Matt squeezed her hand. “I hear there’s a fancy dance happening around here soon. I’d be honored if you’d go with me.”
A smile spread over her face and her heart filled with love. “I’d be honored to go with you.”
“You look awful cute in that apron.” His gaze roamed over her and she blushed.
He patted his thighs. “Let’s get this over with, then we can get on to other things.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Over with?”
He patted his thighs again, then closed them together. “You’ve earned yourself a spanking. Over you go.”
He gave her arm a tug and she settled over his lap. “You’re serious about this? You mean to spank me?”
“Oh, absolutely. It’s the only way to deal with a tantrum. You’ll feel better afterward too. I promise.”
The first swat landed on her bare cheek and she yelped with surprise. Elizabeth Corwin Pendleton had never been spanked in her entire life.
Whether Matt knew that or not, he was certainly making up for lost time. His work-roughened palm came down on her upturned backside repeatedly.
“Ouch,” she cried out. “It stings.” She tried to twist away from him, but he held her firmly with one hand and swatted with the other.
“You’ll stay put until I tell you otherwise,” he scolded. He emphasized his point with rapid slaps on her upper thighs.
“Oh, oh. Please stop. I’ll be good. I promise.”
“Just three more, naughty girl.”
She gripped his pant leg to steady herself and he finished up with three stinging swats. When he finished he lifted her up and cradled her against him. “Hush now. It’s over. You were such a good girl.”
“Good girl?” she asked with a sniffle. “But you had to spank me. How can I be a good girl?”
“You did a bad thing, but you took your punishment like a good girl. Because you are a good girl. You’re my good girl.”
* * *
“Please, Matt. Let me pay for the dishes,” Lizzie whispered to him as they stood at the counter of the general store. “I’m the one who broke them.”
He slipped his hand from the small of her back to cup her bottom and give a light squeeze. “You’ve already paid,” he whispered in her ear and she blushed uncontrollably.
“Matt!” she hissed at him. “Someone will see.”
He gave her bottom another squeeze, reminding her of the punishment she’d received across his knee. “Why don’t you go over and say hello to Josie while I take care of things here. Maybe get yourself a pretty ribbon for your hair or whatever it is you womenfolk like to buy.” He gave her a gentle push in that direction and she walked away.
She still felt horrible about the dishes and the way she’d acted but she had to admit that the spanking had helped her to feel better. Less guilty.
Josie was seated near the fabric and sewing notions, working away on a lavender dress. “Oh, that’s a pretty dress, Josie. I bet you’re busy with dresses for the dance on Saturday.”
Josie looked up with a smile. “Lizzie, I’m glad to see you. Yes, I am very busy. I didn’t expect so many people to want new dresses. I guess it has been quite a while since we’ve had a big dance around here. Everyone is looking forward to it. You and Matt will be there, right?”
“Oh yes. You can count on us.”
She didn’t want to keep Josie from her work so she made her way back to the counter where Matt was collecting their purchases.
“Enjoy your new dishes,” Josie called out as they left.
Chapter 12
Meanwhile...on a train headed west
“Just because I paid for your ticket doesn’t mean we must sit next to each other.” Roy shifted in his seat to create a bit of space between himself and the wildcard of a woman he’d attempted to assist.
And it wouldn’t hurt you any if you infiltrated a crime syndicate, either.
He grimaced at his inner dialogue, particularly because there was some truth to it.
But, to his complete and utter annoyance, the real reason he wished Minnie would move away is because she was distracting. And not just because of her incessant chatter. He had to give her credit for being curious—about everything. She’d look out the window and exclaim over the countryside as they moved further and further away from St. Louis.
“Look at that!” She’d grabbed his sleeve and yanked as she pointed. “Is that really a buffalo? It’s so big! Have you ever eaten buffalo? What does it taste like?”
Yes, she definitely prevented him from having a peaceful day of enjoying the view or reading.
But, having her near had caused him to ride the rails with an uncomfortably stiff cock. He shifted in his seat and finally, using his folded newspaper to hide the tent in his trousers, moved to an adjoining car in order to get some distance between them as well as regain some dignity.
However, as soon as he’d sat in the lounge car, she’d plunked herself down next to him and he’d suggested it wasn’t necessary for them to move in tandem during the entire trip.
“Oh yeah? Well, you’ve got a valuable piece of jewelry that belongs to me. I’m not letting you out of my sight. How do I know you won’t lose it? Or get off the train while I’m not looking and disappear with my most valuable possession? No sir, I’m sticking with you like flies to a buffalo chip.”
He gave her a scandalized look over that last phrase.
“I heard a couple of farmers talking while we were in the dining car. That’s a dandy phrase isn’t it?” She smiled at him and her big brown eyes shone with excitement. “I’m having the best time of my life on this trip, thanks to you. I’ve never even been outside of St. Louis before and now I’m going all the way across the country.”
She gazed out the window again. “Have you ever seen a sky so blue?”
He wanted to be mad at her.
It had been two days of them traveling together, which with anyone else would have been a day and a half too long. Roy liked his solitude. It helped him think.
But with her, Minnie the-now-former maid, he didn’t think solitude was so important.
Two days and one night.
His cock would never give him any relief if he didn’t stop thinking about what had happened the first night. He’d suggested they stretch out a bit and find other seats to make sleeping more comfortable.
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I can sleep anywhere. When you’re a maid you don’t get the most comfortable bed and they work you so hard, you gotta find a place to nap whenever possible. My favorite was in the linen closet. I could crawl onto one of the shelves, on top of the fancy sheets, and have a little sleep. The other maids would come by and knock on the door to wake me if I was in there too long.”
She’d curled up against the window, the curve of her voluptuous derriere pressed against his hip. “With the train rocking like this, it’s like being in a giant cradle. I’ll be asleep before you know it. But thank you for your concern.” She’d rolled her shawl into a makeshift pillow and within moments he heard the soft rhythm of her breath as she slept.
He’d stretched his feet out in front and tried to get comfortable. He must have been more tired than he thought, because he did fall asleep. And when he woke, Minnie had shifted during the night and had her head resting on his lap.
Oh lord.
His cock stirred and he feared he might wake her if it got any more active.
In sleep, her face was even more beautiful. Her dark lashes stood out against the creaminess of her skin. A bit of her hair had come loose and he brushed it off her face with his fingers, indulging himself for a moment by enjoying the silken feel of it.
She’d stirred and smiled up at him dreamily before drifting back to sleep.
He’d spent the rest of the night watching her sleep.
Glancing out the window at the setting sun, another night loomed.
Oh lord help him.
* * *
“Roy! Roy!” Minnie grabbed his sle
eve and pointed out the window. “Oh no,” she groaned.
“What is it?” She was standing up and had her nose pressed to the glass, making it almost impossible for him to see out, let alone understand what she was so excited about.
They had stopped in Cheyenne and new passengers were getting on board.
“It’s him!” She turned around and started dragging Roy into the train aisle where they blocked several people who were trying to find seats. “We have to hurry. We have to do something. He’s here.” Her hands shook as she clutched at him.
“Woah, there, little Minnie.”
Little Minnie, where did that come from?
He grabbed her by the upper arms and forced her to look at him while moving the two of them back to stand in front of their seats. “Take a deep breath and tell me what the problem is.” His police training for dealing with the public came in handy.
She drew in a deep breath. And another. “Mr. Pendleton,” she said, whispering and looking from side to side as though not wanting anyone to know who she was talking about. Her eyes were wild. “Miss Elizabeth’s father. Remember, I told you I had to get to Juniper Junction to warn her that her father was on his way to find her and drag her back to St. Louis to marry that yucky Pettit man? Well, I just saw him.” She pulled free of his grip and pointed out the window to a private train car where a well-dressed man, followed by two less expensively attired men, presumably a couple of lackeys, exited.
He studied the man for the few moments it took him to cross from his private car to the first-class section of their train. Glancing ahead he could see mountainous terrain. The private car would need to be left in Cheyenne.
Next to him, Minnie’s breathing came in shallow pants and he feared she’d pass out. He settled her next to him on the seat and supported her with an arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him through her thick lashes, her beautiful brown eyes full of fear. It cut him to the core. “Hush now, Minnie. I’m right here with you. There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, now we know exactly where he is. He won’t get to Juniper Junction any faster than us.”
“I kn-know, but I-I’d forgotten how awful he is. I’d been having such a nice time traveling and having an adventure and then seeing him. Oh...it just reminded me of poor Miss Elizabeth.”
“Is that all it reminded you of?”
She drew in a shuddering breath. “N-no.” She lowered her voice even further. “He scares me. He’s got a horrible temper. I’ll never get my job back now.”
“You were planning to go back to St. Louis?”
“I-I don’t know. I didn’t give it much thought, I just know I have to warn Miss Elizabeth.”
Why did the thought of her returning to St. Louis bother him so much? He ought to be the first one to put her on the train going east.
“Let’s just calm down and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we’ll arrive in Juniper Junction and I’ll help you find Elizabeth and warn her. Don’t worry, Minnie. Everything will work out. I promise.”
She gave him a sweet smile. “You’re like a knight in shining armor.”
* * *
“You know something, Lizzie? I think food tastes better when we eat it off these new dishes,” Matt said playfully.
“Well, I’ll take any assistance I can get. And thank you. The new dishes are so pretty.” She was at the sink washing the dinner dishes.
“You’re the prettiest thing around here.” He came up behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered in her ear. “You’re also the best thing to eat.”
“Matt!” she screeched, shocked at his brazen words, though her tummy fluttered.
He turned her to face him, then dried her hands. “Leave the dishes. I think I’d like a bit of dessert. It’ll help me dance better tonight.”
“Matt! You’re scandalous!”
“And you’re my scandalous wife.” He tossed her over his shoulder and hurried up the stairs, tossing her onto the bed and pushing her skirts up around her waist in one swift motion. Before Lizzie could catch her breath, Matt had her drawers opened and his mouth upon her sex, his eager tongue darting in and out of her core.
She clutched at the blankets atop the bed while her husband focused on pleasuring her.
“Oh, Matt. Oh,” she moaned and tossed her head from side to side while she continued to mumble and moan.
“You taste too good, Lizzie,” Matt said, his voice strained. He shoved two fingers deep into her core. “Oh, you’re so wet and ready for me.”
He stood and lowered his pants, pushing them down around his ankles before he pulled her to the edge of the bed and buried himself in her womanhood in one smooth stroke.
“Ah. Yes,” he said.
The look of ecstasy on his handsome face filled her with happiness.
He reached out and stroked his fingers over her engorged clitty, sending her into a spiral of desire. He pounded into her harder, the bed moving across the floor with each firm stroke of his cock until she came in a shattering orgasm. Matt found his own release moments later, filling her with his hot seed before he gathered her to him and kissed her tenderly.
“I love you so much, my sweet Lizzie.”
* * *
She’d expected to feel a bit nervous going to her first dance in Juniper Junction, but after the powerful orgasm Matt had given her, she felt relaxed and happy.
Very happy.
I love you so much, my sweet Lizzie.
Her heart overflowed. Matt held her hand in his as they strolled toward the party that was already in full swing.
“Thank you again for these beautiful earrings,” she said to him as they neared the door. “You really surprised me.”
A wide smile spread over his face. “I’m glad you like them. I wish I could buy you all the most beautiful jewels you could ever want.”
Oh no. Her mind went to the precious items and cash she had hidden at home. She really had to come clean with her husband. But not tonight.
She glanced up at the sky and stopped for a moment. “Remember when you wrote to me about the beautiful Wyoming skies and how you can see the stars so clearly it’s like you could reach out and touch them?”
“I sure do.”
“You were certainly right.”
“Come on, I need to show off my beautiful new bride.” Matt tugged her hand and they hurried toward the crowd where music was already playing and couples spun on a makeshift dance floor. “It’s going to be a memorable night.”
Chapter 13
This was not like any dance she’d ever attended. The room buzzed with excitement and the lively music had her toes tapping.
“Lizzie, I’m so glad you’re here,” Josie said, speaking a bit loud to be heard over the crowd.
“Everything looks wonderful. You and Millie did a great job!”
“Thank you. This sure beats making calls on Mrs. Ryan.” Josie laughed. “Make sure you get some punch and don’t miss the cake auction.”
Lizzie noticed a long table with all sorts of cakes on top. “Wow,” she said. “I’m glad I didn’t volunteer to bake a cake. I can’t imagine being able to make something that looks so delicious.”
“Oh, you’ll learn,” Josie said with a laugh. “I’ve got to go and check on Millie. Enjoy yourself! And I expect to see you on the dance floor soon.”
A large man with a dignified air about him approached, removing his hat. He looked vaguely familiar but she had no idea where she would have seen him before.
“Matt,” he said to her husband, “I hope you’ll do me the honor of introducing your bride.”
“I’d be happy to, Mr. Conners. Lizzie, this is Mr. Conners, my boss. Mr. Conners, this is Elizabeth, my bride.” Matt smiled broadly when he said the words and Lizzie felt warm all over. He was proud of her.
“I’m pleased to meet you. May I call you Lizzie? I apologize for those two hooligans who injured you when you were getting off the train. I turned my back for a second and they caused a problem.” He
shook his head in disgust and she remembered where she’d seen him. He’d looked much less friendly that day, but based on what she’d learned about the two girls being sent out of town, it was no wonder.
“I’m happy to meet you, Mr. Conners. I’ve heard a lot of nice things about you. And please don’t concern yourself about my injury. Doctor Granger gave me some liniment that worked wonders.”
“Well good. I’d hate for you to miss out on dancing. I’m sure with Matt as a partner, your feet will take enough of a beating anyway.”
Mr. Conners slapped Matt on the back, nodded to Lizzie and bid them a good evening.
The band started up a familiar tune. Matt turned to her. “Care to see if Mr. Conners was exaggerating about my dancing skills?”
She laughed. “I’m sure my feet are up to the challenge. You might have to show me some of the steps, though.”
They moved close to the dance floor and watched for a minute or two. Matt showed her the steps and they made their way onto the floor with the other couples.
It felt wonderful to be held in her husband’s arms as they circled the floor. For the first few moments she focused on the steps before she relaxed and looked around. They passed Posey and Jake, who moved together well for a pair as physically mismatched as the two of them were. Posey gave her a broad smile before she returned her attention to Jake, gazing up at him with love.
The music ended but another song started right away and they continued.
“Thank you, Matt. This is the best dance I’ve ever been to.”
“I don’t suppose you got to attend many as a guest. You probably had to clean up afterward.”
Another reminder to be careful of her words. Oh, she really had to ‘fess up to Matt. He’d already said he loved her, he’d forgive her. She vowed to tell him first thing in the morning.
“Yes,” she said, then tried to change the subject. “Oh, look over there. Is that Josie’s fella?”
Cowboy’s Rules: Brides of Juniper Junction, Book Three Page 9
