If You Fall (Brimstone 1)

mewhere warm overlooking the ocean. You know, one of those cottages with nautical decorations,” he said and glanced around the bar. “Like this place has. Shells, paintings of old ships. Everything beach and sand and surf.”

“Sounds fantastic.”

I poured a drink and then turned back to Beckett. “Tell me more about Brimstone,” I said, wanting to give him the chance to talk about himself. “When did you start it, where did you get the idea?”

He took a sip of his beer and nodded. “I’m ultimately interested in how artificial intelligence can play a support role in the military. How it can improve communications and make for better outcomes. I was in a recon unit in Iraq and our biggest problem was communicating intel about potential threats when we found them. When I got back, it seemed logical for me to try to turn my computer skills to good instead of evil.”

I laughed at that. “You mean instead of making a zillion dollars in computer games?”

“Exactly,” he said. “Although we are creating computer games of a sort, but as a way to teach soldiers how to use our technology.”

Then he spent the next fifteen minutes telling me about Brimstone while I cleaned up my pour station and restocked my end of the bar so I could get off shift. I finally finished and untied my apron, hanging it up and ducking under the bar hatch.

“I have to go and sign out and do my cash-out,” I said, taking my cash tray out of the till. “I’ll be about ten. Do you mind waiting?”

Beckett shook his head. “No prob. I’ll finish my beer and watch the game.” He turned around on his stool and faced the flat screen TV that was on the opposite wall.

On my part, I went to the back of the restaurant and did a quick cash out, signing my deposit and placing it in the safe in the office. Then I went to the bathroom and checked myself out in the mirror. I’d had a long day of work and felt like I needed a shower. In fact, I knew I needed one. I wondered what Beckett would think if I asked to have a shower at his place, because I didn’t want to take him home to Dan’s parent’s place while I had a shower there. But I also wanted to be able to go back to his room, if the evening went that way.

I decided to get him to drop me off at home. I’d have a quick shower, change my clothes, and then I’d meet him for dinner.

Jeanne did say I needed to make a new life for myself…

Still, it made me cringe a bit inwardly that Scott and Jeanne would know I was seeing someone new – so close to the anniversary of Dan’s death on top of it.

I left the office and went out to the bar, pulling up and sitting on the stool beside Beckett. He turned and smiled when he saw me and then leaned in, kissing me softly on the lips before I could even think.

“So, are you hungry?” he asked.

I looked in his eyes, wondering if he was serious or was hoping we’d go right back to his hotel.

“I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything but bar garnish since noon.” I checked my watch. It was now ten fifteen.

“What do you feel like? I’d love some fish.”

“Sounds good to me,” I said with a smile. “You said Louis’s Backyard? It’s pretty decent seafood.”

“Great,” he said and finished his glass of beer. He stood and waved to the door, and then he offered me his arm. I took it and we walked out of the bar and into the warm late summer night.

“Before we eat, do you mind if I go home and have a quick shower and change?” I asked. “I feel pretty grimy after a long shift. You could drop me off and then I could meet you there.”

He stood by his bike, where a helmet was attached to the rear seat. “Look at me,” he said and pointed to his jeans and t-shirt. “I’m not all gussied up.”

I laughed at that. “I need a shower. I need clean clothes.”

He smiled. “Sure. I do, too. I’ll go back to the hotel and change. I can go to Louis’s and get a table. They have a nice patio overlooking the beach. Check out the stars.”

“Do you mind? I feel a bit weird bringing a strange man to the house.”

“Strange?” he said with a grin. “I’ll have you know I’m a completely middle of the road kind of guy. Don’t let this suave and debonair exterior fool you.”

We both smiled and I took the spare helmet from him, pulling it on and fastening the strap. He did the same and then sat on the bike, starting it up and revving the engine. I sat behind him, my feet on the bars and my arms on his shoulders.

“Hold on tight,” he said and we zoomed off. I had to slip my arms around him, and it felt so good, holding onto a man like that. We drove down the street to Scott and Jeanne’s house and he stopped the bike and took off his helmet when I took off mine.

“Don’t stand me up,” he said, looking at me from the corner of his eye. “I’ll be waiting for you at Louis’s.”

“I won’t stand you up,” I said, shaking my head. I handed him the helmet. “I’m hungry. They have great fresh fish and crab cakes.”