Gabe's Golden Girl (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Maggie Ryan

  The group seated themselves around the kitchen table, dipping spoons into a thick, hearty, delicious stew. Jewel dipped a chunk of her cornbread in her bowl and then turned to Gabe. “Oh, remind me to ask Carlos how to make tortillas. I wanted to add them to the party menu.”

  “How about you just ask Seth to bring some? His housekeeper, Lola, makes them all the time,” Tripp offered.

  “I will,” Jewel said. After taking another bite, she asked them about their trip. Gabe told her about the Emorys which made her smile and Nettie beam when he told her how much she was missed.

  “Pshaw, he’s just missing my chocolate cake,” Nettie said.

  “And how could anyone blame him?” Moses interjected.

  The group laughed when Nettie stood and brought a three layer cake to the table. After they all had slices in front of them, Jewel turned to Gabe again.

  “Did you find the men you wanted?”

  “Yes. We managed to hire the entire crew we needed. They should start arriving in a couple of days.”

  “Oh, I’m glad. You won’t have to go away again.”

  “Not for a while.” Gabe bent to the side and kissed her cheek. “Which, seems to be a good thing since I stopped by to talk to Jeb on my way home.”

  Every gem shot glances at each other and began finding excuses to leave the cozy kitchen. Onyx had almost made it to the door before Gabe said, “Not so fast, young lady. Your name was specifically mentioned by the sheriff. Come back and sit down.”

  Onyx walked as slowly as possible to return to her seat. “Mr. Gabe, I didn’t mean to break the rules but I can explain.”

  Before she could continue, Tripp took the last bite of his cake and then stood. “On that note, we need to get home…”

  “But I’m not through…” Delaney began, only to be stopped from speaking when her husband said, “where we shall discuss you dealing poker, Diamond.”

  “You didn’t say I couldn’t and it was…”

  “Just keep talking, sweetheart, and I’ll just keep adding to your tally.” Placing his hat on his head, and his arm around his wife, he nodded to the group and guided her from the room.

  With the couple’s departure, Gabe turned his attention to Onyx. “Before we discuss your misbehavior, tell me about this man.”

  Onyx looked surprised but nodded. “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything,” Gabe said, taking a bite of his dessert. “His name, what he looks like, why you think I know him.”

  He continued to eat as she ran through what she knew. “I know that Sheriff Justice thinks he might have been the one to hurt Slim, but he couldn’t have. He was with me the entire time.”

  “I see, and yet you only think his name is Manny? Could it be Manuel?”

  “Maybe,” Onyx said with a shrug. “But he said to call him Manny. Maybe he didn’t want to use his real name… I don’t.”

  Gabe nodded, conceding the point. “And he hasn’t been back since Saturday night?”

  “No, but I’m sure he will be. I know he wants to talk to you…” she paused and sighed. “Even if he isn’t interested in me any more.”

  “Why wouldn’t he be?” Jewel asked, joining the conversation.

  “Well, I did sort of… pass out when I was with him.”

  “Only because he poured a bottle of champagne down you,” Jewel said, defending her gem. “You can’t blame yourself for that.”

  Gabe pushed his empty plate aside. “I disagree unless he forced you to drink?” When Onyx shook her head, he continued. “Which brings us to your choices. We have rules against drinking while working for a reason. Even with the men who are regular customers, a gem needs to have a clear head in order to make smart decisions. Throw in a stranger and it becomes even more important.”

  “But he’s not a stranger,” Onyx countered. “I met him on Friday. Even Opal thought he was nice.”

  “Yet you didn’t introduce him to Jewel, Moses or Charlie when they requested did you?”

  “Well, no, but…”

  Gabe held up his hand. “I’m not interested in excuses, Onyx. I’m only interested in the facts, and the fact is that you didn’t just break one rule, you broke several. Correct?”

  The gem squirmed a bit on her chair. “Um, I… I guess.”

  “You guess?” Gabe made his tone a bit sterner, his eyes locked onto hers.

  “I-I promise I won’t do it again, Mr. Gabe.”

  Gabe nodded. “I hope not. I care about you Onyx and because I do as does Jewel and your sister gems, I’m going to give you reason to remember that promise.”

  “But, nothing bad happened and… and my head hurt for a whole day!”

  “With the spanking you’ve got coming, your arse will hurt at least that long,” Gabe assured her.

  “But, Mr. Gabe, I-I… I’ve learned my lesson. Miss Jewel lectured me for a long time and Sheriff Justice did too! You don’t need to… to spank me.”

  Gabe shook his head. “I do and we both know it. Go on upstairs and think about how you’re going to keep that promise. Oh, and you’ll be doing that thinking bent over your bed, skirts up, drawers down. I’ll be up in a bit.”

  Onyx’s cheeks flushed and her eyes widened. “Please…”

  “Ahora, niña. The more you protest, the more strokes you’ll earn.” He watched as her mouth closed and she stood. It was never a pleasure disciplining one of their gems, but he took the responsibility seriously. Once Onyx had left the kitchen, Jewel spoke again.

  “I… I suppose Jeb also told you that I disregarded his order?”

  “He did and though I understand you handled everything very well, barging into a room where you have no idea who might be waiting…”

  “But I was so worried about Onyx…”

  His jaw tightened even as he reached over to palm her cheek. “Did Jeb specifically tell you to remain outside?” She nodded. “Have we had multiple conversations about your safety?” Her blonde head nodded again. “And have I ever let your ignoring the rules just go?” This time her head swiveled back and forth. “Then, you know you deserve a spanking just as much as Onyx does, don’t you?”

  “Yes, sir,” she said softly.

  “Then you know what to do, don’t you?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Gabe stood and bent to kiss her gently and then turned and walked out of the room without another word.

  Chapter 17

  Onyx sighed as she knelt beside her bed. She’d been on the end of Mr. Gabe’s belt only once before and had sworn to herself she would never be in this position again. Instead, she was dragging her skirts and petticoats up and feeling her facial cheeks heat as she pulled the ribbon at her waist free, allowing her drawers to drop to bare her nether ones. Laying her torso on the bed, she pressed her cheek to the quilt. Instead of considering her transgressions, her thoughts turned to Manny.

  They’d had such a lovely time in the bathing room. He was unlike any other client she’d entertained. The man didn’t ask… he took. For some reason, that made her all the more anxious to please him. When he uttered instructions using some very vulgar words, instead of having her shy away, it had somehow freed her. After all, if his fingers twisted her hair as he forced her further down his shaft, how could it be her fault if she gagged and drooled? As he positioned her bent over the tub, his hand pressing against her lower back and barked at her to lift up her cunt… well, what choice did she have but to obey? Shuddering at the memory of his pounding into her while continuing to slap her backside until she came so hard she screamed, she gave a little moan. How could she wish that one man would appear to repeat the spanking while dreading the fact that at any moment, Mr. Gabe would indeed appear and heat her rump? Because the one in the bathing room was for pleasure. The one I’m about to get is for punishment, stupid! Pushing that thought away, she turned to another.

  Why hadn’t Manny returned since that night? He hadn’t seemed displeased and yet if she were honest, how could he have not been? Instead
of joining her in her room for the entire night, he’d disappeared. Sighing, she accepted the blame for that as well. What man would want to stay with a whore who was too drunk to even climb the stairs on her own? By the time she heard the door opening behind her, she was ready to pay the price for her disobedience… she’d just simply let the strapping atone for her chasing her favorite client away.

  Her bottom burned. Ten strokes of Mr. Gabe’s belt had felt like a hundred. From the moment she’d heard that tell-tale swoosh and felt the instant flare of fire with the first stroke, she’d been squalling. Despite her pleas, the belt continued to fall, adding stripe after stripe across her bare bottom. It had taken her a full minute before realizing that the strapping had ended.

  “I don’t like doing that,” Gabe said, threading his belt back around his waist.

  “I-I don’t like you doing it either,” Onyx said, pushing herself up from the bed, allowing her dress to fall and cover her scorched rear before swiping her tears from her face.

  Gabriel nodded and pulled her into his arms. “Then don’t give me cause to repeat it, all right?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry…”

  “I know you are. Go ahead and rest for a bit then come back downstairs.”

  Onyx knew she wouldn’t have to bring any customers upstairs if she didn’t want to, but also knew that she was expected to at least help the other gems downstairs. “I will.”

  Gabe gave her another hug and turned to leave.

  “Mr. Gabe?”

  He turned back to her. “Yes?”

  “Please don’t be angry at Miss Jewel. She was just worried about me… she doesn’t deserve a… well, you know.”

  “Don’t worry about Jewel, chiquita. She knows the rules just as you do. She also knows the consequences of breaking them. But, just like you, she might sit a bit uncomfortably for a while but she’ll be reminded that she has people who truly care for her.”

  She nodded, knowing Mr. Gabe was speaking the truth and knowing he was a firm man but one who would never let safety issues slide… not even when it came to the woman he loved.

  Gabe entered his bedroom, his eyes instantly drawn to the corner opposite the door. Jewel stood, naked from the waist down, her nose buried in the juncture of the walls. Closing the door behind him, he went to her. Slipping one arm around her waist, his other hand stroked across the curves of her pale ass. His cock had begun to stir the moment he’d opened the door and with her soft sigh and the press of her hips into his hand, it hardened.

  “I’m sorry, Gabe,” she said softly.

  “I know, querida. I hadn’t planned on our reunion starting with a spanking…” He smiled and shook his head. “Well, not one that’s going to have your butt burning.” He bent to kiss the side of her neck and gave her buttock a little pat. “All right. Let’s get this taken care of. Go on, over the bed.”

  Stepping away, he once again unbuckled his belt, pulling it free as she obediently moved to prostrate herself over the end of their bed. “Why are you being punished?”

  “Because I put myself in danger by disobeying Jeb,” Jewel answered instantly.

  “That’s right.” Gabe had more to say but that would wait until he had her in his arms. Lifting the belt, he gave her ten strokes, each one cracking like a gunshot and leaving a vivid stripe across her bottom exactly as he’d done upstairs. Jewel’s cries echoed those of Onyx and yet she didn’t make a single plea. And unlike the scene upstairs, the moment he’d laid the last stroke across her sit spots, Gabe dropped the belt to the floor and dragged her into his arms. He moved to sit on the chair, cradling her in his arms.

  “Don’t you ever do something so stupid again, you hear me? Just the thought of you possibly being attacked like Slim or… or worse, aged me ten years. I love you, Jewel. Don’t make me live without you for I don’t think I could.”

  She curled against him, his shirt fisted in her hand as she cried, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you…”

  “Shhh, it’s over now.” Gabe rocked her and pressed his lips to her hair until she lifted her face and drew his mouth down to hers. He could taste the salt of her tears and as always, was instantly lost in the passion they ignited within each other. When he released her mouth, she climbed off his lap, unbuttoning her blouse as he stood to remove his clothes.

  His cock jutted from his groin and she moaned, reaching to stroke him. Her first plea came when she whispered, “Hurry!”

  Stepping forward, Jewel matching him as she stepped backwards, she gave a soft umph when the edge of the bed hit her and she fell backwards. Gabe grinned and climbed up, pressing her to her back, her hiss of discomfort ignored as he pressed her legs open. He knew that while her ass had to ache, the pain served to drive her need higher. “You’re soaking,” he said.

  “Gabe… I need you, now.”

  Gabe grinned and moving his hands beneath her, giving her punished globes a squeeze, he drove into her in one stroke. Her moan matched his as they came together. Buried as deep within her as possible, he bent forward, giving her a gentle kiss. “I missed you, my love.”

  “Show me,” she said with a smile, her legs moving to wrap around his waist, her hands reaching to grasp his ass. “Show me how much.”

  Gabe did exactly that.

  Chapter 18

  The man watched as the couple stood right inside the swinging doors of the saloon welcoming those who came to spend time and leave their wages. Vasquez had returned. He looked hale and happy, like he didn’t have a care in the world.

  He’d spent the last several days up at the mine. The damn mutt never seemed to sleep, constantly sniffing about. He’d had to change his hiding place several times, climbing tree after tree to hide among the branches, never able to relax for fear of discovery as he’d watched men come and go, all armed and all alert. Though he never actually saw any gold, he had no doubt that Vasquez had found it. It seemed that everything the son of a bitch touched turned to gold. Hell, from what Onyx had said, he was even fucking the golden-haired beauty.

  Turning away, he moved around the building. He didn’t figure he’d have to wait long and within a half-hour, the back door opened and a miner stepped out, headed towards the outhouse. He almost chuckled when the man kept glancing about, obviously knowing about what happened the previous week. Instead of heading after him, Manny slipped into the back door after seeing that the bathing room was empty.

  He grinned remembering how he’d spent a few hours in this room. Onyx had been incorrect. She didn’t become silly when she drank but she did become very cooperative. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. He’d broken his vow and had fucked the gem properly… twice. She was the most vocal and enthusiastic whore he’d ever been with. Climbing the back stairs, he paused on the landing, listening but when no sound reached him, he stuck his head forward. With the hall clear, he went to Onyx’s door. When his soft knock garnered no response, he gave one last look around and entered.

  Even the rooms were nice, nothing like the dingy dark dens he’d seen in other houses. If he didn’t know for a fact this was a whorehouse, he’d think it was a boarding house or even a pricey hotel. The walls were a soft yellow, the iron bed neatly made with a patchwork quilt across its surface. A chair sat beside the window, a stack of books piled on the floor as if to beckon one to sit and read a while. The washstand held a pretty ceramic bowl and pitcher, a cloth hanging neatly from the rail. His cock twitched with the memory of the whore’s smile as she gently washed his dick, making all the appropriate sounds of appreciation about his size and though he’d heard a dozen other whores utter the same words, for the first time, he’d actually believed Onyx. The sound of footsteps had him moving to conceal himself against the side of the armoire, his hand on the grip of his pistol. With the sound of a door slamming, he relaxed. Still, it reminded him that time was running out. Moving to the dresser, he pulled open the top drawer. With his first visit to this room, he’d seen Onyx sweep his payment into
the drawer as if to remove the evidence that she was actually being paid to entertain him. Chuckling, he began to stack the bills and coins onto the dresser top without an ounce of guilt—after all, hadn’t he entertained her as well? As the pile grew larger, he shook his head. Didn’t the people in this town believe in banks?

  “Manny?”

  Fuck, he’d been checking the other drawers, pawing through silky underthings, allowing his mind to wander as he imagined removing them from the little beauty and hadn’t even heard the door opening. Turning his head, he saw Onyx standing in the door to her room. Thankfully, she appeared to be alone

  “What are you doing in my room?”

  Thinking quickly, he held up a silk nightgown. “Waiting for you, of course. Why don’t you put this on and we can finish what we started the other night?”

  She looked at the gown and then met his eyes. “I thought you didn’t want me anymore. You left…”

  Shifting his body to hide the money, he shook his head. “No, I didn’t leave you… I exhausted you. You can’t blame me though as I simply couldn’t help myself but I knew you needed to rest. But I’m here now. Come, I can’t wait to see you in this.” He gave the gown a little shake and grinned. “Of course, you won’t be wearing it long because I’ll be taking it off and kissing you all over.”

  He watched her cheeks flush and knew he had her. “Stand over there, by the washstand. I want to watch you strip and take a wash. I remember how delicious it was to lick the water off your nipples.”

  “All right, but first I need to tell Madam Jewel…”

  “No!” he snapped and instantly regretted doing so when her expression changed. “I mean you don’t have to. I’ve already talked to Vasquez and though he wanted to spend the night catching up about the good old days, I told him I’d much rather spend the next few hours with my beautiful gem.”

  “You did?”

  “Of course I did. Unless you don’t want me…”

  “Oh, I do!” she said quickly. “I just don’t want Mr. Gabe to spank me again…oh!” If he thought her cheeks had flushed earlier, he watched them turn beet red as she stopped speaking, her head dropping in embarrassment.