Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 156728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 522(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 522(@300wpm)
“Perfect.” The stylists exchanged glances as the female made a note in Daisy’s chart. “I’ll put in the order for after her visit to the spa.”
The next few hours passed in a blur of sensation and movement. Once Daisy met with several specialists, she was shuffled off to a small, clinical room and told to wait.
The clinical lights and furniture reminded her of a doctor’s office. “Excuse me?” She opened the door, looking into the empty hall. The soft scent of lemon and eucalyptus tickled her nose.
“Hello?” A woman in a white lab coat appeared, cheerfully following her back into the room. “Did you need something?”
“I…” Daisy looked back at the table covered in paper. “I’ve already done the physical.”
“Mm-hm.” She pointed to the table. “You can have a seat.”
Daisy reluctantly scooted onto the table as the woman gathered supplies at the counter, her back turned.
“So, what are we thinking?” She turned and cocked her head. “First time?”
Daisy blinked. “What are we doing?”
The woman smiled. “Your wax. I typically start with your legs.”
Only then did she register the pots warming on the counter and the wooden sticks in various thicknesses. A stack of fabric strips waited on a tray.
“You start with the legs? What else do you do?”
“Oh, we do all of it.” She laughed. “If it grows, it goes. Unless you prefer the hair, that is.” She lifted Daisy’s arm and drew back her sleeve. “You’re fair, so…”
Daisy didn’t know how to respond, and the woman laughed again.
“There’s no need to be nervous. It looks more painful than it actually is.”
She didn’t know how anyone could make such a claim when they were asking to cover her body in hot wax and rip out her hair. She silently climbed onto the table and stiffly reclined, disassociating as much as possible.
“How’s that temperature?” she asked as she spread wax over Daisy’s calf.
“Good, I guess.” It was more warm than hot. It actually felt kind of nice—” Mother fucker!”
She pressed a cloth over the area, soothing away the sting. “You okay?”
It was more shocking than painful. Daisy nodded, and the process continued, uncomfortable but bearable. The underarms were more painful than her arms and legs.
“Bikini area next.”
“Wait.”
She paused, wooden applicator in the air. “Problem.”
“Maybe I keep my hair.”
“Okay. I’ll just clean up the perimeter.” When Daisy pressed her thighs together, the woman laughed nervously. “You need to at least get the back.”
“The back?”
She nodded, and two minutes later, Daisy somehow ended up bent over, holding her ass cheeks. Profanities flew and, in the end, she wound up with smooth lips and a severe blush. It didn’t matter because once she did her eyebrows, her face was redder than a sailor’s sky.
“Beautiful,” she declared when finished. “Smooth as silk. After Damon’s done with you, the esthetician can do a treatment to bring the rosiness down.”
Daisy stared at her like a cat after a cold bath. “Great.”
“I’ll let him know you’re ready.”
Daisy didn’t know who Damon was, but she assumed anything would be better than this sadist with a wax kink. As soon as she was alone, she traced a delicate finger over her now bare parts. She had to admit, it was pleasant to touch skin that smooth.
“Knock, knock.” The door opened, and a man in scrubs stepped in. He had an easy smile, beautiful skin, and full lips under a five o’clock shadow. “How are we doing?”
“Oh…you know.”
He chuckled, his kind eyes creasing with an apologetic smile. “I know. This is the part no one tells you about. But I promise to make it as painless as possible.”
Her expression fell. “Make what painless?”
He held up what looked like a medical kit. “The enema.”
Daisy sat up so fast she nearly fell off the table. “The what?”
“It’s standard procedure for all tributes.” Damon’s voice was gentle and matter-of-fact. “Tonight’s activities can be...vigorous. This ensures you’re comfortable and prepared for anything.”
“No.” The word came out harder than she intended. “Absolutely not.”
“Should I call Aunt Vanessa?”
Daisy’s eyes widened. “Why would you involve her?”
“She has a calming effect. I’ll give her a quick buzz and see if she’s busy.” He was already reaching for the intercom on the wall.
A moment later, Aunt V entered, her expression sympathetic but firm. “There’s my skittish little doe.” She settled into a chair beside the table. “Now, I know this seems invasive—”
“I can’t.” Daisy’s voice shook. “I signed up for a lot of things, but not…not this.”
“You’re right. You didn’t sign up for this specifically.” Her tone remained calm and warm. “And you have every right to refuse. We’ll just retrieve your personal items and arrange transport—”
“What? You’re saying if I don’t do this, I can’t stay?”
She offered a regretful smile. “No one will think less of you.”
“But…”
Aunt Vanessa waited quietly as Daisy thought over her options.
“Why is this necessary?”
“Well,” Aunt V continued gently. “Tonight’s activities can get…physically demanding. This preparation ensures not only your comfort, but your dignity.” She reached out and squeezed Daisy’s hand. “The first time I went through this, I was so nervous I cried. But afterward…I was grateful.”