I tie you to the bed, your body spread wide and vulnerable. The blindfold covers your eyes, leaving you unable to see what I'm doing. I light the candle, the flame flickering and casting shadows on the wall. I drip a little wax onto the back of my hand, testing the temperature. It's perfect – hot enough to sting, but not so hot that it will burn.

I move the candle over your body, letting the wax drip onto your skin. You gasp as the first drop hits, the heat searing your flesh. I watch as the wax hardens, forming a raised bump on your skin. I drip more wax onto you, covering your body in a blanket of red and white.