Busted | bondage story | bound and ball gagged

She'd been busted about as bad as any gal could possibly be busted. What on earth had possessed her today? Lori knew that taking on this store was about the worst mistake of her life. What was more, she was quite unable to do anything about her somewhat precarious situation. Bound hand and foot, and tightly gagged, she certainly wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. While she waited for the police to arrive, Lori wearily reviewed the events leading to her capture.

The familiar butterflies accompanied her inside the large store as usual. There was nothing quite like the incredible high that shoplifting produced. Although Lori was no amateur, the thrill never lessened whether she was hitting Myer or the local corner shop. Shoplifting was more than a way of life, it was her whole career. Outwitting store security and the usual dumb assistants was (usually) easier than taking candy from a baby. When they discovered the extent of her perfidy, it was always too late, much too late.

The only real rule she religiously followed was simple – don't get caught! However, it wasn't as simple as picking up everything and pissing off before anyone saw her. There was more to it than that, much more – and Lori considered herself a master of this highly dangerous game. It was an art and she was highly skilled at her chosen profession. Sleight of hand was one thing (she could conceal even quite large objects beneath her baggy old top in seconds) but ensuring no one caught her in the act was another.

Therefore, observation was all-important. Casing the layout before moving in for the kill was vital to success. Sussing out security (non-existent) and the obviously inexperienced young assistants told Lori that this job would be a piece of cake. They were keen but clueless. The girls hadn't even bothered approach her as she entered – acknowledging your presence usually deterred all but the most hardened professionals. Sometimes she'd hit similar (albeit larger) targets half a dozen times in one day. Then they wondered why shoplifting cost Australia billions every year, she sourly thought.

The only time she had to worry about staff or security spotting her was during the vulnerable moment of actually lifting the item she wanted to take. Therefore Lori studiously ignored everyone while she trawled the shop. Only amateurs got busted this way. They always gave themselves away, nervously looking around this way and that like a frightened gazelle. Nevertheless, she remained acutely aware of everyone and what they were doing while she cruised around the racks. The girls hadn't moved. One of them had her head bowed, as if reading a magazine – going over stock figures, perhaps? She was a real Amazon. Even her jacket and jeans barely concealed bulging muscles. Could've been Conan's girlfriend. Lazy cows, Lori thought. They wouldn't give her much trouble.

Lori continued mentally making notes as she toured the spacious premises, pretending to inspect the bewildering range of merchandise along the way. Upon entering, she'd been confronted by the usual warning signs stating that 'we prosecute' and 'You're on Candid Camera!' – nine times out of ten, it was all bluff anyway. They certainly had no cameras she was aware of – other than the usual cam silently observing the till in the unlikely event of a hold-up. They weren't infallible anyway. She was expert in working out 'blind spots' which their roving eyes couldn't spot. Often cameras lulled the staff into a greater sense of false security as well. They could be useful if handled properly.

The shelves and racks were just the right height from her point of view as well. They were just high enough to allow easy observation of other customers (few) and the girls lounging by the cash registers up front. All Lori had to do was pretend that she was browsing while she covertly concealed various items deep within her knickers where they wouldn't slip out. A hank of clothesline vanished inside her handbag next.

She'd already paid a visit to the change-rooms after ostentatiously ensuring that the girls saw her entering before liberating several hangers of the garments occupying them, breathlessly donning the largest item (with a matching red bra and panties going inside her handbag) and returning them to their original location using the convenient cover that the shelves provided. It was the oldest trick in the book. They'd seen the garments go in – and out. The girls weren't to know that she'd already put more than one identical garment on each one. Ha ha.

Lori almost felt sorry for them. The shop assistants wouldn't be happy campers once they discovered her simple ruse. She opened her spacious handbag before smiling. It'd held diamond rings worth thousands of bucks before. Although the value of the stuff here was much less, the thrill of the hunt never varied.

It was time to leave. She'd achieved every objective. It'd been a good day, even if this place wasn't the kind of shop she usually hit. The staff were busy now. One girl was ringing up a purchase while another was helping a customer with picking out a shirt or something like that. The owner wouldn't be happy when she discovered the extent of her depredations. Lori grinned. They rarely were.

People were so slack weren't they, though? She bit her lip before studying a rack of magazines. That shiny yellow raincoat someone was wearing on the cover of the nearest magazine was gorgeous and she inwardly sighed. It was so beautiful! It even came with real buttons as well, not the flimsy plastic poppers most cost-conscious manufacturers used nowadays. She smiled before picking it up and riffling through the pages. It was amazing what people were wearing nowadays. Lori shook her head. That raincoat wouldn't help her cover much – but boy… it would be fun wearing something like that outside in the rain!

Speaking of which… Lori peered around before sliding the magazine beneath her top. Complacency was the biggest danger. Hiding something was the easy bit. Escaping with all your goodies was the name of the game – it was where so many people found themselves horribly unstuck. It was how they behaved which gave them away. Furtive glances, guilty looks and so on. The best way to handle everything was stay cool. The easiest way to earn a capture was act like you had something to hide. Lori grinned again. She had plenty to hide. She wasn't far away from the front door now. Only one rack stood between her and freedom. She lifted her head before casually glancing around, scanning the shop floor before departing. Always suss out what Security is doing. If they were onto you, it would be pretty obvious by now - but everything appeared absolutely normal.

Thoroughly familiar with the law, Lori knew that she'd committed no crime until she actually tried to leave without paying. Even if they caught her now, the most they could do was confiscate her ill-gotten gains before sending her packing. The law was also quite clear on one other major point – they could only haul you in if they'd actually seen you pinching something – although 'probable cause' was just as likely to see her nicked as well.

The coast was clear.

Congratulating herself on another smoothly executed lift, Lori strode in the direction of the open door, looking neither left or right.

The hum of traffic grew louder and she instinctively quickened her step.

"Stop!"

The command was loud, sharp, and Lori instinctively halted as a cold ball formed in her stomach.

"May I look inside your bag?" a glacial voice said and she gulped.

"Wha- What for?"

"Can it, bitch," the giant Amazon Lori had seen earlier angrily replied. "I saw you putting heaps of stuff inside." Before Lori had time to react, the woman snatched her handbag away before peering inside. "You bloody bitch. Come with me."

Lori desperately glanced around. This woman was seriously scary. Her glossy leather jacket and jeans shone in the cold effulgence of the winter sunlight bathing Melbourne. A silver tag identified her as Sonja. Her windswept raven locks flowed past her shoulders and Lori felt a shiver course through her body as their eyes met. The woman's anthracite eyes were as chilly as the wind sweeping down the street. Lori knew that she could expect no mercy from the woman muscling her back inside. Swept along with effortless ease like a leaf blown down the footpath, Lori stumbled down the floor alongside her captor.

She was in deep shit now. It was time to cut the pretence and come clean.

The customers had gone now, presumably ushered out a back door provided for the purpose and Lori shuddered. She had an awful sinking feeling that no good was going to come of this. The other assistant was locking the heavily barred door behind her. She'd never felt as alone since the awful night when she'd met the bogeyman in her dreams before Mother arrived upon hearing her screams.

"Well." Tapping her foot, the Amazon said, "You think you're so fucking clever, baby."

"But…" Lori was lost for words. She'd never encountered anyone as hostile or menacing. Suddenly, this was no longer fun. It was terribly real.

"You wanna know how we deal with shoplifters here?" the Amazon suddenly said.

"But I…"

"Since you seem to like this so much, you can wear it."

Lori gasped before swallowing. Sonja was holding her illicit spoils aloft like a fisherman proudly displaying a trophy bass. The red ball gleamed wickedly beneath the harsh glare of the sodium lights.

"No!" Lori gasped. "You can't do this!"

"Yes I can. Call it a citizen's arrest." Her captor's smile was shark-like. "You tried to resist lawful apprehension so I had to detain you."

"But…. I can explain… Mhhmm-" Lori desperately squawked a totally ineffectual, horrified protest as the ball was jammed between her lips.

"They all say that," the big woman icily replied as she pulled the first strap brutally tight. "There, suck on that, baby," she jeered as Lori flailed about.

Lori couldn't believe that this was happening. None of her training ever prepared her for an experience like this.

Why… on earth had she ever taken on a bondage shop?

The ball was huge in her mouth and she desperately fought for air as the Amazon pulled the second and third straps so tight that her lips were pulled backward in a painful rictus. One went over her forehead while the other passed beneath her chin, squeezing her head with a vice-like grip. Frantically, Lori shook her head like a dog shaking excess water off its coat before trying to push everything out with her tongue – but nothing so much as budged or shifted.

"Ok… strip."

"Whhmmm?" Lori wasn't sure if her ears were deceiving her.

"C'mon. Strip," the Amazon said. "Take your clothes off. I want to see what you took in your change room."

Her face burning, Lori sullenly complied. She reluctantly allowed her glass-clear PVC raincoat to slither to the floor with a heavenly crackly rustle. She'd left everything unbuttoned for easier ingress – besides, who would suspect anybody wearing a transparent plastic raincoat? Her white wool turtleneck quickly followed.

"Come on. Your jeans," Sonja said.

Lori wished she could curl up in a ball as she let them drop in an untidy heap on the floor. This was so embarrassing.

"Everything. Your panties. Stockings. Take em' off." Gleefully, "Gotta see if you're hiding anything."

Lori disbelievingly shook her head as her cheeks flamed. 'You're really in the poo now,' she wearily told herself as her cream knickers joined the growing heap of clothes – and stolen goods dumped on the floor.

"Nice. You've got good taste," Lori's tormentor commented with heavy sarcasm.

Lori felt her ears glow as she studied her reflection in an inconveniently located mirror. Sonja wasn't referring to her expensive undies (a contribution from Myer). She could hardly have picked out a nicer – or more bizarre outfit. A cross between a torsolette and a leotard, her impossibly shiny fire engine red PVC high-cut bodysuit perfectly emphasized every luscious curve of her slim, shapely body. The front stomach panel ended just above her crotch. It fastened from behind with a crotch flap – if one could call it that for it was really nothing more than a series of strategically located straps. Two went around her bottom before passing through her legs next to the junction of her crotch and thighs. The third strap, which she'd left undone for now, was designed to pass straight between her private bits. It could be pulled as loose – or tight as she dared.

Her breasts were embarrassingly exposed. Lori's 'leotard' came with circular cutouts barely supporting the delicious swell of each ripe melon. A roughly diamond shaped patch of PVC, the bottom edge connecting everything partially covered her chest just above her breasts. It in turn was attached to a high-cut neckpiece while another pair of straps helped hold everything in place. These passed around her body, just above where her beasts began before meeting the back. A pair of shoulder straps (more decorative than anything else) completed her ensemble.

Taking everything seemed like such a good idea at the time – they hadn't even bothered attach any kind of security tag. Lori felt as if the girls could see right through her as they stared with increasingly hostile disdain.

"Here. Let me help you do it up properly," the giant woman sneered before stepping forward.

"Mm-hhmm!!" Lori helplessly gurgled an ineffectual protest as the Amazon pulled her closer.

"Allow me."

This time, even the tightness of Lori's gag couldn't prevent the scream which rose unbidden as the Amazon pulled the crotchstrap tight, burying the thin PVC deep within the soft, unresisting flesh of her pussy. She quivered spastically as her captor buckled the strap firmly.

"Feels good, don't it?" Her voice was sarcastic and Lori whined into her gag before squirming again. A delicious radiant warmth was already invading her nether regions. Lori felt as if she was walking on eggshells as the strap massaged her clitoris with an unbelievable intensity. She had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Lori could feel her cheeks blushing with hot embarrassment as she disbelievingly gazed downward.

"Tie her up now," the other girl said as she trotted over with an armful of rope. "We'll teach her." Her eyes blazed with bright hatred and another emotion - contempt, and Lori's heart sank as she studied the other woman. Her badge identified her as 'Karen'. Obviously Asian, her dark almond eyes were anything but inscrutable as they burned into her with contemptuous dislike. As petite as her companion was massive, she exuded a sultry sexuality Lori guessed few would be capable of resisting. Her shiny black sleeveless PVC shift dress was positively miniscule. It left little to the imagination but there was nothing sexy about the hard expression decorating her face. She knew how they felt but explaining everything was kinda difficult with a whacking great ball strapped in her mouth and…

"Shame we've gotta tie her up," the Amazon mused in a voice suggesting it was anything but. "Bitch tried to bite and kick me so we had to restrain her."

This was just totally unbelievable! Panicking, Lori hurriedly tried to tear the straps away but before her questing fingers could undo a single buckle, the Amazon grabbed her. "What do you think you're doing? Not so fast."

Her strength was inhuman. Lori could only protest as her arms were roughly forced behind her back.

That Amazon really knew what she was doing.

Rope hissed around her slim wrists and drawn tight.

Lori couldn't believe the way she was being tied up. This was nothing like the loose ties she always saw on TV. A few turns of rope and that was about it. Maybe a sloppily applied 'gag'. She snorted through her nose. This was a real gag alright. Not for nothing they called this contraption a gag – she was already having trouble breathing although it was coming more easily now that she had the hang of it. Thank God she didn't have a cold.

Being so tightly bound and gagged was a totally alien experience for Lori and she couldn't help trembling with sudden fear as the Amazon lashed her wrists together with an expertise which told her she wouldn't be slipping out of anything soon. She'd forced her forearms high up together leaving her hands uselessly dangling in thin air, far apart from each other. Half a dozen or so tight wraps later, Lori didn't think her heart could sink any lower while the girls continued trussing her up. Any faint hope she'd harboured of escape quickly vanished like a will o' the wisp as Sonja carefully cinched everything, removing every last inch of slack out of the cords that now bound her hands together behind her back.

"We're going to tie you up but good," Karen said nastily as she passed another hank of rope over to Sonja.

"Yeah!" Sonja smirked. "We don't like people like you."

'Tell me something new,' thought Lori.

"Maybe if you're lucky, the poo-lice will untie you."

"Do remind me to call the police later won't you?" Sonja smiled while she began securing Lori's arms. "Like… maybe a few hours from now."

Karen laughed. "Better hope I don't forget, huh?"

Lori couldn't believe what she was hearing while the girls casually discussed her fate in increasingly loud voices. Talk about a bad day at the office! They didn't come much worse than this…

Sonja was draping one end of an unbelievably long piece of rope over her neck and Lori couldn't help wondering what the girl had in mind as she periodically knotted everything leaving approximately three or so inches between each knot.

"You know what bondage is?" Karen suddenly said. "No? Well, you're about to find out, baby."

Lori uneasily shifted position. She had no idea what Karen meant but it sure didn't sound good. She knew 'bondage' had something to do with captivity and the way they were going, it looked as if she was in for the long haul.

Sonja reached between her legs and Lori bit down on the ball before awkwardly gulping as the girl passed everything through. Suddenly all business, Sonja pushed each strand under the rope looped around her neck before carefully threading the trailing ends between everything. While Lori incredulously looked on, Sonja calmly drew each separate end beneath her armpits before hooking them around the little 'holes' she'd created earlier. Each rope was then pulled around her body again before being wound around the cords dangling downward from her neck. Working swiftly now, Sonja repeated the procedure, this time passing the ends over and around her trapped arms. Despite her apprehension, Lori couldn't help watching with increasing interest and fascination as Sonja continued weaving her into a tight, inescapable web of rope. She liked the intricate diamond pattern that Sonja was creating. The pressure upon her aching crotch was immense now. Each successive loop tightened everything and Lori groaned again as Sonja yanked each end hard.

The webbing now extended all the way down her body from her breasts to hips just below the panty line. It wasn't cruelly tight, rather if anything, the cords were deliciously snug. They hugged, caressed her tingling body with an unbelievable intensity which Lori's dumbfounded mind struggled to assimilate as she fought for breath. Her chest was strangely tight as she peered downward, craning her neck forward to see the cords cleaving her crotch in two. Even the slightest movement instantly transmitted itself to her thrumming clitoris and she blushed again before looking away. Her bonds were delivering a totally unexpected range of sensations which she couldn't cope with and a single tear meandered down her cheek as her emotions boiled over.

"What's the matter, baby? She doesn't like being tied up?" Sonja jeered. "Too bad. Should've thought about that before. Well, it's too late now coz I'm not going to untie you."

Lori shook her head before lowering her eyes so the girls couldn't see how much this was affecting her. This wasn't right. Her body was betraying her. Sonja was uncoiling yet another immensely long hank of cord.

"Baby, we haven't even started yet," Karen giggled, noticing her downcast expression.

Grinning, Sonja replied, "Too right," before splitting the rope in half and passing everything around Lori just above her heaving breasts.

"We're gonna truss you up tighter than a hog." Karen laughed cruelly.

"Won't that be fun?" said Sonja. "Call it doing our bit for crime prevention."

'If only you knew,' thought Lori.

She closed her eyes before trying not to squirm as Sonja continued wrapping her up like a fly. Her arms were all but immobile now as the massive Amazon wound more and more cord around her body, just above her breasts before repeating the procedure with another series of neat wraps just below. Unlike the rope harness wound around her slim torso, they were much tighter. The mirror was providing a grandstand view and Lori stared while Sonja looped everything over her shoulders before passing the dangling ends beneath the cords behind in the small of her back and drawing them upwards. There was no way she would wriggle out of anything now, Lori knew. Not even the world's greatest contortionist could get out of this one.

Meanwhile Sonja carried on as if tying up someone was the most ordinary thing in the world, winding, looping and threading more and more cord around everything, creating a seemingly disorganized Gordian knot of rope above her bound wrists which had been pulled up again and fastened to the intricate spiderweb of rope circling her body. She'd even gone to the trouble of cinching the cords circling her body with the simple process of threading everything between her arms, looping the ends around the ropes in front, returning the same way to the increasingly tight mass of cordage behind and pulling.

Her arms were totally immobile now. Lori's head spun as she realised the fiendish ingenuity of Sonja's ropes. Untying herself required leverage – in other words, wriggle room but she had none. She could flap her useless hands and fingers as if mimicking a bird but it was the only movement she had left.

"Not so clever now, Miss Smarty-pants," Karen jeered.

"Not half," Sonja agreed. "Let's get this show on the road, as they say."

"Here," Karen replied, handing her another piece of rope and Lori inwardly sighed as Sonja leant down before binding her ankles. The girls weren't kidding, were they? They were really playing for keeps.

She glanced downward. Sonja was tying her legs together with the same exacting expertise as her hands and arms. Half a dozen or so neat wraps was followed by a couple of tight cinches and a series of equally carefully tied knots, placed on the outside of her ankles.

Her knees (above and below) quickly followed her ankles the same way before Sonja finished everything off with her thighs, tying and cinching everything as tightly as possible. Her legs were useless logs now and Lori breathlessly wondered if Sonja was done now. Surely they couldn't tie her up any tighter than this?

"Penny for your thoughts," Sonja smirked, stepping back and admiring her handiwork.

"I think," Karen carefully said, "that she's wondering if we've finished tying her up."

Lori enthusiastically nodded; hoping the girls would take the hint.

"What do you think?" Lori chuckled.

Lori shook her head – no before blushing again. There was nowhere for her saliva to go and drool was dribbling down her chin in the most babyish manner. Strangely enough, it was turning her on. There was something about being tied up which was turning her insides into liquid mush.

"Trussed up like a hog," Sonja murmured. "Good idea, Karen. I like it." Grinning, "You know what a hog-tie is?"

Lori nervously shook her head again. She had no idea what Sonja was talking about but whatever her tormentor had in mind boded ill for her.

"I think a demonstration is called for," Sonja said, giggling. "Pass the rope over please."

"Here," Karen smiled.

Her captor was inhumanly strong. Lori couldn't believe the ease which Sonja lowered her to the ground before peremptorily flipping her over on her stomach. She was totally helpless before the might of her captor. Lori wriggled and flopped about, thinking that she might as well show at least some resistance.

"Stop that," Sonja casually said.

"I see the filly has spirit," Karen giggled.

"Don't worry, we'll break her," Sonja said unpleasantly before attaching a relatively short piece of rope to her bound ankles and knotting the ends out of reach.

Lori groaned again as Sonja bent her legs backward, just below her bound knees. What on… earth was she doing?

It was not long before she found out.

Sonja carefully threaded everything around the tangled, Gordian lump of cordage interconnecting the ropes holding her prisoner before passing the ends between her ankles and pulling – hard. Lori couldn't help shrieking as everything dramatically tightened. Her crotchrope was really making its presence felt now! Her bonds were coiled bands of steel, and she squirmed, bucked, kicked and struggled like a wildcat, fighting Sonja's efforts but she'd been so tightly bound that her desperate struggling served only to annoy her captor into pulling harder. Before she had a chance to resist further, Sonja quickly repeated the procedure before yanking everything tight, pulling her into an exquisitely tight hog-tie.

Utterly defeated, Lori miserably closed her eyes before compliantly allowing her captor to knot everything far, far out of reach of her questing fingers.

"Well, that's a wrap, as they say," Lori sighed. "Bloody bitch."

"How do you like that?" Karen laughed while she studied the squirming, bound package lying at her feet. "Not so smart now, huh?"

Lori inwardly sighed before looking away. There wasn't any point replying – as if! The ball was huge in her mouth now and she moaned again as a stream of dribble escaped her lips. Bound hand and foot, hog-tied and gagged wasn't how she'd planned to spend the day. Her schedule was in chaos now. Lori hoped that her boss would understand.

"Yeah, I reckon!"

"You know…" Karen mused, "I think she should pay us restitution."

"What?"

Grinning like a hyena, Karen explained her plan.

"I like it. I like it very much," Sonja happily agreed. "You really are a marvel. That's the best idea I've heard for ages!"

Thoroughly puzzled, Lori's head spun as Sonja hoisted her aloft with effortless ease before carrying her to the front of the store. This was something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Was she dreaming? No. She shook her head before whining into her gag. Her tight bonds were all too real. It wasn't like they hurt or anything but… she'd never been so devilishly uncomfortable. Already Lori wished that she could stretch her aching arms. Well. Now she knew why they called this 'bondage'.

Suddenly, Sonja set her down with surprising gentleness and she gasped into her gag.

"Yes, you got it in one," Sonja giggled. "You're going to be our window display, how about that? Time to start earning your keep."

'Oh my God…' Her head was spinning like a top while she frantically tried to roll away before giving up. Her bonds were so tight that she could only flop about like a stranded fish. This was way beyond embarrassing. Already a couple of stunned passerby's were staring inside and she imploringly gazed into their eyes but they only laughed, assuming it was all part of the fun.

She'd never felt as helpless all her life while the girls studiously ignored her. They were setting up several placards and Lori wondered what they were writing. Surely not…?

"Don't worry, we're not that mean," Karen chuckled, showing her what she'd written.

You'll be in a bind without our wide range of bondage rope, priced from only $4.99 for 10 metres!

Silence is golden. Silence your sub with our stunning range of ball-gags, on special today only at 10% off!

Sonja smiled before consulting her watch. "It's almost one now. We'll untie you at closing time."

"I hate to say this but…" Karen was all smiles now. "Work hard and don't go anywhere OK?"

"Yes, no slacking off on the bosses' time, remember?"

If looks could've killed, they would've both dropped dead. Lori wished she could kill them. Instead they laughed before departing, leaving her helplessly bound, gagged and very, very alone.

Lori miserably shook her head before wriggling and squirming from one side to another. Her bonds were so tight! How was she ever going to escape? Thoroughly chastened and humiliated, she looked away from the window where a small, incredulous crowd was already gathering.

First things first. She had to escape. Lori wasn't at all sure if she even had any chance. They'd done a rather good job of tying her up. Nevertheless, she felt that she should make the effort. It would be so good if she could show up those bloody cows. Wouldn't Sonja receive such a shock when she saw her again?

She closed her eyes before thinking. Somehow shutting her eyes actually intensified the incredible sensory overload virtually overwhelming her brain. Lori couldn't help moaning as a bolt of liquid fire shot outward from her tingling, thrumming clitoris. The slightest movement was all it took to… 'Oh my God…' She'd never imagined being tied up was capable of generating such… feelings. Before running into Sonja and Karen, she'd always viewed rope as a purely utilitarian accessory for hanging up clothes or restraining kidnapped girls on TV.

No longer… She groaned again, secretly enjoying the way her bonds felt. They reminded her of an extended hug. She bit down on the ball filling her mouth before vainly trying not to move as another bright explosion flared deep within her privates before slowly dying. There was something so existential about being bound like this, although she couldn't work out what it was. She'd expected to feel terrified, yet… she felt strangely safe and secure. Now that she had time to think about everything more clearly, Lori realised that Sonja hadn't actually hurt her or anything like that. Obviously, Sonja wanted to punish her by taking her liberty away but… Lori was already beginning to wonder if Sonja hadn't accidentally slipped up after all. There was something about being tied up which really wired every circuit leading her brain.

Whatever. Lori decided that she might as well make her move. Even if she failed, at least she wouldn't die wondering what could've been. Unaware of the watching spectators studying every move with avid interest, she experimentally tested the strength of her bonds, straining against everything with all her might – but nothing so much as budged, much less shifted position. She wanted to scream. Her energetic struggling was playing hell with her puss. The cords wedged deep within her clit were acting like a tuning fork, instantly transmitting even the slightest twitch to her aching, tingling vagina. It was the most exquisite sweet torment she'd ever experienced. A new worry suddenly reared its ugly head – Lori was no longer certain she was capable of staying the distance…

She had to escape now. Struggling obviously wasn't going to get her anyway. She couldn't even roll over. She'd been so tightly bound that any leverage she'd once possessed was now gone. With her legs attached to her bound arms, there was simply no way she could sit up either. She could only uselessly squirm like a… earthworm. This was just hopeless! Lori knew in her heart of hearts that she wouldn't be going anywhere but her pride demanded that she keep trying. Lori fluttered her fingers, carefully reaching outward. Maybe if she tried hard enough, she might find a weak link she could take advantage of.

Her fingers found thin air.

There was nothing she could reach, much less grip.

Lori shook her head before inwardly sighing and groaning. Her awful gag was so tight! Even if she somehow found the elusive weak link she was looking for, how was she ever going to wriggle out of everything? That rope harness was doing its job all right. There was no way she could reach, much less loosen the web of rope girdling her body. About all she would achieve was placing more pressure upon her clit…

She glanced around before realising that someone was watching her. A young couple. A very pretty, casually dressed girl wearing a pink plastic jelly jacket over a white long-sleeved top and jeans was studying her the way an entomologist might examine a beetle. 'Oh no…' Lori wanted to die. This was so embarrassing! They had to see the cords looped between her… Worst of all, there was no way she could run or hide. The girl smiled and waved before speaking to her boyfriend.

Despite the awfulness of her situation, Lori instinctively returned her smile. At least she seemed friendly enough. Clearly delighted that she'd noticed her, the girl grinned back before peering closer. Lori smiled again before wriggling and squirming for her benefit. The girl's thin, pale features creased with a smile so wide Lori thought her face would split in half and she re-doubled her efforts. 'Oh my God…' Lori couldn't believe that she was doing this, shamelessly showing off like this before a pair of perfect strangers. She was acutely aware of the cords rubbing, massaging her tingling crotch while she continued performing for them. Yet she could no more stop than renounce her Catholicism. She was… actually enjoying herself!

They were in her thrall now. Lori couldn't help experiencing the strangest feeling of d?j? vu while she theatrically strained against her creaking, protesting bonds. There was something positively empowering about capturing their attention like this. It was so strange… More than ever, Lori felt as if she was the one on top as the girl gazed inward. Her luminous eyes were huge while she studied her energetic gyrations.

Her face was a picture. Puzzled, Lori peered closer. She'd recognized the emotions flitting across her lovely as… envy.

Lori was so stunned that she stopped dead before staring. Their eyes met and Lori could see the longing contained deep within her lovely violet eyes. Suddenly her boyfriend said something and her face lit up before she took his hand and pulling him inside.

'Oh my word…' Her brain was in turmoil. Although she knew that other people enjoyed being tied up, she'd never imagined it could feel anything like… this! The girl's reaction told her everything she needed to know about this… 'bondage' thing. She closed her eyes again, before luxuriously, ecstatically straining against her bonds, savouring the way her ropes tightened and loosened. She'd never experienced anything like the delicious, spine-tingling constriction of her bonds. She was flying now. Lori couldn't remember a time when she'd felt this… happy or free.

Another couple suddenly appeared before incuriously glancing inward, then gasping and pointing as the mannequin inside suddenly sprang into life. She badly wanted to laugh. Their surprise was so comical. Lori knew she had them as well while she bucked and heaved against her cruelly tight bonds trying to escape the explosion which would rip her apart when the bomb went off. After perhaps ten minutes, they silently retraced their footsteps before turning and she inwardly rejoiced. Another conquest.

The girl she'd met earlier suddenly reappeared – with a large bag containing her purchases. Her smile was a sun as she strolled past before waving a cheerful farewell. Another potential customer appeared. Time to do her thing again.

In this manner, the afternoon drifted past in a pleasant, dreamlike haze. Lori felt as if she was floating while she whiled away the hours. Her bondage was all; it was the centre of her universe. Nothing else mattered except the cords transporting her to worlds she'd never dreamt existed. She was only distantly aware of the crowds gathering outside to watch her performance before drifting inside.

"What the hell?" a loud voice suddenly said.

Startled, Lori pulled against her bonds before being jerked to an abrupt halt. She'd forgotten that she was still tied up. Had she really fallen asleep?

"What?" Sonja's voice.

"Why is she all tied up like that?" Angry.

"But we caught her shoplifting!" another voice Lori recognized as Karen's desperately said. "She was stealing from you!"

"So we decided to… teach her a lesson."

"You idiots! You dumb fucking idiots! Untie her! Now!"

Lori gustily exhaled. The cavalry had arrived at last – if somewhat late. She was looking forwards to explaining everything.

"Are you OK?" Joanne said, her voice full of concern.

Lori mutely nodded. Her jaws were still aching from the huge ball strapped between them for so long. She glanced downward before rubbing her scored wrists where the tight, woven ropes had imprinted her skin with a distinctive, red tattoo. Why did she feel this strangely bereft?

"Look at her!" Joanne said, still angry. "I can't believe you actually went and did this!"

"Sorry…"

Lori leant downward so Sonja wouldn't see her smile. She'd never seen the big, angry Amazon so contrite.

"I'm sorry, Lori," Joanne sighed. "I should've told them to expect your arrival."

"It's OK," she smiled. "It would've defeated the whole point of the exercise if they'd known. Honestly, I don't blame them for being upset."

Joanne laughed. "Talk about a misunderstanding."

"Yeah… I'll say."

"So… what can you say about our store security?"

"Well…" Lori thought for a moment. It was time for tact. Shop owners rarely liked hearing about the inadequacies of their operations. "The hidden mobile camera was a nice touch – and there was certainly nothing wrong with detection and um… apprehension."

"Go on?" Joanne said, trying to hide a smile.

"But… I believe that you should focus more upon general deterrence. Shoplifters hate shops where they can't steal anything – or more to the point, where they think there's a high chance they'll be busted." She inhaled deeply, enjoying the luxury of drawing cool fresh air deep into her lungs. "Expensive goods should be electronically tagged or secured in cabinets… Visible cameras and so on… There's also far too many blind spots… blah blah. I'll put all that in my report but you get the general idea."

"And avoid all this… unnecessary drama," Joanne dryly commented.

"Yes," Lori smiled.

"You were absolutely fantastic!" Karen beamed. "We've been so busy all afternoon!"

Lori couldn't remember holding a job she'd loved this much. It was not every day one discovered her true calling. She'd been tied up at work all day and she was having a ball.

She'd resigned from her old career as shoplifting security consultant the day after accepting her new position. After submitting her report, Joanne promptly offered her a job displaying their products.

"Of course you'll be tied up all day…" she'd said.

Lori couldn't think of anything she wanted more and she'd said so. It was a condition of employment she thoroughly appreciated – and relished. She happily shifted position before moaning into her gag. As usual, her bonds were as tight as they were inescapable. Sonja really knew the ropes and she'd wasted no time in making her part of the team. The chair creaked as she shifted position for the benefit of the gaping onlookers before settling down for the afternoon. Fridays were always busy. Lori knew that they wouldn't untie her until closing time.

She hoped Joanne would offer overtime tonight.

That's all folks!

Author's note: I based this story on an interesting show I saw on 'A Current Affair' the other day. Ray Martin was discussing how some stores fight fire with fire by hiring professional shoplifters to steal from their outlets before returning and explaining to staff where they went wrong. I couldn't help thinking what a great basis for a story his report would make and that's how this tale was born - what if someone got nicked taking on a bondage shop? Oh and by the way... this author doesn't condone shop-stealing. Stick to bondage - it's much safer.