Quicksilver Passion (22 page)

She hesitated, then took back a few dollars.
Is that about right?”

He nodded, both embarrassed and angry.
I—I reckon it was a clumsy gesture on my part. I wanted to do something special for you.” There was a long pause. In the background, the music and noise drifted faintly through the heavy drapes. “You’re special, Silver.”

She looked up at him.
You wouldn’t say that if I weren’t pretty. When a woman’s looks are gone, her admirers are, too.”

You don’t think very highly of men, do you?”

She seemed to be weighing her words.
My past experience is all I’ve got to go on. You must not think much of women if you think you can buy your way into my bed with a gift.”

He thought of elegant, high-born Savannah.
It’s been my experience that all white women will bed any man, given the right circumstances.”

Not this one.” She, too, stood up.

The scent of wildflower perfume drifted from the deep cleft between her full breasts. He had the most insane urge to sweep her into his arms and crush those soft breasts against his massive chest. He was overwhelmed with the need to kiss her until she, too, was breathless and shaking with desire as he was now.

Don’t try it,” she said and stepped backward.
I might not be able to keep Al from killing you if he heard me scream.

He looked at her long and hard, wanting her so badly, he felt on fire.
Would you scream?”

She hesitated and he saw confusion in her face. She stepped backward again.
You know I would.”

The confusion had been replaced by fear. He had to fight himself to keep from sweeping her into his arms and covering her lips with his own. It would be like capturing some small, wild thing in his embrace. He imagined holding her very close against him, feeling her heart beating violently through her breast. He would kiss her so thoroughly that she would be unable to scream—not that she’d want to, not really. For a moment, he even thought of throwing her down across the table and taking her then and there.

Silver,” he whispered,
I would never hurt you. I only want to make love to you.”