Silver, I’ve got to get you back to the cabin.”
She looked up at him, trembling with cold. I was going to town.”
The hell you say! Of all the stubborn, stupid women I ever met, you get the prize!”
Still, he secretly admired her spunk as he swung her up in his arms and stepped over the dead wolf. Keep your hands under my arms and your face against my chest.”
She looked up at him as he started back up the trail. Aren’t you cold with your shirt open?”
Damned right! Now snuggle up there and see if I can put some heat into you by the time we get back to the cabin!”
She acted for a moment as if she would protest, but Cherokee refused to argue with her. After all, he was bigger than she was and she was hurt and half-frozen. He carried her back up the trail with long strides, worrying all the time about her feet. That was a crazy thing to do! If your toes freeze and you lose them, you won’t be dancing for me in those silver-heeled slippers anymore!”
She was shaking all over, but he could feel life coming back to her hands against his bare flesh. Once he got her inside before the fireplace, he could rub her body and get her circulation going and put plenty of whiskey in her. She’d be all right. From now on until a rescue team got here, he might have to keep her tied to the bed.
It seemed as if it took forever to get back to the cabin. Cherokee dumped her unceremoniously on the fur rug before the fireplace and added wood to the flames, building up the fire so that it lit up the whole room.
He handed her the whiskey from his pack. Here, drink up, while I get you out of these damp clothes.”
She started to protest, seemed to think better of it, and took a couple of big gulps while he pulled her boots off and massaged her small feet. Damned little fool! It would serve you right if you could never dance again!”
With Silver protesting, he stripped her naked, gathered her up, and put her in her bed, piling every blanket in the cabin on top of her. She lay there trembling.
Silver looked up at him. The expression on his face told her how angry he was. She had never been so cold in her life. More than dying, she was afraid of what frostbite might do to her looks.
Are you warm yet?”
She shook her head, afraid to lie to him. She had never seen a man so angry and scowling before. It dawned on her that it was because he feared for her.
He reached under the cover, took one of her arms, and began massaging it, while she protested about him touching her.
He didn’t even answer, just kept rubbing the circulation back into her arm. Then he began on the other one. After that, his hands worked their way down her bare legs and massaged her feet. I’ve seen bigger feet on a child,” he said, and she didn’t know whether she was supposed to comment or not, he looked so angry.
Turn over,” he ordered.
She started to protest, then she saw the look on his face and did as he told her. The whiskey had made her more than a little dizzy.
He reached under the blanket and rubbed her back, his hands gentle in the area of her wounded shoulder. The whiskey was beginning to work its way into her system now, and she decided that if he was going to rape her, she was helpless to stop him anyhow. She relaxed and let his strong, supple hands knead their way down her body.
That’s more like it,” he murmured and then his hands were on her hips, rubbing there. Silver stiffened, but by then, his hands were on the back of her thighs. She turned her head sleepily and looked at him. His shirt was open to the waist, the powerful muscles of his dark chest rippling in the firelight.
She was still trembling with cold, even though she tried to keep him from seeing her shiver.
He frowned. This calls for desperate measures.”
She watched in horror as he stood up and began undressing. No! You aren’t going to—”
Shut up!” he ordered. I’m going to get you warm if I have to tie you up to do it!”
While she struggled and protested, he peeled off the rest of his clothes, crawled under the blankets, and pulled her up against him.
As drunk as she was, the hard heat of his flesh against her chilled body made her gasp, and then without meaning to, she molded herself against him, shivering.
That’s it,” he murmured, holding her in the crook of his arm. Take some of my heat, sweet darlin’, although it’s hell to have you in bed with me when I’ve sworn not to touch you!”
She didn’t believe him, of course. She had no doubt that any minute now, he would roll over on top of her and ram that hard tool of his deep within her. But she was too tired and cold and drunk to do anything but lie there and shake.
He pulled her very close and she felt her sensitive nipples brush against his hot flesh and his big hands cupped and covered her small bottom. She struggled, but she couldn’t get away. He had her face against his wide chest, radiating heat into her chilled skin. Don’t fight me, Silver, I won’t hurt you. Let me warm you.”
There was nothing she could do against his strength except let him mold her against him all the way down their bodies. He smelled of tobacco, shaving soap, and wood smoke. His big maleness throbbed against her belly, hot and virile. She tried to pull away from the feel of it surging there, but he held her close.
His hand came up and covered her breast. By damn! Even these are cold.” He began to massage them, cursing softly under his breath. Why did I ever tell you I wouldn’t touch you? I don’t suppose you’d let me out of that vow?”
Who are you kidding? I know you’ll rape me when you decide to!” She glared at him, angry with both him and herself. Never had she experienced feelings like this before. She was afraid of him, but his hand stroked and caressed her breasts until she found herself pressing against his fingers, not wanting him to stop. Her nipples seemed to swell and grow hard at his touch and it occurred to her suddenly that his mouth would feel very hot and wet on her chilled skin. She had a sudden vision of his mouth sucking and licking her breasts, working slowly over every inch of her small body.
The feeling scared her. No man had ever made her think along those lines before. It must be the whiskey.
Here, roll over,” he ordered gruffly. Let me warm your back.”
And if I don’t?”
She kept forgetting how powerful the man was. He didn’t answer, merely lifted her and turned her gently so that she lay against the curve of his big frame like two spoons fitting into each other.
I couldn’t stand much more of you brushing those soft breasts against me,” he complained. I was about to forget what I promised.”
Drunk and resigned to his male strength and whatever he decided to do to her, she lay pressed against him with his breath hot on the back of her neck, one of his arms encircling her belly.
Are you getting warm now?” he whispered.
She nodded, sighing at the feel of the heat radiating from his big frame. His manhood felt as hard as steel against her back and his hand massaged her belly. I’m warm, you can go back to your own bunk now.”
Well, I’m not,” he grumbled, and I don’t want to take another chance on you doing a damn fool stunt like that again.”
You aren’t fooling me,” she complained, the fear beginning to build in her again. You’re just wanting to lie with me—”
Damned right! Now if I could only ease this ache in my groin, I could sleep!”
Silver stiffened and pulled away from him.
Her jerked her up against him. Don’t be afraid of me, Silver.” His breath stirred the hair at the base of her skull. I’ll never, never hurt you; nor will anyone else as long as I can stop them.”
Don’t believe him, she warned herself, but somehow she did. With an exhausted sigh, she snuggled down in the blankets and slept deeply, hardly aware there was no lamp by her bedside to scare the nightmares away.
Silver blinked awake, trying to remember where she was, why her brain ached so. She heard soft breathing and looked up. For a moment, she couldn’t believe it. She lay curled in the a
rms of Cherokee Evans, her face against his naked chest. With a startled cry, she sat bolt upright in bed, pulling the covers protectively around her naked breasts.
He opened his eyes. What’s the matter?”
Her outrage knew no bounds. You rotten skunk! You know what’s the matter! You got me drunk and got into bed with me!”
And that’s all I did,” he grumbled. I wish now I’d poured a little more whiskey down you.”
She slapped him hard and his hand moved in a flash, catching her wrist. Don’t ever do that again, Silver. I haven’t done anything to warrant that. Remember, I could break you in half!”
Yes, that’s it! Go ahead and hit a woman! You big—you big—” She couldn’t think of anything bad enough to call him. Still holding her blanket, she climbed over him and out of the bed, then moaned aloud at her throbbing head. She plopped down on a chair and glared at him. I hate the sight of you!”
Do you now?” He stood up and walked naked across the bare floor. As I recall, last night when I arrived just in time to save you from being a wolf’s dinner, you were mighty glad to see me. Stop trying my patience, sweet darlin’. Like any man, I can only be pushed so far.”
And then you’ll do what?” she sneered.
He grinned at her. I’m sure I could think of something.”
She carefully turned her head away so she wouldn’t have to look at him. You promised,” she reminded him primly. Remember your promise.”
I wish to hell I could forget it!” He grabbed his pants and pulled them on. I won’t touch you—not until you give me the word.”
Don’t hold your breath,” she snapped back.
He didn’t answer. She watched him stir up the fire and begin making coffee. This is probably the last day you’ll have to put up with my rotten cooking,” he said. Whether my pards made it into town or not, I imagine your watchdog will come looking this afternoon. Does he have any idea where you are?”
She hadn’t thought about Al in a long time. I think I told him. I imagine he’s worried to death about me.”
Cherokee looked up from frying bacon. Just what is he to you?”
Not my lover,” she said, her face flushing hot.
Well, of course I didn’t think that,” he said, but there’s some kind of unusual bond between you.”
She didn’t say anything. How could she tell him she and Al were both wanted back in Chicago on murder and robbery charges? Al was in love with her; she knew that was why he had done it. She would be forever beholden to him, and while she couldn’t return his love, it seemed enough for him to stay close to her.
Cherokee finished frying the bacon, made some coffee, and baked some biscuits in a iron skillet covered with coals. Sorry there’s no butter or fancy jam.”
It’ll do,” she said, accepting a tin plate while holding the blanket tightly around her. The food tasted good and she found herself gobbling it. I suppose help will get through today.”
Probably.” He sounded regretful, and to her surprise, she wasn’t sure how she felt.
They finished eating and he took the tin plate, frowning at her. Your hair is a tangle; I wouldn’t want Al to think I hadn’t taken good care of his prize.” Cherokee sounded a little sarcastic as he reached for a brush.
I can do that myself.” She tried to take the brush from his hand, then realized her shoulder hurt when she moved it.
Let me,” he said.
With a resigned sigh, she let him brush her hair. Although she hated to admit it even to herself, it felt good. You could hire out anywhere as a lady’s personal maid.”
Anytime you need one, just holler. I can’t think of anything I’d like better than looking after you.”
I don’t need looking after.”
That’s debatable.”
There was no point in arguing with the hardheaded half-breed. Once she got away from him, she didn’t ever have to see him again. Silver decided she’d pay him a nice reward for helping her. It dawned on her suddenly that he was looking down into the loose blanket at her breasts while he brushed her hair.
Drat it all! Here, give me that!” She jerked the brush out of his hand and began to brush her own hair, even though it made her shoulder ache. You remind me of a stallion pawing and prancing about a filly.”
Do I? I can’t help it, sweet Silver. You affect me that way.”
Men!” she sniffed with disdain, brushing her hair in long strokes. Any pretty woman, you want to top. When I’m old and ugly, no one will want me.” She hadn’t meant to tell him that; it was her biggest fear, that when her looks had finally faded, no one would love or even want her.
He looked up from rolling a cigarette. Silver, there’s lots of pretty women in this world, but you’re special. I started out just wanting to make love to you, I’ll admit that. But now . . .”
But now?” she paused, looked at him.
He finished rolling the cigarette and toyed with it. I never thought I’d say this to a woman, but I’d like to be around when you’re old. To me, I think you will always be beautiful, even when there’s lines in your face and that lovely hair has turned gray. If I’m around, you won’t need all those mirrors; you can see your reflection in my eyes and they’ll tell you that to me, you are lovely still.”
His words sounded so sincere that she was shaken, and then she remembered that, like all men, he would say anything that would get her under him with her thighs apart. Animals. That’s what they all were—animals.
She finished brushing her hair and put it up in a French twist. Can you find me some more of Willie’s clothes?”
Sure.” He lit the cigarette with a burning stick from the fire then went over to dig some things from the trunk. I’ll go see about the burro while you dress.”
She held the clothes in front of her and looked up at the big man. You’re a strange guy, Cherokee. I never met anyone like you before.”
He shrugged, looking embarrassed. Maybe it comes from being raised up in the hills by an Indian grandmother. We didn’t see very many white people; and didn’t trust them and with good reason. The soldiers dragged my e-tsi, my mother, away and sent her along with the others on the Removal—the Trail of Tears.”
And your father?”
He ran off with a saloon whore and went chasing the gold at the end of the rainbow,” Cherokee blew smoke toward the ceiling. Never found it. He’d turn up now and then, tell me how he would come for me when he finally hit it big. All he left me when he died was a few rusty tools and this claim.”
You have a low opinion of white women, don’t you?”
He hesitated. I have my reasons.”
Somehow, she wanted to know, to understand him. Want to tell me about it?”
No.” He stood up. Let’s just say I betrayed a friend over one. She had golden hair and was supposed to be an elegant lady.”
And now she had the part to the puzzle. You were drunk, weren’t you?”
He stood staring into the distance, and for a long moment, she didn’t think he had heard her. That’s no excuse,” he said finally.
You shouldn’t judge all women by that one, or the one that ran off with your father.”
He looked at her squarely then. Aren’t you judging all men by one ... or two?”
Now she was the one to turn away from his piercing gaze. That’s different.”
Is it?” He flipped the cigarette into the fireplace, came up behind her, and slipped his arms around her as she stood there wrapped in the blanket. I think I could give you what you need, Silver.” He bent his head and kissed her bare shoulder. The feeling of his lips on her skin sent goose bumps traveling all over her body.
She pulled away and moved over to stand before the fire. You’re mistaken,” she said softly, but she didn’t look at him. I have everything I want—a big saloon of my own, money, men applauding me. I don’t need anything else.”
Sure,” he said. The mirrored walls and the lamps on at midnight tell me how happy you are.”
My life
is none of your damned business!” She whirled on him. I don’t need you! I don’t need anyone, especially not some half-breed who is trying to talk his way into my bed!”
He looked as if she’d struck him and she was immediately sorry, but she couldn’t take back her words.
His face turned grim and hard. I should have taken you when I had the chance,” he said. That’s what you expect from a savage like me, and darlin’, you’re so tempting!”
He turned and went out to the shed, slamming the door so hard behind him, it rattled the windows.
At least now he’d keep his hands off her, now that she’d made it clear she didn’t want anything he had to offer. She should feel relieved, but strangely, she felt a little regretful and disappointed. She must be loco.
Silver got dressed and waited for the big ’breed to return. Maybe she should apologize. After all, he had saved her life twice.
But when he came back inside, he ignored her, staring out the window and smoking cigarettes. She had never been through such a long day.
It was a relief when, in the afternoon, he went to the window again, turned, and said, I think I see a sleigh in the distance. Looks like you’ll be leaving. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you by making you spend another night in mortal fear of me.”
She started to say something, then wasn’t sure exactly what to say. She bit her lip, struggling for the right words, but Cherokee was already opening the door. I’ll get your things together,” he said, and he sounded relieved to be rid of her. The way he looked at her told her that he never intended to see her again.
Chapter Nine
It appeared to Silver that half the town’s male population had come along with the sleigh.
Al looked both frantic and furious as he stomped the snow off his boots. Are you all right, Silver? Is there anything you want to tell me?” He glared at Cherokee.
Silver feigned wide-eyed innocence. Why, no. I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.”
Quicksilver Passion Page 13
