Quicksilver Passion (84 page)

She slapped him so hard, his head snapped back.

If you were a man, I’d kill you for that,” he snarled.

And if
I
were a man, I’d call you out and kill you right out there in the street!” She was livid with rage.

Why don’t you tell your faithful watchdog?” Cherokee said sarcastically.
I’m sure Al would come gunnin’ for me if he knew I’d dared to touch you.”

And you’d kill him! I’ll bet you’re good with a pistol.” She was trembling now, eyes filling with tears.

He looked angry, frustrated, and totally confused.
Silver, I shouldn’t have done that. I couldn’t stop myself—”

Get out!” She managed to keep her voice low although she was bordering on hysteria.
Get out of my saloon!”

I’ll do more than that. When I finish my business tomorrow, I’ll get out of town. From now on, I’ll go to Fairplay for supplies.” He turned and strode away.

She stood there a long moment, composing herself before she knelt, picked up the scattered money from the floor, took her cash box, and went to the bar.

Al stared at her curiously.
Are you okay?”

She didn’t look at him.
Fine. I’m tired, though. I’m going upstairs. You’ll close up, won’t you?”

He nodded and she handed him the cash box and fled to her rooms, locking the door behind her. The kiss had left her more shaken than she cared to admit, even to herself. Along with the fear had come an urge to hold him close, to let him touch her, dominate her, mesh together like two wild, primitive things.

Silver felt both afraid and disgusted with herself. A man like that would change her future if she succumbed to animal desires. He would destroy her by getting her with child and then deserting her.

She closed her drapes and checked her image anxiously in one of the many mirrors.
Was that a tiny new line at the corner of her mouth? Did she only imagine that there were fine wrinkles around her eyes?

Cherokee lusted after her because she was pretty. If she wasn’t beautiful, she was worthless. Long before the sands of time had run through the hourglass, Silver intended to be financially secure. There was no place in that plan for a penniless half-breed who only wanted to slake his lust on her body.

She slipped into a sheer, expensive nightdress;—pale blue silk that felt good on her skin. Silver went to bed and drifted into a restless sleep.

She dreamed that she stood on an auction block on the stage of the Nugget. She wore the silver shoes and the sheer nightdress. Men buyers stared at her hungrily as the bidding began. The auctioneer made her turn around slowly, parade up and down. She wouldn’t look at the audience, knowing they could see through her clothing. Her stepfather, Jake Dallinger, and Bart Brett were bidding for her and she stood there, small gold chains tying her wrists and ankles. Suddenly Cherokee was bidding for her.

What’s the bid?
the auctioneer said, banging his gavel.

One kiss
, the big ’breed yelled out,
one kiss!

Sold!
The hammer came down with a resoundingbang.
Come and claim your woman!

Cherokee came to the stage, swung her up in his arms.
You’re mine now, Silver; you always knew you would be.

Neeley, Brett, Jake Dallinger, and a dozen others raised their voices in protest, wanting her, but Cherokee silenced them with a glare that was black as thunderclouds.
She’s mine,
he said.
I bought her soul and body with one kiss. I’ll kill any man who disputes my ownership!