Roping the Wind (5 page)

Jay Turner had surprised her, something which didn’t happen very often these days. Despite his macho cowboy image, he’d treated her like an intelligent woman. A woman he wanted to fuck, yes, but at least he hadn’t underestimated her understanding.

Helen groaned as her cat, Tiger, jumped onto her stomach and started to knead the quilt. Twenty pounds of warm feline was too much to deal with at seven in the morning. Tiger purred loudly, canceling out the sub-dued roar of traffic outside her window. She rubbed Tiger’s wet nose and his purring intensified. It was rare for her to have a day off. If the hospital called, she’d go in, but she hoped it wouldn’t happen. A day to herself was too precious.

Of course, she’d promised to call Jay and give him an answer. She shivered as her feet hit the floor. Perhaps a day alone to contemplate her decision was just what she needed.

In the shower, she closed her eyes and relived the previous hours spent with Jay, from his unexpected and highly erotic kiss in her office to his subtle goodnight kiss after dinner. How was he able to see past her calm exterior and know that she liked her sex with an edge to it? He’d kissed her like he knew exactly what she wanted.

She ran her tongue over her lips and caught the scent of orange from her shower gel. Her sex life in the last ten years had been as controlled as her career. She sighed as her nipples hardened. When had she last allowed a man to tell her what to do in bed?

Tiger’s cross face appeared at the glass door to the shower, his mouth wide open in a silent meow. He liked to be fed on time and would have no compunction in herding her toward the kitchen if she didn’t move fast enough. When had she become a slave to her cat?

‘What am I going to eat?’ She glanced down at Tiger who had his face buried in his bowl. ‘It’s OK for you, but there’s no human food here. I cleared everything out for my weekend away.’

Tiger managed a quick scowl in her direction before he resumed eating. Helen glanced at her purse, which sat on the countertop. She would have to head down to the local convenience store and get a few essentials if she was going to make it through the weekend.

She grabbed her keys and purse and headed for the door. ‘I’ll be back soon, Tiger, don’t worry.’

Her hand was on the door when it opened in her face.

With a stifled screech, she dropped her keys on the carpet. ‘Oh my God, Carol. You scared me half to death!’

Her best friend grinned at her. She wore a black leather jacket, black pants and an open-necked crimson shirt. Her dark hair hung to her waist and framed an oval face and pink cheeks.

‘Hey, you scared me too! I just came by to check on Tiger. Aren’t you supposed to be off somewhere with scowling Simon?’

Helen bent to pick up her keys. ‘I decided not to go.’

‘About time you came to your senses. He was completely wrong for you.’

‘You’re telling me that now?’

Carol dumped her bags on the table. ‘You know the rules, honey. If your friend’s going out with a dork, wait until she works it out for herself. Hell, I was just happy to see you going out with anyone with a pulse.’

‘That’s not fair. I go out a lot.’

‘First dates, maybe, but when do you ever go beyond that?’

‘It’s not my fault I’m choosy.’ Helen beckoned imperiously. ‘Hand it over.’

With a resigned sigh, Carol gave up her large takeout coffee and Helen gulped at it gratefully. Carol owned a thriving deli and coffee shop in Little Italy. Her coffee beans were organic, hand-roasted and always delicious.

‘There’s choosy and then there’s you,’ said Carol. ‘Dr Perfect, looking for Mr Right.’

Helen handed back the empty cup. ‘You’re right.’

Carol opened her mouth and then shut it again. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said you’re right. I’ve decided I’ve been dating the wrong kind of men and that I need to add a little variety into my life.’

Carol pretended to stagger and sat down in the nearest chair, her hand clasped to her heart. ‘Are you kidding me?’

‘Nope. I realized I was bored with men like Simon. That’s why I cancelled our weekend together.’

Tiger materialized and wound his way around Carol’s outstretched legs. His pitiful cries filled the room. She bent to pet him.

‘Didn’t you feed the poor guy? He sounds as if he’s starving.’

Helen poked Tiger’s wobbly spare tire with her toe. ‘He’s acting. I fed him five minutes ago.’

Carol waved her hand in front of her nose. ‘I’ll say you did. He stinks of tuna.’ She pointed at Helen’s keys. ‘Are you going somewhere?’

‘I need food. I didn’t buy anything except cat food and I don’t think Tiger will share.’

Carol got to her feet. ‘Well, how about I come with you and we can discuss your amazing revelation over a plate of waffles and maple syrup?’

Helen realized her mouth was watering. ‘OK, you’re on and I’m buying.’

‘So are you going to go out with him?’

Helen dipped her sourdough toast in her egg. ‘He didn’t exactly ask me to go out with him. He asked me if I was interested in playing a weird kind of sexual game, with him as the boss.’

She shivered as she thought of his intent gray eyes and the strength of his fingers closing over hers.

‘And are you?’

Helen sighed as her appetite deserted her. ‘I don’t know. I said I wanted to meet a different kind of guy, but, Jay Turner? He was one of my patients. I’m not even sure if it’s ethical.’

‘Is he hot?’

Helen nodded.

‘Then screw ethical, screw Jay Turner instead.’ Carol’s voice rose with each word, causing a lull in conversation around their table.

‘But what if he turns out to be a complete deviant?’

‘What if he doesn’t?’ Carol finished Helen’s toast and wiped the crumbs away with her napkin. ‘You’ve known him for years, right? Have you ever heard any gossip about him?’

Helen bit her lip. She’d heard plenty from other female members of the rodeo circuit. Most of it concerning the pleasing size of Jay’s cock and the amazing things he could do with it. ‘Only the good stuff.’

Carol patted her hand. ‘As long as you take your cell with you and make sure he doesn’t drive you out to any abandoned cemeteries or lonely ranch houses, you’ll be fine.’

‘I want to say yes to him but I’m afraid of what will happen. Am I crazy?’

‘Nope, you’re just human. I’ve known you a long time, sweetie, and I know why you’re afraid. But you’re all grown up now. You won’t make the same mistakes again.’

Helen planted her elbows on the table. ‘With two failed marriages behind me, you’d think I might’ve learnt something by now.’

‘You’ve learnt what you don’t want, haven’t you?’

Helen studied her friend over the rim of her coffee cup. Carol’s face was full of concern. ‘At seventeen, I swore I’d never go near another cowboy and here I am contemplating going out with a professional of the alpha variety.’

She usually tried to forget the early years she’d shared with Carol in California’s central valley. It was easy to pretend that part of her life had been some kind of dream and that she’d only really found herself when she moved to the city and met David. She’d lied so much about her past that she’d almost forgotten where the truth lay.

‘I’m tired of being the ice queen, Carol. I’m tired of being so careful of every word I say.’

‘Then go out with Jay Turner. Live a little.’

Helen met Carol’s eyes and smiled. ‘I think I will.’

‘Hi, it’s Helen.’

‘Hey, doc.’ Jay’s slow drawl held a hint of a smile.

Carol, who was sitting across from Helen, grinned and gave her the thumbs-up sign. Suddenly Helen was right back in junior high. She closed her eyes as the silence lengthened. Her nerves were stretched taut with anticipation.

‘I was calling to see if you wanted to have dinner with me tonight,’ she said finally.

‘Yeah, I’d like that. Where would you like to meet?’

‘How about in front of the Ferry Building, by the clock tower at six? We can make plans from there.’

Another pause while he seemed to consider her words. ‘Great, I’ll be there.’

Helen let out her breath. ‘OK, I’ll look forward to it. Bye.’ She started to hang up and then realized he was still speaking. ‘Sorry, Jay, I missed that.’

‘I asked you if you had an answer for me yet.’

This time it was her turn to hesitate. She glanced over at Carol, who was still making encouraging faces at her. ‘Can we talk about it when we meet?’

He chuckled, the sound low and intimate. ‘You still worried that I’m going to do something bad to you?’

‘I like bad.’

After her provocative comment, Helen stifled a groan. Carol wasn’t helping much. She was laughing so hard she had to put her hand over her mouth. The silence on the other end of the phone was so prolonged she wondered if Jay had deserted her.

‘Then make sure you aren’t wearing any panties tonight. I’m going to want to touch you.’ He disconnected, leaving Helen staring at the phone. Carol clicked her fingers in front of her face.

‘What did he say?’

‘He told me not to wear any panties.’

Carol started to laugh. ‘God, from the expression on your face, I thought he’d told you to turn up naked.’

Helen stared at her. ‘Carol, he expects me to do what he says. I can’t remember the last time a man ordered me to do anything quite so tacky.’

Even as she protested, she knew her body was readying itself. The thought of being available to him in public was incredibly arousing. She smiled at her friend. ‘And the thing is, I can’t wait.’

Chapter Five

Helen checked her image in the mirror. Blue silk blouse, tight black boot-cut pants and spiked-heel boots. Although Jay had said no panties, he hadn’t said she should wear a skirt. She wasn’t prepared to make it that easy for him. Would he be amused or would he take offense? And if he was mad at her, what exactly would he do? She considered the pile of clothes on her bed. Perhaps she should put on a skirt after all . . .

Cross at her surprising desire to placate Jay, she stuck her tongue out at the cat. ‘I’m not changing, Tiger. You can beg me all you like but I’m not about to roll over and play nice.’

Tiger yawned and settled deeper into the nest of clothes. By the time she removed him and all his fur from another outfit, she’d be later than ever. It was already past six and she was supposed to be there by now. She took her jacket and beaded purse from the back of the chair and headed for the front door. She blew the cat a kiss.

‘Don’t wait up for me, Tiger!’

Jay would just have to make the best of it.

Jay pushed his hands deep into the pockets of his denim jacket and checked the illuminated face of the Ferry Building clock. Helen was late and the wind was picking up from the bay. After half an hour of pacing, his knee was beginning to ache. Dammit, she was a doctor. Didn’t she know how bad it was for him to stand around?

‘Jay? I’m so sorry I’m late. Is your leg OK?’

He turned around to find her studying his cowboy boots. Her face was flushed and her blonde hair was escaping from its tight ponytail. She looked good enough to eat, yet her expression was all business.

‘My knee’s fine, thanks. Remember, you’re not my doctor this evening, you’re my date.’ He tried to smile down at her, his gaze running over her leather jacket, her black spiked boots and her pants . . . He placed a finger under her chin. ‘I thought I said no panties.’

Her bright smile didn’t waver. ‘You did.’

He drew her closer, one hand cupping her buttocks.

‘See? No VPL.’

He squeezed hard and brought her tight up against his thighs. ‘Is that some kind of new cellulite women get?’

She shivered as his mouth grazed hers. ‘No visible panty line. That’s because I’ve no panties on.’

He bit down on her ear lobe, making her jump. ‘And how am I supposed to believe that when you’re wearing pants and I can’t touch you?’

She looked up at him. ‘You didn’t say anything about what else I wore.’

He bit back a smile at her innocent expression. ‘I’ll have to remember to be more specific next time, won’t I?’

He stepped away from her and took her hand. ‘Well, that messes up our dinner plans. Looks like we’ll have to do a little shopping first.’

She pulled on his hand until he stopped moving. ‘Why?’

‘So you can get yourself a skirt.’

She opened her mouth and then shut it again, color rising on her cheeks.

Jay smiled slowly. ‘That’s right, darlin’. Remember who’s the boss.’

‘But I haven’t agreed to anything yet, have I?’

He leant back against the railing and drew her close, fitting her body against his. ‘You’ve agreed. You might not have said the words, but you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t interested.’

She raised her chin to stare at him. Her piercing blue eyes reminded him of a Siberian husky. ‘Perhaps I’m only interested in one night with you. Perhaps I’ve decided that you’re the one who should be on his knees begging me to touch him.’

At her words, his groin tightened and he slid his hand around her hips to press her against his hardening cock. ‘That’s not what I’m offering. If you want a guy to adore you on his knees, call that jerk you were supposed to stay the weekend with.’

She squirmed in his grip and he held her even tighter.

‘You need to be fucked good and hard until you’re so sated that you can’t move. You need a man who can make you so hot that you’ll agree to have sex wherever or whenever he wants it.’ He bent his head and kissed her hard on the mouth until she leant into him. ‘Tell me I’m wrong.’

She touched his lips, outlining them with the tip of her finger. His cock butted at the fly of his jeans like an untrained colt.

‘I can’t.’

Jay closed his eyes. Had he gone too far? Something about her made him want to explore the depths of his darkest desires. He wasn’t sure why but he’d thought she felt the same.