Quicksilver Passion (162 page)

Yes, nothing could make me part with them.” She hoped he wouldn’t ask about the bracelet. How could she tell him the Duchess now owned the gold nugget bracelet he had given her so long ago?

I dream of you dancing naked for me,” he whispered,
clad in nothing but your silver shoes and your long blond hair.”

She would not tell him that her hair was dyed drab brown now; there was no reason for him to ever know. She would not think of tomorrow when the sun was bright; she would think only of these few hours they would have of darkness, before she fled Denver forever.

Then as she watched him, he took off his own clothes and came to her, kissing her face and holding her tenderly as if he would never let her go. She was wet with wanting him and she spread her thighs and pulled him to her.

Slowly,” he whispered.
Slowly, Silver . . . I’ve waited too long not to enjoy this as long as I can make it last, like a child with sweet candy.”

He came into her so slowly that she found herself pulling at him, digging her nails into his flesh, wanting him now and deeper still. And then he lay on her a long moment, and she felt him big and surging and hot inside her like a virile stallion.

Give it to me,” she whispered.
Oh, dearest, please . . .”

He put his hands under her small hips, tilting her up for deepest penetration. Then he began to ride her, slowly, rhythmically, thrusting deep within her as he moved faster and faster. In seconds, he moaned aloud and rammed into her one more time. They meshed and strained and blended together into one living, breathing form.

She remembered only the moment she felt him begin to give up his seed into her waiting, velvet vessel and then she was floating in a darkness that felt like a wondrous death.

They lay locked together, hearts pounding against each other, flesh dewy with the heat of love.

He lifted her chin with his fingers and kissed her, oh, so very gently.
And now that I’m sated, I love you still,” he whispered.
Oh, Silver, if this could only last forever! If I could only tell you . . .”

She waited for him to finish, but he only kissed her again.
Kiss me,” he said,
as if it had to last me forever!”

How did he know that? Was he only talking or had he guessed that she never planned to see him again after dawn broke?

And he made love to her again and again, fiercely, then again tenderly until her lips and breasts were swollen with his kisses and her skin was smeared with his seed. Finally, with his body still locked into hers, they both slept.

It was almost dawn when Silver awoke with a start. She realized with horror that when he opened his eyes, he would know her terrible secret and would turn away from her with pity. Gently, she rolled him over and lay looking at him, brushing the black hair back from his forehead.

I must leave you now, my dearest,
she thought with a sigh of regret. Then she remembered how he had taught her to part. She took his hand and kissed the palm, tenderly closing his fingers over it.
Here’s a treasure to keep. Sometime when you are lonely, think of me.

Quickly she rose and dressed. Putting on her spectacles and pulling her hair back into its severe bun, she opened the door. He still lay asleep as she stood looking back at him. She loved him more than anything on this earth, but she couldn’t live with his pity, and more than that, she wouldn’t obligate him. Nor could she leave town because of Waanibe. At this point, she didn’t know what to do. Maybe she could simply refuse to see him if he came to the Palace, send a message that she’d changed her mind or found another man. Eventually he would go away, heartbroken. But wounded hearts sometimes heal and he would someday find another love—one whose face wasn’t scarred. She must leave him now. Steeling herself, she closed the door and fled back to the Palace.