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?—”
