Pearl's Possession (The Red Petticoat Saloon) Read online

"I can't do this."

  The sharp intake of breath behind me was like a knife in my gut.

  "You're all right, lass," Brock murmured, still stroking my hair as if nothing were wrong. "Did you grow tired of us?" A little smile flitted across his face.

  "No," I said.

  "Then what's wrong?"

  "Did we lie with you too much? We can let you alone more… " Samson fretted.

  Face wet, I craned my neck to look at him. "It's not that. I love being with you, I do."

  "Then why'd you run?" Brock's voice was heart-breakingly gentle. Why couldn't they just be cruel and shout at me? It would make things easier when I had to leave.

  "I can't be the wife you want."

  "You already are, lass. Just the way you are. We don't need you to be anything but yourself."

  "But I'm not good enough." I whispered. "You don't know everything about me."

  Brock blinked.

  Samson hugged me tighter. "Tell us."

  "I can't. You won't want me anymore."

  "Lass—" Stomping feet announced the arrival of the rest of my men. Brock uttered a curse, apologized, and left to greet them. Turning me to face him, Samson rubbed my back. I cried a little against his broad, bare chest.

  "Pearl." Cash stood over the bed.

  "No." I curled further into Samson's chest, but felt the mattress sink a little, and then a hand on my leg.

  "It's all right." Orion murmured. "You have nothing to fear from us."

  Samson shifted, moving me so he was sitting up and I was in his arms. My men surrounded me on the bed, Orion and Brock sitting on either side, touching me.

  I closed my eyes.

  "We want you," Samson whispered into my hair.

  "Of course we want you," Jonas said. He still sounded tense and angry.

  "What Jonas means is we are still committed to you." Cash was a cool voice of reason. "From the moment we chose you, we have never given a thought to another. The only thing that will change our situation is if you no longer want it, or care for us."

  "Do you still care for us, Pearl?" Orion asked.

  "Of course I do."

  "Then what is it?"

  I couldn't bear this; I had to tell them.

  "I'm barren." I was crying too hard to see their faces but I felt their silence like a blow. "I can't ever have children. I've tried and tried… and it's not to be."

  "Is that all, lass?"

  I blinked back tears to stare into Brock's hazel eyes. "Don't you see? I can never be a good wife to you. I've tried so hard to be all you want, but I never can be. You chose me without knowing that."

  I cried into the awkward silence.

  "I knew," Cash said.

  "You knew she couldn't have children?" Orion sounded upset. I turned my face to Samson's chest and sobbed.

  "I suspected. She lay with us for months, and even if she took precautions, she was primed for our seed. When she told us she'd been married but never mentioned children, I guessed that her former union had been childless."

  "He cast me out." My voice was wretched. "Once he found out. And now you will."

  "Never." Cash leaned closer so I could see his determination. "We will never cast you out."

  "You're everything to us," Jonas said in a gruff voice, still rubbing my leg.

  "All right, lass, calm down. You're safe with us."

  "Do you hear that, Pearl? Please stop crying." Samson cupped my chin and touched his lips to mine. Twisting my body, I kissed him properly, as the rest of my men stroked my skin and wet hair. I calmed down.

  The only one who wasn't part of our group was Orion, who still sat on the bed, staring towards the door.

  "You knew?" I asked Cash, as soon as I could speak. He nodded.

  "I don't want children," Jonas said bluntly. "I just want Pearl, and what we have."

  "No one's getting rid of Pearl," Samson rumbled.

  "But then how will you get heirs?" I asked.

  "Do you know how many children are left without parents each year?" Jonas burst out. "We could adopt as many as we like as our heirs."

  I shook my head. They couldn't mean this.

  "It's true, lass. You know of our time in the orphanage."

  "My mother died in childbirth," Samson rumbled. "I do not want Pearl to go through that." He put his head close to mine. "I am glad you won't go through that."

  "Finding a wife who would bear us children was never a main concern of ours. There are many children who need homes," Cash said in a voice of reason. "And we can easily find heirs. There are plenty of orphanages."

  "I say we save some child from such a fate," Jonas added. I could see the raw bitterness in his face. The memory of old pain was still fresh. "We could adopt a whole orphanage."

  "If Pearl is willing." Samson's fingers sifted through my hair.

  "Then it's decided," Cash said. "Pearl, if you want us, we'll still have you. Barren or not, it doesn't matter."

  "Orion?" Jonas called. My hotheaded one was still looking to pick a fight.

  "No one told me," the blond said finally.

  "Did you want children, Orion?" Brock asked.

  "I might," he mumbled. "I don't know yet."

  "What's wrong with you?" Jonas' temper flared, and he started forward, only to be stopped by Brock's out-flung hand. The two young men glared at other.

  "Nothing's wrong with anyone," Cash said. "Orion, if you find a woman you want to get with child, bring her back here and marry her. We'll help raise the children."

  Orion winced.

  "Me, I'm happy with Pearl," Samson cuddled me closer.

  "Me too. And if we adopt a few bairns in the end, well," Brock shrugged. "The more the merrier." He slapped Jonas on the back until the younger man relaxed.

  "I'm happy with Pearl," Jonas said with a final frustrated look at Orion.

  "Thank you." I kissed Samson's cheek. Scooting around on the bed, I went to give all my men a kiss, stopping before reaching Orion.

  "I'm so sorry," I whispered.

  "Oh, Pearl." He closed the distance between us and hugged me, practically crumpling around me. "I'm not angry with you."

  "I know. You're disappointed. I wish I was perfect for you."

  "You are perfect. You're the one for us. We've never doubted it, not from the first night we met." Tightening his hand in my hair, Orion pulled my head back and kissed me. When he broke the kiss, he held my gaze with his blue eyes. "We wanted someone for all of us. To care for and cherish."

  "I never wanted to risk leaving my children fatherless anyway," Jonas said. I longed to soothe the pain in his voice and face away. It seemed there were depths about them for me to learn.

  But I had the rest of my life.

  "Any child we adopt will not lack for fathers," I said. "They will not be able to ask for anyone better.

  * * *

  I slept between Brock and Samson, and woke to Cash leaning over me.

  "How are you feeling?" He handed me a mug of coffee.

  "Better," I said. "I don't know what came over me."

  "You were scared. We are too. None of us have been able to trust anyone outside of each other. You're the first in a long, long time."

  I thought of Jonas, so quick to anger, like a wounded predator.

  "You all are so close, though. A family."

  "We had to be. The orphanage was rough. Orion, Jonas and Brock had siblings who were adopted or kept with family members. But us boys were the troublemakers, and unwanted. At the orphanage, we stuck together to survive, and have been together ever since." His face was composed, but I could see deep pain in its depths. I touched his hand to bring him back to me. "So, you see, Pearl." He gave me a sad smile. "It's hard for us to trust as well."

  "I'm so, so sorry."

  "Enough," Cash said. "I'm going to punish you for running away and putting your life in danger, instead of just talking to us. And that'll be the end of the matter. Once you've received correction, you're forgiven and it's done."
>
  I nodded. The thought of a punishment spanking wasn't pleasant, but at least then it would be over. I felt I needed to atone for what I had done somehow.

  "Out of bed, then. The men all want to see you. We'll continue this after breakfast." Leaning in, he gave me a quick kiss.

  After dressing me in a simple shift, he led me out of the room to where all the men sat around the table. He was right; everyone did want to kiss or pet me, reassuring themselves through touch that I was all right. I ended up in Samson's lap, sharing a plate of eggs, potatoes and bacon. Orion was to my left, and Brock sat to my right and squeezed my knee often.

  Jonas slid a packet towards me. "I got them last time I was in town."

  I opened it to find a mixture of seeds.

  "There are all sorts. Vegetables, flowers. I have more in the barn for you. I was going to wait until Christmas because some of them you plant in the spring, but some of them you can plant now."

  "Thank you," I said.

  "Merry Christmas," Jonas said with a grin. He rose and kissed me before clapping on his hat and heading out the door.

  "Good to have you back," Brock gave my knee one more squeeze before following the younger man.

  Orion stood to clear the plates. "Once I finish my chores today, I'll help you hoe the space for them in the garden."

  Warmth spread through me at the blond man's smile. It seemed I was forgiven. Orion and I helped Samson wash up after breakfast, and then I grabbed a broom to start my own chores.

  "Not so fast." Cash stopped me. "We need to address your punishment."

  I set the broom aside as Orion came out of the bedroom, holding a leather strap

  "What's that?" I asked with trepidation.

  "Just another implement to help the lesson sink in," Cash said. "You needn't fear it; we will never cause permanent harm."

  I swallowed hard, watching Orion approach. Samson had disappeared; the big man couldn't bear to watch me receive correction, but it seemed the young blond man would be learning to dole out discipline.

  I must have looked sad because he gave me a hug. "I'm not upset with you anymore, Pearl. I was just surprised is all. It's a small disappointment, but it doesn't mean we can't have a life together. I want our marriage to work." He waited until I nodded and then kissed me, and then the impish boy disappeared, replaced by the dominant persona. Guiding me to Cash, he directed me over my usual disciplinarian's lap.

  My shift came up and bared my bottom and legs; my feet barely touched the floor. As usual, the vulnerable position made my heart beat faster, but I was not looking forward to this time across my master's legs.

  Cash explained how my bottom needed to be warmed up before the harsher phase of the punishment. These slaps were light and easy, though they did make a satisfying sound. They didn't hurt, but I tensed every time his palm skimmed my cheeks.

  Cash paused and ran his hand over my back. "Just breathe, Pearl. You're being so good. We're getting you ready for your punishment. It'll be quick and after we're through, it will all be over."

  I was looking forward to that.

  "Orion will be practicing on you this morning," Cash went on. "And then you'll receive final correction tonight."

  "You're going to punish me twice?"

  "Just a little right now, and then a proper warm up and session tonight, with all the men. And afterwards, we'll take care of you."

  After all the emotions of the previous day, his promise sank home. I melted over Cash's legs. My men would take care of me, even to the point of correcting me when I did wrong.

  "I like how she submits. I feel like a little discipline, and she'll be perfectly obedient," Orion said.

  "She enjoys a firm hand," Cash agreed. "But that makes our job harder. We have to be careful with her, to make sure all her needs are met and she feels loved and cared for. Otherwise our leadership means nothing unless we respect her, and act responsibly."

  "How do we do that?"

  "By treating her well. Making the rules clear and enforcing them when she breaks them. Never discipline when you're in the throes of emotion—anger or frustration. Always make it clear that whatever we do, it's for her and her best interest. And make sure it is."

  "Her bottom is red."

  "It lights up compared to her pale skin. A good warm up, and she won't bruise. But as we discipline her more and more, her skin will be able to take harsher implements.

  "Like the strap?"

  "Yes. Pearl, come on up, lean over the table as I've told you before."

  I presented myself. My bottom felt hot. Two men ran their hands over me, discussing my life and punishment; it was too much. I arched my bottom towards them, silently begging for their touch. One of them rewarded me, running his fingers along my slit.

  "She's wet." Wonder filled Orion's voice.

  "I know. That's why I think her bottom will get plenty of spankings—she enjoys them too much."

  "What's the difference between a punishment spanking and pleasure one, then?"

  "A long lecture before the punishment. A shorter warm-up and more implements used—to make sure she feels the sting. The pleasure one is lighter and ends on a happy note. Although Pearl responds so well to discipline, she may cum during a punishment, whether you want her to or not," Cash chuckled. "And then more spankings, and the cycle repeats. It's a fun game, even when it's supposed to be serious."

  "We'll make her cum tonight though."

  "That's right. We're going to claim her properly as ours." Cash's head dipped and his breath stirred my hair. "Would you like that, Pearl? To be spanked and then passed around, until everyone has had a chance to stroke your bright red bottom? We'll fondle and fill you to your heart's content."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Then hold still while we spank you, and then give you a taste of the strap. You'll get it all again tonight, but then the pleasure comes. Does that sound good?"

  "Yes, thank you, sir."

  "Good girl."

  They both took turns smacking my bottom. It wasn't a warmup, but their hands never hit too hard. After a while, a rosy glow started deep in my loins, a fire burning that wouldn't go out until my men filled me later that night. I groaned to myself; this was going to be torture.

  "Almost there, sweetheart."

  Cash demonstrated how to use the strap by laying a few stinging lines on my bum. It hurt, but the pain quickly faded, becoming part of the delicious inferno inside me.

  "You're being a good girl, Pearl. Orion will give you a few more, and that'll be all."

  Cash had more control over the strap than Orion; the second round felt a lot more intense. When his first hit landed, I yipped and almost broke position. After a few seconds the sting radiated out from the line slashing my bottom, and went deep. It wasn't as harsh as the wooden spoon, but it still hurt.

  "Again," Cash ordered, and Orion lashed my bottom. I stood up and danced a little, noting that the pain from the first few strikes was dying away. I could take it.

  "And now would be the time to have her stand in the corner, and think on what she did. Then more correction, as needed. But we're done until tonight."

  Standing up, I shivered a little. As always, I felt raw and vulnerable after my correction. My hand went to rub my bottom, and Cash tutted me before directing Orion to pull me into his lap.

  "Never leave her alone afterwards. She needs reassurance and love. Not sex. Just hold her, rub her back and tell her how much you care for her."

  As strange as it was to hear my feelings narrated, Cash was right. Orion cuddled me in the chair, crooning sweet things. I relaxed against him. My bottom complained a little, but even the throbbing pain reminded me that I was safe and cherished.

  "All is forgiven, Pearl," Cash put his hand on my back. Reaching back, I caught it and brought it to my lips.

  "Thank you," I said, even with tears in my eyes at the sting. I kissed his hand; he stooped and kissed my mouth.

  "It's a pleasure, Pearl. You're our beautiful wife.
We're going to love you until the end of our days."

  * * *

  True to Cash's words, the night did bring correction. My men gathered around the dinner table. I helped serve the food, and ended up delivering a kiss with each plate or cup. I had worn a proper dress to work in the garden, but late afternoon I bathed and put on my white shift. Unbound, my dark hair dried. It fell in waves down my back, secured only by the comb Jonas had picked out.

  Brock caught my hand and made me sit with him. "I could get used to this," he said, caressing my naked breast under the simple shift. "

  "Pearl." Jonas reached over and offered me a bite of food. I ate from his fingers, licking them clean when they lingered near my mouth. He pushed one digit in and out between my lips, wearing a big smile as he pretended to fuck my face.

  I obliged, laving his finger while my cheeks heated and my nipples hardened to points.

  "Oh, lass," Brock sighed. "It's going to be hard to wait for the end of the meal."

  "Perhaps we can get started early," Cash suggested, and Orion's chair scraped back immediately.

  "Come here, Pearl," he ordered, and I went, eager to get this part over with. "Do you know why you're being punished?"

  "I stole a horse and ran from you, and when you called for me, I hid. I didn't tell the truth about my feelings. I was ashamed."

  "You'll never be disciplined for being honest," Cash said. He'd moved closer to supervise. "But your unwise actions put you in danger, so in addition to a hand spanking, you'll get a few with the strap tonight."

  "I get to spank you." Orion settled me across his knee. "And all the men will get a chance too, after your strapping."

  I groaned, letting myself sag over his lap. His excitement poked me in the stomach and I wriggled a little, only to be corrected with a swift slap. "Hold still. The more you fight, the longer the spanking will be."

  My pussy clenched at the dominance in his tone.

  He smacked me again. "What do you say?"

  "Yes, sir."

  My second spanking of the day wasn't as long and careful as the first. My men were eager to get to the 'forgiveness' part of the night. After a few minutes, Orion let loose a harsher round of smacks, and then lifted me up. "Go get the strap."

  I padded away, my face blanching as I lifted the black strip of leather. The men all watched my slow return. Cash and Orion had switched places; my disciplinarian held out his hand. "Position, Pearl."