Page 24 of Wrapped in Their Arms

But if she refused, what would happen to her?Andeven worse, what might happen toBrightandBurn, still locked away in the cell?

Her heart was pounding now in a mix of humiliation, fear, and helplessness.

“I…Idon’t even know you,” she managed.“Idon’t like to be naked in front of peopleIdon’t know.”

Lupin rolled his bright green eyes dramatically.

“In that case, you’re simply going tohatethe auction at theFleshBazaar,” he said dryly.“Butyou needn’t worry about me—Iam a eunuch.Icouldn’t hurt you even ifIwanted to.WhichIvery much donot.Ilive forfashion, darling—I’mnot here to ogle your body,Ijust want to make it look better for the buyers.Now, hurry and get undressed!”

He scowled at her and tapped his foot like a crabby teacher waiting for a child to follow instructions.

Noelle stared at him, her nails digging into her palms, and tried to breathe.

“I don’t—” she began.

“Look, do you want those manacles removed from your men or not?”Lupinsnapped.“Andwhat about those bathroom breaks we talked about?Wouldyou rather use the facilities like a proper lady or piss in the corner of your cell?It’syour choice.”

Noelle bit her lower lip.

You have to do it,a little voice whispered in the back of her head.Youneed him to remove the manacles fromBurnandBright.They’recounting on you.

Also,Lupinwas right—she didnotwant to pee in the corner of the cell.Soit looked like she was doing this.

She took a shaky breath.

“All right,” she said, lifting her chin.“I’llget undressed.”

“Good!Thenhurry up about it!”Lupinsnapped, clearly running out of patience.

Her hands felt numb as she reached for the top button of her blouse.Shekept glancing toward the door, half-expectingBrightandBurnto burst in and tear the room apart.Butof course, that wasn’t happening.Shewas alone here and she was going to have to go through with the weird makeover.

It’s okay…just get through it.Yousurvived years withBranson, you can survive this.Justdon’t cry.

Her fingers trembled as she finished unbuttoning her blouse and slipped it off.Lupinwatched with the bored but critical air of someone assessing fabric quality.Asshe reached for the zipper of her skirt, he clapped his hands briskly.

“Yes, yes—very good!Youwon’t regret this, my dear.Onceyou step into theRejuvenationPool, you’ll feel ten years younger.”

He better be right,Noellethought, as the skirt slid down her thighs.

Because right nowIjust feel scared to death.

Shoulders hunched, clutching her clothes to her chest like a shield, she looked at the dark pool again.Thewater shimmered—black silk stirred by invisible hands.

A shiver crawled up her spine.Dios, what was she getting herself into?

She took a steadying breath, trying to calm her nerves.Youcan do this,she told herself firmly.It’sjust a spa treatment.Justlike a weird alien makeover version of going to the salon.Nothingto freak out about.It’sprobably like one of those mud baths they have at really high-end places that are good for your skin.

Still, her fingers trembled slightly as she folded her clothes across the arm of the padded beauty chair and slipped off her sensible low-heeled shoes.Themoment her bare feet touched the metal floor, she winced.

God, that’s cold… like walking on a frozen cookie sheet.

But that wasn’t the worst part.

“Well, come on—itallhas to come off!”Lupinprompted briskly, glaring at her under his bushy white pouf of hair, his bright green eyes narrowing at her bra and panties.“Wecan’t rejuvenate you through your clothing, my dear.Don’tyou want your breasts to be high and perky again?Thenanites must be able to reach them.”

Noelle hesitated.Herarms crossed reflexively over her chest.

“I don’t usually…Imean…” she began.