Quicksilver Passion (83 page)

You came looking for me, didn’t you? Why?”

I did not!” She glared up at him.
I told you I was thinking of buying a claim and got lost.”

I don’t believe you.”

I don’t give a damn what you believe! Anyway, I promised you a reward for your help.” She opened the box.

You know what I want, and it’s not your damn money!”

She looked up at him, watching him breath deeply. Faintly through the drapes, the sound of the piano, laughter, and faro drifted. Cherokee stood close enough to touch, and electricity seemed to almost spark from him like lightning in a storm. There was something dangerous and excitingly forbidden about the man ... and frightening.
I’m not going to give you that, you know it.”

He laughed.
Can’t blame me for trying!”

Don’t expect me to feel obligated if you turn down the money.” She put a pile of gold coins on the table.

He swept them to the floor with a sneering gesture and they rang and rolled across the floor. Before she realized his next move, he grabbed her and kissed her.

Silver panicked and struggled, beating against his chest, but she couldn’t cry out for help because his mouth covered hers and she was helpless against his strength. The heat of his hands burned into her waist and then he moved one of them down to cover her bottom, lifted her off her feet, and pressed her against him so that she felt the heat of him all the way down both their bodies.

She beat him about the face with her small hands and tried to break away, but he held her easily, his hard maleness throbbing against her belly through their clothing. His tongue was in her mouth, probing and caressing. She tried to bite him, but he seemed to pay that no heed. Helpless against his raw virility, she realized suddenly that fighting him only aroused him and she went limp in his arms, shaking as he kissed her.

He took a deep shuddering breath and stood her slowly on her feet. He looked a little surprised.
Damn you,” he whispered,
for making me want you the way I do!”

Damn you for manhandling me!” she snapped back, more angry with herself than him. His mouth and body had aroused emotions in her she didn’t even know existed. She liked her life the way it was and he could only destroy that.

Silver. Yes, it suits you, all right. Tell me, if I’m willing to give you all the gold I’ve got, will you let me have one night of your time?”