Taking another breath, letting the quiet of the day fill me up for a moment, I sat on my horse and just looked.
I looked at a landscape I had never in my whole life expected to be near, appreciating every nuanced level of its harsh beauty.
I looked at the empty tract of land and water, wondering if we would see even one other person for the rest of our ride, and trying to remember if I had ever felt so…liberated in my entire life. So free from the day to day constraints of life and the pressures of society in general.
And I looked at Stone, waiting patiently for me to have my moment, not a care in the world beyond what I would say next.
That was a powerful feeling in and of itself. I didn’t know what to do with it.
“No,” I said quietly, not taking my eyes off the water. “The reason I love True Grit the most is because Rooster Cogburn is a flawed man. He’s the law, being the U.S. Marshall, and so he’s held to a standard above most folks, even though he’s just as human as they are. But, even with all his flaws, he’s still a man of honor and integrity and he wakes up every day and does what’s right. No matter the cost.”
I closed my eyes against the sting of tears that surfaced as memories of my dad assaulted me from all sides. How much he loved being a police officer, and how, sometimes, people hated him for doing his job.
And what that job had ultimately cost him, cost us, as a family. As a city.
As a nation.
It was a price a lot of us were still paying.
When I opened my eyes, I found Stone staring at me intently, the look on his face one I couldn’t quite read. After a moment he smiled, one side of his mouth curving up. “Yeah,” he agreed. “That just might be the best after all.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Penelope
“Our new hire targets are behind in regards to our casino floor staff and dealers right now,” Gideon Langford, Gaming Manager for The Alamo stated flatly, looking only mildly annoyed by this fact. “The staff that we do have is scheduled to start their training in two weeks, but we are doing another wave of interviews before then, so I am hopeful that the remainder of the positions will be filled in time to join them.”
Those of us seated around the table nodded as I looked at each of them in turn. I had been here in Las Vegas for almost two months, and these weekly executive meetings had gotten more and more tense as the date of the Soft Launch crept up on us. There was just so much left to do, and time was running out. Gideon was not the only one behind on his hires, as all departments seemed to be scrambling for staff. Geoff Yates, the food and beverage manager, had complained that two of his sous-chefs had quit this week, leaving for other opportunities, and his server and bartender teams were not complete either. Operations manager, Curtis Jones, was still looking for appropriate people to fill the shift managers positions in both guest services and housekeeping, and Silas, who was head of hotel security, was in the process of doing background checks on everyone who applied for any position, but close to completing his own team of security staff.
All in all, things were behind schedule and heading towards being over budget, and the scowl on Stone’s face only supported what everyone in the room was feeling; stress.
“Let me know if you need to branch out as far as where you are looking for potential hires,” Stone said gruffly. “I want these positions filled as soon as possible. Our staff should all be well trained for our Soft Launch in six weeks so that every guest has the Pennington Hotels Experience, no matter how new this hotel is.”
Gideon nodded, his face showing no indication of how he felt regarding Stone’s statement. I had found that that was just Gideon, though. He was stoic, rarely showing anything beyond and eyebrow raise or a nod. Where Stone was a grouch, at least to most people, his face usually set in an expression of annoyance tinged with a dash of anger, Gideon was carefully blank. His features always looked carved out of marble, his dark skin and deep brown eyes barely moving as he surveyed the room around him. He was intimidating, that was for sure. Where Stone’s moods had raised a fire in me, prompting me to dish out his own crankiness right back at him, Gideon caused me to hesitate, never sure how to approach him or how any interaction would be received.
It was for all those reasons that I hesitated before I spoke now. “If you’d like, Mr. Langford,” I started, going for polite and respectful. “I could post on our social media accounts. Since we have started here, our follows have increased significantly. I’m sure, between our own followers and any corresponding shares, we could reach a few million people by the end of the day.”
Every head at the table turned my way, but I didn’t take my eyes off Gideon, willing myself not to falter under his intense gaze. His eyes roamed over my face, seemingly searching for something. After a moment, he pursed his lips and nodded. “That may be beneficial. Thank you.”
I shot him a full smile, pleased to have gotten a positive response. I really just liked being helpful, but getting a nod from Gideon seemed like an extra win.
“Thank you, Miss Lund,” Stone said, sending a smile of his own my way. “That’s an excellent idea.”
His comment received a derisive snort from Toby, and I turned see him glaring at me coldly.
“Is there a problem, Mr. Reynolds?” Stone asked, as the tension in the room rose another notch. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. I had a feeling I knew what was bothering Toby, but there was no way I wanted it discussed at the table.
“Nope,” Toby replied, popping the “P” and leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. “No problem. I’m being totally professional, right Penelope?”
In reality, he was being totally disrespectful, both to Stone and me, and to the others attending this meeting. I glanced around, seeing confusion on the faces of the others, except for Gideon, who was looking at Toby with that same impassive expression, even if his eyes were narrowed slightly.
Everyone was quiet, watching as Stone and Toby squared off across the conference table. I could see Stone’s jaw muscles clenching, knowing he was doing everything he could to refrain from exploding at Toby. I had asked Stone when we first got together to please be discreet at work. Everyone knows what happens to a woman’s career when she sleeps with the boss. I can’t imagine that situation gets any better when the Human Resources Manager considers himself the spurned party. Stone was sticking to my request, even though I could see it was hard for him. I had to step in before things went from bad to worse.
“Of course, Mr. Reynolds is being professional. He has always been above reproach, and I am sure we all appreciate him for it.”
Toby rolled his eyes, clearly insulted by my comments. Stone stood up from his place at the head of the table and for a second I thought he was going to get physical. But he simply gathered his things, then leveled Toby with his best intimidating look and said, “I think we are finished here for today. If anyone has anything further they’d like to say, I’ll be available.”
Everyone took that as their queue to hightail it back to their respective offices, with Toby leading the way, slamming the door open in a huff.
Damn. That was becoming a serious problem.
Soon Stone and I were the only ones left in the room. He held his rigid posture until the door closed behind the last person, then exhaled a huge breath of air, leaning back in the chair and dragging his hand over his face in exasperation.
“Shit,” he breathed.
“Yeah,” was all I could think of to say in return.
“I gotta say, I didn’t expect that from him.”
“Neither did I, to be honest.” I chewed on my lower lip, nervously running through different scenarios in my mind. All of them ended up with me losing my job in disgrace. “Do you think he’ll say anything? About… us.” I hedged, wondering if there was an ‘us’ to be mentioning. Stone and I hadn’t had discussed what we were, both of us content to just enjoy the time we had together. But now that the end was closer than the beginning, it seemed like tal
king about it was inevitable.
I’d still rather not, though. Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
Stone grunted. “I doubt it. His pride is wounded, so I don’t think he’ll want the whole world knowing he lost.”
“Lost?”
He turned to me, one side of his mouth lifting in a playful smirk. “Yeah, Blondie. I got the girl.”
I blushed, but said nothing. We still had to have that talk, after all. No matter how close Stone and I had gotten, there was still a lot of things standing between us, and about seventeen hundred miles.
Gathering my things, I headed back to my office and started drawing up the ads for our needed staff members. Normally, I would contact Toby to get lists of job requirements and qualifications for each position, but I figured that now would not be a good time. Instead I sent off an email to his assistant, and had several great posts created in short order.
I was just finishing the last post when Stone knocked on my open door. Glancing at the clock, I realized it was later than usual.
“Sorry,” I said. “Am I holding you up? I am almost finished for the night.”
Stone entered my office and closed the door behind him, twisting the lock before strolling towards me. “Good, because we are the last ones here right now.” He said, his voice low and husky. Watching him stalk across the room and around my desk sent adrenaline coursing through my system. He moved slowly, coming to stand behind my chair, leaning over as he had before. Only this time, he pressed his lips to my neck while trailing his fingers up and down my arms. I shivered, my body coming alive at his touch. “So, I was thinking,” he whispered, his mouth right by my ear, causing desire to pool low in my belly. “That maybe we could take advantage of this situation.”
“Oh,” I said, my mouth suddenly dry. “And what, exactly, did you have in mind, Mr. Montgomery?” I used his preferred name this time, not wanting to do anything that might make him change his plans for me.
“First,” he said, turning my chair sideways and standing before me. ”I was thinking that I would start by kissing you.” With that he pressed a kiss to my lips, warm and tender. He continued, deepening the kiss, placing his hands on either side of my face, cradling me.
I kissed him back fiercely, the fire in my belling growing, becoming an inferno. It was like that every time Stone touched me. He created a storm inside me, one that only he could put out.
Pulling back from his kiss, I leaned back in the chair, watching as he stood straight. When he released me, I smiled at him, then slid from the chair and to my knees in front of him. I could see the realization in his eyes when he caught on to my intentions, and then watched as his gaze filled with heat and lust.
Turning to the task at hand, I ran one hand over his hard length, caressing it through his jeans. I could hear the slow and deep intake of breath as I did, and it made my heart swell with pride that I could do this to him. That I could make him feel good, the same way he did for me.
Continuing to stroke him with one hand, I used the other to open his belt, pulling the large buckle out and releasing the strap of leather. I glanced up at Stone again as I used both hands to pop the button on his jeans, watching him watch me as I slowly drew the zipper down, revealing the large bulge behind a pair of black boxer briefs. Working the jeans off his hips and butt, I let them drop as I once again began stroking him, one hand working his erection, the other trailing slowly up and down his muscular thigh, feeling him flex every time I changed direction, trying to keep him guessing as to my next move.
Releasing him, I placed both hands on his hips, sliding my fingers under the waist band of his underwear, pausing a moment as I leaned in, dragging my nose up his length from base to dip, inhaling the rich, musky scent that was delicious and purely Stone.
Stone groaned, and I smiled again as I slowly began to roll his boxer briefs down his legs, revealing him to me in all his hot, hard glory. Once he was clear of his shorts, I grasped him at the base, giving one slow pump before extending my tongue, circling the tip once, twice, then wrapping my lips around the head. His taste melted against my tongue, the light salty flavor filling my mouth and sending liquid heat through my system. I began to move, pulling him deep, then retreating, working my tongue in tandem with my hand, the rhythm building to a steady pace. I could hear Stone’s breathing increase, his low grunts letting me know when I’d done something particularly enjoyable, and he placed one hand on my head, not forcing, but gently guiding me to the things he liked best. He released a strangled moan when I brought my other hand up to cup his balls, rolling them lightly in my palm before giving a gentle tug.
Suddenly, Stone pulled away, grasping my wrist and pulling me to my feet. He slammed his mouth down against mine, his tongue pressing in forcefully as he wrapped his arms around me.
“Fuck, Penelope,” he grated out, his forehead resting against mine as he caught his breath. After a moment, he kissed me again, quick and hard, then turned and shoved all the things on my desk to one side, my papers flying off on to the floor, the laptop turned sideways and balanced precariously close to the edge.
It was so hot.
I let out a squeak when Stone grasped the hem of my pencil skirt, hiking it up high over my hips, then pulling my thong down to my knees. On his way back up, he lifted me, placing my behind on the desk where my computer was just sitting, and dragging my underwear all the way off my feet, tossing them behind him in a casual move, his cocky grin making my nipples tighten and throb under my shirt.
I looked at him with wide eyes as he drew a condom out of his wallet, rolling it on and then grasping my thighs and slowly drawing them apart, his eyes trained on my wet core, his smirk fully in place. Rocking my hips in a needy dance, I reached for him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and pressing kisses to his neck, the days’ stubble tickling my lips.
“Please,” I begged softly, wanting him inside me. Needing him inside me.
“I’d like to fuck you on your desk, Miss Lund,” Stone growled, the blunt head of his dick poised at my entrance enticingly. “Would that be alright with you?”
“Yes,” I gasped, trying to shift my hips forward and guide him inside, but he pulled away, teasing me, as his one hand trailed down my collar bone and over by breast, massaging gently. “Oh, God, yes.”
“That’s my girl,” he breathed against my neck, the words sending a thrill through my chest. I tried not to let them send my mind places it shouldn’t go, focusing instead on the feel of him entering me, stretching me slowly as he pressed inside. Every inch he gained caused my hands to clutch at him tighter, my fingers digging into his shoulders as I took reveled in the feel of his possession. When he was pressed against me as tight as he could go, Stone paused, staring at me, his eyes filled with so much fire and something else I still couldn’t name.
Or maybe I just didn’t want to.
I closed my eyes as he kissed me again and started to move, his hips picking up what was becoming a familiar rhythm, both of us falling smoothly into each other. I kept one hand on his shoulder, the other I stretched behind me, leaning back on the desk to be able to move with him. Stone tugged the sides of my wrap blouse open, revealing my creamy lace bra, and bent forward, his mouth working my nipple through the pale fabric, sending a shock wave directly to my clit. I moaned, leaning my head back, as Stone drove us both closer and closer.
My breathing became ragged, Stone released my breast and dropped his hand between us, his thumb pressing firm circles on my sensitive bundle of nerves. “Yes, Penelope,” he said harshly, his teeth gritted as he held himself back to wait for me. It only took two more strokes and I exploded, my mouth falling open in a silent scream as my muscles clamped down and wave after wave of bliss surged through my body.
I felt Stone pickup his pace, his rhythmic strokes faltering as he chased his own release. When he reached it, he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and drew me into another soul-stealing kiss. We stayed like that, joined in every way possible, until bot
h of us had calmed our breathing, Stone trailing his finger tips lightly up and down the back of my neck.
Neither of us said anything, content to just be, until the sound of Stone’s phone ringing forced us back to reality. I winced slightly as he pulled out, my delicate parts tender from all the activity they had seen in the last few weeks. Stone quickly disposed of the condom, then grabbed his phone from his pocket and answered as he pulled his pants up.
“Yeah,” he said, his gruff personality firmly back in place. I smiled and shook my head, slipping off the desk and searching out my panties. “What do you mean, they’re wrong?” Stone barked. I stood, panties back in place, and met his eyes, noticing he was frowning in my direction. “I’m sure it was just a mistake. I’ll look into it and have it corrected right away. Thanks for letting me know.” He hung up without saying goodbye. Such a guy thing to do.
“What is it?” I asked, a sense of dread already replacing my bliss from the very excellent desk sex.
“That was Gideon,” Stone said carefully. “He said that your new job postings are garnering a ton of interest.” I smiled wide before he continued. “It’s most likely because the hourly wages are all wrong.”
“What?” I gasped, bliss now completely forgotten as I pushed Stone away from my desk and retrieved my computer. “That’s not possible. I got all the information from the Assistant Human Resources manager just today. Everything should be accurate.” I quickly opened the first post I had made, seeing the amount of likes and comments was through the roof, but that Stone and Gideon were both correct; the listed hourly wage for the position was double what it should be. “What the hell? That is not what I posted,” I insisted, switching to the email program and looking again at the information I had received that contained the correct numbers.
The Cowboy and the Bombshell Page 20