“I think I like Angus already. I’m going to be glad to make his acquaintance someday.” He reached across the table, lifting her chin with his long forefinger. “You deserved every bit of that, and obviously more because you still disobeyed and went off by yourself.”
“I wanted to relieve myself in peace. I didn’t want to be watched by some damn woman.”
He leaned forward. “That may be so, but instead you’re now in my room, sitting in your chemise with those peach nipples poking through your see-through chemise. And soon you’ll be naked under my body, while I penetrate your hot, moist sex with my hard-as-steel cock. And if you’re a good girl, I’ll make you scream in ecstasy, begging me to take you again.”
She swallowed so loud, she had no doubt he heard it. As vulgar as those words were, her sex pulsed, and she wondered if he really could make her scream. What would it feel like to have his muscled frame on top of her, bringing her to heights that Beau never seemed able to bring her to? Her hand brought her to higher heights than her husband did most days. It had been a long time since she’d been pounded with a hard penis, and her clit seemed to relish the thought of Silas doing exactly as he promised. Could he actually make her beg for more? She imagined her hands clawing that muscled back, squeezing the bunched muscles of his taut ass as he pistoned his cock into her.
Dear Lord, I’ve lost my fucking mind! He’s a renegade, an outlaw, and a kidnapper. I’m a renegade’s captive.
“You like the sound of begging me, girl?” He winked at her with that dimple showing in his cheek.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She turned in her chair, rubbing her bottom in the process and gasping.
“That little tail is still sore, isn’t it? Should keep you obedient. If not, I know the cure.”
She didn’t even acknowledge he’d spoken, keeping her head turned. At that moment, merely looking at him was too much. She stared out the window, listening to the sounds of the town outside. Raucous music from the nearby saloon. The whistling of a gentleman walking under the window. Children laughing and playing where the wagons were camped for the night.
She could run. If she got to the door, all she had to do was open it and dash down the stairs. She couldn’t stand the thought of all those men in the saloon seeing her in her chemise, but even that would be better than what Silas had in store for her. And, God forbid, far preferable to anything Red or Kane intended to do to her.
His eyes closed. Had he fallen asleep? She rustled in her chair to see if he startled awake. He didn’t. It was time. This was her chance.
She leapt up, running for the door.
Chapter Eighteen
When in the name of hell did I fall asleep?
He woke just as Minnie flew through the door to the room, running toward the stairs. The chemise clung to her round ass, every wobble and shake visible through the sheer fabric. He leapt to his feet.
“Damn it! Minnie get your ass back here! Now!”
She screeched at the sound of his voice but quickened her pace, flying down the stairs with him hot on her trail. Behind him, he heard Red shouting, “You can’t keep track of one little slip of a woman?”
“Son of bitch! Leave this alone, Red. I’ll handle her.” The last thing he needed was Red deciding he’d take her. He’d fight the man — and win. He wouldn’t watch him assault another woman. The man was just evil to his core. What Red did to grown men frightened him. After witnessing what Red had done to women in the past, Silas vowed he’d never let Minnie fall into the foul man’s clutches.
She had made it down the stairs and just past the piano player when Silas caught up to her, grabbing her around the waist and tossing her over his shoulder.
“Let me go!” She screamed, pounding on his back with her small fists. “He’s going to hurt me! I’ve been kidnapped!”
He laughed, looking at the men as he started back up the staircase. “She likes playing that I’m a kidnapper. Says if she’s a ‘victim’ the sex is easier. Thank you all for obliging us in our little games!” He slapped her ass hard, the sound of the smack echoing through the saloon amidst cheers and clapping. “Come, naughty wench, time for me to plunder what belongs to me!”
He marched up the steps, his heart beating in his throat, wondering if anyone would question him and take her away. Fortunately, no one followed. He made it to the top of the stairs, still hearing the catcalls and whistles from the onlookers.
Now, he had to deal with Red and Kane who stood blocking entrance to their room.
“Jesus, Silas if you can’t handle her, I’ll take her.” Kane elbowed Red as he said it. “I haven’t had a woman yet, and she wouldn’t have gotten away with me on top of her.”
“No, shit! I don’t believe I’ve ever had one get away either.” Red eyed Minnie’s ass, the thin chemise leaving nothing to the imagination. “Are ya that green that you don’t know how to handle her?”
“She’s mine. Y’all stay away. I’ve got some disciplining to do and then I’m taking her as mine. Now leave us be to carry on.” He pushed past them, giving each man a glare. He’d fight both of them — kill them, if he had to. No one was taking her away.
He opened the door to the room, closing it behind them and throwing the bolt before he lowered her on the floor. She stood with that brown hair curling around her face, making her look even younger than he suspected she was. She didn’t look a day over twenty, but standing in her chemise with her hair down, an adorable curl laying across her forehead, she looked like a teenager to him. At thirty-one, he felt so much older than she was, that age difference amplifying the protectiveness he felt toward young women. How could she run into a saloon full of drunk men looking for some action, the silly girl wearing nothing but her chemise?
“What in tarnation were you thinking, girl? Those men down there would have leapt on you, taking you before I could wake to your screams. I’ve never seen anyone do something so dangerous.” He paced, raking his hands through his hair. He didn’t even want to think of what could’ve happened if he’d fallen into a deep sleep. “Apparently, your ass isn’t sore any longer. But I think I’ll remedy that right now. Take everything off. You won’t be needing clothes for either activity I’ve got planned for you.”
She wrung her hands, her deep blue eyes filling with tears. “I had to run. I had to try to protect myself. I need to be able to tell people that I tried, that I ran. Even if I didn’t succeed, I can tell people I did my best.”
“And I need to be able to say the same thing. I told you that if you listened, I’d protect you.” He took off his gun belt putting it up high on an armoire.
“But who’s going to protect me from you?”
He had to give her credit. She had more gumption than a dozen women put together. He couldn’t answer that question though — not now.
First things, first.
“Clothes off,” he said, clenching his jaw.
Her small hands shook as she pulled the chemise over her head, leaving her standing in her full glory. The curls at the apex of her pale, white thighs caught his attention first. He swore his mouth started to water. She had an hourglass figure that had been buried among the layers of cloth meant to bury a woman’s figure. Her breasts weren’t overly large, but definitely would be more than a handful. Although the evening was warm, her nipples were erect and hard and all he wanted to do was let those little nubs rub on the palms of his hands.
He unbuttoned his shirt, watching her eyes widen as he slipped it off his shoulders.
“Why… are you taking your shirt off?”
“It’s hot in here, and I plan on working up a sweat spanking your naughty ass.”
“Oh, no!” She started to cry quietly, covering her face with her hands. He had no doubt in his mind that her bottom had to be sore, and that this wouldn’t be easy — for either of them. But she’d left him no choice.
“Oh, yes. Come here, sweetheart.” He pulled his chair away from the table, taking a seat, crookin
g his finger for her to come to him.
If she had a fifty-pound weight chained to her leg, she couldn’t have walked slower. “There ain’t nothing to discuss. Let’s just get this out of the way.”
He tugged on her hand, laying her over his lap, situating her so her bottom was just right. He ran his hand over her still pink buttocks, her skin still displaying the darker pink stripes left by his belt. Some areas were pale purple and she flinched when he pressed on them. He’d do his best to avoid them, but it wouldn’t be easy.
He patted her soft, plump flesh a couple times in warning and then landed crisp, hard slaps, leaving red handprints in his wake until he’d turned the whole of her bottom into a dark shade of pink. He focused some of his swats on her thighs, and she screeched, rocking her hips, trying to avoid his hand. He’d teach her soon that he’d never permit such behavior from a woman being spanked.
The screeches soon became loud wails, and he finally stopped, rubbing her bottom. “Do you know what could have happened if I didn’t wake up? Those men would have taken you. Or Red or Kane would have grabbed you, both of them taking you. Where did you think you were going, dressed like that? Did you think it through at all?”
She sputtered and coughed through her sobs. “I wanted to g-go to the Sheriff. I didn’t th-think about Red or K-Kane. I just had to run.”
He had to admit, running to the sheriff was a good plan. And Buck would have kept her safe too. But as Silas had told her, that would only be the case if she’d escaped Red, Kane and all the other men.
He stood her up, keeping his hands at her waist to steady her. The spicy scent from her sex drifted to his nostrils and his cock hardened. He fought the urge to stroke her little pussy. She struggled, looking embarrassed, trying to hide her breasts and sex from him, rubbing her sore hind end.
“Get my hairbrush.”
“Nooooo!” Her hands covered her bottom, and she started to whine, bouncing on her feet until she realized that her breasts were jiggling in his face.
“Yes.” He pointed to where the brush laid. “Get it. Now.”
She scurried to the washstand, walking back quickly with the brush in her outstretched hand. He stood up from his chair, bending her over and tucking her against his hip. “There won’t be many with this punishment, but I’m focusing most of them on your sit spot and thighs. Your bottom just can’t handle much more.”
The brush was heavy in his hand and he made sure the first wallop with it left an impression. He overlapped the swats, alternating blows to both legs. Then he laid down a flurry of smacks from the underside of her buttocks to the tops of each thigh, repeating it several times until her whimpers become one continuous wail. She danced on her toes, trying to tuck her bottom in to avoid the brutal wood.
He threw the brush onto the table with a loud clatter, rubbing her bottom and thighs. “Do you think you might listen to me now and do as you’re told?”
“Yes, Sir!”
He wiped her face with his handkerchief. “Damn, you scared the shit out of me. I don’t want to wake up like that ever again.”
She stared at him, nodding her head. She’d be lying on her belly over the horse tomorrow. Sitting in a saddle would not be an option.
He backed away from her, undoing his belt.
“Oh, no!”
“No, no, that’s not happening. You’re done. It’s time to get on with the second part of your night.” He slid his pants down his legs, dropping his drawers. Minnie stared at him shamelessly, then her face paled, and she shook her head, backing away from him, panic in her eyes.
He grabbed her, laying her on the bed, holding her struggling hands over her head as he laid on top of her slight frame. When she opened her mouth to scream, he covered it with his hand, reducing her wail to little more than a muffled squawk. He whispered into her ear, “Listen. Minnie, listen to me! Now! Stop!”
She stilled. He’d given her enough ass whoopin’s today that she knew to listen to his commands. No doubt fear was the foremost emotion warring within her.
“You need to listen to me.” He locked his gaze with hers. “Are you listening?”
She nodded vigorously. Those large blue doe-eyes tore his heart out. He hoped he wasn’t crushing her, but she seemed to be breathing fine. Such a petite woman.
“I’m a U.S. Marshal. I’m not a renegade or an outlaw.” He paused to let the words sink in. She blinked several times — a good sign. He pulled his hand off her mouth slowly, keeping it close just in case she thought to cry out again.
“You’re a… marshal?” Her voice had dropped to little more than a whisper.
“Yes. I’m not going to defile you. I’m doing this so if Red or Kane sneak a peek through a window or door, they will think it’s happening.” He paused a moment, watching her closely. “I will not ruin you. Do you hear?”
She nodded again.
“My job is to keep you safe. I’ve contacted the U.S. Marshal’s office in Wyoming and the Sheriff at Devil’s Gate. The posse and Marshals should be here tomorrow before the sun is up to arrest them — and return you safely to the Widow Wagon.”
She started to quietly cry, tears running down the sides of her face into her hair. He wiped them with the pad of his thumbs. “Don’t cry. It’ll be okay. I’m sorry I scared you so bad, but I know these men. They’re evil and conniving. I had to make sure it looked like I took you if they found a way to watch. If they’re watching now, they’ll think I took you and it’s over. You’re safe, Minnie. Just make sure you listen to me and do everything I say until they’re arrested.”
“I will. I promise.” She threw her arms around his neck, crying in relief. He needed to get off of her though. His cock didn’t care about the circumstances, it just knew that there was a warm, soft woman beneath him.
“Darlin’, I need to get off of you. We need to get you dressed and under the blankets to sleep.” He hoisted himself up, watching her eyes staring at his cock. “Sorry. I’ll be dressing over here.”
He grabbed his pants and drawers off the floor and quickly dressed behind the privacy screen. By the time he came out, she’d put her chemise back on and lay under the blankets in bed, just as he’d asked her to.
“Good girl.” He went over to her, tucking the blanket around her, kissing her forehead. “It’s been a rough day, but it’ll be over tomorrow. I’ll stay and watch over you.” He pointed a finger at her in warning. “But you stay in bed!”
“I will, Sir. I’m not leaving. You’ve saved me.” The trust in her eyes went right to his core. He wasn’t sure he deserved that kind of trust, not after the day they’d had together.
“Sleep well, Minnie.”
He sat in the chair, watching her fall asleep, her chest hitching every now and then from all the tears she’d cried during her spanking — doubtless what she feared would be her defilement. He found himself wishing he had just a couple more days with her. It would be hard to drop her off to Angus and the Widow Wagon, to see her be married off to someone else. Someone who couldn’t protect her like he could.
How had this slip of a woman stolen a part of his heart already? It didn’t make sense. He needed to focus on getting these men arrested, and Minnie to safety. He’d worry about the rest later.
Chapter Nineteen
“Angus, you gotta wake up!” He couldn’t open his eyes, let alone comprehend where he was or who was shouting his name.
“Angus! Get up! A telegram came about Minnie!”
Shit! It was Sam shouting through the tent door. Angus threw his pants on and didn’t even put a shirt on before opening the flap. Clara had thrown a shawl over her shoulders, following right behind him.
“They’ve heard something?” Angus didn’t dare to believe it. He’d increasingly feared they’d never get her back.
Sam was out of breath. “Yeah, the Sheriff just came by and told me to alert you. They said that they are in Independence Rock. He’s gathering the men and they’re going out there with the U.S. Marshals to rescue he
r and arrest the outlaws.”
“How? Does anyone know details?” Clara had retrieved his shirt and boots, motioning Sam to come in so he could finish getting dressed.
“Nah. No one seems to know. They received a telegram from a U.S. Marshal out there who says they’re in a saloon out there. They plan on raiding the place before sunrise. So we gotta get over to the Sheriff.”
Angus jumped up, grabbing Clara, then Sam, hugging them both. “I’m so damn happy about this. I didn’t think we’d ever get that sassy brat back. Damn, it’ll be good to see her.”
“That it will, Angus.” Sam beamed back at him. They’d never lost a woman or child on the Widow Wagon, and if Angus had anything to do with it, they never would either. “I already took the liberty of talking to the people traveling with the Anderson wagon and asked if Tiny would be willing to watch our women until we can come back with Minnie. He said he’d be more than happy to.”
“Jesus, thank you, Sam.” Angus put his gun belt on and snatched up his rifle, pulling Clara close. “You behave! I’ll be back with Miss Minnie, then we’ll make our way to Idaho. Tell the women we’ll be back by tonight. If not, we’ll send word, and we will arrive by tomorrow morning.”
“Lord, Angus, I’m not five. I know how to behave while you’re gone.” She rolled her eyes at Sam. “The women and I will be fine with Tiny and his wagon. Be safe, and tell Minnie I’m sorry about the fight and that I’m glad she’s coming back.”
“I’ll do just that, darlin’. After I paint her ass as red as a barn door.”
Clara swallowed. She knew he’d do just that once he knew she was safe.
He wouldn’t be Angus if he didn’t.
* * *
“Open the door, Red Clemmons! I know you’re in there! Kane McKorrie, open up!”
The sound of feet running in the hall outside their room and the pounding of fists on the door had her waking out of her quiet slumber, Minnie bolted out of bed before even opening her eyes. “Sila—”
His hand clapped over her mouth, holding her back against his chest, his lips whispering at her ear. “Keep your mouth shut. Not a word. Are you going to listen and not speak?”
Cinch Your Saddle (The Widow Wagon Book 3) Page 15