Page 69 of The Cowboy and the Bombshell
Drawing my attention back to Penelope, I saw her nodding furiously, her smile brighter than the desert sunshine. “Yes,” she gasped, throwing her arms around my neck, squeezing me tight. I never wanted her to let go. “Yes, I most certainly will. Thank you!”
She released me, much to my displeasure, and turned to Harold. “And thank you, so much. This opportunity is just beyond anything I could have imagined.”
“Well, you certainly deserve it,” he replied, draining the last of his glass and setting it on the bar behind him. “Both of you. Truly. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for one last time around the gauntlet. This may well be my last opportunity to schmooze with these fancy folks. After this, it’s all on you, son.” He laughed at my groan, slapping me on the back as he walked away.
Penelope wrapped her arm around my waist, snuggling in against my chest, and I couldn’t help the smile that appeared on my face. I loved that we had gotten to this place, that she was comfortable enough to just stand here like this, wrapped around me, and just be. It was important to her that she wasn’t judged for our relationship, and I completely agreed. For the most part, people had been very receptive, not caring one bit that we were an official couple. I did still catch the occasional dirty look from Toby, but we’d had a chat about that and I didn’t think he would be a problem anymore.
At least he better not be.
“I can’t believe this is real,” Penelope breathed, and I squeezed her close.
“Believe it, Blondie. It’s you and me against the world now.” I placed my finger under her chin, drawing her eyes to mine. “Forever.”
Her lips parted at the implication of my words, but instead of looking panicked, as she might have, her pupils expanded and she smiled wide again, showing me her perfect teeth and that gorgeous lip she liked to chew on. “You bet your ass it is, Cowboy.”
Taking her hand, we made our own circuit around the party, stopping at all the tables and glad-handing as many people as I could. Ava Carlisle was looking fierce and predatory in a blood red dress that didn’t hide a single thing, her long black hair pulled tightly back from her face. She introduced us to her highest of high rollers, a group of Japanese business men who could not say enough about ourQueens of the Alamo. God love Japan.
“I can’t believe the entertainment line up,” Penelope whispered, as another famous band made their way past us from one gaming table to the next. I watched as the lead singer settled at a blackjack table, while the other band members were a bit more interested in the women scattered around the place. “The entire first year is a different band every month. That arena space is gonna be packed every night.”
“That’s the idea. I have to admit, Carson lining up twelve different acts in the first year was a miracle. Most places struggle to convince one big name to commit at all.”
“I think it was the short-term contracts that did it. Everyone could come down and have fun, without having to give up other things, like tours or recording time. Carson is a genius.”
“He is,” I agreed. “But I’m working on something for next year that I think will be a perfect fit.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Do you know The Gun Show?”
“Know them?” she exclaimed, her eyes going huge. “I freaking love them! God, their last album was a masterpiece. Lyrics that would break your heart. Wait.” She turned and stepped in front of me, halting our movement with a palm on my chest. “Stone, are you telling me you have The Gun Show lined up forThe Alamo’s arena?”
“Hey, now,” I admonished, looking around to see if anyone had over heard. “Imayhave The Gun Show lined up. May have, Blondie. Don’t get your autograph book out just yet.”
“Stone, if you only knew! I tried to get tickets last time they played Madison Square Garden, but the price was way outside my price range. Hang on,” she said, her brain finally catching up the fangirl raging around inside her head. “Isn’t the lead singer in rehab?”
I grimaced. “Yeah,” I said. “Rem’s a good guy. He’s just been through some serious shit in his life. The last two or three years were really hard on him. I’ve talked to him a few times since he went in, and-”
“Holy shit!” her mouth gaped open and she pressed her hand to her own chest now. “Wait just a minute. Are you seriously telling me you know Remington Ford? Like,theRemington Ford? Lead singer of the hottest country rock band on the freaking planet?”
“Yes,” I said cautiously. “We used to hang back when I frequented Dirty Sixth.” I had known Remington since he was just a snot-nosed kid with a busted guitar and a leather jacket. But, damn, did that boy have talent. Life sure kicked him in the ass, though. I was hopeful that a steady gig atThe Alamo, and maybe my steady presence, could help him get back to the life he deserved. Because that guy deserved the world.
“Oh, my God, Stone! You have to introduce me. Please. Oh, please.” She looked like she was about to pass out.
“Well, I’m not sure I want to now. You might run away with him. Don’t girls have a thing for bad boy rock stars?”
She laughed, linking her arm with mine as we started walking again. “Not this girl. I’m more of a grumpy cowboy fan, myself.”
As we moved from the casino and out to the pool area, the place looking spectacular, all lit up against the darkness with decorative lighting, Penelope and I found ourselves wandering hand in hand back to the corral. We hadn’t been on horseback since that day in New York, there had just been way too much to do, but I planned on getting her out to the ranch again real soon. The Grand Opening was four weeks away; I was sure we could fit in a ride or two somewhere along the way.
Penelope leaned her elbows back against the fence rail, tipping her head up to look at the sky. The lights of the city took away some of the stars we had grown used to seeing in the desert sky, but I knew it was still an impressive sight. I, however, couldn’t take my eyes off her. Out here, we were alone, away from the crowds of the party, and the glow of the garden lights made her creamy skin shine like gold. Unable to help myself, I reached for her, leaning down and running my mouth over the delicate curve of her throat, feeling her pulse increase against my lips. After a few tender kisses I pulled back to look at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and parted lips. I’d give anything to be able to have her, here and now, but I knew that was not the right move, for either of us.
Didn’t stop me from thinking about it, though. Adjusting the tent that was forming in my pants, I backed off, hoping a bit of distance would make me presentable enough to re-enter the party soon. I didn’t stop touching her, though. I couldn’t, and so I kept one arm around her back, running my fingers over her neck and shoulders in a wispy pattern.
“Are you certain you’re okay with this, Blondie?” I asked, wanting to be absolutely sure this was her decision. “I know how much New York means to you.”
Penelope smiled at me, her gaze so full of love it completely blew me away. The fact that this woman, this sweet, kind, hardworking woman, felt that way about me was beyond comprehension. There was no way I was ever letting her go.
“Stone,” she said, her voice low in the dark. “Those days we spent apart, when I didn’t know if I would ever even talk to you again, they were the loneliest days of my life. I was home, in the city I grew up in, with my mom by my side, but I had never felt more alone.” Penelope leaned against me, pressing her full body against mine, her head on my chest, as if she could hear my heart calling for her. “The only place I want to be, Stone, is wherever you are.”
