Wishing on a Rodeo Moon (Women of Character) by Grace Brannigan Page A

should." She lifted her head and suddenly leaned toward him with
a reckless grin. "I find myself wanting to try that kiss again, Jake. What
do you think?"
    Jake
felt his throat go dry. He wanted to kiss her, but it was probably the dumbest
thing he could do ― rekindle fires best left dead. Tye’s gaze
remained unwavering. Desire tightened Jake’s body. He moved closer, so
close he could feel the heat of her own body, almost taste her scent.
    Tye’s
sigh feathered across his mouth. He knew he was playing with fire when her head
tipped back and she opened up to him.
    How had
he let this woman go? Tye looped her arms around his neck, the crutches
clattering to the deck. It was a distant sound, and Jake didn’t care. He
felt enveloped by a haze, aware of the points of her breasts through her thin
covering. He ran his hands over Tye’s hips, cupped her buttocks. He felt
the tensing of muscle, then she leaned fully into him as they devoured each
other, heat surely an aura of red-hot light encircling them.
    Thoughts
of the past exploded, leaving only dust. Jake explored the taste and texture of
Tye’s mouth, the slim, supple length of her body. When he surfaced for
air, he swept his tongue along her lips. Her responding shudder echoed his own.
    She
gripped his arms and pulled her upper body back, meeting his gaze, out of
breath, hanging on to his arms and balancing on one leg.
    "I
guess that’s about all the slack I can stand for now," she muttered.
    Jake
started laughing. Tye lifted her brows and he shook his head. "Only you,
Tye, would say something like that."
    She
smiled slightly. "You used to love my unpredictability."
    Jake put
up a hand and gently threaded his fingers through her hair. "You’re
right. But back then we were kids. What did we know?"
    "What
are we doing, Jake?"
    The
words seemed to spill from her lips. He felt her tense against him, as if
prepared for a blow.
    Jake
stared at her wordlessly. What were they doing? What were they thinking? "Maybe we’re just finishing up old
business, Tye, so we can both get on with our lives."
    He knew
it was the right answer for both of them, but he felt weighed down by a heavy
ache. How could he want things to be different?
    "I
guess you’re right." Her voice was tinged with sadness.
"We’re not the same people." Tye stepped away from him so they
no longer touched. She pulled the fluttering material of the robe against the
residual limb; then indicated her leg with a sweep of her hand. "Too much
has changed to go back."
    Jake
stifled the protest inside him. Part of him wanted to go back, wanted to try
and fix what had gone wrong. But the rational part of his brain told him it was
impossible. "One day you’ll realize your leg won’t matter to
anyone who cares about you."
    Tye gave
him a bright smile. "I know you’re right. Good night, Jake."
    #
    Tye
wanted to damn the consequences and invite Jake into her bed. She entered the
apartment alone, feeling drained. In Jake’s company, she felt almost
light, freely giving of herself, until the reality of her situation smacked her
in the face.
    She sat
on her bed. She deliberately stared into the mirror at the stump, which she
hated to look at.
    Tye
recalled its swollen and discolored appearance right after surgery. She had never
considered herself squeamish, but that first time she had seen her amputated
leg had made her sick. Blood had roared in her ears, and a cold wave came over
her. It had been frightening.
    Such a
loss of control terrified her. How many times had Daddy imprinted in her mind
you had to stay in control of a situation? If you lost control you had to know
when to bail out, whether it was a bull you were riding, or life.
    Day by
day Tye felt she gained a better grip on her life. Setbacks occurred, but she had
to move steadily forward. She felt confused as to why she was hankering after
the past, with Jake. It was over and done with.
    Returning
her attention to her stump, Tye noticed that the line of