“Okay, we’re all ready,” Mack said. “So, you know how I do it, but this time I’ll start with the massage, and then I’ll wash and cut your hair, okay?”

Flora looked up at the camera mounting and said, “You’re not filming this one, are you? I don’t think I’d feel comfortable on YouTube.”

“Would I do that to you? But just to make you feel more relaxed…” Mack pulled the camera off the mounting and put it in a drawer with the brushes.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Flora said. “I trust you.”

“I know, but I think you’ll relax more if it’s out of the way.”

“Okay.”

Mack got out cotton wool and cleanser and said, “Could I take off your make-up?”

“Oh, sorry. I never thought about that.”

“That’s all right. I’ll do it, then your massage, hair wash, and cut. Sound good?”

“Sounds really good.”

Just the simple act of Mack taking off her make-up was enough to let her enjoy Mack’s touch already. She was so gentle, so tender in the way she touched her, that Flora couldn’t imagine that the same hands were used for gangland violence.

Once that was finished, Mack binned the cotton wool and picked up a bottle of cream. She dabbed little dots of it on her chin, her cheeks, her nose, and her forehead. Mack then stood behind the chair and looked at her in the mirror. “Remember—you can stop any time, okay? Just say.”

Flora smiled. “I know. I will.”

Mack placed her hands on Flora’s face and began to rub gentle circles on her cheeks. As Flora relaxed into Mack’s touch, Mack became bolder, using bigger strokes and encompassing the whole of her face, from her neck to her forehead. She got shivers when Mack was touching her neck and collarbone.

Mack must have realized because the massage stayed on her neck and became gentle strokes and the lightest of touches, a caress almost of her collarbone. Flora’s heart hammered, and her breathing became short. She kept her eyes closed, trying stay in control. The more she was trying to show Mack that she wasn’t being affected, the shorter her breath became.

Flora was so turned on, and Mack had only started. How was she going to cope when Mack massaged her back and arms? It would be impossible.

The touch on her face stopped, and Flora felt Mack’s hands on her shoulders. Her eyes were still closed, and she felt Mack’s breath close to her ear.

“Was that okay?”

The sensation of breath on her ear made her shiver. If Mack had kissed her just now in this moment, Flora wouldn’t have been frightened of the intimacy. She would have shown no resistance.

“Yes, it was nice,” Flora squeaked. Nice was a huge, huge understatement.