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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