Page 9 of Hiding with a Mountain Man

Sometimes I hate being the guy who does things by the book.

Eight

Blaze

I sit at my desk, a new client's file open before me, but my mind is a million miles away. The events of the past few days have left me reeling, and I find myself questioning everything I thought I knew about myself.

For years, I've believed that I was just really bad with women, that I was destined to be alone. But then Brooke walked into my life, and everything changed. Our connection is profound, genuine, and unlike anything I've ever experienced before. She's the one I've been waiting for all along.

As the gravity of this realization sinks in, my heart plummets. Doubts plague my mind, and I'm convinced that I'm not good enough for her. My age, my emotional baggage... how could I possibly be the man she deserves? Brooke is young, vibrant, with a bright future ahead of her. I can't hold her back.

"Get your mind right, Blaze. You've got to move on." Talking to myself doesn't help.

I try to focus on work, but my thoughts keep drifting to Brooke. I stare out at the breathtaking mountain view outside my window, lost in my inner turmoil. The file in front of me blurs, and I can't seem to make sense of the words.

"Mitch?" Her whispered voice jolts me from my reverie, catching me off guard. I swivel my chair to face her, my heart racing at the sight of her standing in my doorway.

"Brooke, what are you doing here?" I ask, my voice hoarse with emotion.

She takes a step into my office, her eyes locked on mine. "I couldn't leave things unfinished between us. I need to know... do you really not want this? Us?"

I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. I don't have the energy to keep up the farce, so I just tell the truth. "It's not that simple, Brooke. This is the honest truth. I'm too old for you, I've got too much baggage. You deserve better than me."

Brooke shakes her head, a fierce determination in her eyes. "That's not true, Mitch. I don't give a shit how old you are, and we all have baggage. You got a front row seat to some of my baggage before you knew anything about me. What matters is how we feel about each other."

She takes another step closer, and I can feel the warmth radiating from her body. "And I know how I feel about you, Mitch. I've never felt this way about anyone before. You make me feel safe, cherished, and alive in ways I never thought possible."

"Look, Brooke, that's sweet of you to say, but you're probably still a little shaky over Vincent showing up and all. I know I make you feel safe. I'm pretty good at my job." I can't believe I'm being so callous, but as much as I want her in my life, I can't do this to her.

"So you think I fell for you because you're a big bad Navy SEAL? Grow the hell up." She puts her hands on her hips and glares at me.

"Huh?" I'm shocked at how she's standing up to me.

"You heard me loud and clear. But here's the deal. You're a big bad dude who's afraid to fall in love. Oh you could kick down doors without thinking twice about it, but letting a woman get close to you scares you to death." She's not backing down and I'm not really sure what to do.

And then my heart swells at how she's standing up for what she wants and for us. Suddenly I'm closing the distance between us and reaching for her, pulling her into my arms. "Brooke, I... I don't know what to say. I want this, I want you, but you're right. I am scared. Scared of hurting you, of not being enough."

"Oh, Mitch. Just stop overthinking it. Everything's a risk. But I know deep down in my soul that we are worth the risk."

She's won me over. I see her point and I actually agree. "Sorry for being such a dumbass."

"No worries," she says with a laugh. "Just don't let it happen again."

I lean down and kiss her with a passion I know will never dim. She's worth doing it scared.

Epilogue

Brooke

Six Months Later

I sit close beside Mitch at the breakfast bar, our knees brushing as we sip our coffee. The morning sunlight streams through the windows, casting a warm glow across his handsome face. I can't help but smile, remembering our passionate lovemaking before we managed to drag ourselves out of bed.

"I don't know how I can ever thank you enough," I say softly, meeting his blue eyes. "For getting Vincent out of my life for good."

Mitch chuckles, his hand finding mine and giving it a squeeze. "That was more his lack of character than any amazing skills on my part."

"Oh, I don't know about that," I tease, arching an eyebrow. "I seem to recall you having some pretty amazing skills..."

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