A moment later, a small woman with brown hair came into the room. She wore a corset so snug her breasts practically touched her chin. She had gaudy red lips and black kohl lined her eyes. "Got a new one for you. It'll be a busy night, so Sheila's too busy to talk to you now."
Sheila. My heart leapt at the sound of her name.
"You'll get a dollar a lay, an extra dollar for anything beyond a pussy fuck. You make that clear up front. Have any questions, Regina will help you tonight. Come sunrise, we'll get you all squared away."
She looked me over. "Have you eaten?"
"Yes, ma'am," I said again.
"Good. Regina, get her something to wear and get her out on the floor. You ever fucked before?"
The woman was brash and crude, but she was going to have me ready for my first customer quickly enough. She didn't seem like one to dawdle.
I felt my cheeks heat, but nodded.
"Not much, I would guess, and the men will see that. By the end of the night I'd guess you'll be innocent no longer."
She turned back to the stove and Regina led me upstairs. It was only when the woman held up a corset with frilly edges did the full impact of my situation settle upon me. I had to hope that Wiley was below.
An hour later, I walked into what I assumed was a parlor with Regina. While she'd been nice and helped me dress, she'd been fairly quiet. I hadn't wanted to press her with questions about Miss Carter for fear that she would think something amiss, but I just asked after if her employer was fair. She nodded her head but kept her lips pinched closed. Perhaps the silence was telling in itself.
As I entered the room, I felt exposed. If I tugged on the top of my corset, the petticoat would only ride higher up my legs. If I tugged the petticoat down, I was sure my breasts would pop free. There was nothing I could do but tolerate the indecency of the outfit. I thought of the night I was forced to wear just the sheet and it eased my concerns a bit. Of course, the result of that night was a hasty wedding. I could not fathom what this night would bring. As several men had their eyes, very keen and interested eyes, on me, I could now clearly see Wiley's concern. It was one thing for him to come into a brothel and talk with a woman. He could feign disinterest and leave. I, on the other hand, could not.
A tall, thin man with a mustache approached but was cut off by Wiley. I exhaled a pent up breath and attempted to hide my relief at the sight of him. The others were no comparison; Wiley was the handsomest man in the room. He was also the biggest and with an intent expression on his face unlike the others. He would have me and I could feel my pussy getting wet at the thought.
"Hello. Do you like peppermint?" he asked.
"I beg your pardon?" I asked, frowning. I had not expected such an odd question.
"Hello, there. I'm Ruby. Aren't you a brawny one?" a woman said, wrapping her arm around Wiley's thick biceps.
I tried to keep a bland expression, but it was hard.
Ruby tilted her head in my direction. "She's new. Look at her, she's so new she doesn't know what she's doing."
Wiley made a rumbling sound deep in his chest. "Mmm, I like that. I can show her just what she needs to do."
Put out, Ruby replied, "If you come down a little later lacking satisfaction, you come see me, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am," Wiley replied dutifully.
"Now, where were we? Oh yes. Do you like peppermint?"
I was completely taken aback. "Yes. Yes, I like peppermint."
He pulled a stick from his shirt pocket and handed it to me.
I shook my head. "No, thank you."
"I insist." He held it out to me, his expression blank. I frowned, but took the preferred treat. "Tonight, I'd like to teach you something."
Wiley looked around the room and signaled to a burly man by the door. He nodded back and then Wiley escorted me upstairs. "Which room is yours?" he asked. His voice was loud, clear and a complete act.
I pointed down the hall. "This way."
I opened the door and let him precede me in. It was very similar to Ethel's room at the brothel in Banning except this bed was smaller.
Like in the hotel room, Wiley pressed me back against the closed door and began kissing along my neck. As he did so, he whispered, "I'm sure we are being watched. They will want to know of your abilities and whether to keep you."