Independence: #4 Hayley by Karen Nichols

place. “First…bound hair only when we’re tying you up or you’re cooking, clear?” When she tried to nod he put his mouth next to her ear. “Verbal response, sub. Always verbal.”
    “Yes, Sir. Clear, Sir,” she answered instantly, feeling the floor beneath her feet again when he released her hair. And he’d taken the thick cloth elastic band with his fingers. Long, partially dry hair tumbled around her face, shoulders and back. Since the dress began just at her breasts, the hair added a nice cover. But not for long.
    “Second…stand still and don’t move unless we tell you to,” Dane slowly opened his arm and stepped back. “Do not pull at the bottom of the dress. It’s where it’s supposed to be.”
    “But…”
    “And it’s a damn nice butt,” Jack responded with a chuckle. “I like it. Add it to the pile…she does look good in red.”
    Hayley slowly removed the dress and wandered to the opening of the try-on area. She hardly noticed that she was wearing just a little more than a bikini. But she liked that dress. It looked like nothing more than glossy spider webs all linked together somehow and it sparkled. She walked over and ran her hand over it. She thought it would be scratchy, but it was almost invisible, it was that soft and supple.
    Dane nudged Jack, both men watching Hayley.
    “I’ll ask Claire if she has one in red or can get one,” Jack said easily, collecting the things and carrying them to the counter.
    “Hayley?” Dane waited until she was back, handing her the t-shirt and jeans. “Ready to go?”
    “Oh, sure,” she answered, dressing quickly.
    “There’s a sports store next door down, Hayley,” Dane said as she was working the jeans up her legs. He met the startled look in her eyes that changed to a bright smile.
    “I could use a new pair of runners,” she answered with a little nod. “And I always need new shorts and tops.”
    “You can go over there while we finish up here,” he suggested, surprise on his face when she came up to him and framed his face with her hands. His mouth had barely opened when she kissed him and danced away with a nod. “We’ll be over in a few.”
    “Should I ask?” Jack waited for the total, the clothing and toys bundled and bagged.
    “Running shoes and clothes,” Dane said, his hands in his pockets. He stood staring at the door. “She’s not what I expected.”
    “No kidding…and you’re just figuring that out?” Jack shook his head, signed the receipt and shoved one of the bags at Dane. “Here. Make yourself useful.”
    Hayley tapped in the code for her debit card when she looked up to see them striding into the store.
    “Wow…nice eye candy,” the girl behind the counter remarked with a little growl.
    “Yeah…they sure are.” Hayley slid her card back into the wallet and watched the girl fold the shorts and top she’d bought before putting them into the bag with her new shoes. She felt the hand on her hip and leaned toward it. Jack, she thought at the familiar scent seconds before his lips brushed her temple.
    “Found what you were after?”
    “New shoes,” she said with a grin, her body freezing when his hand slid free and Dane’s came from the other side. “So we can run in the morning.”
    “You’re both nuts. I’ll sleep in,” Jack took the bag and offered a grin at the girl staring at them. “Ready to go home?”
    “Yes,” Hayley murmured, unsure if she should be embarrassed or triumphant at the expression on the younger woman’s face.
    “Good. We have time for dinner before getting ready for tonight.”
    “Why did you do that?” But there wasn’t anger or embarrassment in her voice as she climbed into the back seat of the truck. Confusion etched her features, her gaze going from one to the other.
    Dane looked over at Jack. “Do what, Hayley? Come inside for you?”
    “I…no, no, of course not…” She scowled at the both. “That girl…the sales girl…looked at you both like…”
    “You