Roping the Wind (20 page)

He settled his hand in the small of her back and flexed his fingers. She enjoyed the small possessive caress as she followed David through the overly ornate house and into the backyard.

A vine-covered pergola spanned the expanse of the patio, shading the guests. Beyond the tiled barbecue area, a large pool was surrounded by carefully arranged groups of chairs and tables. Helen slid her sunglasses down onto her nose and surveyed the competition. Almost everyone else wore jeans, khakis or shorts. Despite its flashy appearance, her blue silk dress felt cool and natural against her skin.

David returned, towing an obviously pregnant woman. Helen couldn’t help but stare at such a perfect example of Hollywood-inspired beauty. Carrie-Ann’s hair was long straight and blonde, her breasts pert and high, her legs endless, toned and perfectly tanned. She wore a pink spandex mini-dress that left nothing to the imagination. Even her pregnant belly looked more like a beach ball she’d stuffed up her dress for a joke.

Helen waited for a surge of jealousy but felt nothing. After three years, her feelings for David were definitely dead and buried. She was able to smile broadly at Carrie-Ann and hold out her hand.

‘Thanks for inviting us.’

‘Oh, I didn’t do a thing. It was all David’s idea. I mean, of course you’re welcome, but . . .’

Carrie-Ann blushed and looked helplessly from Helen to David. Jay stepped forward and touched the brim of his hat.

‘Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I’m Jay Turner.’

Carrie-Ann gave a little squeak and pressed her hands to her mouth.

‘Oh my God, you’re one of the PBR guys! I just love that show!’ She reached forward and touched Jay’s thigh. ‘How’s your knee?’

Helen slid closer to Jay. ‘His knee is just fine. I fixed it myself.’

Carrie-Ann’s gaze flew to Helen’s face. ‘That’s right, I remember you taking care of him back in Sacramento at the rodeo. I was there with my cousin Tammy.’ She shuddered and gripped David’s arm. ‘It was terrible, babe, the way that bull came down on him.’

‘So that’s how you met. He’s your patient.’ David spoke softly as Carrie-Ann continued to question Jay. ‘You didn’t have to say he was your boyfriend.’

‘He is my boyfriend and he’s no longer my patient. Is that clear enough for you?’

‘Interesting to see what the selection committee will make of that.’

‘You’re a fine one to talk. Didn’t Carrie-Ann come to you for a consultation about a broken finger?’

‘Yes, that’s right I did.’ Carrie-Ann’s face broke out into an adoring smile. ‘And wasn’t I so lucky to meet my most special person in the world?’

‘Absolutely.’ Helen grabbed Jay’s hand. ‘How about we get ourselves a drink?’

Jay allowed himself to be steered toward the bar, his hand held firmly in Helen’s.

‘She seems like a nice gal.’

Helen’s expression breathed contempt. ‘If you like that kind of thing, and my ex-husband always has.’

Jay signaled the bartender for a beer. ‘How in hell did he end up with you, then?’

‘That’s a good question. I guess it was my fault. At that point in my life, I was looking for someone who was as focused and ambitious as I was. I didn’t particularly care whether I actually liked him or not.’

She took her martini and swallowed half of it in one gulp. Jay studied her set expression.

‘So what changed?’

‘I did. I realized that anyone who was as selfish and focused as I was wasn’t really a complete person.’

He held her gaze, saw the sadness in her eyes. ‘You seem pretty complete to me.’

She touched her glass to his beer bottle. ‘Thank you, Jay.’

He caught her hand and kissed it, realizing he’d meant every word. When had it become so important to defend her, even to herself?

‘Helen, so glad that you could make it.’

Jay turned at the sound of another rich, cultivated voice. The guy staring at him was in his early sixties, his expression benevolent.

‘Hi, Peter. This is Jay Turner.’

‘It’s delightful to meet any friend of my dear Helen’s. She is such a pleasure to know.’

‘She sure is.’

Jay wrapped his arm around Helen’s shoulders and hugged her tight. Her smile seemed a little forced so he hugged her even harder.

‘Have you had a chance to chat with the other candidates and the search committee yet, Helen? I know Dr Masudo was anxious to have a word with you.’

Jay gave Helen a last squeeze and then released her. He slapped her gently on the butt. ‘Why don’t you go chat to old Dr Masudo and leave me and Peter to get acquainted?’

Helen’s gaze narrowed as she studied him. ‘OK. I won’t be long.’

Jay watched her walk over to a huddle of men and their wives. The group opened to admit her and he turned back to Peter.

‘So what do you do, Jay?’

There it was again, that slight hint of condescension.

‘I used to be a rodeo cowboy until I busted up my knee. Now I make cowboy boots and western-style leatherwear.’

To his surprise, it felt good to come out and say what he did, especially amongst all these overqualified and overconfident people.

‘Really? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who’s done either of those things before.’

Jay gave him a slow grin. ‘Well, hell, someone has to make boots or else all those ranch hands and cowboys would be walking around knee-deep in shit.’

Peter blinked once and then resumed smiling. ‘I suppose you’re right. I’ve never quite thought of it like that before.’

‘We can’t all be doctors and captains of industry, Peter.’

‘No, I suppose we can’t.’

Peter took a sip of his drink, his gaze everywhere but on Jay, as if he was looking for the next important person to come along. Jay had never taken well to being ignored.

‘I hear you’re retiring.’

‘Helen told you that?’

Jay suppressed a smile at Peter’s obvious surprise. ‘Yeah, we do talk to each other occasionally. People do that when they’re in a relationship.’

‘I beg your pardon, young man. I was under the impression from David that Helen only brought you to make up the numbers. I didn’t realize you were involved with her.’

‘I sure am, prof.’ Jay winked. ‘As you said, she’s a real pleasure.’

Peter’s gaze switched back to Helen. Jay decided he was done being polite. ‘Do you think being seen with me will affect Helen’s chances of getting promoted?’

Peter laughed and the false sound grated in Jay’s ears. ‘Of course not, why should it? We don’t live in the Dark Ages, you know. The selection committee is well aware that candidates have a right to a private life.’

‘That’s good to know.’ Jay finished his beer and placed the empty bottle back on the nearest table. ‘Because I know first-hand that Helen is a great surgeon as well as a great person, and I’d hate to spoil her chances.’

He strode toward the pool and stared down into its shimmering blue depths. Would Helen really be judged for having an unacceptable boyfriend, and, hell, what made him so bad anyway? He wasn’t an idiot, he wasn’t getting drunk and insulting the guests. In fact, he’d hardly spoken to anyone yet. Had Helen brought him here to make a point and, if so, exactly what point was she trying to make?

‘Jay?’

Helen came up beside him, her soft blonde hair lifting in the breeze, her face animated. He stared at her for a long moment. She fit in well with all this money and these educated people. If he’d stayed with his father and taken the job he’d been offered, would he feel comfortable here too?

‘Was Peter being difficult?’

He smiled at her. ‘Nope, just looking out for you. I reckon he thinks I’m not your type.’

Her blue eyes flashed. ‘It’s none of his business who I date. He liked David and look where that ended up.’

‘But he’s right. David is more like you than I’ll ever be.’

Helen crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Have they made you feel inadequate, Jay?’

He frowned. ‘Of course not, I can do that all by myself.’ He sucked in a breath. ‘Look at me, honey. I got my GED in my twenties, any money I have is a gift from my brother and my long-term income looks dicey, to say the least.’

‘Money doesn’t make things right, you know.’

‘Easy for you to say.’

Her expression sharpened. ‘I wasn’t born into this. I worked hard to get where I am just like you did.’

He raised his eyebrows, let her see the skepticism in his gaze. With a frustrated sigh, she swung around toward the barbecue.

‘Let’s go and eat before I give in to the urge to push you into the pool,’ she said.

Jay shifted in his chair and looked longingly over to where Helen was talking to a Swiss guy from the drug company Peter was going to work for. For some reason, this man was very interested in Helen. It made Jay twitchy just to see the intensity of his expression as he focused on Helen’s replies.

Unfortunately he was trapped. Carrie-Ann was all over him, asking him questions about his days in the rodeo, making him think about everything he’d lost and would never have again. Was she really this insensitive or was she simply keen to talk about something outside the narrow social world he guessed she now inhabited with David?

‘Carrie-Ann? David Junior’s nanny is looking for you.’

Jay tried not to look relieved as Carrie-Ann finally stood up and left. His smile faded when David took her place.

‘Are you having a good time, Trey?’

‘It’s Jay and yes, I sure am.’

David leant back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Jay. ‘I was worried that you might feel a bit out of your depth.’

Jay slowly raised his eyebrows. ‘Now why on earth would you think that?’

‘No offense, but I’m sure this isn’t your usual Sunday afternoon hangout.’

‘None taken, and you’re right. I’m usually still asleep.’

He didn’t miss the hint of satisfaction in David’s eyes.

‘If I might offer you a piece of advice, in the spirit of a man who’s already been through the mill of Dr Helen’s affections. Don’t let her order you around. She’s very good at it and, to be honest, if she’s putting you in situations that obviously make you uncomfortable, how are you ever going to have a real relationship with her?’

Jay sat up. ‘Do I look uncomfortable? I sure don’t feel that way.’

David carried on as though Jay hadn’t spoken. ‘If she gets promoted it will just get worse. As her partner you’ll be expected to attend all kinds of parties and social events.’

‘And you think that’ll be a problem for me?’

David cast him a dismissive glance. ‘Well, you don’t look like the kind of guy who enjoys standing around being polite to people.’

Jay got to his feet and so did David.

‘I’ve been polite to you, haven’t I?’

David took a step back as Jay deliberately crowded him. ‘Yes, of course, you have, but . . .’

‘If you don’t get out of my face, I can stop being polite. Maybe it’s time for you to experience a hospital from a patient’s viewpoint.’

David tried to sneer. ‘I can see why she likes you, cowboy. You’re just like Cory. She’s always had a taste for lowlifes. As they say, you can take a girl out of the Central Valley but you can’t take the Central Valley out of the girl.’

David walked away, leaving Jay by the pool. Helen turned to stare at him and then looked back at Jay, her face full of questions. Jay headed for the house, too angry to be polite to anyone.

He stepped into the kitchen, avoiding the crowd of catering staff, and asked directions to the restrooms. Helen caught him in front of the entrance.

‘What did David say to you?’

Jay studied her beautiful face and pulled her close. Her eyes widened as he pushed open the door and locked it behind them. The bathroom was just as overdecorated as the rest of the house. The gold fittings, chandeliers and fur rugs reminded him of a Parisian brothel. He bent his head, kissed her mouth, felt her instant response. This was real. This was what he needed right now.

He slid his hand under her skirt until he reached the apex of her thighs. His fingers brushed her clit and he almost came in his jeans.

‘No panties.’ He groaned. ‘Trust you to get it right today of all days.’

He slipped three fingers inside her and widened her, enjoying how wet she became as he worked her. Still kissing her, he undid the snaps of his shirt so that her silk-clad breasts and hard nipples dragged over his bare flesh. She moaned into his mouth and grew even wetter.

‘I want you so bad, Helen.’

‘I’m not stopping you.’

He thumbed her clit, felt it swell and pulse beneath the pad of his thumb. He slid his little finger into her ass, settling her on his hand.

‘You want to go back out there in front of all those important people looking like you’ve just been had?’

‘We could just leave before they noticed.’

‘Honey, they’d notice the moment they saw you, especially if you let me inside you without a condom and my come was all over you, inside you, trickling down your leg.’

She climaxed, digging her fingers into his shoulders, her face buried in the crook of his neck. God, his cock hurt so bad. He kept working her, his fingers so slippery with her juices now they made a sucking sound.

‘How about we compromise?’ Helen whispered, her eyes wide, her cheeks flushed with desire. ‘This is a big bathroom, Jay, how about you lie down on that nice fur rug over there?’

He stepped away from her and moved to the rug, falling to his knees as she followed him down. She pushed on his chest until he lay on his back and then straddled him, her ass close to his face.

Jay groaned as she carefully unzipped his fly, protecting his aroused cock with her hand. He flipped up her skirt, exposed her perfect butt cheeks to his gaze. She leant forward giving him an even more inviting view of her whole wet fuckable sex. In one swift motion, she slid her mouth over his shaft and swallowed him deep.