Finding him in their bed made Tabitha’s spirits soar, but the sight of him descending the stairs that morning made them crash down to the earth once again. Jerry’s face was a ruin, with two puffy black eyes, an obviously broken nose, and swollen cheeks. Tabitha ran to her husband, tears sprinting down her cheeks.
“Jerry, what happened to you? Who did this to you?” Tabitha asked as she gingerly cradled his face with her hands.
Jerry tried to smile, “It’th not tho bad. I’m thure it lookth worth than it ith.”
“No! It is bad, since you can’t even talk,” Tabitha said, guiding him to a seat, “now tell me what happened.”
Reluctantly, Jerry told of his night at The Silver Spur. How he had swept the floor before the doors opened, washed dishes during the dinner service, and then cleaned up the dining room after the guests had left for the night. Then during the poker game, Jerry said he hit on an amazing streak of luck. Almost every hand was a winner and he had a stack of money sitting in front of him. Then, just like the first night he played cards with Jake Thorn, his luck ran out at the worst possible moment. He had a full house, Queens over sevens, and Thorn bet $20. Jerry did not have that much, so he put his horse in the pot, and said he was worth $35. Thorn agreed, and decided to up the bet again by putting his own horse in the pot, but he said his horse was worth $50. Jerry thought a moment, looked at his cards again, and asked what Thorn wanted so he could call.
“How about your wife?” Thorn suggested with a laugh.
Jerry laughed as well, but not as loudly, “She’s worth much more than that, and I don’t think I can just give her to you.”
Thorn gave Jerry his predatory smile, “I’d only need her for an hour or two.”
Jerry got upset at the suggestion, “Watch how you talk about my wife, Thorn.”
“Well, if you don’t have anything else,” Thorn said, brushing aside the threat, “then you may have to fold.”
“I’m not folding, just name something else,” Jerry said.
“Okay,” Thorn said, “if I win, I’ll take your house, horse, and half the pot. If you win, you take the pot and my horse. How does that sound?”
Jerry looked one last time at his hand, and slowly nodded. Thorn turned over his cards, showing his own full house, Kings over eights. The sight clarified something in Jerry’s head that had been building over the past few weeks. Thorn had been cheating him from day one, playing him for a fool. Jerry was embarrassed it had taken him so long to realize it and mad at the realization. He shoved the table over and leapt at Thorn, intending to choke the life out of the older man. Instead, one of Thorn’s goons punched Jerry in the back of the head, sending him crashing to the floor. For the next thirty minutes, they took turns punching Jerry.
Thorn brought the beating to an end by grabbing Jerry’s hair, “You stupid farmer, did it really take this long for you to figure it out? Now I own you, your farm, and your home. You should have let me have your bitch instead. Then you’d at least have a roof to sleep under after she picked me over you. Now get on your feet and walk on home. I’ll be sending my boys to your house in two days to take possession.” Thorn then yanked Jerry to his feet by his hair and bodily threw the younger man out of the room.
“And that’th what I did. I walked home to you, Tabitha, but I don’t detherve you. I’ve thcrewed up, and now we’ve lotht our home becauthe of me,” Jerry cried, putting his battered face on her chest. Tabitha’s emotions went from hate to pity to love for Jerry. She couldn’t believe he had gambled away their lives on a stupid hand of cards. What will they do know? Where could they go? Tabitha was sure her parents or Jerry’s would take them in, but it would be a horrible embarrassment to both families.
Then Tabitha remembered something Jerry said. Thorn first asked Jerry to put her in the pot. Tabitha also remembered how Thorn had stared at her when they went to The Silver Spur that first night. He had wanted Tabitha then and he wanted her now.
“Go get cleaned up, Jerry, we’re going into town.” Tabitha said as she walked up the stairs to their bedroom.
“What? Why? Don’t we need to thrart packing?” Jerry asked.
“No, we’re not leaving,” Tabitha said, “I’m going to win back the house and our life.”
Tabitha and Jerry rode in silence in the wagon being pulled by their only horse. Jerry was wearing his wedding suit, and Tabitha had on the dress she had made from the New York pattern. It fit a little looser than before because the stress of the last several months had kept her from eating. Still, she looked good in it, and she hoped she still looked good out of it. She had done up her long auburn hair in an elaborate style which created a massive bun on the top of her hair.
“Tabitha, what is your plan?” Jerry asked, and not for the first time.
Tabitha said nothing, just sat with the reins in her hands.
Jerry got angry, “Tabitha, as your husband, I demand you tell me what you are planning!”
Tabitha pulled back on the reins, making the horse and wagon stop. She turned towards Jerry and his busted face and said, “As my husband? Or as the man who got us in this mess? As the man who ignored me and his farm so he could gamble away our home?” She poked him in the chest with her finger, punctuating every word, “You don’t get to demand anything! You will stand and sit silently by my side while I fix what you have broken! Do you understand?”
Jerry muttered, “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good!” Tabitha yelled and got the horse moving once again.
Tabitha walked into The Silver Spur feeling much differently than she did her first time at the restaurant. Where she was timid and unsure of herself before, Tabitha was angry and anxious now. The doors were open, but there was no one to greet them as they walked in. Tabitha wasn’t going to let that stop her.
“Where is Jake Thorn?!” Tabitha yelled, making sure everyone in the building heard her voice. Within seconds, she heard footsteps coming her way. They belonged to a large fellow, who obviously handled security.
In a deep baritone, the wall of a man asked, “What can I do for you, Ma’am?”
Tabitha put on her prettiest smile, “You can fetch Mr. Thorn for me. Please tell him that Mrs. Sawyer is here to see him about a bet he made with my husband.”
The massive man didn’t have time to relay the message, because Thorn walked into the room at that moment, “Mrs. Sawyer, you are as lovely as ever. Why would you want to get involved with something as ugly as a bet between two men?”
“Mr. Thorn, when it involves my house and my husband, I am already involved,” Tabitha replied, as she looked the older man over. He hadn’t changed much since the night she first saw him, still ruggedly handsome with the smile of a wolf. “Jerry tells me you won my home in a game of poker and then ordered him beaten. That can’t be true, can it?”
Thorn’s wolf smile got bigger as he nodded, “Well, Mrs. Sawyer, I’m not going to lie. That is exactly what happened, and I am well within my rights. Young Jerry there bit off more than he could chew, so he learned a lesson the hard way. I am sorry if it means you are homeless, but I gladly offer my home ..and my bed…to you, Tabitha.”
Jerry made to run at Thorn, planning to rip him apart, but Tabitha stopped him with a look and her hand on his chest. She turned to Thorn and said, “I don’t think that would be appropriate, Mr. Thorn, seeing as how I’m married. But since you and my husband have shown that you can bet anything in a hand of poker, I have a proposition. To fix Jerry’s mistake, I am willing to play one hand of 5 Card Draw with you. If I win, the house and horse stay with us and you never allow my husband back to your poker game.”
Mr. Thorn laughed, “Why would I do that? I have been warming to the idea of owning a house and a little bit of land out in the country. What’s in it for me?”
Tabitha looked Thorn straight in the eye, “Me. If you lose, you get me. Completely. I will move into your house and into your bed. I will be your always willing woman. I will even teach the cook of The Silver Spur the
proper way to grill a steak.”
Jerry grabbed his wife, and spun her to face him, “Tabitha, you can’t! I forbid it!”
Tabitha slapped Jerry hard on the left cheek, the only one that wasn’t swollen from his injuries, “You forbid it?! You will shut your damn mouth, while I fix the problem you created, boy!” Tabitha shouted. Her husband shrank back from her fury, and Tabitha turned back to Thorn, who was grinning from ear to ear, “Do we have a deal, Mr. Thorn?”
“Yes, we do.”
Tabitha pushed back a stray hair that had come loose from her bun, “Good, but I have one more condition. You can not deal. I will. I hope this doesn’t hurt your feelings, but I don’t trust you.”
Thorn’s grin faltered for a second, but then returned full strength, “I understand, but why should I trust you? How do I know you don’t have an extra set of aces stuck up the sleeves of that pretty little dress?”
Tabitha gave Thorn her own grin, “Well, I know of an easy way to solve that problem. But first let’s adjourn to your poker room.”
Thorn lead the way, with Jerry, Tabitha and Thorn’s bodyguard in tow. As they entered the room, Tabitha stopped and turned around before the bodyguard could come in.
“You sir, have not been invited to this game,” Tabitha said.
“Ma’am, I cannot leave Mr. Thorn alone in your,” he looked over at Jerry, “or his presence.”
Tabitha shook her head, “We are not going to harm him. Feel free to check me or Jerry for weapons.”
The bodyguard glanced at Thorn, who nodded with a shrug. The giant slowly moved his hands down Tabitha’s arms, and then raised them so he could do the same to her sides. He then patted down Tabitha’s legs, trying not to get too familiar with her.
Thorn piped in, “Be sure to check under the skirt, Hugo!”
“What?” Hugo and Jerry both said at the same time.
Tabitha said, “You heard him, Hugo, is it? Yes? Then go ahead since Mr. Thorn seems to be so afraid of a woman.”
Hugo simply nodded, and moved his hands up Tabitha’s legs under her skirt. When he got just north of Tabitha’s knee, he looked up at her, and Tabitha smiled and nodded, so he kept moving. He finally lost his nerve about an inch from her vagina. Tabitha admitted to herself that she liked the feeling of his large hands on her body, and was a little sad when he stopped. Hugo then moved on to Jerry, who got a much rougher inspection. Satisfied that neither Jerry or Tabitha had any weapons, Hugo left the room and closed the doors behind him.
“Okay,” Tabitha said, “Are we ready to play a hand of poker?”
Thorn shook his head, “No, we still have the fact that you and I don’t trust one another. You could still be hiding cards in those long sleeves or billowy skirt.”
Jerry exploded, “Your man just had his hands all over my wife and he didn’t find anything.”
“That’s true, but Hugo doesn’t have much experience checking women for cards, and neither do I. There’s no telling what kind of secret compartments that dress has.”
“I expected as much,” Tabitha said as she started undoing the buttons on her blouse, “which is why I planned to take it off.”
Jerry was about to make another objection, but Tabitha shot him a look that silenced him. Thorn’s smile just kept getting bigger with every undone button. Soon, Tabitha was standing in just her chemise corset. Thorn’s smile was gone, replaced by an intense look of hunger. That look gave Tabitha a feeling of power and strength.
“Do you feel better, now, Mr. Thorn?” Tabitha asked, placing her hands on her hips.
Thorn cleared his throat, “Well, um, yes, of course. The cards are there in the middle of the table.”
Tabitha took the cards, sat down and started to shuffle. Both Jerry and Thorn were a little surprised at her familiarity with the cards.
“What? Did I not mention that my mother and father loved to play cards? They taught me all kinds of games. We played a little 5 Card Draw, so I know the rules,” she stopped shuffling and passed the cards to Thorn, “Care to cut?”
Thorn did and Tabitha took the cards back to deal. Soon they were both looking at their hands. Thorn looked rather pleased, and asked, “Are we doing any betting, Mrs. Sawyer, or is this a straight hand.”
“Since I am sitting here in my under things, you might as well call me Tabitha,” she said while rearranging her cards, “and no, our betting is done. How many would you like?”
“Tabitha, I would like one card please,” Thorn said and Tabitha sent one sliding towards him.
She took two and rearranged her hand again. Thorn studied the young woman, amazed at her composure in such a tense situation.
“Well, Tabitha, are you ready to see what fate you dealt yourself?” Thorn asked.
“I am,” she answered.
Thorn put his cards on the table, showing two pairs, Kings and Queens, “Can you beat two pair?”
Jerry watched as Tabitha’s face fell, and he knew for sure that Thorn had won and he’d lost his wife. But then Tabitha turned towards him and gave him a little wink, “I think I can Mr. Thorn, as long as three of a kind still beats two pair.” She placed her cards down for Thorn to see the Aces of Spades, Hearts, and Clubs.
“That is quite the hand, Tabitha,” Thorn said as he clapped, “you are quite the little card sharp. Congratulations on winning your house, horse, and husband back. Two out of three are real prizes. The third needs a lot of work. My offer still stands.”
Tabitha could see Jerry turn red with anger, but she still had him cowed enough so he didn’t attack. That was good, but she still had one more lesson to teach him.
“Mr. Thorn, how about we let the cards decide, with a little HiLo? If you draw the higher card, I will divorce Jerry and move in with you. If I draw the higher card, I stay with Jerry and take one forfeit from you.”
“Forfeit, what kind of forfeit? Thorn asked, genuinely intrigued.
Tabitha smiled, “It won’t be money, property, or your dignity, but it will help me put Jerry firmly in his place. And I promise that you will not be sorry if I win. Is it a deal?”
“I’ve already lost the house, it doesn’t sound like I have too much else to lose.”
Jerry was sitting at the edge of his seat, not knowing what would happen next. His wife was playing a dangerous game and his future hung in the balance. Once again, he felt ashamed for the way he had put her in the same position.
Tabitha once again shuffled and offered the deck to Thorn. He studied the deck for a moment, and then lifted roughly twenty cards to reveal a Jack of Spades.
“How long do you think it will take you to pack, Tabitha?” Thorn asked as he placed the cards back on the deck.
“Your confidence is attractive,” Tabitha said, “but overconfidence will always be your undoing.” She reached for the deck and without a second of hesitation, she picked up two-thirds of the cards, revealing the Queen of Hearts. “This is the second example of that in just five minutes.”
Jerry flopped back in his seat, with the release of tension. His wife had won, but what was the forfeit Thorn would have to perform.
Tabitha answered the question as she stood, “Mr. Thorn, on your feet please, and you need to disrobe.”
“Excuse me? I thought this forfeit wouldn’t cost me my dignity,” Thorn said, even though he stood and took off his jacket.
“I am a woman of her word,” Tabitha said, “and you won’t lose your dignity because you aren’t leaving this room naked. Also, I am disrobing as well. I want you to fuck me, Mr. Thorn.” Tabitha began unsnapping the hooks on her corset, “Over the last few months, you and Jerry have figuratively been fucking me with your late night games, and now I demand you do it literally.” With her corset off, she waited for Thorn to catch up. He almost ripped his shirt off and his pants fell to the floor seconds later. Together, they unbuttoned their last bits of clothing and stepped out of them. Thorn’s eyes drank in Tabitha’s amazing figure. From her firm breasts and slightly rounded stomach to h
er curvaceous hips and slim legs, Thorn couldn’t get enough of her. For her part, Tabitha was amazed at how different Thorn looked naked when compared to Jerry. Both men had strong physiques, but Thorn’s chest, stomach, and legs were covered in deep black hair. Tabitha’s eyes fell to Thorn’s erect penis, and she noticed he was the same length as Jerry’s but twice as thick. For a moment she hesitated in her plan, but then decided to carry on.
“Mr. Thorn, since you’ve taken away my husband’s ability to please me orally, at least temporarily, I want you to satisfy me,” Tabitha said as she hopped onto the card table, “Jerry, come here and stand next to me as he does so.”
Thorn got on his knees and placed Tabitha’s legs over his shoulders. He stared at her quim and his mouth began to salivate. Thorn rain his tongue from the bottom to the top, experiencing Tabitha’s taste for the first time. As more liquid formed, Thorn slid his tongue inside, feeling around Tabitha’s lips as they filled with blood. Tabitha moaned at his exploration, and she reached out to bring Jerry closer. Her husband was hesitant to get close to the man who was ravaging his wife, but then she grabbed his cock, and began to slide her hand up and down the shaft through his pants. Jerry hadn’t realized he was hard, and the fact surprised him. Tabitha unfastened his belt and undid his buttons, sending Jerry’s pants to the floor. She then took his cock in hand and jerked up and down on it in time with Thorn’s tongue sliding in and out of her quim. Then Thorn hit the magic spot.
“That feels so good, Thorn, you‘ve found the spot! Suck on it!” Tabitha yelled. Thorn happily complied, focusing all of his attention on the hard nub of skin. Seconds later Tabitha screamed in orgasm, locking her legs around Thorn’s neck, almost suffocating him. As the orgasm passed, Tabitha released Thorn, who quickly stood up.
Billionaire: Menage: Swinger: Let's Swing (MMF Bisexual Romance) (New Adult Contemporary Short Stories) Page 40