“It’s late. I’m going to bed. I suggest you do the same.”
“It would be my pleasure. Your room or mine?”
“I sleep alone.”
“I’d be happy to change that.”
She stared down at his offending hand. “Let me go.”
“And if I don’t?”
He could almost see the sparks coming from those dark eyes. “If you don’t release me at once, I’ll be forced to summon Lee Yin.”
He knew the giant would have no hesitation about snapping his bones like twigs. The Asian had removed many a careless gunman from the Golden Dragon. And his loyalty to Jade was unquestioned.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“And why not?”
“I’d have the blood of an innocent man on my conscience.”
“I didn’t think the gambler Nevada had a conscience.”
“He doesn’t.”
She deliberately kept her tone harsh, to hide the pain she felt. “What happened to Reverend Wade Weston, the preacher of Hanging Tree?”
His voice was a low growl of anger. “He doesn’t exist any longer. He outlived his usefulness.”
She felt the strength in the hand holding her and experienced a tremor of alarm. “I’m truly sorry to hear that. I liked him. At least, I liked him more than the gambler Nevada.”
“Really? I should think you’d be relieved. Have you forgotten that in Hanging Tree the Reverend Weston would have to stand with the people who oppose you?”
“At least you would stand for something. As far as I can see, the gambler Nevada stands for nothing. Except his own selfish pleasures.”
“Speaking of which…” He smiled suggestively, and she felt her heart turn over in her chest. How was it that one man’s dangerous smile had such power over her emotions?
She used what she hoped was her most commanding tone. “I want you to leave. Now.”
He drew her fractionally closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “No, you don’t. What you really want is the same thing I want. A chance to finish this thing between us.”
She wanted desperately to deny it. But she knew he spoke the truth. And it shamed her deeply. “There can be nothing between us. Not now. Not ever.”
“Then you won’t mind if we share one last kiss. For old times’ sake.”
The brush of his lips on hers was so achingly sweet, she couldn’t move. Her hands, poised to push him away, stilled their movements. Her body stiffened, then seemed to melt into him. He continued to keep the kiss light, the merest brushing of mouth to mouth. It was so tender, she thought her heart would break. It was everything she remembered from that first time, when she was sixteen and he was a mysterious, romantic stranger.
He lifted his head and stared down into her eyes. Eyes wide and unblinking. Eyes that told him she was as moved as he by what they had just shared.
“And now we know,” he whispered.
Then, as if by mutual consent, they came together in a kiss so hot, so hungry, it threatened to engulf them in flames.
“By God, now we know.” His voice was husky with feeling as his arms came around her, pinning her to the length of him.
With her head swimming, she clung to him as he backed her up until they were pressed against the wall. And still he dived into her, his lips and tongue taking her higher, his body imprinting itself on every part of hers.
Now there was no tenderness. Now there was only fire and passion and a force as volatile as the unleashed fury of a thunderstorm. His hands stroked, eager to touch, to learn. And his mouth devoured, wanting more, demanding all.
And she gave. Though she had never before known such demand, such desperate need, she gave without resistance. And wanted. Sweet heaven, how she wanted. The hunger was so deep, so gnawing, she felt consumed by it.
He knew he was taking her too far, too fast. But there was no way to stop it. The minute his lips had touched hers, he was lost. Lost in a blinding haze of need, a blaze of desire that he was helpless to quench.
He went on kissing her, denying the knowledge that pulsed with each lingering moment. Given her youth and inexperience, she had no wiles with which to fight him. He knew he was taking advantage of her. And it wasn’t the way he’d wanted it. But he was beyond caring now. Driven by passion that was out of control, he could only take. And demand even more.
Jade’s heart was pounding so loudly, she could hear it drumming in her ears.
Suddenly the pounding increased and she realized it wasn’t just her heart. Someone was knocking on the door.
“Jade.” The door was thrown open. “I thought…”
At the sound of Lily’s voice, Nevada’s head came up sharply.
The older woman took in the scene, her gaze lingering on the high color that painted Jade’s cheeks, and the volatile emotions that clouded the gambler’s eyes.
“Forgive me. I didn’t realize…” She took a step back. “I thought you were alone.”
Jade dragged air into her lungs and pushed herself free of the arms that held her. With each step she took away from him, her sanity returned. And with it, her firm resolve, which had been temporarily forgotten.
Seeing Lily about to retreat, she said, “There’s no need to go. Nevada was just leaving. Weren’t you?” She shot him a challenging look, daring him to argue.
Seeing it, he gave a grim smile. As he moved past her, he lifted a hand to smooth a tumble of her hair. At once she felt the rush of heat.
To cover her emotions she said, “What did you want, Aunt Lily?”
“It was nothing important. I was going to discuss business before accompanying you upstairs. But now I will see our guest to his room instead.”
The older woman waited until Nevada moved past her. Then, with one last look of concern at Jade, she pulled the door closed and summoned Lee Yin.
The Oriental had been standing guard outside at the Golden Dragon’s main door. No one broke the silence as the three walked along the darkened hall and climbed the stairs to the guest rooms.
When they reached Nevada’s door, Lee Yin pulled it open and stood aside, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes watching warily. Nevada started inside, but Lily stopped him with a hand on his sleeve.
Her voice was low, for his ears alone. “I am surprised at you, Nevada. Those who have faced you in cards consider you a man of honor.”
“What’s your point, Lily?” Even now he found it difficult to speak. His voice was still raw with emotion.
Her tone softened. “Could you not see that Jade is an innocent?”
He met Lily’s eyes. Though he cursed her timing, he realized that she had saved him from making a terrible mistake. He must have been crazed. He’d nearly done something they would both regret in the light of day.
“I won’t forget it again,” he muttered.
“See that you don’t.” She stepped back.
As he closed the door, he saw Lee Yin take up a position outside his room. And knew that if he were to attempt to leave before the night ended, he would be forced to taste the giant’s wrath.
At least for another night, Jade Jewel was safe.
He wondered if she felt as miserable as he.
Chapter Twelve
Lily paused to whisper in Jade’s ear, “Nevada is back.”
Jade looked up from the cluster of gentlemen in time to see a broad, muscled back disappearing into the game room. “That makes seven nights in a row,” she commented. Then, realizing what she’d revealed, she snapped, “As if I care.”
She saw the smile on Lily’s lips, and it only deepened her resolve to ignore him.
Nevada had returned each night to indulge in high-stakes poker games, which sometimes lasted throughout the night and far into the morning.
The women of the Golden Dragon were charmed by him. And the men made it plain that they enjoyed his company.
Though Jade did nothing more than offer a perfunctory greeting, she couldn’t help being aware of him. Even in a crowd
ed room her gaze was drawn to him. No longer was he the unkempt trail rider. Now, like the others who frequented the opulent pleasure palace, he wore exquisitely tailored suits and starched white shirts with monogrammed cuffs. His wild mane of hair had been shorn, his face clean shaven.
Without a word he could touch her.
Now, as she entered the game room and moved among the players, she was aware of the dangerous look in his eyes. And of his long, slender fingers as he picked up the cards. Aware, too, of the way he watched her over the rim of his glass, or through the haze of his cigar smoke.
She greeted him with the same quiet reserve she used for all the players, with the exception of Senator Hammond, who brought a bright smile to her lips.
“Jade,” the dealer said, “I don’t believe you’ve met Virgil Trent.”
“Mr. Trent. Welcome to the Golden Dragon.”
“Some welcome.” The gambler, who sat to the right of Nevada, was dressed in formal black frock coat and satin vest. The pile of chips in front of him was slowly dwindling.
He had demanded that a tumbler of whiskey be kept filled at all times. Each time the cards were shuffled, he drained the tumbler and watched through narrowed eyes while it was refilled.
Though he appeared to be no more than twenty, his eyes were cold and vacant, his mouth a grim, tight line of anger. “I’ve had better luck in a run-down saloon in Deadwood,” he muttered.
“Then perhaps you would prefer to try your luck at some other game,” Jade suggested.
“Only if you’re the prize.” His gaze raked her as he held out a fistful of money. “Name your price.”
Lee Yin started across the room, ready to defend Jade’s honor. But she immediately smoothed things over by saying lightly, “I had in mind faro, Mr. Trent. Or perhaps dice.”
He glanced at the lady, and then at her bodyguard. “My game is poker. That is, when the players are clean.”
“Are you suggesting that we cheat?” The senator’s eyes flashed a challenge.
Virgil merely shrugged. “If the shoe fits…”
“More brandy, Senator Hammond?” Jade said softly.
The older man took a long breath, then turned his head to look at her. Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he muttered, “Yes. Thank you, my dear.”
Gradually the game commenced. Lee Yin returned to his position near the door.
The senator glanced across the table at Nevada. “This time I have you, my friend. I don’t think you can beat three aces.”
Nevada tossed down his cards and lifted his glass in a salute as the senator’s hands closed around the pile of chips.
“I believe that’s the first hand I’ve won tonight,” Senator Hammond remarked as two of the players, tired of losing and offended by Virgil Trent’s commeats, pushed away from the table and left in disgust.
“And the last,” Nevada put in, to everyone’s laughter. Everyone except Virgil, who continued to remain silent, his eyes narrowed in thought.
As the cards were shuffled and dealt, Nevada watched Jade lean close to one of the players and hold a match to his cigar. Her presence was a distraction. A most pleasant one, but a distraction all the same. He enjoyed the way she moved, the exotic fragrance that whispered on the air as she passed by, and especially the way she colored whenever she happened to look his way.
Beside him, Virgil also took notice of the lady. Nevada’s frown deepened.
“Are you in?” the dealer asked.
Nevada returned his attention to the cards. But though he won the next three hands, he seemed to derive no satisfaction from it.
Another player strolled away, leaving only the three men at the table.
While the dealer shuffled, Nevada took the time to study Jade. The nearness of her was far too unsettling. He’d been very careful to keep his distance, so that he never had the occasion to repeat that little scene in her office. Now that he’d had time to think it through, he realized that Lily was right. Jade was an innocent. And though she’d been groomed to take over her mother’s business, and claimed to know all about satisfying men’s needs, she had no firsthand knowledge. She knew only what had been passed on to her by her tutors.
It gave him a strange sense of satisfaction to know that. And yet, it was dangerous for a woman in her position. Though the men who passed through these doors abided by the rules and respected her as the owner of the establishment, there were some who would always want the forbidden. The more she held herself aloof, the more they would desire her.
He was honest enough to admit that he was first among them. He wanted her. And had, since the first time he’d seen her. As Reverend Wade Weston, the desire had been a difficult temptation to overcome. Now that he had resumed the role of the gambler Nevada, she had become an all-consuming fire in his blood. A fire that threatened to destroy them both.
“Where is your mind, my friend?” the senator asked sharply. “You’ve driven away most everyone else. I only remained because I figured sooner or later I would have to win another hand. Let’s see if you can beat a pair of ladies.” He dropped his cards, showing queens.
“Sorry.” Nevada lowered his own hand, revealing three deuces.
When he raked in yet another jackpot, he met the stares of the senator and the dealer with a wry smile. “I guess it’s just my night for winning.”
“And mine for losing.” Virgil Trent threw in his hand in disgust and pushed away from the table. He strode from the room, loudly demanding a drink. Lily sent a young woman scrambling to see to his request.
“My thoughts, as well. I’ve contributed enough to your purse for one night,” the senator said with a sigh. “I have no intention of giving you the shirt off my back, too.”
He offered his hand and Nevada accepted. While the dealer tallied the chips and counted out the cash, the two men crossed the room to stand in front of the fireplace. Jade approached with tumblers of whiskey.
“I see the cards were good to you,” she said as Nevada took the glass from her hand. Their fingers brushed and she looked up to find him watching her closely.
“I’m used to winning some and losing some,” he muttered.
“And you, Senator.” She offered him a drink. “I was sorry to hear that the cards were unkind to you tonight.”
“It’s not the first time, my dear. Nor will it be the last. Lady Luck is such a fickle creature. And tonight she chose to smile upon my friend here.” He clamped an arm around Nevada’s shoulders and the two men shared a smile.
“Jade, will you stay and have a drink with us?” the senator urged.
She shook her head. “Duty calls. Perhaps another time.”
When she walked away, Nevada was unaware of the way his gaze followed.
Senator Hammond’s voice beside him was a low rumble of laughter. “You’d better watch it, son. If Lee Yin sees that look in your eyes, he’ll kill you just on principle.”
Nevada swung his gaze toward the senator, arching a brow.
“I’m an old hand at reading men’s eyes.” The older man smiled. “And right now, son, yours are a dead giveaway. Oh, I don’t blame you,” he added hastily. “Jade is a rare beauty. But she’s strictly off-limits.”
“So I’ve been told.” Nevada pulled himself back from his thoughts and offered his hand. “Thanks again for your contribution, Senator. I hope I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. And now I have other pleasures in mind,” the older man muttered before going off in search of Lily.
Nevada drained yet another tumbler of whiskey and stared broodingly into the flames. Though the hour was late and he was weary, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
“You seem troubled, Nevada.”
At Lily’s voice, his head came up. “Just… thinking.”
“I ordered several of my women to inquire about your comfort. You sent them away,” she said accusingly.
“Sorry. I’m not interested.”
From across the room he could hear Jade’
s voice, conversing in fluent French. From his travels around the West, he’d mastered a smattering of languages. He recognized enough words to know that she was telling an amusing story. When she concluded, several gentlemen gave her admiring glances as she moved on.
“Your interest seems to lie in one particular woman,” Lily remarked.
He looked away. “I’m a gambler, Lily. The only thing that interests me is the lure of the cards.”
“I think, you are trying to convince yourself of that,” she said softly.
Across the room Jade held a flame to the tip of a man’s cigar. Nevada let the sound of her laughter, low and deep, wash over him.
Beside him Lily stared pointedly at his hands, clenched tightly by his sides. “But you are not doing a very good job,” she whispered.
Very carefully he unclenched his hands. He was feeling absolutely miserable. He’d come to a decision. It was time to move on, before this obsession with Jade Jewel got out of control. “It’s late. I have things to do.”
He turned to take his leave. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Virgil Trent forge a deliberate path through the crowded room toward Jade. When he reached her side he draped his arm around her shoulder and drew her close to murmur something in her ear. With a look of revulsion she tried to push him away. He gave a cruel sneer and tightened his grasp. She let out a cry.
At once Lee Yin began lumbering across the room. Just as he reached for Virgil, a shot rang out. The Asian giant seemed to stiffen, then he went down on one knee. Even as blood spurted from his wound, he lifted his arms, trying vainly to catch hold of the villain’s throat. Virgil’s booted foot in his groin sent him sprawling helplessly.
Jade gave a piercing scream until Virgil’s hand covered her mouth, silencing her.
Most of the men in the room carried weapons. But as their hands went to their holsters, Virgil brought his pistol to his captive’s temple. “Put your hands where I can see them,” he shouted. “Any man who draws a gun will have this lady’s blood on his hands.”
When the men didn’t move quickly enough, he took aim at a crystal chandelier and let loose with a volley of gunfire. Shards of glass rained down upon the people as women shrieked in terror and men lifted their hands in the air.