I bounced over to the other job postings, all of them now wildly inaccurate and drawing way too much attention because of it. “Shit, Stone. I have to fix this. Now.” I sat heavily in my chair, working as fast as I could to repair the damage.
Once I had corrected all the job postings, I had to draw up a retraction, apologizing for the mistake. So much for feeling proud of my suggestion from earlier. Now I looked like a complete screw up. Again.
I finished up, double and then triple checking everything. Stone had sat patiently in my office chair, working on his own things and answering texts and emails on his phone. When I closed the laptop with a sigh, he looked up, a frown puckering between his eyebrows. “You alright, Blondie?”
I shook my head slowly and glanced at the closed computer, feeling tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but refusing to let them fall. “I know those posts were right, Stone. I know it.”
“Hey,” he said quietly, drawing my attention back to him. “I know you are good at your job, Penelope. I have seen you in action. Whatever happened today, it’s over. You fixed it. Don’t let it get to you.”
I nodded, but I didn’t say anything. His words were kind, but still hinted at the fact that he thought this mistake was mine.
It wasn’t. I knew it wasn’t. But how in the world was I going to prove it?
CHAPTER TWENTY
Penelope
The theater was empty except for Carson and me, but the stage was lit up like the fourth of July. I couldn’t stop smiling as Dolly and her crew ran through their dress rehearsal. There were only three weeks remaining until the Soft Launch, and the show was looking fantastic. I watched, entranced, as the performers pranced and paraded around, the impersonations shockingly good, while the comedy was sharp and the dance numbers were full of the glitz and glamour that you expected form a Las Vegas show.
In short, it was a freaking hit.
“Penelope,” Carson whispered, leaning in to speak close to my ear. “This is gonna blow the roof off this town! I can’t wait for the Soft Launch. We have already sold out for that night, and the Grand Opening as well. I can’t thank you enough for finding these ladies.”
“I didn’t do anything, really, Carson. Just introduced you to a friend.”
When the final act ended and the lights came up, I offered a standing ovation of one. Dolly smiled at me from her place at center stage, waving her arms and blowing kisses. I was waving frantically back at her when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Turning, I saw Stone standing at the end of the row of chairs, hands on his hips as he surveyed the stage. I couldn't help the thrill that ran through my system at seeing him, dressed in jeans and boots, looking every inch the sexy cowboy I had found him to be. I gave myself a moment to get my hormones in check before walking toward him and nudging him in the ribs with my elbow, bringing his attention back to me.
“What did you think, Cowboy?”
“I think we have a hit on our hands. The shareholders will be pleased.”
“Well, as long as we can please the shareholders, our jobs are complete, right?” I mumbled, only half joking.
“Unfortunate, but true, I’m afraid,” he replied, a frustrated frown on his face. I guess he would know, dealing with much more of that part of the business than I ever have. If - no, when - I get promoted, I am going to have to get much more acquainted with those aspects of Pennington Hotels.
Sounds delightful.
“Listen, Penelope,” he said awkwardly, crossing and uncrossing his arms, looking so uncomfortable that I frowned. Stone had a lot of different moods, but for the most part they were all born of a place of confidence. If he was looking nervous and uncomfortable, I suspected something big was troubling him. “I was hoping you would come to lunch with me. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
I swallowed the rapidly forming lump in my throat and forced a strained smile. “Of course,” I ground out. “Just let me finish up and I’ll be right with you.”
I turned away before he could respond, afraid of what he might have to say. I scurried over to where Dolly and Carson were going over some notes, my mind racing to come up with what Stone could want to discuss, but the only thing I could imagine would result in his level of discomfort was us. Not that there was an us, per se, but it would make sense that he would want to talk about whatever it was we had going on. I mean, I had spent the last month and a half sleeping with him.
And not just sleeping with him, but actually sleeping with him - in his bed. Waking up next to him, sharing coffee and showers and breakfast and everything. It was all so domestic. And it had been ridiculously easy and comfortable, as long as I didn’t look too far into the future. Because sitting together on the couch and squabbling over what to watch on Netflix was fine, hell, it was great, but it often took everything I had in me to remember that it was all going to end.
To remember to keep my heart out of things.
And I was terrified that I hadn’t succeeded.
That was why the prospect of whatever Stone wanted to talk about was so daunting. Part of me was afraid that he was going to tell me it was over, whatever we had. That he was done and we were through.
But another part of me was terrified that he would tell me we weren’t.
I wasn’t sure which prospect scared me more.
Plastering a smile back on my face, I approached Carson and Dolly, her chipper laughter lightening my heart effortlessly.
“Well, hey there, butter tart,” Dolly gushed, wrapping one arm around my shoulders. “How’d you like the show?”
“Spectacular, as always.”
“Well, thank you, darlin’, but you know we couldn’t have done it without you. You’re like my very own good luck charm.”
I chuckled, watching as Carson nodded his agreement. “I think you’re plenty charming all on your own, Dolly. If you two don’t need me, I’m going to head out.”
Dolly looked over my shoulder, then smiled slyly. “Why, if I had that hunk of man waiting on me, I’d be getting my behind outta here just as quick as my stilettos could carry me.” She looked down at my feet, once again encased in my black flats. “Oh, honey bear, we have got to get you some real shoes!”
“I’ve been telling her that for weeks,” Stone interjected, any trace of his discomfort gone as he moved to talk to Carson quietly, before looking back at me. “Are you ready to head out?”
“She sure as heck is!” Dolly answered for me. “Now, get, you two, and don’t come back here for the rest of today. Dolly’s orders!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Stone replied with a wink in her direction then motioned me ahead of him as we headed for the parking lot.
The silence was uncomfortable as we drove to the restaurant Stone chose for lunch. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice which one it was. We made our way though most of our meal making half hearted attempts at small talk, neither one of us seemingly interested in broaching the subject that brought us here today.
Finally, after the waiter removed our plates and dropped off some coffee, Stone cleared his throat.
“Thank you for coming with me today, Penelope.”
I smiled, but couldn’t say anything, my mouth dry and my stomach clenching.
“I want you to know that these last few weeks have been…well, I’ve never spent as much time with a woman as I have with you.”
I could feel my smile slipping as he talked, wondering what he was getting at. Was he trying to tell me he was a womanizer? I didn’t particularly need to hear about the women who came before me.
Stone must have seen something in my face, because he quickly changed direction.
“I’m not saying this right,” he huffed, frowning and shaking his head. “What I mean is, I really enjoy spending time with you.” My pulse slowed as he made a recovery, turning the conversation to something less likely to make me vomit. “It’s become so much more than just sex. I’m not a relationship guy.”
And he blew it agai
n.
But really, what did I want him to say? I wasn’t a relationship girl. This was exactly what I had been telling myself since Stone and I started this…whatever it was. I was sending myself mixed messages, so I couldn’t imagine what Stone was thinking. I decided to cut the guy a break.
“Stone, I get it.”
“You do?”
“Yes,” I said, steeling myself for what I had to say next. I wanted this to be as easy as possible. On both of us. “I understand, and it’s okay. I never expected anything to come out of this. I mean, we live on opposite sides of the country. Don’t worry. You don’t owe me anything.” I finished with a smile, even thought my heart hurt more and more with every word I uttered.
So much for keeping my feelings out of it. I should have known.
Never trust your heart. It sneaks up on you every time.
“Penelope,” he grumbled, causing my eyes to snap to his from where they were focused on my clenched fingers. “That’s not it. That’s not it at all.”
I tipped my head and stared at him, completely confused. “It’s not?”
“No, Penelope. I’m not trying to break up with you.”
“You’re… you’re not?” I was totally lost.
“No. I’m asking you if you’d come to Austin. To be with me.”
I froze, my mouth falling open. There was no way this was real. No way he could be seriously asking me to go with him to Texas. My mind could not seem to latch on to one of the many thoughts swirling around like a cyclone long enough to respond.
Finally, I found my voice. “Texas? You want me to go to Texas?”
“Yes, Penelope,” he smiled, still looking unsure. “I think that what we have is worth pursuing. I think you are incredible and smart, driven, kind, and absolutely beautiful. I’m asking if you think enough of me to give us a shot.”
“Stone,” I said, still in shock, but recovering enough to contemplate some of the implications of what he was asking. “I can’t just move to Texas.”
“Why not?” He seemed to genuinely not understand.
“For one, I have a life in New York. My mother is there. My job.”
“You can get a marketing job in Austin, Penelope. Hell, you could probably do your current job there. I’d talk to Harold and he could-”
“No, Stone.”
He froze, frowning again. “No?”
“No, I don’t want you to talk to your father about getting me a job.” I couldn’t help the anger that was welling up inside me. “That is exactly the type of thing I have been trying to avoid. The nepotism. That’s the type of crap that Constance and Toddrick are trying to pull. I want to make my way on my own merit, not because of who I’m sleeping with!” I whispered the last part, looking around franticly to make sure no one heard.
“Penelope, it wouldn’t be that way.”
“Stone, it would be exactly that way. You, of all people, should understand not wanting to have your success tied to someone else.” I could tell by the way his shoulders hunched he did understand. “And what about my mother? My life in New York? I’m going to be getting promoted to VP of Marketing, and that means I am going to be in New York.”
“You might not get it,” he said, trying to be helpful but only pissing me off more.
“Well, thank you for the stellar vote of confidence.”
“Damn it, Penelope. That’s not what I meant. Fuck,” Stone ran his hands through his hair in frustration. “I’m tryin’ to tell you that I wanna be with you. Doesn’t that mean anythin’ to ya’?” His accent was in full force as he let the one emotion he was comfortable with surface. His anger. This was the Stone I had met all those months ago.
Well, I was not the same meek little flower to be trampled all over. Not anymore.
“Yes, Stone, it does. It means a great deal. But wanting to be with me doesn’t mean that you get to uproot my entire life and have me make all the sacrifices. Relationships are supposed to be give and take.”
“Penelope, you know why I can’t live in New York,” he ground out.
“Yes, Stone. I know. Because you blame the entire city of New York for the fact that your parents aren’t together. Well, guess what? At least you still have both parents. At least you have a father who is still doing everything he can to try and earn your love. Some of us no longer have that option, and it gets pretty aggravating watching you throw a temper tantrum every time his name is mentioned, Mr. Montgomery.”
Stone looked like I had slapped him, jerking back in his chair and staring at me. I paused, my chest heaving from my rant. How had things turned so bad so quickly?
“Look,” I said when I had regained some of my composure. “I think we both have some things to consider. I think I’ll walk back to the office.” Tossing my napkin on the table, I stood, Stone rising at the same time like the good southern gentleman he was raised to be. Damn him and his charming manners.
“Penelope, wait. Just - just let me drive you back. We can talk on the way.” He reached for my arm as I stepped away from the table, but I moved out of his reach.
“No, thank you. I prefer to walk. I need to be alone for a bit.” Shouldering my bag, I moved to the exit. “Thank you for lunch.” I left him standing in the middle of the restaurant and didn’t look back.
I stomped my way up the street, headed back toward the office, and tried to replay the conversation we had just had. What a disaster. But surely he had to see that a relationship couldn’t involve one person making all the sacrifices and the other making none. I couldn’t just pack up my life and move to Austin…could I? I considered the possibility as I chewed frantically on my lip.
I mean, what was really keeping me in New York? My work? Stone was probably right; no matter what I did, Toddrick was likely going to get the VP position. So, really, why couldn’t I work in Texas? The weather alone was a bonus, seeing as East Coast winters had never been my favorite.
And my mom, well, she was hoping to retire sometime. Why not sooner rather than later? She could come with me, or find a place somewhere else, like Florida, maybe, where she could spend her days looking after herself for a change. And the bills would follow us wherever we went, so that wasn’t an issue either.
I moved down Las Vegas Boulevard, my heart stuttering when I passed the Eiffel Tower, remembering the magic of our first date and everything that had followed. Stone had been nothing but sweet and considerate the entire time, to me at least, and every day we spent together I saw more and more of the kind and generous person he was under all his gruff and grouchy.
How could I have let my temper get away from me like I did? Stone put himself on the line, and I threw it back in his face. As I walked up the long drive that led to The Alamo, I resolved to apologize as soon as he returned to the office. Maybe I would arrange dinner to be delivered to the Summerlin house tonight. We could sit on the back deck, looking over the hills, and I would tell him that I had thought it over and, while I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, we could at least discuss it like the civil adults we were.
God, I was so embarrassed. My behavior had been terrible, immature and puerile. He deserved better from me, and I planned on giving it to him.
I made my way through the property and to the business offices, waving at the call center girls on my way by. Once I was on the third floor, I headed straight to my office, leaving the door wide open so that I wouldn’t miss Stone when he got back. I sat at the desk and opened my email, only to stand again in shock at what was waiting in my in box.
Photos.
Horrible, intrusive photos. Of me. And Stone. Right here in this office.
My blood ran cold as I scrolled through the email, my eyes skipping the text and immediately honing in on the photographs that would ruin my life if they got out.
I remembered the exact moment three weeks ago, me on my knees at my desk, Stone’s hand on my head, guiding me. There it was, in all its full color glory, splashed across my laptop screen like some armature porn site. Who the he
ll had taken these photos and what did they want?
The pictures moved from me on my knees, Stone’s dick buried to the hilt in my throat, to me on the desk, my head thrown back, tits out, looking for all the world like a complete and total hussy. Our faces were both clearly visible and there was no mistaking the location.
My hand shaking and my lunch threatening to make a reappearance, I scrolled back up to the top of the email to read the attached letter.
Hello whore;
I’m sure by now you know that there is no hope for you to have any kind of future with Pennington Hotels. However, if you don’t want these photos released and your reputation ruined forever, then you will do exactly what I say.
First, you will hand in your resignation to head office by midnight tonight.
Second, you will never again set foot on a Pennington Hotels property.
Third, you will delete this email and never speak of it again. To anyone.
If you refuse to follow any of these instructions, these pictures will be released, and everyone in the industry will know that Penelope Lund gets what she wants the old-fashioned way… on her knees.
Remember. Midnight tonight.
There was no signature, and I didn’t recognize the address as it came from one of those free to use email companies. This was ridiculous. Who would do such a thing?
Who would be so offended by Stone and I being together that they would go to such extreme lengths? My mind flashed back to Toby and the disgusted look on his face at the last meeting. He had certainly changed from the kind and caring person he had been on my first day here in Las Vegas.
But why would Toby want me to quit my job? Stop seeing Stone, sure. But leave the company? I didn’t see how that would benefit him in any way.
But then it hit me. Like a baseball bat to the face, and I knew. I had been so stupid. So naive to think that my effort, my drive and desire to succeed would mean anything in the long run. Because I had gone up against a giant, assuming I could beat her.
Constance Pennington-Grover.
The Cowboy and the Bombshell Page 21
