The whole thing was confusing and overwhelming and I just wanted to clear the air. Hopefully tonight we would do just that.
I watched the city pass by, the warm desert air tossing my curls around as Stone made his way up Las Vegas Boulevard, until he pulled in at the Paris Hotel, winding the Mustang past the replica Arc de Triomphe with its beautiful carved panels and imposing arch catching the last of the sun. I had passed by the Eiffel Tower a few times when I walked up and down the road, but I had never ventured inside the hotel. Now, as we pulled up to the valet and Stone handed over the keys, I found myself getting excited. Las Vegas was the first place I had ever really traveled to, but this was likely going to be the closest I ever got to visiting Paris, so I couldn’t help but feel giddy.
Stone came around to my door and gave me his hand. I took it, letting him guide me inside the main entrance to the casino.
It was like entering another world; all the casinos were. Walking in the doors was like being transported to another place, another time, and you couldn’t help but suspend belief while you were there. As I looked around at the incredible decor, the ceiling painted to mimic a beautiful blue sky, the shops and restaurants made to replicate the two hundred year old architecture of the streets of France, with the narrow arched windows, exteriors painted bright colors, and the trees and flower boxes looking almost real, I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face. The entire casino floor was lit with soft bulbs, the iron lamp posts serving to highlight the contrast between the Parisian decor and the neon lights of the slot machines scattered throughout the space. The check in desk was a beautiful scene with its marble floors, large Persian rugs, and at least a dozen beautiful chandeliers hanging above the guests waiting in line. As I walked with Stone though the casino, I could see the legs of the Eiffel Tower where they passed through the roof of the building before connecting to the tower itself outside.
Entering the designated elevator, I took in the view as we ascended, the glass walls showcasing a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of the surrounding area, each of the hotels standing out against the desert sand with their individual designs and motifs. I could very much appreciate how the western theme of The Alamo would do well here.
Las Vegas was a place where fantasies came to life.
Stone and I followed the hostess as she directed us to our place, a half-moon shaped table for two that overlooked the Strip and the Bellagio hotel with its incredible main street fountains. Once we were seated, she took our drink orders and left just as quickly as she had appeared.
The silence was awkward as I stared at the scene before me, the setting sun casting the hotels across from us in silhouette and painting the sky in a brilliant combination of colors like fire. It was breathtaking.
Stone finally broke the silence.
“Thank you for coming out with me tonight, Penelope,” he started, toying with the fork at his place setting. “I know we didn’t really get off to the best start, and I take responsibility for that.” He looked up at me, a self-recriminating look on his handsome face. “I know I’m not the easiest guy to get along with. Daphne and Silas will tell you it’s been like that my whole life.” I felt my heart climbing into my throat as he stopped playing with the cutlery and reached for my hand. “But I’d like the opportunity to start over, if you’ll allow it.”
Blinking my surprise, I was saved from having to answer right away as the waiter delivered our drinks. Stone had ordered a bottle of wine, something I had never heard of, and I had ordered a club soda with lemon. The server poured our drinks then made himself scarce again, leaving me with no other distractions and Stone looking like his whole existence was hanging on my response to his statement.
“Stone,” I started lamely, not entirely sure what I was going to say, even though I had been thinking about this dinner for almost three days. I knew Stone was gruff and antagonistic, but I had also seen glimpses of the man I was sure he hid underneath all the anger and pain. The way he was with Daphne, for one. He adored his little sister, and you could see it when he teased her. Having been an only child, I had never had a sibling to have a relationship with, but watching Stone and Daphne interact for the last few weeks had shown me that, although they didn’t spend a lot of their childhoods together, he cared for her in the way that an older brother should.
He had also shown compassion for me on the first day me met, though he may not remember it. After the first staff meeting, the one where I had slunk in late and stained with coffee, he had mentioned to Moira about my missing suitcase, ensuring that she helped me get a clean outfit until my own things had arrived.
These were just two of the many examples I had seen over the last month. I hoped that, given the direction this conversation seemed to be going, I’d be able to see many more.
“I appreciate you saying that. I think starting over would do us both some good.” He smiled, a full and brilliant smile like I’d never seen on him before, and my chest constricted at how gorgeous he actually was. I’d thought him handsome since the first moment in the airport, but when he flashed me a real smile, I couldn’t help but melt.
“I judged you unfairly, Penelope, and for that I’m sorry,” he absentmindedly rubbed his thumb back and forth over the back of my hand, sending sparks from the contact zinging throughout my body. How could such a simple touch create such chaos in my body?
Trying to control my breathing, I focused on him as he continued to talk. “I’d like to get to know Penelope Lund, from Queens. Tell me everything.”
And so we talked. Over four courses of the most incredible food I’d ever eaten, we shared stories of our childhood, our parents, and our friends. I talked about my time at NYU and he told me about his days partying at UT San Antonio, when he had actually visited the sight of the real Alamo. His life in Austin was full of crazy stories, mostly because in his younger days, Stone spent a lot of time in an area he referred to as Dirty Sixth, which, he informed me, was basically nine blocks of bars and music and entertainment in the heart of downtown Austin. Apparently, Stone had quite a love for music, and hung with many bands and artists there before they went on to make it big.
Over dessert, I finally talked more about my dad, and why Pennington Hotels meant so much to me. I told Stone about my birthday tradition and the Central Park Zoo. He listened with rapt attention as I talked more about my dad’s cancer diagnosis.
“Once dad started treatment, it was really hard on mom, trying to split her time between her work at the hospital, taking care of dad, and still being my mom. I was only nine when he was diagnosed, and we were really lucky because the ladies mom worked with at the hospital rallied around us. They would take turns babysitting me when mom had to work nights, they would bring food by, and even took me back to school shopping.” I smiled, thinking of the love I felt every time I walked it that hospital.
“They were even more helpful after dad passed. Mom was a mess, trying to be strong for me, you know, but barely holding in together. Between the nurses and dads’ colleagues at the department, we had a veritable army of people pulling together for us. It was-” I blew out a breath, blinking away the tears the threatened whenever I thought of those days right after the funeral when everything was raw and painful. “It was the hardest and yet, some of the most wonderful times of my life. I have never felt more loved than I did in those days.”
Stone stared at me, my hand clutched in his again, as I took a moment to let the emotions settle. He squeezed my hand, sliding his chair closer and draping his other arm across the back of my chair. I looked out the window ahead of us, watching as the incredible Fountains of Bellagio put on another astonishing performance for us.
When I had gathered myself again, I continued. “That’s why these shoes, ridiculous though they may be, mean so much to me.” I looked at Stone and I could see the apology in his eyes. “No,” I cut him off before he could voice it. “You’re not wrong. They are crazy expensive. I would never, ever have purchased them for
myself. But that’s just the thing; I didn’t purchase them. When my mom learned that I would be working out here, she told the ladies at her work, and they all took up a collection. They pooled their money to get me these shoes, telling me that they would bring me luck, and let me look the part. Dress for the job you want, you know?” I huffed out a laugh. “Anyway, these shoes are the physical embodiment of the love I feel back in Queens. My extended family, cheering me on from all the way out east.” I shrugged, feeling Stone’s arm against my shoulder, his hand under my hair, fingers tracing gentle lines along the back of my neck. My entire body with lit up with electricity, goosebumps running up and down my arms.
“I get it,” Stone said softly, his breath dancing along my naked shoulder. “Family is important, regardless of blood ties. That’s how I feel about Silas.” Stone tilted his head closer towards me, his forehead almost touching my temple. “He’s been like a brother to me since we were just kids. He spent more time at my place than he did his own. I’d do anything for him.” I could hear the commitment in his voice. He meant it, but I still thought I’d push him a bit.
“Even let him date your sister?”
Stone’s fingers froze where they touched me, his whole demeanor locking up. “That is a conversation for Silas and I to have.” With that, he removed his hand from my neck and signaled for the bill. I missed his warmth immediately.
The sun had long since set, the streets of Las Vegas lit up like the carnival that they were. As Stone let me back down the elevator and along the street, I let my eyes wander to the spectacle that was Las Vegas Boulevard. Holding my hand casually, Stone drew me down the street, both of us content to let the city around us talk for the time being. We reached the corner and took the escalator up to the crossing bridge. I stopped half-way across to take in the view, cars passing below me at a steady rate.
“I know New York is busy, but this is like a whole other level,” I stated, taking in the throngs of people on all sides. “Manhattan is always moving, but something about it always feels, I don’t know, aggressive maybe? Like, the people there are so driven to do more, work harder, earn the most, that they rarely stop to have fun.” I leaned on the railing, taking in the crowds on either side of the street. “Whereas this is a non-stop party.” Stone came up behind me, his warm palm on my lower back. “Everyone here seems like they’re living their best life all the time. Maybe it’s because everything here is temporary. It’s a world of hotels, and New York is a world of apartments. People come to Las Vegas for an escape, and people go to New York to become something.”
I sighed, feeling foolish in my ramblings. “I know that doesn’t make sense.” I shook my head at myself.
“No,” Stone said thoughtfully, his chin resting on my shoulder as he stood looking with me. “I think it makes perfect sense, actually. And you’re right,” his arm came around my front, his hand now on my hip, that thumb drawing maddening circles through the fabric of my dress. “Las Vegas does seem very temporary.” I took in his words, thinking that there was a deeper meaning to them than what I had meant when I said them. “So maybe we should try to blend in and just have fun. After all,” he said, one side of his mouth hitching up in a smile as he turned us to look at Caesars Palace. “When in Rome.”
I burst out laughing at his goofy joke, but stopped short when Stone leaned toward me.
“Penelope,” he breathed, his eyes dropping to my lips. “I’d really, really like to kiss you again.”
My tongue darted out to lick my lips, remembering the feel Stone’s kiss against them and tingling with anticipation at the prospect of a second try.
“Yeah,” I replied, feeling exceptionally lame as I did. “I think I’d like that too.”
He only paused a moment, searching my eyes for something. I guess he found it, because he dropped his head and pressed his lips to mine. I sighed at the warmth, his full lips feeling lush and firm at the same time, and when he ran his tongue across the seam of my mouth, I opened for him gladly, welcoming him in as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Stone took control of the kiss, his hand finding its way back into my hair and holding my head at the angle he liked best. His other hand snaked down my spine, his hand once again landing on my ass. His squeeze was not quite as gentle this time, practically lifting me off the ground as he pressed my body against his, and I couldn't help but notice the tell-tale bulge prodding me in the stomach. Just the thought of it sent shivers across my whole body, and I moaned at the thought of where this kiss could take us.
Stone seemed just as happy as I was to continue exactly as we were, but a shrill whistle from a passing group snapped us from the fog of lust we both seemed to have fallen into. I pulled back, dropping my hands down his shoulders and resting them on those sexy forearms I had admired earlier, the light dusting of hair tickling my palms. Stone drew back as well, but refused to let go of my ass.
“Come on, Blondie,” he said, pressing a kiss to my temple as he used the hand on my behind to guide me further along the walkway. We made our way across the street and found ourselves standing in front of the Bellagio Fountains. We had watched several performances during our dinner, but they were set to music, and we hadn’t been able to hear it from our table. I was excited for the next show to start.
I walked along beside Stone, my arm wrapped around his waist, his hand still firmly on my butt, as he guided us down the street. The crowd was thick, with tons of people pressed against the granite railings, vying for position to view the show. Stone finally found a spot he was happy with, a little alcove where the railing bowed in toward the water and had a large tree standing near the sidewalk. Positioning himself against the metal ring protecting the tree, he pulled me against him, nestling me against his still hard erection.
“Won’t be long now,” he whispered, his quiet words sending goosebumps down my arms. “The good part will start soon.” Again, I couldn’t help but read deeper into his words. He surprised me once more as he dropped one hand to the hem of my dress, trailing his fingers up my thigh lightly. I leaned back against his chest, weaving my fingers with his where his other hand caged me in at my belly. The people crowded in around us, all looking out over the dark water. We were lost at the back of the crowd and hidden in the shadow under the tree.
The hum of chatter around us grew to an excited buzz as the bell tower on the hotel began to chime the hour, and a sound like thunder came from the lake in front of us. Without warning, columns of water shot into the air, reaching into the night sky like cannon fire, as the opening strands of “Fly me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra began to play from speakers all around. People everywhere gasped as the water jets began to dance in time with the song, lights below the surface accompanying each note of music.
I gasped as Stone slid his hand farther under my dress, his fingertips dancing along my inner thigh, feeling like lightning at every point he touched and creating static in my brain. His lips dropped to my shoulder, pressing kisses along the sensitive column of my neck and up behind my ear, their warmth working counterpoint to the chills his touch was causing. I squeezed his hand, looking around wildly for fear that someone would see, but every single person was focused on the water show. Every one, that was, except Stone, who was solely focused on me.
“Fuck, Penelope, you just smell so good,” he whispered in my ear, taking the lobe between his teeth and biting lightly. I rolled my head to the side, giving him more access, and he growled in response, the sound sending shivers down my spine. He continued to press kisses on my sensitive flesh, the warm heat of his lips feeling exquisite against my neck, all the while his fingers were creeping toward their goal. Stone hummed his approval as he brushed his knuckles across the already damp fabric of my panties. I moaned, shamelessly widening my stance to give him space, and he didn't hesitate. Slipping his fingers under the delicate lace of my underwear, he began to work me in time to the music, his fingers spreading my own moisture around and bringing me closer and closer to the edge.
As
Frank crooned and the fountains danced, Stone worked his magic on my clit, his mouth on my neck playing back up to the main event that was his incredible fingers. I lost track of the moment, forgetting the crowd around us, and just let Stone take me higher, grinding my ass into his ever-growing erection as he did so.
The song approached its crescendo and Stone took his cue, thrusting two fingers inside me as the trumpets filled the air. My cry was lost as the water again boomed in time with the song, Stone holding me tight when my legs turned to jelly. When the show came to an end, Stone brought me down gently, working me through the orgasm and then he discretely slid my panties back in place before removing his hand from beneath my dress. As the crowd cheered the end of the performance my face was red in the dark as I realized just how exposed we actually had been.
But that only made the whole thing hotter.
I took a few deep breaths as Stone turned me towards him and wrapped me tightly in his arms, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of my head.
After a moment, he took my hand and simply said, “Come on, Blondie. Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Penelope
I stared at my laptop screen, trying to focus on the email I was composing, but it was difficult. My mind kept wandering back to my date - yes, I guess it was officially a date now - with Stone.
And how things had completely changed in the span of half a day.
After our little bout of exhibitionism, Stone had walked me back to the Paris Hotel, holding my hand the whole way, and retrieved the car from the valet. Driving back to Summerlin, his hand casually resting on my thigh, Stone and I talked about music as he used the steering wheel controls to flip stations on the satellite radio. It was a short drive, but we finally settled on some 90s alternative when we stumbled on an Everclear song we both liked.
The Cowboy and the Bombshell Page 14
