Punished

by Punished(lit)

  When I arrived, however, everyone was looking tense and sober and more than a little contrite.

  Lyle looked more uncomfortable than any of the others and my heart nearly failed me.

  "Sit--please."

  I looked at him in surprise and finally moved to the chair he'd indicated, perching uneasily on the edge of the seat. It took him several moments to gather his thoughts and by the time he'd begun I was already imagining all sorts of awful things.

  "We've thoroughly investigated both the break in and you and arrived at the conclusion that we made a serious mistake, that you were unjustly accused and--punished."

  I stared at him blankly. I'd been enjoying myself so much I'd all but forgotten that we weren't just having fun, that I was supposed to be serving time for a crime I'd committed. I glanced at the others seated around the conference table, but, with the exception of Billy, none of the others would meet my eye.

  "We want to offer restitution."

  The comment drew my gaze back to Lyle. I stared at him for a long moment. "What sort of restitution?"

  He named a sum that made my heart skip several beats.

  "For--punishing me?" I finally managed to ask.

  He flushed slightly, glancing at the others. "We could go a little higher."

  I frowned. The idea of the money was exciting, naturally--and it would be nice to get a better salary so that I wasn't always skating the edge of ruin, but I didn't really see a lot of point in a lump sum settlement. I was fairly certain it would only lead me to wild spending and eventually I'd be penniless again, only with a lot more stuff to move the next time I had to.

  "This is--this is what you all want to do?"

  There was some throat clearing and then a general murmur of agreement.

  I knew what I wanted. The question was, did I have the guts to ask for it? I decided I did. Clenching my hands together in my lap, I looked at them one by one. "I was brought up to believe in an eye for an eye."

  Brows rose. The men exchanged nervous glances. I dragged in a sustaining breath. "I served four months. You owe me four--each of you."

  Absolute silence prevailed for the space of several heart beats. Finally, Billy grinned. "I'm in--but only if I get more time for good behavior."

  I glanced at Lyle. He was frowning--at Billy. Finally, he turned to look at me. "I'm yours," he murmured.

  The others fell over themselves to agree as soon as they were certain I was serious. Satisfied, I got up from the chair. "Fine--but no more fooling around at the office. We're trying to run a business here."

  They were as good as their word. For months, I had them all to myself. Eventually, all of them, with the exception of Billy and Lyle, went their separate ways, but I was very happy with only a two man harem, particularly since Lyle and Billy were my favorite pieces of white bread sandwich.

  Six months later Lyle explained exactly what he'd meant by 'his obsession' by asking me to marry him. I was torn. I loved him, but I also adored Billy. Apparently, he realized the dilemma wasn't something I could overcome. The three of us agreed that Lyle would be my official husband, and Billy my unofficial husband--and we were all content to have it that way.

  The End