In a dimly lit room, Alexis Andrews sat on an expensive leather chair, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the arms tightly. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm her nerves. She knew what was about to happen and why she was here, but that didn't make it any easier.
Dr. Holly walked into the room, her soft-soled shoes making no sound against the hardwood floor. She was a towering figure, tall and slim, with long raven hair cascading down her back. Her lab coat was spotless, revealing her well-toned physique beneath.
"Alexis, how are you feeling?" she asked softly, walking over to the young woman and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Alexis swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Nervous," she admitted, looking up at the doctor with wide eyes.
Dr. Holly smiled gently, understanding the fear and trepidation her patient was feeling. "I know this is a big step for you," she said reassuringly. "I will be with you every step of the way."
Alexis nodded, still not quite believing what she was about to do. Dr. Holly had been her therapist for several months now, and they had discussed many things during their sessions, but this was by far the most unusual - and most terrifying.
The doctor stepped back and positioned a large, flat screen on a stand in front of Alexis. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small remote control, clicking it a few times before the screen flickered to life.
"This," she said, indicating the image on the screen, "is what we are going to focus on today."
Alexis squinted at the screen, trying to make out what was being shown. It looked like a close-up of some kind of exotic fruit or vegetable, she thought, struggling to control her rising gag reflex.
Dr. Holly watched her patient intently, noting the slight flushing of her cheeks and the way her breath caught in her throat. "Take your time," she said softly. "There's no rush."
Slowly, Alexis brought the image into focus. It was indeed a piece of produce, but it was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was large and round, with a smooth, wrinkled surface that looked slightly pinkish in the light. There were small holes punctuating the surface, almost like tiny mouths or eyes.
"Is it... is it real?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Dr. Holly nodded. "Yes," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "It's called a geoduck clam. They are found in the waters off the coast of Washington state. Now, I want you to sit back and relax as we begin our session."
With a deep breath, Alexis did as she was told, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes. Over the next few minutes, she listened to the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. Dr. Holly guided her through a series of deep breathing exercises and visualizations, helping her to focus on the sensations in her body and the rhythm of her breath.
As time passed, Alexis began to feel more at ease. The image of the geoduck on the screen wasn't as frightening anymore. In fact, it almost looked... interesting. She found herself imagining what it would taste like, what kind of texture it might have.
Suddenly, Dr. Holly's voice cut through her thoughts. "Alexis, I want you to take a bite."
Her eyes flew open, and for a moment she thought she had imagined it. But the image on the screen was still there - the large, wrinkled orb waiting for her to take a bite. Her stomach lurched, but she forced herself to sit up straighter in her chair.
"Take your time," Dr. Holly said softly, watching her patient intently. "Only take a small bite at first."
With trembling hands, Alexis leaned forward and pressed her lips against the smooth, slightly slimy surface of the geoduck. It was colder than she expected, with a subtle briny taste that made her gag reflex kick in. But she forced herself to keep going, taking another small bite before chewing carefully.
To her surprise, the texture wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. It was chewy and slightly rubbery, but not unpleasant. As she swallowed, she felt a strange sensation in her stomach - almost like something was moving around down there.
Over the next few minutes, Alexis found herself unable to resist the strange urge emanating from deep within her. She took another bite of the geoduck, this time savoring the taste and texture. And then another, and another. Soon, she was sitting back in her chair, the remains of the clam in her hand, feeling strangely satisfied and... aroused.
Dr. Holly watched her patient with a mix of pride and amusement. "Well done, Alexis," she said, reaching out to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You've taken your first bite. From here on out, the rest will be up to you."
Alexis looked up at the doctor, her cheeks flushed with excitement and embarrassment. "Thank you," she managed to say between gasps for air. "I think it helped."
Dr. Holly smiled knowingly. "I'm glad," she said, patting Alexis's shoulder before walking over to the screen and turning it off. "Your next step is up to you, Alexis. But remember, I'm always here to help if you need me."
