Part 46 (1/2)

I stood up and extended my hand. Christi took it and rose to her bare feet.

”You are actually going to let me get dressed?”

I nodded and led the baffled woman to the shelves of jeans. As we approached, she seemed to forget her earlier hate of me and a smile actually began to form on her lips. She stepped towards the racks and she began to finger the denim. Searching for her size. In moments she had pulled two pairs of jeans from the rack.

”Can I get some panties? They are just over there.” She pointed to some straight forward briefs over on the other side of the store.

”I think you are okay without them.”

She flushed and nodded. Given the choice of one or the other, I figure she'd have picked the jeans every time over panties. She didn't have much choice. She was probably disbelieving that I was about to allow her pants. She could live without the underwear. She made to walk towards the change room.

”Christi?”

She turned. Looked at me quizzically.

”A change room? Why?” I almost laughed. Her face broke out into a smile and she almost laughed as well. Looking down at her bare body.

I watched as she slipped the first pair over her legs. Pulling her long legs into the pants until her bare foot protruded from the bottom. Balancing on one leg, she pulled the other leg over her foot. Soon she was pulling the denim up over her hips. She b.u.t.toned the pants and looked at me hopefully. Hoping that she'd be allowed to keep them. Other than a robe this was the most clothing she'd been allowed since I met her.

”How do they look,” the topless girl inquired of me.

”They are alright.” She actually looked stunning in them. I wasn't aware how alluring simple jeans could be on a mostly nude woman. She just stood there and waited to find out what else I wanted. I just looked at her for a moment. ”What's that?” I pointed to the other pair of jeans she was holding in her hands.

”Another pair.”

”Why?”

”In case these were too big. Depends on the make of jeans what size I am.”

”Try them on as well.”

”These fit fine.”

”Try them on.”

Her eyes welled with tears as she realized that she'd have to go through the whole procedure of stripping and reclothing again in front of me. For some reason this bothered her whereas her complete nudity over the last few days didn't. I suppose she was the only girl who had never had to strip more than a robe off her body for me. I'd found her nude which started this whole time line.

She closed her eyes and obeyed. She unb.u.t.toned the jeans and slowly slipped them down her legs. Revealing her pale skin to me once again. She stepped out of the fabric, simply leaving them on the floor. She then repeated the procedure, pulling the other pair of jeans over her slim legs. The next pair were a different style. Slimmer. Hugged her legs more. The waist was certainly tighter. She had a bit of trouble pulling the denim over her hips. But it was just the fit. They weren't too small on her. Probably would have been easier pulling them over panties, her bare skin catching a bit at the fabric as she tugged at them. She b.u.t.toned the jeans and lowered her eyes. Slowly turned herself for my inspection. G.o.d, she looked stunning. And no panty lines. The new jeans looked a lot better. I told her so.

”Wow. You look fantastic.”

”I figured you'd prefer these.” Despite her somber words her mouth curled into a smile. Still appreciating the comment despite the circ.u.mstances. ”Do I get a top as well? Or do I just walk around like this?” She spread her arms out to the sides, thrusting her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s out.

I left her standing like that for a moment. Still stunned by the beauty in front of me. Topless. Barefoot. And in blue jeans. Calvin Klein? Model this girl and believe me, you'd sell jeans.

”Pick out a top yourself. Keep in mind, I don't like it, you just might spend the rest of the day that way.”

”I don't mind, you know. I've been naked too long to mind going topless.”

”I know. Find a top.”

She scampered to obey. Running her fingers over the sweaters and blouses. Occasionally stopping and holding one up for my inspection. Holding it against herself for me to see. I turned as she moved around the store. Furrowing her brow. Searching. Shopping. Finally I left her to her own devices and walked back to Jane and Amy. Amy was still crying, but the intensity had drastically reduced. Jane just looked up at me as I approached. Not saying anything.

I crouched down and asked Jane, ”How is she?” I was truly concerned. I'd been a little rough with her and she just simply wasn't used to it.

”She'll be alright. She hasn't said much, but she doesn't seem to be in as much pain.”

I ran my hand down through her dirty blonde hair. Kissing her forehead as she wept. Amy just looked up at me with pleading in her eyes.

”Please. No more. Okay? Please?”

”Amy, sweetheart, I'm not going to hurt you anymore. Honestly. I don't think you need anymore? Do you?”

”Oh G.o.d. No. Please. It still hurts.” Her fingers were still pressed between her legs. Her handcuffs impeding her a bit. Thighs pressed tightly together.

”You going to be alright?”

”I'd be better if you hadn't whipped me.”

”I know. I know it hurts. I'll let you rest for a while more.”

”Thank-you,” she whispered. Meaning for the extended rest.

Jane just watched this exchange, still cradling the girl. My att.i.tude moving to kindness and concern seemed to rea.s.sure the trembling girl in her lap. Amy didn't seem as frightened. Her trembling seemed to have reduced and her tears almost stopped. She looked up at Jane, still gently stroking her hair.

”Jane?”

”Shhhh.” Jane shushed the hurt woman.

I was standing up. I only half paid attention, my eyes searching for Christi through the store. Not locating her right away.

”It hurts. G.o.d it hurts.”

”I know, baby. It'll fade. I promise. I've been through it too.”

”How. How did you? Deal with it?”

”Shhh. I can't tell you that sweety. You have to figure out how to deal with it yourself. You don't want to deal with it my way. You'll be alright. It'll fade. I promise. It must be fading already.”

”A bit. I guess. I never ...”

Her voice faded as I walked away from the girls, searching for Christi. My guard suddenly up. She was free. No restraints at all.

”Christi?” I called out softly.

”Over here,” came the immediate reply. I carefully walked over towards the sound of her voice. Readying the time defenses in case she had found a weapon.

She was innocently sitting cross-legged on the hardwood in front of a display of sweaters. Her fingers tugging at bright knits. Just doing what I told her. I relaxed.

”What?” She looked at me with bewildered eyes. Realizing that I was on edge before I'd relaxed.