Page 7 of Stone

“Earth to Nola.”

With a jolt, she looked back at Lainie. “Sorry. Long day.” She found a smile for her friend. “I got a new listing. A big one in the High Line Tower.”

Hadley leaned forward. “Fancy.”

“Are you in the market?” Nola asked.

The brunette smiled. “We already have a nice place.”

Nola knew that in the huge warehouse that Killian had converted into the Sentinel Security offices, he also had magnificent apartments on the upper levels. He offered his employees cheap rent and a short commute. She guessed that was why Knox had found a place so easily.

“Your husband is a billionaire,” Nola said to Hadley. Bennett owned Secura—a company that specialized in high quality supplies for the military, including body armor, uniforms, and meals. “And you two do have a baby on the way.”

Nola nodded her head at Hadley’s small baby bump.

Hadley laughed. “I don’t think our baby needs a new multimillion-dollar penthouse, but if it does, you’ll be the first to know.”

As Nola half listened to Gabbi and Lainie talking, she swirled the last of her drink around her glass. That’s when she spotted Knox heading toward the bar. She tossed back the last of her drink. “I need another cocktail. Anyone need anything?”

“I have all the sparkling juice I can manage.” Lainie pulled a face and patted her belly. “I can’t wait until I can have a glass of wine again.”

“I’ll be right back,” Nola said.

She strode across the busy bar, her gaze locked on Knox. He’d taken his jacket off and that gray shirt—the same color as his eyes—fitted him so well. As he leaned against the bar, she admired the way his dark jeans hugged his ass.

“So.” She leaned on the bar next to him.

He stiffened.

That was hell on a girl’s confidence. “You’re just going to ignore me. Kiss my brains out, then act like I’m poison?”

“Nola.” He sighed. “Look, I’m a Marine, and we live by a code. Always be faithful, especially to our fellow brothers. That code includes not fucking around with someone else’s wife or fiancée. It also includes the little sisters of co-workers.”

“You aren’t in the military anymore. And I happen to be an adult.”

His jaw tightened. “You’re too young for me, anyway.”

Nola laughed. “I’m about to turn thirty-two. My friends are all lamenting about not being young anymore.”

“You’ve got a long way to go.” He lifted his drink—he’d switched to whiskey now. He’d rolled up his sleeves. She saw the tattoo on his forearm—a mix of an American flag, and the Marine Corps emblem—the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

She tamped down her hormones. “I like you, Knox. It’s been a long time since I felt like that about anyone.” Let alone a guy she’d just met. God, she was really putting herself out there, and it was a little scary. But she was sick of games, dating apps, and bad dates. “I like you a lot.” She leaned in. “I really liked that kiss.”

She saw the flash in his gray eyes and the way his fingers tightened on his glass. “Nola, you’re attractive…”

She tensed. He hadn’t said that in a happy tone.

“Tell me the truth,” he said. “You want to get married someday?”

“To the right guy? Yes.”

“Kids?”

She swallowed. “Eventually.”

“Right, and I’m past that. I tried marriage once, and it wasn’t my thing.”

He’d been married? “When?” She didn’t like the idea of him linked to another woman.

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