Quicksilver Passion (88 page)

Silver, I’m only human,” he said.
I’ve had as much of this as I can stand. If I stay, I won’t be able to stop myself from making love to you and you don’t want a man to touch you.”

I’ve got good reason,” she whispered.

He gave her a long, searching look.
I’ve no doubt of that. If I could get my hands on the sonovabitch responsible, I swear I’d kill him for it!”

And then she wasn’t quite sure how, but she was in his arms and he held her tightly and kissed the tears off her cheeks.
Don’t cry, sweet darlin’. Oh, don’t cry!”

He swung her up in his arms, carried her, and sat her gently on the bed.
Good-bye, Silver. I’m going back up to the claim. You won’t see me anymore. From now on when we need supplies, I’ll send my partners.”

He started toward the window.

She raised her hand in protest.
Wait, don’t go.”

Cherokee paused, one foot on the sill.
Don’t stop me, Silver. It’s hard enough to leave now. If I stay, I’m not sure I can keep myself from making love to you, and I gave you my word I wouldn’t.”

Please . . .” She slid off the bed, moving toward him, afraid of what was about to happen, yet more afraid to let him leave forever.
I—I release you from that promise. Oh, please don’t go ...”

And then he was on his knees before her, his arms clasped around her hips, pulling her against his mouth while he kissed her there.

With a low moan of surrender, she clasped his head against her body, dizzy with response his hot mouth created as he kissed her womanhood.

Cherokee . . .” She didn’t know whether to stop him or urge him on as his mouth kissed her there. His hands clasped her bottom and began to work her nightdress up her legs until his mouth was on her flesh, the tip of his tongue caressing and teasing. Her legs gave way under her and she collapsed into his arms and slid onto the thick carpet.

Tell me to stop and I will,” he whispered.
Tell me you don’t want me to do this to you.” And his mouth caressed up her belly to her navel.

I—I don’t want you to ...” She tried to repeat it between gasping breaths, but could not seem to finish.

I’m yours to command,” he said more urgently, and she felt the heat of his breath as his tongue flicked her navel.
Tell me not to touch you, and I’ll get up and leave.”

Don’t ...” She writhed under his kisses on her bare skin. What was it she was supposed to tell him?
Oh, don’t stop. Don’t stop.

He pressed her breasts together with his two big hands and buried his face in the deep cleft between them. Automatically, she reached out to hold his face and guided his mouth to her nipple. He sucked there until she moaned with desire.

She must make him stop and leave her room
. Any moment now, he would shove her thighs apart and throw his whole weight on her. While she wept and struggled to escape, he would ram into her, impale her on his hot sword of flesh and it would be agony; it had always been agony.

Very gently, he stood, reached down, and swung her up in his arms. He stood there looking into her face as if searching for answers.
I don’t understand you,” he said softly, and his eyes were mystified.
It’s almost like making love to a virgin.”

But of course in her heart, she was a virgin. She had been raped repeatedly, but no man had ever made her desire him so that she surrendered and wanted what he had to give. She thought that, but she didn’t say it; he wouldn’t understand and he didn’t care about her feelings. Like all the others, he only wanted a pretty plaything on which to vent his lust.

Silver?” He was asking with his eyes and she didn’t know the answer. If only he would hold and caress and kiss her, not wanting to do that terrible thing to her, not expecting her to want it, too.

While she struggled within herself for the answer to his question, he carried her over and sat her on the edge of the bed, her nightdress still gathered around her waist.

Silver, you’re trembling again. Are you really afraid of me?”

And then she couldn’t hold back the sobs.
Not you, them!”