Page 73 of Downpour

The lips that were parted with each labored breath had kissed me and stolen mine.

Ray shifted his weight onto his foot and slowly brought the other foot to join it on top of the ball. When his legs buckled again, he tightened his grip and eased off, returning to the floor.

They exchanged a few words, then Ray looked over at me and signaled for his wheelchair. I quickly jumped out of it and pushed it over.

“Thanks,” he said, breathless as he slowly lowered himself into it. Sweat glistened on his forehead. And honest to goodness, it was sexy.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly.

Ray retrieved his water bottle from the cupholder I’d attached to his wheelchair and took a long drink. “Tired as hell.”

“You looked really strong up there.”

His eyes softened as they met mine. “Thank you.”

“Can I ask you something?”

He nodded and wiped the sweat from his eyes.

“What did Callie say when you fell?”

Ray took another drink, then closed his eyes as he rested. “For every time you couldn’t get up before, get up now. And if you can’t get up now, know that you will someday.”

I placed my hand on top of his. “I’m proud of you.”

I walked around the lobby while Ray had a quick hydrotherapy session and massage. An hour later, he was checked out, and we headed for lunch.

“What sounds good?” I asked as I parked in a strategic space in Temple’s downtown district.

Ray glanced at the Mexican restaurant we usually grabbed takeout from. “There are spots on the patio.”

I paused. Ray hated going out in public. Usually, I slipped in and got our food to-go. I couldn’t tell if his comment was just a brief observation, or if he was considering sitting at the restaurant and eating.

“It’s a nice day,” I said. “And they don’t look too busy. The food will probably come out fast.”

Ray tipped his head toward the bed of the truck. “Mind grabbing my chair out of the back? I don’t feel like going back to the ranch right away.”

He looked wiped out, but stepped up onto the sidewalk by himself before easing down into his chair.

“You’re getting there,” I said as I shut the doors and locked the truck. “I’ll be out of a job soon.”

Ray sighed. “It’s just maintenance at this point. This is as good as it’s going to get. Little bursts of energy and my body working, and then the rest is shit.”

“You know, there are adaptive driving modifications that can be made to your truck so you can drive it yourself. Hand controls for the gas and brake. Lifts for your wheelchair. Things like that.”

“I know,” he said. A teasing smile worked up to his sharp cheekbones. “Maybe I just like the little hit of adrenaline I get every time you drive. It’s like being back on a bull.”

I laughed. “I’m not that bad!”

“Baby, I mean this nicely, but you’re the worst driver I’ve ever seen.”

Tingles danced up my spine.

“Yo, Stace?—”

I froze mid-stride to the restaurant.

Ray paused and cut his eyes over his shoulder. “Who’s that?”

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