“Yes,” I said.
Malinda stepped behind Gail and lifted the collar to her neck. Gail’s chin was tight against her chest. I cradled Gail’s chin in my hand and lifted. She resisted for a second and then allowed me to raise her chin enough for Malinda to fit the collar.
Gail met my gaze and I saw violence in her hazel eyes. I felt a flush of apprehension. How long would Gail tolerate this? She had never been subservient in any way when I’d known her in high school.
Gail’s eyes continued to drill into me as Malinda slipped the collar around Gail’s neck and pulled it snug. She fastened it and stepped back. I moved Gail’s chin slightly to each side, making a show of examining the collar. I nodded. “Excellent, put it with the other items.”
Malinda unfastened the collar and removed it from Gail’s neck.
I stopped resisting the constant pressure Gail’s chin was applying to my hand and her chin lowered until her glare was no longer visible. “Very well, now about the straitjacket.”
Malinda looked distressed. “I’m sorry to say we’re currently out of stock on all of our straitjackets. There was a convention last week and we sold out.”
“That’s disappointing. What can you recommend?” I asked.
“We have an excellent selection of arm restraints,” Malinda said.
I turned toward Gail and cocked my head. Gail glanced up at me for a moment and then cast her eyes down. I couldn’t believe how well she was acting the part of a submissive. I certainly hadn’t expected this much cooperation.
I turned back to Malinda. “Very well, let’s see them.”
“This way, please.”
Malinda led us down the aisle and across the back of the room. A female manikin, nude except for restraints, knelt on a counter. Her arms were behind her and a white leather covering encased her arms from fingertips to shoulders. Two straps went from the top of the covering, over the manikin’s shoulders, back under its arms, and ended against the bottom material that was snug against its biceps. I thought it looked strong enough to hold, but didn’t look comfortable enough to keep Gail in all night.
I frowned. Releasing Gail’s wrist, I placed two fingers under her chin and raised her head to make sure she could see the restraint. “Well, what do you think?”
Her eyes widened and a blush rose to her cheeks at the sight of the restrained manikin. She made a thoughtful study of the restraints. The manikin’s arms were nearly straight back and pulled together until its elbows were touching. At last, Gail nodded. “It would take some getting used to, but I don’t suppose it has to be tightened all the way at first.”
I turned back to Malinda. “I’ll take it. Does it come in sizes and other colors?”
I had seen similar restraints in my Google search and already knew it did, but Gail didn’t need to know how much studying I’d done. I had thought the straitjackets would be more comfortable and the arm restraints a little too sexual to ask Gail to wear them.
“Yes, sir. They come in black, white, and red. There are two sizes and usually the small is for people under five six in height and the large for taller ladies such as yours. You also have a choice of lace up or zipper.”
“Hmm,” I said thoughtfully. “Which do you recommend?”
“Sir, while the zipper makes removal or restraint faster, the laces are stronger and,” Malinda lowered her eyes. “If I may offer my person opinion, more esthetically pleasing.”
“I see,” I said. “Very well, I think the white, with laces.”
“Yes, sir,” Malinda said. “I’ll have to get that from the stock room. Feel free to browse while I get them.”
I nodded without speaking. I made as if I was studying my choice, noting the D rings and the finer points of the restraint until Malinda disappeared through a rear doorway. I turned to find Gail also studying the arm restraints.
I leaned in close so Malinda wouldn’t overhear me. “I’m surprised you’re putting on such a good act. Frankly, I was sure you were going to be beating me up about this.”
Gail glanced toward the back. We were alone.
She turned and slugged me high in the gut, doubling me over in pain.
Gail stood stiff, her feet apart, and both fists clenched. “You’re right about the beating. Why do I get the feeling that you’re enjoying this too much?”
I gasped for air and then managed to stand upright. I had to work to keep the grin off my face when I replied. “Okay, so it’s a bit of a turn on. You were never submissive in any way and I guess seeing you play the part is kinda sexy.”
Through clenched teeth, Gail said, “Well enjoy it while you can, but I meant what I said about you enjoying this too much. If I thought this was some kind of game—”
I held up both my hands, palms out. “Whoa, Gail, it’s not like that, honest. This is just about honoring my promise, nothing more.”
Gail studied me for a moment and gradually a smile brightened her face. Her fists unclenched and her posture relaxed. She stepped close, tilted her head back, and when I lowered my lips to hers she kissed me. I felt her fingers on my belly and she froze. She drew back and looked down. I followed her gaze to see a dark stain slowly spread in the material above my navel. “Damn, I broke open one of the staples. I’m sorry, Jesse. I should have aimed lower.”
“Or you could have not hit me at all.” I groused. “It’s not much. It can wait until we get back to the van.”
I closed my jacket and zipped it up enough to hide the stain.
“Then we should hurry. What else did you want?” Gail asked.
“They make something called bondage tape; it doesn’t stick to skin or hair, and maybe a hundred feet of rope.”
We located the rope and tape by the time Malinda rejoined
