And I had my quarterly statement to the board. Emilia would have my head if she didn’t get a peek at it first.

  So that one could wait.

  I worked until my computer blinked out, but I’d managed to email myself the innovation report. By the time I was done reading all twenty pages, my phone’s battery bar was red.

  I shut it off. Best to have some juice for any emergency calls. The room was black. No light emanated from outside and nothing in the room could generate any. I put my glasses away and pinched the bridge of my nose.

  Now what? I’d planned to work all night. The temperature in the room had dropped a few degrees, but all that was in my bag were flannel pajama pants and a white T-shirt. I could wear my winter coat to bed. No, not bed. I could drape it over my shoulders and lay my head on the desk.

  Yeah, that would work.

  The North Face jacket rustled obscenely loud as I eased it out of my bag.

  “Are you getting cold already?” Kendall’s voice startled me and I froze. How long had she been awake?

  “Was I being too loud?”

  “No.” The blankets shifted and I tried to picture her moving. “I couldn’t get back to sleep.”

  After three phone calls, I could see why. “Don’t worry. I’ll catch a few winks here.”

  “At the desk?”

  “I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than sharing a room already has.”

  She didn’t reply. I finished dragging out my coat and shook it open. I was about to toss it over my shoulders when she said, “We’re both adults. If they don’t get the electricity back on soon, then it’s going to get cold really quickly.”

  It was tempting. Mostly just to stretch out. My shoulders were tight and a steady thrum beat at my temples from all the reading. “I’ll be fine.”

  “All right then. There’s two blankets and a sheet. You can get in over the sheet when you decide I don’t have cooties.”
>
  My chuckle surprised me. It wasn’t a bad idea. I didn’t want a backache to derail the rest of my busy week. “As long as you’re cootie-free, I can get in over the sheet.”

  She moved again, and the bed gave out a few squeaks. I didn’t need light to know she was squeezing as close to the edge as possible.

  I felt around until I reached the head of the bed and peeled back the comforter and middle thermal blanket. Toeing off my shoes, I shrugged my coat off and wadded it up on the end table. Then I crawled in, over the sheet.

  The bed was not my normal king-sized one. It was rock hard, had a weird lump in the middle, and was the size of a match box. I could deal with the first two. But the size issue put me too close to a warm lump with a round bottom pointing in my direction.

  Suddenly, the creeping chill didn’t bother me. I welcomed it and the discomfort it would bring.

  Chapter 7

  Kendall

  A warm man was pressed up to my back, and I snuggled in more. The blankets were so cozy, but the top of my head was a touch too cold to be comfortable. So I burrowed in deeper.

  He was so warm. I normally didn’t cuddle into Darren like this.

  My eyes flew open. I wasn’t married anymore. I wasn’t even living with him anymore.

  It all came flooding back as I blinked against daylight filtering through the window. The storm. Mr. King. One room. One bed.

  I rolled over, hoping he was still asleep and hadn’t noticed my rabid cuddling. The guy was solid, and I wanted to see what he looked like so badly. Was his hair mussed or was his suit too scared to wrinkle? He’d packed even less than I did. I doubted he had a change of clothes.

  I wiggled closer to the edge.

  Mr. King’s voice made me freeze. “If you get any farther over, you’re going to fall out of bed.”

  “I was, uh, just getting up.” I sat up and dropped my feet to the floor. I sucked in a gasp.

  “Better find some warm socks, Ms. Brinkley.”

  A squeak escaped me, and I scurried to the bathroom, snagging my toiletry bag on the way.

  There was water, thank God, but it was as frigid as glacier melt. It was fine for brushing teeth, but less fine for washing up. I brushed my hair until it mostly went in the same direction. When I was done, I packed my items and faced the door.

  I’d spent the night with Gentry King. I’d slept in the same bed as him. Awkward, party of one.

  Shoulders back, I exited the bathroom. Mr. King was up, somehow looking better in rumpled trousers and an untucked white buttoned-up shirt.

  His back was to me as he hung his black winter coat on the back of the office chair. The computer was sitting out, and he frowned at his phone.

  My phone! I tossed my toiletry bag on my luggage and checked my battery level. Forty. Good. I would only use it if one of my brothers or sisters called and it should have enough life until the power was restored.

  Mr. King broke through my relief. “I need to use your phone.”

  I craned my head around to look at him. “Why?”

  His brow furrowed as if his requests were never questioned. “Mine is dead. So is my computer.”

  I clutched my phone to my chest. “I need to preserve my power in case Wendell calls again.” He and I had a special bond and the others usually made him call me. I’d get less vexed if Wendell was on the other end.

  The corners of his hard jaw flexed. “I need to find out about roads and flights and check in at work.”

  “We can ask Gale about the first two.”

  “She won’t know about private flights.”

  “Unless the whole airport is shut down.” I wanted to look outside, but he was between me and the window and I wasn’t about to get that close to him.

  He steadied his gaze on me as if he was willing me to bend to his needs. “Can you at least check the latest news of the storm?”

  “Sure.” Now it was a matter of pride. He wasn’t getting ahold of my phone and sucking juice out of it. I wasn’t leaving my siblings without a way to get ahold of me. I dug my athletic shoes out and stuffed my feet into them. I was in my pajamas, but I had a bra on. I doubted the rest of the guests in the hotel were any different.

  I gave him a perfunctory smile. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Ms. Brink—”

  I was out the door and smiling. That man stirred my emotions until I didn’t know what was appreciation, lust, irritation, or respect. He hadn’t done much to earn my respect. Except catch me before I hit the floor at the Billings airport. And make the driver go home. And calmly fire an entire section of employees that weren’t adhering to safety standards. And drive through a snow storm like a boss and secure us a room. And then plan to sleep at the desk to keep from bothering me.

  All he’d asked of me was to use my phone.

  I chewed the inside of my cheek as I made my way downstairs. If Gale didn’t have answers, then I’d look it up.

  I found her behind the desk, bundled in at least two sweaters and gloves. She was reading a cookbook.

  “Morning.” She gestured to the replenished table. “I found more bread and grabbed the butter and juice out of the fridge. Sorry about the generator. It passed its last test, but I guess it refused to hold up in a blizzard. Hopefully, the power’s on soon, or I’m stuffing the contents of my fridge in a snowbank.”

  My stomach growled. The least I could do was bring Mr. King some food. But first, I’d find out some info so I didn’t go back empty handed in that department. “What’s the news?”

  “About the same as last night.” She lifted her chin toward the door. “It’s not letting up.”

  “You’re kidding.” I spun to look outside. The only difference from last night was that I could make out the piles of snow. It wasn’t just shadowy piles of gray. A steady fall of heavy snow curtained the sky. “Wow. I guess that answers my question.”

  “Yup. Highways are closed. The plows are struggling through town to keep emergency routes open. I have no idea when we’re getting power.”

  A young couple came downstairs and chatted with Gale. She told them the same thing. I gathered some glasses of juice and made me and Mr. King a few sandwiches. “Thanks, Gale.”

  “Don’t mention it,” she said as she directed the couple toward the food.

  I knocked on the door again with my foot.

  Mr. King opened it, his stony expression inflicting a healthy dose of guilt. To top it off, he took some of my load and put the items on the desk.

  Once the door shut, I took a deep breath. “My parents…they had six kids and they’re overwhelmed trying to keep their businesses open and raise kids. They’ve depended on me since I was old enough to change a diaper. They still have three at home, and I make sure I’m around. My brothers and sisters rely on me. My parents rely on me to help with them.” I’d practically raised my siblings. I dug my phone out of my pajama pants pocket and wiggled it. “Can you just check the weather and not use it for work?”

  His expression eased. “Of course, Ms. Brinkley.”

  His insistent use of my last name grated on my nerves. Because each time he said it, his tone caressed down my spine like a low purr.

  I held out the phone. “I’ll hold you to your word, Mr. King.”

  The corner of his mouth curved up. He went about his search, moving closer to the window. I rearranged my luggage. There was no use changing, but I found my suit coat from yesterday and put it on over my shirt. And another pair of socks. I looked around. What the hell was I going to do all day?

  He approached the bed, his brow drawn down, his face grim. “The local weather station is saying that the snow is going to last all day and through the night.”

  “Whoa.” I sighed. “I’m going to be really late for that interview. I suppose he’ll hire someone in the meantime.”

  Mr. King studied me. “Why do you want…the job?”

  I lifted a brow. Something about his tone made me defensive. “Because I don’t have one, and I don’t
have a family empire to pay my mortgage.” I let out a sardonic laugh. “I don’t even have a mortgage. I don’t even have a place to live.” I snapped my mouth shut. Had I really said all that?

  “Do tell.” He picked up a cup of OJ and a sandwich and handed it to me. “There’s not much else to do. Playing I Spy will only get us so far.”

  I smiled and accepted the food, glad he saved the OJ for me. Maybe I shouldn’t tell him, but saying it aloud to his handsome face might kick the foundation down on my lust. “Before I was laid off, I lived with my ex-husband. I shouldn’t have trusted him and started looking for an affordable place earlier. I should’ve moved right after my divorce, but Darren was so damn smug about saying I’d probably have to move home.” I couldn’t look at him. “He always resented how available I am to my family, and he knew making rent would be hard without his income. What I didn’t realize was that it was just easier for him to stay, and he likes easy.”

  Instead of looking horrified, concern brimmed in his eyes. “Where are you staying?”

  “I moved back home. Just like Darren said I would.” I hated admitting I couldn’t afford my own place to a guy who could afford all the apartment buildings in Billings.

  “Where else are you applying?”

  “I put in a few applications. One at the radio station, in their marketing department. Another at the newspaper. A coworker told me about the position with your son. Well, he told me about an opening, but his sister had signed an NDA and couldn’t tell him more.”

  “It’s to marry him.”

  “Hmm?” I took a bite of my sandwich. Mr. King was still standing by the bed. I didn’t think he was a guy who laid around all day.

  “Emilia wants you to marry Beckett.”

  I stopped midchew. “What?”

  He finally sat on the bed, his knee kicked up on top as he twisted to face me. “You signed an NDA?” I nodded and made the motion that my lips were zipped. He continued. “My wife set up a trust for each of the boys. But she made certain conditions. And if they’re not met, the money goes away.”