If You Fall (Brimstone 1)

“Oh, God,” she said and gasped. “He wouldn’t have hurt you, would he?”

I sighed. “Who can say? I can’t believe he would, but he was drunk and could have if Beckett hadn’t come by.”

“Thank God he did.”

“Yeah,” I said, remembering the relief I felt when I saw Beckett. “Thank God.”

Leah spoke again, her voice soft. “So you two are back together? Tell me you’re back together.”

“We’re back together,” I said and smiled, barely able to believe it. “I forgave him for lying to me.”

“He didn’t lie,” she said. “He just didn’t tell you everything.”

“That’s what he said.” I laughed softly. “You know that he actually went to the bar and spoke to Gramps about me?”

“He told us that last night,” Leah said. “He is so in love with you, Mira. Poor bastard.”

I smiled to myself but didn’t say anything but inside, I said I love him in my mind.

I felt so guilty even thinking it, but it was true. I realized that I loved him.

“I’m glad you’re giving him another chance.”

“I am, too,” I said finally and rubbed my eyes. “I have to have a shower and leave. We’ll talk later.”

“I’ll be waiting for your call, sweets. I’m so glad, hun. I know he’ll make you happy.”

I ended the call and sat there in the bathroom, the biggest grin on my face.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Beckett

Miranda had already showered and dressed by the time I woke. She bent down over me as I lay in bed and kissed me, smiling when she met my eyes.

“You’re a sleepyhead,” she said and snuggled against me.

“I haven’t been sleeping well and I guess I was exhausted. Plus, you wore me out,” I said with a laugh. “How come you’re dressed? Are you going to deny me an early morning delight?”

“I am,” she said and tried to sneak away when I grabbed her. “I have to go back to my place and get my stuff. I have an early class.”

“Damn,” I said and let her go with extreme reluctance. “What about lunch?”

“It’s still on,” she said and stood by the side of the bed. “There’s still a lot I want to ask you.”

I nodded. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Now, let me get dressed and I’ll drive you to your class.”

She shook her head. “Nope,” she said. “I’ll take the train. I’ll meet you at your uncle’s place for lunch. We can talk then.”

“Please,” I said, getting out of bed. She held up her hand to stop me.

“Really,” she said, her voice insistent. “I have a morning routine and have to keep to it. You stay in bed. I’ll see you at lunch.”

I sighed and gave in, kissing her again before she left. I stood at the door, my sheet wrapped around my waist, and watched her leave the apartment.

Once she was gone, I dressed in my sweats and went for a run just to bleed off some of the energy I felt after my night with Miranda. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself but I felt elated that she had come home with me, made love with me.

After my run, I could barely eat my breakfast, my hunger dampened, but I knew I had to get something in me if I was going to last the morning. I had several meetings, and was glad that my mind would be occupied so I wouldn’t dwell too much on the time and my meeting with Miranda.