Quicksilver Passion (45 page)

She was afraid, and pleading. Cherokee put the bottle down and clenched his big fists. Whoever this Bart bastard was, Cherokee wished he could get his hands on him. Rage flowed through his veins at the thought of anyone making Silver beg that way. She sounded so alone, so afraid.

And he was no better than the bastard who had hurt her, Cherokee thought with shame. All he’d thought of since the first moment he’d seen her was how he could get her under him, if he had to kidnap her to do it. He’d fantasized about what it would be like to carry her off to this isolated cabin and have her at his mercy, and now he felt like the world’s worst heel.

In her dreams, Bart Brett handed her a goblet.
Here, drink up.”

She took it, her hand trembling.
Does this mean I have to get in your bed again?”

His handsome face turned dark with anger.
A lot of women would like to change places with you, baby! You’ve been here a couple of months now and I’ve been patient, and good to you.”

She looked up at him from her chair by the fire in his bedroom.
You’ve bought me fancy clothes and jewels. And almost every night, you expect me to get in your bed, spread my thighs, and let you—”

If you were married, you’d have to let some other man do that to you. Some women even like it, Silver. What happened in your past before Dallinger brought you to me?”

She thought about her stepfather and shivered.
I don’t want to talk about it. If you’d use a little tenderness, and be patient—”

Be patient!” he stormed.
Ain’t I been? Look, Silver, you’re mine; you might as well get used to the idea. I’m rich and powerful. I pay off a lot of people. No Prince Charming on a white horse is gonna ride in here and rescue you, so you might as well make the best of the situation. All I’m asking is a little response.” He pulled her negligee open and put his hand on her breast.

Silver closed her eyes and trembled.

Damn it!” he swore, and stood up.
I hate it when you pull away from me like that,” he growled, lighting a cigar.
You’ve made a fool of me, Silver. I never let a woman do that to me before.”

She looked at her hands in her lap.
I don’t mean to make a fool of you, Bart. All I want is out of here.”

And away from me?” He crossed the room, leaned on the fireplace with both hands, and stared into the flames.