Roping the Wind (24 page)

‘God, Jay, not here.’

‘Come to the next bar with me then and give me some privacy.’

She glanced down at the top of his Stetson and resisted an urge to ram it down right over his ears.

‘All right, one more place. But that’s it. Do you understand me? After that I’m going home.’

He took her hand and led her further down the street. He smiled as the vibrant thud of a rocking bass line shook the sidewalk. Helen stopped walking.

‘I’m not going in there.’

Jay turned to look at her. ‘Why not?’

‘I’m too old.’

He tugged on her hand, kept her moving. ‘You’re only as old as you feel, or the guy that you feel, so come on.’

As he opened the door, the swell of music almost knocked him back into the street. He loved the sound of a live band. He drew Helen deeper into the small sweating room and found them a space against the wall.

At the far end of the room, a stage was set up. Four guys in cowboy hats were playing a mixture of rock and country, which set his foot tapping. The tiny dance floor was crowded with line dancers and others doing their own thing. A fair number of the patrons wore Stetsons, big belt buckles and shiny cowboy boots.

Unlike the other bar, Jay knew that most of them weren’t real cowboys, just people out for a good time. He persuaded Helen to stand in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. After a moment, she relaxed against him. Her tight ass pressed against his already swollen cock.

He rested his chin against the top of her head, amused by how well they fit together, how good she felt in his arms. She sighed and the sound rippled through him. He had the strangest feeling that he would remember this moment for the rest of his life. Helen’s body relaxed against his, her scent on his fingers.

The band changed tempo to a slow dance and Jay set his hands on Helen’s shoulders. ‘Let’s dance.’

She opened her mouth, a protest definitely forming on her lips. He settled that by drawing her into his arms and sealing his mouth to hers. As the music played he moved with Helen, caught up in the sway of her hips and the way she held him so close. He kept his head bent, his lips aligned with hers, his cock pulsing against the press of her body, echoing the steady beat of his heart.

After two slow dances, the band took a break, leaving Helen and Jay still on the dance floor. Helen studied Jay’s expression as he took her hand and walked back to the bar.

‘You didn’t say anything mean to me.’

Jay paused to look down at her. ‘What?’

‘When we were dancing. You didn’t say a word.’

A resigned expression flitted over his face. ‘You’re always telling me to quit teasing you, and when I do you complain I’m too quiet?’

‘I’m not complaining.’

She enjoyed dancing with him, the strength of his body pressed against hers, his unique scent surrounding her.

He smoothed a hand through her hair. ‘It’s late. We both have to work tomorrow. Let’s go.’

She followed him back into the street, glad of his strength in pushing aside the many bodies that crowded the club doorway.

‘You only wanted the one dance?’

His mouth quirked at the corner. ‘It was enough.’

They reached her car and she searched for her keys. ‘I’ll drop you home, then.’

He got into the car, wincing slightly as he rearranged the prominent bulge in his jeans. She waited while he fussed around with his seat belt and the window controls. Helen continued to stare at his groin, her car keys dangling in her hand. She clicked the door locks and dropped the keys on the center console.

‘Uh . . . don’t you need those?’

‘Not yet.’ Helen smiled as she leant across to rake her nails down his fly.

‘Damn it, stop that. I’m hard enough to hammer nails.’ His groan was almost a growl.

She undid his belt, worked the top snap of his jeans and slid one finger inside. She met the wet tip of his cock and twirled her finger around the thick head. His breath hissed out as she unzipped him, protecting him with her hand. Before he could react, she bent her head and took him in her mouth, enjoying the wet throbbing heat of his shaft as it slid down her throat.

‘Christ, Helen, the . . .’

She kept up the tempo. Long sucks at his whole length, little flicks of her tongue over the sensitive slit and head. His hips moved with her mouth, encouraging her to take more which she did unhesitatingly. It didn’t take long for him to lose his rhythm and start thrusting harder and harder into her mouth. She took him deeper, held him there while he came so far down her throat she didn’t even taste him.

After a final swirl of her tongue, she released him and carefully buttoned him into his jeans. He sat back in the seat, his eyes closed, his hands fisted at his sides. So exhilarating to take him by surprise for a change.

‘Put your seat belt on, Jay. We don’t want any accidents, do we?’

She turned the ignition and pulled slowly away. A gust of wind blew her hair into her face and she almost pulled over. ‘Oh my God, was your window open the whole time?’

Jay opened one eye and stared at her. ‘I tried to tell you. But hey, you gave the people on the sidewalk a heck of a show.’

She tried to return her horrified gaze to the road.

‘You are such a liar.’ She hesitated as she caught the glimpse of a smile on his face. ‘There wasn’t anyone around, was there?’

He stretched out his legs and chuckled. ‘You think I was busy looking out the window after you’d gone down on me? I was watching your mouth on my cock.’ He patted her thigh. ‘There’s nothing to worry about, honey. Nobody could see your face.’

Helen felt her cheeks flush with heat. When had she decided to become an exhibitionist? Obviously Jay’s perverted attitude toward sex was rubbing off on her. In a vain attempt to pretend he wasn’t there, she kept her gaze on the road, but it was no good.

Her mouth twitched up at one corner as she fought a smile. If the cops had seen her she’d probably be in the nearest police station now being booked as a hooker. That would’ve been a great conversation starter with the search committee: prominent physician caught with cowboy’s cock down her throat.

Jay squeezed her thigh. ‘That’s it, honey, smile. Let it out.’

Helen drew the car to a stop at the curb as the Ritz-Carlton apartment building loomed out of the gathering fog. She turned to Jay.

‘I have my first big interview on Friday so I can’t see you until the weekend.’

He took her hand and solemnly shook it.

‘Good luck with that, doc. Not that you need it. From what I saw, you’re a shoo-in.’

Her smile faltered. ‘I’m not sure about that, but thanks for the support.’

He kept hold of her hand, his thumb making small circles over hers. ‘Would you like to go out with me on Saturday?’

‘Where are we going?’

He took off his seat belt and opened the door. ‘To the rodeo, of course. Don’t forget your cowboy boots and fanciest chaps.’

Chapter Nineteen

Helen stared blankly at the notice board on the opposite wall of her office. Why did Jay want to take her to the rodeo? She imagined it would be the last place he’d want to go, especially with her. She closed her eyes as she remembered the bull crashing down on his leg in the Arco Arena in Sacramento, her certain knowledge that he was badly hurt and would need all her skill to help him.

As far as she knew, the National Rodeo tour wasn’t due at the Cow Palace for several more weeks. She had no idea where he was taking her. She glanced at her watch, wondering whether the selection committee had finished interviewing the other three remaining candidates. One guy had already dropped out after being offered a research post at Harvard. Unfortunately, it hadn’t been David.

She thought she’d done OK. It was always hard to tell. Her relationship with Professor Hart and Nifenberg had come up with every committee member. She dealt crisply with that aspect, insisting that most of the work was Professor Hart’s and that she had just helped with the research. She knew Peter wouldn’t argue about that. He’d always preferred to take the lion’s share of the credit. Before it had infuriated her, but now it seemed fitting. She’d obtained the information in an underhand way and she was allowing Peter to do the same to her.

Helen sighed. Unfortunately, life wasn’t that straightforward. She still had at least one more interview with the whole committee and possibly more lectures and one-on-one time with individual faculty members. Part of her wanted to run away from constantly trying to please everyone. The rest of her enjoyed the challenge of finally coming out from behind Professor Hart’s shadow and showing her colleagues and the committee that she could be taken seriously in her own right.

However, the prospect of a day at the rodeo was enticing. Jay had a unique ability to make her forget her workload and her problems. He provided her with a complex challenge that demanded her complete attention both physically and mentally. She even enjoyed fighting with him because he never let her win. Her faint smile died. It would be hard to let him go. If she did get the job, her life would become even more complicated and her time more in demand.

She shivered at the prospect. How many patients would she actually get to see? Would she be too busy weaving through the maze of hospital government to remember she’d trained as a doctor, not as a politician? She shut down her computer. Why exactly was she doing this again? Her desire to show them all suddenly seemed childish.

‘Hey, good looking, where’s your hat?’ Jay smiled as Helen sashayed down the steps from her apartment toward him. She wore jeans, black and white cowboy boots and a blue-checked shirt. She looked as wholesome as Doris Day and twice as beautiful.

‘It’s in the car. I only got it yesterday.’

He took her hand and kissed it. ‘Great, let’s go. The fun has already started.’

She pointed at his feet. ‘Are those the boots you were making in class?’

‘Yeah.’ He struggled not to scuff his feet.

She dropped to her knees and pulled up the leg of his jeans to get a better look. ‘They are beautiful.’

‘Yeah, right.’

‘Yes they are.’ She looked up at him. ‘Don’t pretend you aren’t proud of them.’

‘OK, I’m a little proud. They came out just how I wanted them to.’

She traced one of the red stars with her fingertip. ‘I’d say. The design is kind of retro but with a modern twist.’

‘I like that. Can I borrow it?’ He bent down to help her to her feet.

‘Yes, if you tell me where we are going?’

‘The Livermore Rodeo.’

‘And where is that?’

‘It’s out in the Tri-Valley. You’ll love it there. It’ll remind you of home.’

She sniffed as she started the engine. ‘I hope not.’

‘How long is it since you’ve been back?’ Jay asked.

‘About fifteen years.’

He whistled as he studied her profile. ‘That’s a hell of a long time.’

She shot him a sharp glance as he entered the new directions into the car navigation system. ‘You’re a fine one to talk. How long is it since
you’ve
been home?’

‘I don’t have a home.’ He took his hand off her thigh. ‘And unlike you, I haven’t got anything to go back to.’

She continued to drive and he concentrated on the scorch-marked hills, determined not to let his nerves overcome him. This was the first time he was presenting himself in his new role as personal bootmaker to the stars. Would his old rodeo pals give him a chance to hawk his wares or would they laugh him out of the barn? He still wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.

He figured he’d start small. The Livermore rodeo sure wasn’t one of the big ones. It was the kind of rodeo for the up-and-coming, those desperate to increase their overall point standings and guys easing their way back from injury. None of the top bull riders would be there, so he wouldn’t have to deal with his closest friends and ex-competitors right away. He’d have to work up to that.

To his surprise, since his last visit, the rodeo park had gradually become surrounded by new housing. Jay wondered how long it would be before the homeowners began to object to the crowds and the smells of the rodeo and vote for it to be moved.

Helen parked and Jay got out to stretch his legs. The heavenly smell of kettle popcorn and funnel cake assaulted his nostrils and he immediately felt right at home. He instinctively searched for the competitors’ entrance before realizing he had no right to enter that way anymore. He tried not to think about everything he’d lost, tried to think about the future, but it was harder than he’d imagined.

Helen retrieved her black and white cowboy hat from the trunk and set it on her head. Jay smiled at the picture she made.

‘You look good, honey. Even better on a horse, though.’

‘I can ride.’ Her chin came up. ‘Actually I like to ride, even though I haven’t for years.’ Before he could answer, she moved close to him, her expression serious. ‘Are you sure you want to do this, Jay?’

‘What?’

She tugged the open collar of his green shirt. ‘The whole rodeo thing. I bet you haven’t been near a rodeo or a bull since the accident.’

He took a deep breath. ‘Hey, I’ve got to start somewhere. This is as good a place as any. And I haven’t just come here to relive my worst nightmares; I’ve come to sell myself.’

‘I know that, but don’t be too hard on yourself if it makes you feel bad.’

He frowned. ‘Don’t try and psychoanalyze me, doc. I’m not going to break down and sob, if that’s what you’re worried about.’

She glared right back at him. ‘You can cry all you want as far as I’m concerned. I’m just trying to prepare you for any unexpected reaction.’

‘Well, thanks, but keep it to yourself. I’m here to sell cowboy boots, not embarrass myself.’

She studied him for a long moment and then nodded. ‘Of course, your cowboy boots. What a great idea.’ She looked across at the arena. ‘Where do you want to start?’