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Mia hesitated at the door. ‘I’ve not been in here as a client.’

‘This will be a new experience for you then. If it’s all right with you, I’ll stay and observe while Aiden runs through the introductions, and for the first few minutes of the active session, then I’ll head back and make sure Ophelia isn’t tying any hyperactivity into the spell bags, but only if you’re comfortable with that?’

‘Yeah, I’m good.’

‘Thought you would be.’ Rayenne flashed her a smile. ‘I’m just going to sit quietly in the corner of the treatment room and let Aiden take the lead.’

‘Right.’ Mia watched as Rayenne disappeared into the room. ‘So, we’re supposed to pretend she’s not there?’

‘Pretty much. And like she said, she won’t be there for all of it. So long as you really are OK with being alone with me in a candlelit room.’

‘Really? Candles?’

‘Less smoky than incense, but still nicely scented. There’s crystal lamps too. But if you’re the least bit uncomfortable we can leave the main light on.’

‘No. It’s OK. Are you OK with this?’

‘Yeah.’ He would be. Even if he had to force himself to be.

‘Even after last week?’

‘You mean the one-off favour between friends? The one we promised wouldn’t change anything?’

‘Right.’ She smiled and he forced himself to ignore the flutter of heat her gaze caused. It was just a flicker of memory. Very pleasant, but not worth focussing on. ‘Already told you, I’m good if you are.’

‘In that case, after you.’

Mia stepped into the room and shrugged off her coat. He held out his hand to take it from her. Her fingers brushed against his and everything in him just calmed. He could absolutely do this. Feeling more confident and more at ease than he had done all day, he hung up her coat and gestured to the chairs in the corner of the room – the opposite one from where Rayenne was cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by crystals.

‘It’s OK to be a bit nervous,’ Aiden reassured her. ‘I know this is pretty new to you. And I really do appreciate your help.’

‘Just a favour for a friend.’ She obviously couldn’t resist teasing him, and he was glad that part of their friendship had remained untouched.

‘We need a quick chat and to run through some medical stuff. Don’t worry.’ Aiden forced himself back into professional mode. ‘It’ll be quicker than the forms you’re used to.’

Mia tried to focus on the patterns of light spinning across the ceiling but – much like being at the dentist’s – kept having those super awkward moments where her eyes wandered to Aiden’s face, and she didn’t quite know where to look. When their gazes locked, the intensity in his hazel eyes sent shivers through her.

Originally, she’d agreed to this to help Aiden, but hadn’t really bought into it. Herbal teas and baking were one thing – lots of medicines used in clinical settings came from plants, so that made sense. The crystals she’d bought were pretty, but she didn’t really believe the hype around them, or energy healing. She knew Katie bought into it, and obviously Rayenne and Ophelia were believers, but to her it was more superstition. Like the people who believed the fog messing with phone signals was really a trick played by fairies, who could be appeased by leaving out honey.

But as she lay there, trying to focus on her breathing and the patterns playing across the insides of her eyelids, she started to think differently. She felt Aiden rest his hands, very gently, on her shoulders. She’d expected that, but not for them to feel so hot through her clothes. And she definitely hadn’t expected the peculiar, hot goosepimples that raced over her skin.

It was strange, because part of her remembered – only too vividly – the last time he’d touched her and wanted to react again, but the other part was already drifting off to somewhere between sleep and consciousness. Heat radiated through her in lazy, soothing waves, leaving her limbs deliciously languid and heavy, and she let her thoughts drift and wander aimlessly, losing all track of time and worries.

All too soon the warmth receded, and reality crept back in, heralded by Aiden’s voice gently calling her name, and fingers drumming against the back of her hand. She blinked and looked up at him.

‘Good so far?’

‘Uh-huh.’ She really didn’t want the spell – if that’s what it was – to end.

‘Would you mind turning over for the next set of positions? Carefully. Don’t slip off the couch.’

‘Mmm. ’K.’ Still feeling delightfully dopey, Mia rolled over. Aiden’s hands moved slowly until they rested low in the small of her back. The warmth focussed there, increasing and growing until it became almost uncomfortable, then – just when she was about to squirm – something that wasn’t exactly a part of her popped and she was flooded by another wave of hot goosepimples.

‘That’s better.’ Aiden’s murmur sounded like it came from much further away than was possible as his hands warmed and soothed, and Mia drifted away.

Aiden stepped away from the table and took a few moments to ground himself. Mia sighed softly, and he smiled. She really was someone quite special. ‘Mia’ – he spoke softly – ‘come back to the room.’

She grumbled something unintelligible, and Aiden chuckled, sat down and started writing up his notes. After a few minutes she shifted and raised her head to look around.