Quicksilver Passion (11 page)

If you want me that bad . . .” The silly girl had her chemise off and obediently lay on her back with her legs spread.

Silver’s voice floated faintly into the room. Damn her anyway! Even as he took the girl in his arms, he felt his body soften in protest. It didn’t want Nellie, it hungered for the other girl. He was both frustrated and angry as he sat up suddenly.
I’ve changed my mind.”

Changed your mind? As hot as you were?”

He didn’t want to explain or argue with the girl.
Here’s your money and then some.”

He tossed two silver dollars on her bare belly, rolled over to sit up on the edge of the bed, and took a deep, shuddering breath.

He had already lost the rigidity he needed to complete the act. Even though he had been without a woman for months, all he wanted was the girl downstairs—a woman as unattainable as the stars to a half-breed prospector like himself.

Sugar, you ain’t leavin’?”

Just watch me!” He stood up, looking down at the girl lying naked in a tangle of sheets and lace.
Sorry about that, Nellie.”

But why?”

Never mind why. It isn’t your fault. I—I just changed my mind.” He started buttoning his pants.

The song floated faintly through the door and Nellie sat up, glaring at him.
It’s her, ain’t it? You want her? Well, Silver don’t sleep with no one, ’specially not some lowdown ’breed! You can eat your heart out, ’breed, but you won’t ever get in her bed! You should have been happy to get me.”

Her words stung like gravel thrown against his face, but he resisted the urge to fling insults back. Cherokee could never hurt a woman, not even a whore.
And didn’t he know that all white women were whores?
Sorry, Nellie,” he drawled softly and strode out the door.

Maybe he could sneak out without Silver seeing him. With all the fuss he’d made about spending the whole night with Nellie, he’d just as soon Silver didn’t know he was leaving early.

He started down the stairs as the piano changed to another tune and the men began to applaud and cheer. Through the haze of smoke and smell of whiskey, he saw Silver taking the steps to the small stage.

The piano banged loudly and the men sang along:

De Camptown ladies sing dis song, doo-dah, doo-dah!
De Camptown race track, five miles
long—Oh! Doo-dah day!”