Chapter Three
Nolan
I hadn’t been here in years, and I was pretty sure I hadn’t brought a woman up here since my senior year of high school. Even though it was the type of place that would be sure to get a woman in the mood. I told myself I just didn’t want to wake Daniella, but part of me wondered if maybe I wanted Lacey all to myself. That, and I knew she’d be the type of woman to want to take things slow. This was my attempt at making tonight count as two dates.
Back then, if my parents had caught me sneaking a girl into my bedroom, it would have meant I was benched from football and given enough extra chores on the ranch to occupy all my free time. Which was why I’d lost my virginity here when I was seventeen. The place held some sentimental value. I was an only child, and my parent’s expectations were sky high. Probably how I ended up in the military. Discipline and hard work were bred into me from a young age.
“Where are we going?” Lacey’s small hand tightened around mine as she trotted along behind me in the moonlight.
“Not much further.”
I remembered each step like it was yesterday. The huge boulders resting against the side of the hill created a rocky cliff, the valley down below quiet and still. Far in the distance, lights twinkled in the darkness.
“Oh wow.” Lacey stopped behind me. “Is that downtown?”
I nodded. It was a pretty view. The peaceful stillness of the country contrasted sharply with the city lights, many miles away.
“After I retired from the military, this is where I came some sleepless nights. Just to think. And sit in the quiet,” I told her. It was also where I came when I was feeling sorry for myself, and to mourn everything I’d lost. But most of that was behind me now.
“Would you like to sit?” I motioned to the large outcrop that hung over the valley below.
“Sure.”
She took my hand again and I led her to the spot where the rock dipped down, creating the perfect ledge. The evening air was cool, as was the stone through our jeans, and Lacey nestled herself against my side. When I placed my arm around her small frame, she settled in beside me.
We talked about bands we liked, concerts we’d seen, and favorite movies without any awkward silences. It was fucking weird, actually. I hadn’t taken the time to just get to know a woman like this in a long time. Typically, if I left West’s with a woman, we were fucking within minutes. And within an hour, I was back home and in the shower. Alone.
I liked listening to Lacey talk. Her voice held no twang, despite her upbringing. It was sweet and soft and smoky. Intoxicating. I’d lost my accent in the military. Figured I couldn’t sound like the tough negotiator I wanted to be with a good-ole-boy accent.
“Do you travel much for work?” she asked, drawing me out of my thoughts.
“Not too much. A night or two occasionally is about the extent of it.”
She nodded as if that pleased her somehow. “So you haven’t dated anyone seriously . . . I mean, been monogamous in a long time?”
“Nope.”
“I see.”
She knew damn well there was a story there, but wasn’t going to press me for it right now. Good girl.
I knew I was emotionally crippled. I knew my limits, knew that all I could offer was physical exploration. Maybe friendship. Certainly nothing more. But with this woman, something felt different. She was warm and soft beside me, and she wanted to hear me talk about my background, my family. She was even curious about Daniella, but kept her questions fairly neutral.
“Thanks for bringing me out here. It’s beautiful, and it’s nice to get some fresh air.” She drew a big inhale. “Things were kind of rushed when I moved, and the only places I’ve seen have been the inside of my apartment and where I work.” She shifted beside me. “Haven’t even had a normal conversation in weeks.”
“Not running from the law, are you?” I asked, looking over at her in the moonlight.
Her gaze swung out toward the valley, and I took a moment to just watch her. The slope of her cheek. Her full, lush mouth. The slender column of her throat. She was stunning.
“Why, would that be a deal breaker for you?” She turned, smiling at me, but there was something sad in her eyes.
“We’ve all done some shit we’re not proud of.”
I looked out into the distance below. Her battle wounds might not be visible, but I sensed they were there, lurking under the surface just like mine.
I still didn’t have a handle on what was going on here, but temptation whispered to me over the rush of her heartbeat. It was crazy that even knowing it might not end well, I wanted her.
I left nothing to chance in my professional life; every possible scenario was accounted for. So why did I have the feeling my personal life was about to go sideways?
For now, I let myself soak in the silence. Her head rested on my shoulder, and we listened to the wind rustle the tall grasses below.
Chapter Four
Nolan
I set up the conference room’s projector as the rest of Redstone’s employees filed in. All fourteen of them were veterans, about half former Special Operations. I felt at home in the testosterone-packed atmosphere, but sometimes I wished my job featured a little more eye candy and a little less machismo.
Not everyone had left their military rivalries behind. Cocky taunts and trash-talking were the norm. Mixing a roomful of former SEALs, retired police officers, and ex-Delta Force was delicate enough, but when you added in the guys who bled the mantra once a Marine, always a Marine, forget about it.