Page 5 of Hiding with a Mountain Man

Mitch's words bring a sense of comfort, and I find myself relaxing into the moment. The waiter arrives with our burgers, and as we dig in, Mitch shares a bit about his life before starting Blaze Security.

"I spent 20 years in the Navy, you know," he says between bites. "I'd always planned to stay for that long. I loved life in the military and I considered staying for one more tour, but I knew it was time for a change."

I lean forward, intrigued. "What made you decide to start your own security company?"

Mitch takes a sip of his drink, considering his response. "I wanted to do something that would allow me to help people, to make a difference. And I figured with my background, I could offer a unique perspective."

I nod, understanding the desire to find purpose and meaning in one's work. "That's admirable. It must have been a big adjustment, leaving the service after so long."

"Oh, it was," Mitch admits, his eyes taking on a distant look. "The Navy was my life for so long, and walking away... it felt like leaving a part of myself behind."

"Do you regret it?" I expected him to express some sort of regret, but he surprised me.

"Not for a minute. There was a huge adjustment period, but I don't regret getting out when I did." His eyes were clear and I could tell he was absolutely telling the truth.

"Why do you think you don't have regrets?" I'm genuinely curious and I hope he can see that I'm interested in his story. In him.

"Well, I gave my all every single day from the minute I went into basic training in Great Lakes. I was on the SEAL track from the day I enlisted. So I went directly to Coronado right after basic was over. And my dedication never stopped. To the Navy. To my country. To my brothers. Especially my brothers." He chuckled. "Those guys. We had some crazy times."

"I think I understand. Serving and brotherhood. Something that's still part of your life." I nod and smile feeling like I've gotten a little view into what drives him.

As we continue to talk, I'm drawn to Mitch's openness and honesty. He shares a few stories of his time in the service, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned. I listen intently, appreciating the vulnerability he displays in sharing such personal experiences with me.

Suddenly, Mitch's expression shifts, and he looks at me with an intensity that catches me off guard. "Brooke, since we're being honest, I feel like I need to tell you that I haven't been able to keep you out of my thoughts since the moment you walked into my office. I know there's a significant age difference between us, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

I feel my cheeks flush, a mixture of surprise and something else—a fluttering sensation in my stomach that I can't quite place. No one has ever looked at me the way Mitch is looking at me now, with a combination of desire and genuine care.

"Mitch, I..." I start, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know what to say."

He reaches across the table, his hand gently covering mine. "You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know how I feel, and that I'm here for you, in whatever capacity you need me to be."

I'm truly thankful for his honesty and I'm flattered. "Thank you for telling me. And I appreciate your help more than I could ever express."

"Look, I can have Jett or Dillon take point. They can keep me informed, but one of them can work with you directly if you prefer." I can tell he's pulled a neutral mask over his face so I don't see his disappointment.

"I want you." I realize this is true in more ways than one.

Five

Blaze

The anticipation builds inside me as I turn to Brooke, my heart pounding. "Hey, want to come to my place tonight for a movie? My apartment's on the top floor of the building."

Her eyes light up, a smile spreading across her face. "Um, yeah, sure. That sounds great, Mitch."

"Perfect. Why don't you drop your bag off in the guest apartment and then head on up whenever you're ready?"

Brooke nods, excitement evident in her expression. "I'll be there soon."

As I wait for her, I pace my living room, wrestling with the urge to offer a tour of my home. The temptation to show her my bedroom, to let things escalate, pulses through me. But I shake my head, knowing I need to maintain control. She needs to stay away from my bedroom.

A knock at the door jolts me from my thoughts. I open it to find Brooke standing there, her presence instantly filling the space. "Come on in," I say, gesturing her inside.

"Wow, Mitch, this place is incredible," she remarks, taking in open layout and contemporary design.

"Thanks. Hey, want to help me get some snacks ready?"

"Sure, what did you have in mind?"

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