Quicksilver Passion (13 page)

Evans. Cherokee Evans.” He bowed again with that gallantry that seemed to come natural to any Southern male—even a half-breed.
I’m always happy to help a lady.”

No, he wasn’t being sarcastic. His dark eyes were honest, friendly. Too friendly. She must not encourage him. Next thing she knew, he’d want to share her bed and Silver had never done that with a man—willingly.

She gave him a nod of dismissal and turned toward Tabor’s store.

But Cherokee Evans rushed to open the door for her.
I allow as how I was going in here for supplies, too.”

What could she do? There was no law against a man going into a store. Silver decided to ignore him. Maybe he’d take the hint. She walked to the back counter.

Immediately, Haw’s sour-faced wife, Augusta, looked up, saw her, frowned, and suddenly discovered something in the back of the building that needed immediate attention, probably so she wouldn’t have to wait on Silver. It had happened before.

Such treatment from
respectable” women no longer hurt Silver; she’d grown used to it. The only satisfaction she got was knowing that often the
respectable” women’s husbands were frequenting the Nugget Saloon at night while their wives thought the men were at a town meeting or working late.

Cherokee followed her. Either he didn’t realize Silver was ignoring him, or he refused to take the hint. She knew what he wanted from her—what all men wanted from women. Silver never intended to be put through that humiliation and pain again. And as big as he was, there’d be a lot of pain, besides the sheer weight of his big body pinning her against the bed.

Genial Haw rushed over to wait on her. Silver made her purchases, gave a curt nod to both men, and sailed out of the store, her shoes squeaking wetly. She walked as fast as she could back to the Nugget, ran up the stairs, slammed her door and shot the bolt, and leaned against the locked door, trembling. Now she was safe. Not that the ’breed had made any threatening moves. It was just that he kept looking at her with that dark, intense gaze that let her know if he decided to take her, locked doors and dozens of witnesses couldn’t stop him. Maybe in a day or two, he’d get discouraged and go away.

Cherokee stared after her with both longing and regret. In truth, he had seen her come out of the shoe shop from the hotel coffee shop and had bolted his breakfast so he could be standing outside when she crossed the street.

What had he expected? He watched her walk on down the sidewalk while he remembered every detail about the few seconds she had been in his arms. The feel of her body against his, the warm softness of her, the scent of her wild flower fragrance had made him almost dizzy with desire as he had carried her to the sidewalk. She seemed to fit into his embrace almost perfectly, her small body light in his arms.

But the girl had been rigid, trying to keep from touching him. And she’d actually been trembling when he had stood her on her feet. There had been no mistaking the fear in her eyes as she looked up at him. He had had the most insane impulse to take that flawless face between his two big hands and gently brush his lips across hers.
I won’t hurt you, Silver,” he had almost whispered.
I’d never hurt you or let anyone else. You’re safe with me, you’ll always be safe and protected while I’m around.”

Who was he kidding? Himself? He looked out the front window at the slight blonde in pale aqua as she hurried down the wooden sidewalk. All his body could think of was getting that expensive aqua velvet and fine jewelry off that slim body so he could run his hands over her white, naked skin.

She’s a pretty one, ain’t she?” the shopkeeper’s voice broke into his thoughts and Cherokee looked around, realizing he had been staring after the girl like a hungry hound after a tender morsel.

Oh, I reckon. Maybe a little too small for my taste.” Cherokee shrugged and reached to add a bag of salt to his supplies.

Then you’re the only man in the Rockies who thinks so!” The jovial Tabor jotted the purchase on a pad on the counter before him.

What’s her story?” Cherokee asked a little too carelessly, damning himself because he wanted to know everything about her.