Prepare?
The other women all smiled, some giggled, but all listened. Without any further conversation they glided out of my room. Breeze, the last to go, closed the door behind them. I had the feeling if Jacqueline ran things then Amelia was her second in command, and Alec, well, Alec was somewhere in the mix. Perhaps Alec was the guardian and muscle of Jacqueline’s realm?
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Amelia said.
An older woman entered with my bags. She set them down inside the door. Her graying hair was twisted up into a roll on the back of her neck. Her face, once beautiful, was marred. A scar started at the top of this woman’s hairline, ran down her right temple, across her right cheek, across her lips, and over the middle of her chin. I wondered if she’d suffered a horrible accident. Her eyes, hazel and tender, flashed and met my gaze.
“Lilli Anna,” Amelia greeted with a smile, “this is our newest sister, Trinity.” Lilli Anna nodded in acknowledgement. “Trinity,” Amelia continued, “this is Lilli Anna. She takes care of us. If you need anything, just ask. Lilli Anna will make sure you have anything you need.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lilli Anna,” I replied.
Lilli Anna nodded but never spoke.
“Lilli Anna is mute,” Amelia offered.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Lilli Anna waived a hand as if to say it’s okay, and left the room.
“What happened?” I asked.
“She married a man who was not only possessive and jealous, but who was also abusive and drank. He would wander into town; stay away for days at a time before coming home drunk, mad and out of control. He’d beat her within an inch of her life while he accused her falsely of atrocities with other men. This went on for years. After two miscarriages along with several lengthy trips to the hospital, Lilli Anna decided to leave her husband. She made all the plans and waited until he was gone into town. She left. He found her.”
“He did that to her face?”
“Yes, and much worse. She lost the ability to speak, spent weeks in the hospital.”
“Oh God, how horrible.”
“Jacqueline met her while visiting a friend in the hospital. They became friends and Lilli Anna has been a part of Jacqueline’s family ever since.”
“And the man? Lilli Anna’s husband?” I asked, still mortified for the poor woman.
“He was killed a few months after almost killing Lilli Anna. He finally met his match in a bar fight,” Amelia explained, brushing back a curl from my face. “Some may call it fate. Some may call it his comeuppance; pay back for what he put Lilli Anna through.” I nodded without saying a word. “Come, we have better, happier things to talk about, and much to do,” she assured me, and promptly took my hand and led me out of my room, down a hall, then up another set of stairs.
“Amelia, where are we going?”
“To prepare you.”
“What do you mean prepare me?”
“You will be the talk of the party tonight. We must get you ready.”
We entered a luxuriant bathroom. It smelled of jasmine, vanilla, honey, and various other delicate floral scents. I’ve never been to a spa, but I imagined this room to be exactly the replica of one. There was a large tub, crisp white, and almost overflowing with bubbles. The tub was surrounded on three sides by a small ledged wall. Setting atop the wall were dozens of candles, all lit and flickering. A massage table had been placed in front of an open fireplace, which raged with a crackling blaze, making the room toasty warm. On the right of the fireplace was a door that led to a steam sauna. The outer wall of the sauna held a multitude of hooks. Upon them hung long white terrycloth bathrobes and fluffy blue and white towels. Along the bottom of the wall were small cubbyholes, all filled with plush bath slippers.
I gazed around the room, and noticed the other women were lingering in various stages of repose. Some sat at an oversized vanity table. They were applying make-up from an overabundance of jars, tubes, and colorful pallets. Others were doing their nails, painting them in an assortment of decadent shades, while a few more were preparing something creamy looking in a large white bowl.
Breeze approached, holding a goblet filled with crimson colored wine. “Here, Trinity, drink this,” she offered as she extended the goblet out toward me. “It will help with your nerves.”
Could everyone read my fears?
Taking the goblet in hand, I confessed, “I’ve never drunk wine before. But then again there are a lot of things I’ve never done before.” I lifted the goblet to my mouth and took a sip. The flavor burst upon my tongue so I took another sip. “This is really good.”
Breeze and Amelia giggled.
“Yes, Jacqueline would have nothing but the best,” Amelia confirmed.
Somehow I knew this would be the case.
“I see you have found the wine,” Jacqueline announced. “Enjoy, my petit.”
I nodded, and noticed the other women. They’d come to a stop in whatever it was they were doing to give Jacqueline their full attention.
“Jacqueline, we were preparing Trinity’s bath,” Amelia said.
“Before we continue,” Jacqueline said, “there are some complications we will all need to be aware of this evening. I trust you all to ensure and hold dear what I am about to request.”
In unison a mixture of voices replied, “Of course.”
“Trinity is a rare and unique creature. She comes to us on a quest, one that has brought her through many difficult times, conquering many different fears, and all to obtain the love of a man.” I can only imagine my expression was one of shock before I blinked. Jacqueline reached out and brushed a fingertip over my cheek as soft as a whisper. She fixed her gaze upon my face. “Do not worry, my petit. We are your family now. I assure you, your desires become ours.”
It was strange, but Jacqueline seemed to comfort me in a way no one had ever been able to, not my sister Bentley, and not even Reid.
Jacqueline turned, looked out at the faces of the other women, speaking in a soft voice. “The man whom Trinity desires you all know, therefore Trinity is to be our secret. He is not to know who she is until Trinity is ready to reveal herself to him. I fear he will be in attendance tonight so we shall ensure he not know who she is. In fact, Trinity is no longer Trinity. She shall be the mystery which intrigues, the seduction of his being, and in time she will become the burning desire of his heart.”
“Who is this man?” Amelia asked.
“Reid Addison.”
Low murmurs moved through the room. I gazed at the faces of the women, my new sisters, one at a time.
“Reid is a man of many deep desires,” Amelia said. Jacqueline nodded in agreement.
“Reid is also the man that our sister desires, and so he shall be hers,” Jacqueline stated. The other women nodded. “From this night on we shall never use Trinity’s name in front of our guests. When it becomes apparent Reid wishes to know whom Trinity is, you will not give him the answers he seeks.”
“And tonight?” Breeze asked.
“Tonight we shall be in solidarity with our sister. We shall wear the masks,” Jacqueline replied.
“Mask?” I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.
Jacqueline turned toward me. “We shall obscure our faces. You will not speak. You will watch, listen, observe, and you shall learn much tonight.”
The fact my face would be hidden, my voice not given, gave me a secret thrill and a strange burst of courage. To be hidden in plain sight. I could do this. I wanted to do this.
“Tonight,” Jacqueline said, “you will learn of many things. Some may break your illusions of Reid. You may see a side of him you did not wish to see, but you will witness the truth, and you will have a choice to make. Are you sure you are prepared for this?”
“Yes,” Trinity replied.
Jacqueline’s hand swept out in front of her. “Everyone here has a choice. We are women who hold the power to grant every wish, every desire
, every need, but we choose with whom we wish to share this power. If you choose to stay, you will always have a choice. Never doubt this.” I bobbed my chin in a subdued nodded. Jacqueline took a hold of my hand. “And if you choose to stay, you will have your wish and your desire. You may also find as you learn yourself, your wishes and your desires may become something else completely. Are you prepared?”
“Yes,” I said.
“And you wish for the truth without the illusions of lies?”
“Yes, Jacqueline.”
“Then we shall begin,” Jacqueline replied, motioning toward Amelia to take the goblet of wine from my right hand.
Amelia took the wine and set it aside. Then she pulled the coat from my arms, handing it to Breeze before reaching for the bottom of my sweater.
“What are you doing?” I asked, unsure.
“We are undressing you, my sweet sister. Don’t be shy, and do not be frightened. You are part of our family, and we are with you every step of the way,” Amelia said softly as Breeze lifted my arms. Once lifted, Amelia pulled the sweater over my head.
In a rush of movement four sets of hands traveled over my body in an efficient manner as they removed my boots, my socks, my pants, my panties, my bra, and then wrapped a robe around my shoulders before they led the way to the massage table where they removed my robe and had me sit. Someone instructed me to lie upon my stomach. I shivered, closed my eyes, and flipped over onto my stomach. Something covered the bottom half of my nakedness.
I peeked through my golden curls to see Tempest by my side, rubbing clear oils through her hands. The next thing I knew, Tempest was massaging the oils onto my shoulders. I jumped.
“Relax, my sister,” Tempest said. “Allow the sensation.”
Music echoed through the room. I recognized the song. It was “When We Are One” by Gabriel Mann. I smiled. I loved this song. Soon, the low voices of the others, along with their movements mixed into the music. I closed my eyes once again. Gentle hands flowed over the curves of my back, kneading the sweet scent of vanilla and honey into my skin. The hands continued massaging the back of my neck, worked over my arms, rubbed my hands, manipulated my fingers, then relocated and lingered in the small of my back. The feeling was extraordinary and slid down the hindmost part of my thighs, calves, and into the arches and balls of my feet before resting between my toes.
“Turn over,” Tempest instructed.
I felt like a noodle, but found the strength to turn over. In an attempt to maintain some semblance of modesty, I covered my breasts with my hands. Tempest moved my hands aside and gazed at me.
“You do not need to hide yourself. You are quite perfect,” she assured.
Tempest massaged my shoulders, ran her hands over the tips of my perking breasts, over my stomach then down my legs, all the while rubbing in the scented oils. I drifted in the sensation. I didn’t like to be touched, but somehow I allowed that specific fear to fall away with each stroke of Tempest’s hands. Was it the wine, this place, these women? Whatever it was, I fell into a form of relaxation that I’d never experienced before. When Tempest’s hands came to a stop, my eyes fluttered open.
“Relax, allow the heat of the oil to settle into your muscles,” Tempest instructed.
I drifted in the sounds of the music, picturing the notes inside my head. I focused on the crackle of the fire, the movements of the others’ feet upon the wooden floor, the clink of a bowl being set down, the whoosh of fabric…. I awoke to the shifting of the sheet upon my body. Something soft was being smoothed over my pubic area. Ambre was slathering a creamy solution on my secret places, and Scarlet was painting my toenails in a white tipped pedicure.
“What?” Ambre placed a fingertip to my lips, stopping me.
“You do not want bothersome hair upon your body. This solution will remove the baby soft curls, and will keep you clean. And it will allow your body a sensation you will enjoy,” she said, and went back to applying the sweet smelling cream.
Scarlet said, “Men love to see a woman completely bared to them.”
My throat, cheeks, and ears flushed hot. I glanced down my body, embarrassed. Scarlet finished with my toes before she assisted Ambre. Ambre dipped a washcloth into the basin of water at my side then began ringing out the excess moisture. The trickle of water hit within the bowl. I felt Ambre lightly brush the warm wet cloth over my private area. Scarlet took up the job of slathering the sweet smelling solution over my calves. I bit at my bottom lip. Ambre brushed a fingertip over my bottom lip, causing me to release it from my teeth.
“Look what a beautiful body she has,” Ambre said. “See,” Ambre swiped the cloth between my feminine folds, “it is so precious, like a blushing flower.”
I thought I might actually die. Ambre pulled my thighs apart so she could swish the damp cloth over my female creases without obstruction.
“Trinity, you are untouched, are you not?” Scarlet asked.
Every woman surrounded the table. They were looking down at my body, and my bare parts, as if I were somehow amazing or I were built differently than them. I wanted to close my eyes, but Amelia moved forward and traced her hand softly over my bare budding nipples, causing my breath to catch.
“You are a virgin,” Amelia said, not asking but knowing.
I managed to squeak, “Yes.”
A low murmur moved through the crowd of women.
Ceclie looked down into my face. “To whatever man you choose to give yourself, you will be his greatest gift.”
“Gift?” I asked.
“Oh, yes, my sister,” Ceclie continued. “Not only are you beautiful but you are one of the rarest and gentlest of beauties. To be untouched, pure, is something most men seek but rarely find.”
“Reid did not find it such a gift.” I stiffened, shocked to hear my voice.
Amelia looked confused. “You offered yourself to him and he did not take you?”
“He did not want me,” I whispered.
The other women looked at each other before their attention rested upon Breeze.
Domonique said to me, “Then Reid must have deep feelings for you, my dear sister.”
“Yes,” Desiree agreed.
“Just not enough,” I said. “Not nearly enough.”
Desiree smiled. “My sister, for you to offer such a thing and for Reid to turn your gift away,” She paused to look at the other women then back at me, “He has greater feelings for you than you know.”
I studied the faces of the other women. I knew they were all in agreement, but I did not understand. “I have loved him since I first saw him, but I’m nothing.” My eyes fluttered shut. “Nothing but a ghost to Reid. Trust me.”
“You are everything,” Desiree assured. She tugged at me to take an upright position.
“Everything,” the other voices rang out in unison as they helped me down from the massage table and guided me into the frothy warm bath.
Chapter Nine
Friday night, six o’clock. The party.
Staring in disbelief, I stood in front of a long oval full-length mirror. The women had buffed, polished, pampered, and powdered every square inch of my body. My skin sparkled with a light dusting of translucent powder. The soft smell of vanilla, honey and the hint of jasmine danced off my porcelain skin. My golden curls where upswept, caught within a silver comb adorned with pearl-like stones, allowing the length of my slender neck to be shown. Amelia had released a few of the golden strands. They dangled and teased in long bouncing curls around my face, and along the back of my neck.
Even more shocking was the fact I was completely naked beneath the frock of frost white. I’d never been bare beneath my clothing before. A strange coolness swept across my secret places, and was somehow deliciously tempting as I moved. I swept my gaze over the garment upon my body. The dress, strapless. The bodice, boned and corset-like, lifted my breasts up as an offering and created the illusion of cleavage beneath the sparkling crystal décolletage of the gown. The long dress flowed to t
he ground with a side slit so high it highlighted the top portion of my creamy thigh.
My new sisters applied my make-up to perfection. It wasn’t me: not the Trinity I knew, and definitely not Bentley’s mouse or Reid’s baby bird. I was someone else, but I liked the reflection in the mirror.
“Trinity, Alec will be up to escort you in a few minutes,” Amelia announced. She placed a peacock feathered mask over her beautiful face. “Remember, we are all with you this evening.”
“Thank you, Amelia.”
“There is nothing to thank us for. This is you, all you,” Amelia assured. Amelia placed a kiss on my cheek. “You are spectacular, my sister. I will see you downstairs.”
I glanced down at my hands. They should be twisting in nervousness, but were not. I focused on a white gold and pearl ring on the index finger of my right hand, along with a delicate white gold bracelet around my wrist. Behind me, I caught a flicker of movement. I peeked and saw myself and Alec bounce back at me from the reflection. He was dark against my white. Alec wore a handsome black suit that highlighted the length of him. He was at least six foot, maybe more. Our gazes met within the confines of the mirror.
“If this is not a vision, glorious, angelic, and stunningly beautiful, then I do not know,” Alec said, placing his hand gently to my hip. “Trinity,” he crooned, “you are the most beautiful and the most desirable woman I have seen in quite some time. No man will be able to keep his eyes from you this evening.”
I started to look down. Alec stopped me, resting his fingers under the shelf of my pointed chin.
“Thank you, Alec.”
“I should be thanking you, my beautiful Trinity. You do me a great honor in allowing me to escort you this evening.”
Alec reached around me to grab a frost white mask adorned with white feathers. The feathers were delicate, curling down and around the right side of the disguise. He placed the mask over my face. It obscured the arch of my brow. Hidden was the angle of my cheekbones. Alec tied the silken strings, securing the mask. I gazed at the new reflection. The mask itself was delicate. It shined with inlayed stones of crystal, and hid most of my face yet it allowed my lashes, the shape of my eyes, and the plumpness of my lips to be seen. As if the mask were made for me, the feathers curved around my jaw line, cupping under my chin.
The Good Sister: Part One Page 11
