The Saturday night crowd downstairs sounded louder and drunker than usual, possibly because of the holiday season, and anything was an excuse for these hard-living, hard-drinking men to down a few more. Then, too, the Palace attracted a rougher crowd than some of the others places. If Denver ever decided it wanted to change its image and become a law and order” town, the Palace would be one of the first saloons the city fathers would want to close.
She checked on little Waanibe again, made sure the child was fast asleep, then went to her room. What to do? Silver longed for the strength and comfort of Cherokee’s arms. She wasn’t proud where he was concerned. He didn’t have to really love her; she’d settle for whatever he was willing to give. Maybe he could tell her what she should do about Waanibe. If Silver didn’t do something, the child might end up as homeless and unwanted as that street boy, Keso.
She waited a few more minutes, listening to the laughter and noise from downstairs. What had she done with the silver shoes? And the she smiled, remembering. They were on the floor of the nursery. There was no point in waking the little girl up by going in there to get them. She’d put them away tomorrow. Right now, she longed for Cherokee’s arms.
Silver got her cloak and went out into the hall. She’d go down the back stairs where no one would see her. But as she started in that direction, she ran into Jake Dallinger, who was just coming down the hall from the Duchess’s room. He grinned as he rolled up the big whip and hung it on his belt.
Why, howdy, missy, I was just leaving myself. Where in the hell you think you’re going?” He caught her arm, and when she tried to jerk away, her spectacles came off.
Let go of me!”
He stared at her a long moment as if really seeing her for the first time. Then he reached out slowly and began to pull the hairpins out so that the drab locks fell around her face. Wal, I’ll be damned! I must have been blind not to recognize you!”
I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She tried to twist out of his hands.
Ya don’t, huh? Now ain’t that a purdee shame because I sure as hell recognize you, little gal! What are you gonna do to keep me from telling?”
She was so afraid, she shook as she tried to get away from him. You don’t know anything!”
I know about a purty gal named Silver who went missing along with a man named Al and a bunch of money, leaving the owner dead. I think you’re gonna be willing to let me do anything I want to you, Silver, just to keep you from being hanged.”
I’d rather be dead!” She struggled, but he held her and grinned.
That’s easy to say, gal, but I have a feeling you’ll be in my bed every night once you think it over. You don’t want to get hanged for murdering Bart Brett, now do you?”
I don’t know any Bart Brett!”
You’re lucky tonight, Silver, I already enjoyed the Duchess, but there’s always all day tomorrow and tomorrow night and every day afterward. I’m already looking forward to it!”
You bastard!” Silver managed to pull away from him and ran down the back stairs and out into the cold November night. Oh God, what was she going to do? She couldn’t pull Cherokee into this; he had enough problems with his blindness. She couldn’t tell him about Bart Brett and the Velvet Kitten. Cherokee already thought of her as a saloon whore, even though he denied it. What would he think if he knew she was wanted for robbery and murder? Or if there was the slightest chance that he cared for her, this would only add fuel to his vengeance against Jake Dallinger.
Cherokee didn’t stand a chance against the brawny scout without his eyesight. Maybe she could convince him to leave this town and forget justice. Whatever she had to submit to from Dallinger, it was better than getting Cherokee killed.
She fled to the Essex Hotel.
Cherokee, let me in! It’s Silver!”
Cherokee answered the door, still puzzled over what he was going to do about maintaining his masquerade if and when his sight gradually returned to normal. Whatever it would take to keep Silver, whether it meant lying, cheating, or whatever, he wanted her badly enough to try.
Silver? I wasn’t sure you’d come again.”
She came into his arms and her cheek felt cold against his. I had to.”
She was scared; he could sense that. Cherokee held her very close and stroked her hair, which hung in wild disarray as he ran his hand over her face. Your hair is down and your glasses are gone. Has something happened?”
I—I just came to tell you I’ve changed my mind about you.”
In the dim light of the lamp, he could see her face and knew she wasn’t a good liar.
I don’t understand.”
She tried to pull out of his arms. I’ve decided I should stay at the Palace. That’s where a big-time saloon star like me belongs anyway. If you did want to marry me, you’d stick me in some crummy place with brats crawling around my feet while I hung over a washtub all day.”
He tried to mold her against him, but she felt wooden and unresponsive in his arms. Silver, if I hadn’t been blind, I’ll level with you, I would have kidnapped you if I had to and carried you off to a cabin where all we did was lie on a fur rug naked in front of the fire and make love.”
No, I—I’ve changed my mind. You can’t expect me to give up everything for a—a blind man.”
He winced, looking down at her. He saw fear in her dear, scarred face and wondered what had happened. Had she guessed about his returning sight? No, in that case, she wouldn’t want him to see her; she wouldn’t have come.
No, that was actual fear in her face. He wondered suddenly if she feared for herself or someone else. If any man had laid a hand on her, Cherokee would kill him. Could it be that his blindness really made a difference to her? That wasn’t the Silver he had known. I suppose that’s the reason I kept trying to keep you from finding out.”
She turned away from him. Well, that’s all I have to say.” She drew in a deep, shuddering breath. I-I’ll go now.
At least let me love you one more time—something for both of us to remember all those lonely nights in the future.”
Drat it all! Who told you I would be lonely?” She looked up at him and laughed, the old hardness back in her pale eyes. But her soft mouth trembled, making a liar of her. There’s another man, of course. You know me, Cherokee, I’m a saloon girl, a singing, dancing star. I could never get used to having only one man in my bed.”
He didn’t want to live if he lost her. No, he couldn’t live if he lost her. Silver, what is it? What’s wrong? All those years in that Yankee prison, all that kept me alive and gave me the guts to go on was the knowledge that someday you would be in my arms again!”
He pulled her to him, kissed her while she struggled, but he didn’t let her go. Whatever it was, she wasn’t being truthful with him and he would do anything to keep her. If only she were carrying his child, she wouldn’t have the option of leaving him. She’d be his. At least let me make love to you one more time before we part.”
No.” She tried to pull away but he was stronger than she was and he held her with one arm while he began to unbutton the front of her dress. I told you no!”
Love me one more time,” he whispered, and then I’ll let you go without a fuss and won’t ask anything else.”
He could feel her trembling in his arms. She shook her head in denial as he managed to get the front of her dress open and covered one of her breasts with his big hand. He felt her nipple respond to his touch and heard her sharp intake of breath. Just once more,” he murmured, and after that, if you still want to go back to this other man, I’ll let you leave.”
Please let me go.”
He felt the tears drip down on his hand, but he didn’t take it from her breast. He had not gone through so much to lose her now.
Cherokee kneaded her breast with his hand, feeling the warm satin of her skin, the nipple swelling with desire against his flesh even as his own maleness began to pulsate with need. If he made love to her every day for the rest of his li
fe, he would never get enough of her.
She pushed at him. Let me go, or I’ll—”
His mouth came down over hers. She fought him, but she was powerless against his strength. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. Cherokee didn’t take his mouth away as he lay down on her, both his hands kneading and fondling her bare breasts. Finally she stopped struggling, gasped, and moaned deep in her throat. He sucked her tongue into his mouth and one of his hands went down to pull at her skirt and stroke her thigh.
Her hands came up as if to push him away and, instead, dug into his shoulders, pulling his face down to her breasts. Oh, Cherokee . . . you make me forget everything except that I’m a woman.”
And you make me feel like a stallion of a man!” He laved her breasts into sensitive peaks with his tongue. She whimpered as his hand went to invade her velvet place. He stroked her there, reaching deep to tease and thrill every nerve of her being with his skillful fingers.
He moved to kiss her there and pull her thighs apart where he could taste the very essence of her body while she arched and gasped beneath him. He unbuttoned his pants, his manhood so hard, it was throbbing.
She lay there, thighs apart, her breasts bare, her hair a silken tangle. And he was suddenly ashamed.
Silver, I won’t force myself on you. If you don’t want me—”
He never finished because she reached for him, pulling him to her, and he felt her hand on his manhood as she guided him into her body, tilting up so that she could take the full length of his penetration.
He lay on top of her, feeling himself throb deep in her belly. Put your legs around me, Silver, those long, beautiful legs.” He felt her lock his hips against her so he couldn’t escape. His mouth came down on hers, his two hands covering her breasts, his thumbs stroking back and forth across the nipples, and she gasped and shuddered each time he did it. Now work with me, sweet darlin’,” he urged fiercely. You know what you want from me, what you won’t be satisfied until you get from my body. Make me want to give it to you, squeeze it out of me, make me put it deep inside you!”
Her body seemed to be convulsing under him, and he could feel the hot velvet of her sheath squeezing and forcing him to give up his seed. He began hard, deep thrusts. She was really too small to take all of him, he was thrusting against her very womb, but he couldn’t stop himself from riding her hard, holding on to her breasts. He kept his tongue deep in her throat while her legs locked his hips against her and her nails dug into his shoulders. They meshed and strained together like two savage, wild things rutting in the darkness.
She began to come under him and he couldn’t hold back any longer. He thrust hard and deep one final time, then he felt his pent-up seed gush deep into her womb and she climaxed under him, accepting, no, demanding his gift. In her mating frenzy, she bit his tongue while they coupled for an eternity.
When he returned to consciousness, her body was still locked onto his, refusing to let him go: He lay on her, rubbing against her velvet petals until she whimpered and pulled at him so that he rubbed against her until her body convulsed under him again.
They lay still a long time while he kissed her face and then he rolled her over on top of him again. Sweet Silver, make me want you again,” he whispered, but you’ll have to work for it this time.”
She began to ride him and he felt himself harden as she moved on him. Her full breasts hung close to his mouth and he clasped her back and brought her breasts down to brush against his face, teasing them with his mouth while she moved on top of him. By damn, maybe she wouldn’t have to work so very hard after all, he thought with wonder, as she slid down on him again and again. His hands went down her back to her slim waist. He used his strength to grind her down on his hard tool, using her for his pleasure. But she was in the dominant position, and she was dictating the rhythm to satisfy her own needs. finally he had no more to give and she lay on him, weeping and spent. He held her close and kissed the tears from her face.
Silver, I don’t want to let you go. I love you too much.”
Suppose I wasn’t pretty anymore? Suppose—”
You will always be beautiful to me, sweet darlin’,” he whispered as he kissed her, no matter what time and fate and age do to you. Physical beauty is fleeting, Silver, but I see you with my heart. I’ll always love you, and fate and time and age can never, ever change you for me.”
She wept then and he held her close and kissed her, wishing he could tell her that he knew her secret already and didn’t care, but he was too afraid she would think it pity instead of love and run away, never to return.
Finally they dropped off to sleep.
Jake Dallinger had stood staring after the governess as she went down the back stairs.
Gawd Almighty! He must have been purdee blind not to recognize her! Of course she was wearing glasses and had her hair dyed and done up in a bun, but she was still purty as a speckled pup except for a few small scars on that face. He pushed his hat back and scratched the bald place on his scalp.
Her scared expression had told him she didn’t know she wasn’t wanted for murder and robbery in Chicago. Now what should he do about that? With a grin of pleasure, he lit one of the cheap, strong stogies he favored and sauntered down the steps and out into the back alley.
A rider galloped up. Hey, Jake! I been looking for you!”
You found me. Whata you want?”
Colonel Chivington sent me to fetch you. The weather’s going to be turning cold and our old guide, Beckworth, has the rheumatiz so bad, he’s useless.”
So?”
So the colonel’s decided to march out to that Injun camp and wipe them out. It’ll take a few days to get there, but they won’t be expecting us in bad weather. We don’t know the shortcuts. Will you come?”
Tell the Colonel I sure as hell will!” He named the meeting place on the Plains. I’ll come as quick as I kin get a good horse under me!” Jake stood smoking his cigar and staring after the rider as he galloped away. It was gonna be a plumb pleasure to ride out there and lead the Colorado Third Volunteers to that Injun camp on Sand Creek. They might find it eventually without him, but Jake knew the buffalo plains of eastern Colorado Territory well. He could lead them to that camp so quick, the Injuns might be caught asleep in their blankets. Killing Cheyenne would be more fun than rape—of course, they’d probably do some of that, too. He owed them redskins revenge for what Iron Knife and his father before him had done to Jake. But first he needed to see Lon Brett.
He walked briskly to the Progressive Hall Saloon, found Lon sitting at a back table playing poker, and signaled him that they needed to talk.
What is it?” Lon joined him at a small table against the wall. You got something to tell me?”
I’m going off to help Colonel Chivington,” Jake drawled. May not be back for a few weeks. There’s lots of folks out, some of them pretty drunk and rowdy, so you can move around easy without anyone paying you much mind.”
Lon’s handsome face frowned. Get to the point.”
The point is, I found that girl you been searching for, and she don’t seem to know she ain’t wanted by the sheriff.”
Lon jerked up, interested. Where is she?”
What’s it worth to you?”
Whatever you say it is.”
Jake laughed. She’s been right under your nose ever since you hit town. And by the way, that place called the Duchess’ Palace that’s been givin’ you such competition, the Duchess ain’t Spanish and she ain’t no Duchess. She’s just a little Arapaho Injun whore I’ve known from a long time back. Now how’s Denver gonna feel about that?”
The girl!” Lon demanded, pounding his fist on the table. What about the girl who helped kill my brother?”
I’m getting to that.” Jake put his hand on the handle of the big whip. What I want is for you to get rid of the Duchess, and hand the Palace over to me. And I hope you won’t kill that Silver girl. When I get back, I intend to enjoy the hell out of her.”
Lon grinned. Handing her over to you might be more enjoyable than killing her.”
I can think of lots of ways to enjoy a woman.”
Lon chewed his cigar and nodded. I’ll bet you could!”
Jake stood up. When I take control of the Palace, I’d like to have the girl awhile for my own private use.” He winked. In the dark, those big tits of hers and those long, slim legs make up for whatever welts you put on her and those few scars on her face.”
Lon Brett stared at him. What the hell are you telling me?”
You damned fool! The girl has been under your nose the whole time with her hair dyed and hiding behind spectacles and drab clothes so’s no one in the world would recognize her.’ He pushed his Western hat back. Now remember what you promised me.” He turned to go. The bitch you’re looking for is the governess to the Duchess’s kid!”
Chapter Twenty
Cherokee came awake with a start in the darkness, wondering what had awakened him. Silver still lay curled asleep next to him.
The slight rap at the door echoed again. He got up, went to the door, and opened it. Keso stood there.
Boss, that man, that Jake Dallinger—”
Shh!” Cherokee held up a warning finger, then looked toward where Silver lay asleep. He tiptoed across the room, got his boots, coat, and pistol, went out into the hall, and closed the door behind him. Talk soft and tell me what you know.”
That Dallinger fella came to the barn a while ago, saddled his horse, and took off like the devil was nippin’ at his heels.”
Headed where?”
East. Said something about going out the Cherry Creek Road. He’s goin’ to meet the Third soldiers. Colonel’s sent for him to scout the way to the Cheyenne camp on Sand Creek.”
Quicksilver Passion Page 31