Page 37 of The Cowboy and the Bombshell
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 ofThe Alamowould 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.
