Page 18 of My Ex-Military Mountain Man

"Twenty-three confirmed kills in Afghanistan. Seventeen in Syria. Plus whatever collateral damage wasn't officially recorded." The facts come out flat, emotionless, as I wastrained to report. "The sanctuary has twenty-seven successful rehabilitations and releases. Not even close to balanced."

Nicole's expression doesn't change to horror or judgment as I half-expected. Instead, there's a thoughtful solemnity, an acknowledgment of the weight these numbers carry for me.

"You were a soldier following orders," she says quietly. "In impossible situations most of us can't imagine."

"Special Forces," I correct. "And following orders doesn't absolve responsibility."

She considers this, her eyes never leaving mine. "No, it doesn't. But it contextualizes it." She gestures to the sanctuary around us. "Just as this contextualizes who you are now."

"Who I am now," I repeat, finding the words less hollow than usual. "A man trying to save wild creatures as if that could somehow make up for what I've done."

"For what humans do to each other," Nicole says softly, stepping even closer. "For what you were asked to do in service to your country."

She's close enough now that I can see flecks of amber in her brown eyes, close enough that I'm aware of her breathing, the slight rise and fall of her chest. There should be an instinct to step back, to reestablish distance, but it doesn't come.

"Jack," she says, her voice gentle but firm. "Balance isn't measured in numbers. And redemption isn't a mathematical equation."

Her words break through defenses built over years of isolation and self-punishment. Without a second thought, I reach for her hand, a gesture I haven't initiated with anyone in longer than I can remember.

She accepts it without hesitation, her fingers warm against mine.

"What you're doing here matters," she continues. "Not because it cancels out your past, but because it honors your future. Your capacity to heal rather than harm."

"I haven't let anyone see this place," I say quietly. "Not really. Not the way you're seeing it."

"I know," she replies, her thumb tracing a light pattern on the back of my hand. "Thank you for trusting me with it."

Nicole is looking up at me, her expression open, unguarded. I find myself leaning slightly forward, drawn by a pull I haven't felt in years. Her plump lips part slightly, her eyes questioning but not retreating.

We're close enough now that I can feel the warmth of her breath, close enough that the smallest movement would bring us together. The sanctuary, my isolation, the boundaries I've maintained… All of it seems to vanish, leaving only this moment, this woman, this connection neither of us could have predicted.

Chapter 7 - Nicole

When his lips meet mine, the contact is electric.

His hand is trembling slightly where it still holds mine, and the trees around us whistle softly in the autumn breeze, nature's own soundtrack to this unexpected moment.

I respond quickly, my free hand moving to his toned chest beneath his shirt. The kiss continues, neither of us willing to break this sudden, intense connection.

When we finally part, both slightly breathless, Jack's eyes search mine as if looking for regret or hesitation.

"This is..." he begins, his voice rough.

"Completely unprofessional," I finish for him, but I can't stop a smile from forming. "And completely unavoidable, apparently."

His brow furrows slightly. "You're only here for another day."

"I know," I acknowledge, my hand still resting against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "This isn't exactly in my treatment plan for the eagle."

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Definitely not standard protocol."

"Nothing about you or this place is standard, Jack." I meet his gaze directly. "I should probably care more about that than I do right now."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "This feels... right. And wrong. Both at once."

"Yes," I agree softly. "But right now, 'right' is winning."

Something shifts in his expression then… A decision made, hesitation abandoned. Without warning, he bends and scoops me up with one strong arm, lifting me against his chest as ifI weigh nothing. The sudden movement surprises a laugh from me.

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