Lone Star Lovers

The valet had moved Pen’s car next to his in the cobblestone drive. Her white Audi sat gleaming next to his black Porsche. He opened her car door but before he closed her inside, stole another kiss for the road.

“You’ll be hearing from me, Mr. Ferguson.”

“I’ll be expecting a full report, Ms. Brand.”

She looked sleepy and adorable, as well she should after he’d kept her up all night. He opened his mouth to add that he was in no hurry for her to wrap things up with Yvonne, but instead he backed away and watched as she drove off.

* * *

A week later Zach was sitting in his office, Penelope on the other side of his desk. She’d come to Ferguson Oil to discuss the details of the Yvonne Tsunami, which was swallowing up way too much of his time.

The arrangement was far from the way he wanted to spend time with Pen. For starters, she was way too clothed for his taste, and secondly, his brother was brooding in the corner, arms folded over his suit.

Zach stood in frustration the moment Pen stopped talking.

“I won’t do it,” he said, his words clipped.

“Hear her out,” Chase advised from his position near the window. Dallas’s cityscape shone outside in the sunny day, several buildings dwarfed from Zach’s top-floor vantage.

“I heard her out,” Zach told his meddling brother. He softened his voice with Pen, but kept a position of strength when he leaned over his desk to address her where she sat in his guest chair. “I’m not giving Yvonne any money.”

“Zach...” Her pink mouth parted to argue and he cut her off.

“No.” His desk phone chirped and he pushed a button. “Yes, Sam?”

His male assistant rattled off the name of an investor who was waiting on the line.

“Zach will call him back,” Chase called loud enough to be heard.

“Yes, sir.” Sam clicked off.

Zach sent his brother a death glare. Chase was unperturbed. He was in one of the highest ranks of government. A wilting glare from his younger brother wasn’t going to rankle him anytime soon.

“Listen.” Penelope stood, eye level with Zach since he was still looming over the desk. Her pale blue eyes locked with his and she softened her voice. “Yvonne has threatened to make more noise about your marriage. This could not only harm your newly minted position as Ferguson Oil’s CEO, but also put a dent in the mayor’s approval rating.”

Zach fought a growl. Chase’s mayoral reputation had been overshadowing everything for the past decade. God, how Zach hated politics. Unfortunately, he loved his brother, so he had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time he did something he didn’t want to do for Chase’s career.

“It’s a relatively small amount of money to ensure her silence,” Pen continued. “The world knows you were married, but I wouldn’t put it past her to make up a few unbecoming stories and share them on social media. I’ve seen exes go public with false facts before.” Her eyebrows lifted in determination.

“And if she goes against the agreement?” Chase asked, stepping into their tight circle.

“She’ll have to pay Zach ten times the amount we’re paying for her silence.”

Chase and Zach exchanged glances.

“Short of that,” Pen said, folding her arms to mirror Chase. “Zach could get ahold of a time machine and steer clear of the Chapel of Love last New Year’s Eve.”

“I don’t like it,” Zach told both of them.

“You don’t have to like it. You just have to do it.” Pen’s voice was tender, reminding him of the gentle way she moaned when he was in bed with her three days ago. When he’d struck the pretend fiancée agreement with her, he’d hoped they’d share a bed more often than once a week. She’d been doing a good job of avoiding him on that front.

“Zach.” Chase’s voice crashed into Zach’s fantasy about the blonde in front of him.

“Fine,” he said between his teeth. “Now get out.”

Chase let the command roll off him. “I have a lunch with important people. Penelope. Thank you.”

“Anytime, Mr. Mayor.” When he was gone, the door shut behind him, Zach breached the few inches separating him and Pen, tugged her by the nape of the neck and kissed her mouth. She hummed, her eyelids drooping in satisfaction.

“Where have you been hiding?” He thumbed her bottom lip when she pulled back too soon.

“I’ve been working. On your problems and a few others.”

“None are my sister’s I take it?”

“No.” She shouldered her purse and tucked away her cell phone. “None are Stefanie’s. She’s been on her best behavior.”

“Have dinner with me,” he said as she pivoted on one high, high heel.

Pen peeked over her shoulder and Zach allowed his gaze to trickle down her fitted white jacket and short white skirt. Her platinum-blond hair was in a ponytail at the back of her head, the smooth length of it brushing her shoulder when she turned her head.

“I’m... I have to check my schedule.”

“You have to make an appearance with me. Especially if we’re going to approach Yvonne with a deal.” Yvonne believed Zach and Pen were engaged. Everyone who’d attended his brother’s party believed they were engaged.

“Okay. Dinner.”

He pulled his shoulders back, proud to get a yes out of the evasive woman in front of him. His eyes dipped to the cleavage dividing the neckline of a sapphire blue shirt.

“And after dinner, you can come home with me.”

She opened her mouth, maybe to protest, but smiled in spite of herself. He tucked two fingers into her shirt and pulled her closer, brushing her perky breasts.

“I’ll make you breakfast in the morning,” he told her. “And afterward, I’ll make you something to eat.”

She rolled her eyes but a soft chuckle escaped her. It was a yes if he’d ever heard one.

“I’ll pick you up at your place at seven.”

“I have to work late.”

Zach was already back at his desk. “No. You don’t. Seven o’clock.”

He punched a button and summoned Sam. “Make reservations at One Eighty for myself and Ms. Brand for seven this evening.”

“One Eighty?” Pen’s brow rose. Was she impressed? He hoped so.

“Have you been?”