Chapter 4 #3
‘I’ll have you know it’s a chakra blanket.’ He tucked it around her more tightly. ‘Ophelia sent it. There’s a flask of tea too. And the spray lubricant I use on the shop door.’
Mia watched as Aiden knelt and studied the wheel, then tried the tyre iron. ‘Yup, it’s pretty solid. Pass the lube?’ He sprayed it liberally over the offending bolts and stood. ‘Probably best if we leave it for a bit. Tea and biscuits?’
‘You brought biscuits? Seriously?’
‘Side pocket. Katie said you were supposed to be meeting her for lunch, so I assumed you’d be getting hungry.’
‘Starving,’ Mia admitted and happily opened the packet and stuffed one in her mouth, not caring that other women would probably play it coy. It was only Aiden. She chased the first mouthful down with a glug of tea. ‘These are good. Not your dark chocolate ones, I’m glad to see.’
‘No. These are innocent. Honey oat. With a bit of cardamon and anise for soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus they taste great.’ He opened the car door for her. ‘Might be a while. You should probably get back in. You’ll be warmer inside.’
Mia climbed in and took another bite, while Aiden walked around the car.
‘Are you getting in?’
‘I’m kinda grubby.’
Mia looked at him in disbelief. ‘You’ve dropped everything and raced up here on your chrome steed to rescue me, and you think I’m going to worry about a bit of dirt you picked up kneeling on the ground trying to fix my wheel? Get in.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘I’m going to owe you big time for this,’ Mia mused between bites.
‘I haven’t done anything except sprayed around a bit of lubricant. It hasn’t worked yet.’
‘I have a good feeling it will.’
‘Well, I can think of a favour I’d like.’ Aiden drummed his fingers on the dashboard. ‘If you’re insisting on offering.’
‘What?’
‘It’s a bit bigger than taste-testing biscuits. I don’t want you to feel like you have to say yes. Honestly, I’m half-expecting you to say no.’
Mia twisted more to look at him, intrigued. ‘What do you want, Aiden?’
‘Your body.’ The look he gave her was pure mischief.
‘I’m not putting out just because you came rushing over to fix my nuts.’ She raised an eyebrow, half-glaring at him and half trying really hard not to laugh. ‘So, you’d best explain yourself PDQ!’
‘Sorry. Couldn’t resist. You know I mentioned learning reiki with Rayenne?
Part of the qualification is hands-on – or, as it’s reiki, more hands off – experience.
I’ve done the learning and attunements for the first level, and I’ve done practice sessions with Rayenne, Katie and Ophelia – but it’s best to practise on more people. ’
‘Why’s that?’
‘I’d imagine it’s very similar to your job.’
‘How?’
‘Even though two people can have the same condition, they’re still individuals, so will have different needs and experiences.’
‘You’re right. No two patients are the same.’
‘Similarly, every person has different energy, ailments, tensions and needs. The more practice I get working with that, the better I’ll be at reiki, and the more people I should be able to help.’
‘Phrased like that, I’m not sure I can say no.’
‘You definitely can if you’re uncomfortable.’
‘I’ve never had reiki. What would I be agreeing to?’
‘A session lasts around an hour. You either sit or lie on a treatment couch, and I work through the different energy points in your body. Sometimes my hands will be just above you, but I might also touch you gently too.’
‘What does it feel like?’
‘Different for everyone. And I’d rather not influence you by telling you what others experience, but it’s not unpleasant.’
‘Do we talk while you’re working?’
‘Usually not.’
‘If I’m lying on a bed for an hour, in silence, I’ll probably fall asleep,’ Mia admitted.
‘That’s normal. Lots of people do.’
‘OK then.’
‘Really?’ His smile was so wide and genuinely happy that Mia felt almost guilty for having hesitated.
‘Yeah. You can practise on me. Might even be fun.’
‘That’s great. Thank you.’
Mia took another sip of her drink. ‘Maybe a stupid question, but what do I wear?’
‘Probably your best lingerie. I’ll be seeing you mostly naked.’
‘I didn’t realise you had to take your clothes off for reiki.’ She chewed the edge of her finger, wondering if she could un-volunteer.
‘You usually don’t, but because I’m still in training I need to see the energy points on the body.’
‘Right. I guess that makes sense.’ Then she saw his jaw clench and his lips twitch. ‘You rotter! You’re winding me up!’
He burst out laughing. ‘I wish you could see the look on your face right now – brilliant. Whatever you’re comfortable in is fine. But usually loose fitting rather than jeans to avoid any pressure points that could impede energy flow.’
‘So not my black lace corset and French knickers?’
Aiden gulped visibly, his eyes widening.
‘Turnabout is fair play.’ Mia leaned over and patted him twice on the cheek. ‘I give as good as I get. And you’re right – the look on your face is brilliant.’
Aiden shook his head, chuckling. ‘I should have realised any friend of Katie’s would be trouble.’
‘You’re a big boy. I’m sure you can handle it.’
He shook his head, but she could see the laughter that tugged at the edges of his lips. ‘I’m too smart to reply to that. It’s been a while. Shall we try the wheel?’
‘Sure. And you can explain the hoover accessory.’
‘I have already tried jumping on this.’ Mia gave him a sceptical look.
‘You did, but that was before we sprayed it, and without the tube.’ He slid it over the tyre iron. ‘We’ll get more leverage this way. Don’t worry, I’ll be here to catch you.’
The look she gave him was inscrutable as she put her hand in his and gingerly stepped onto the pole. ‘I don’t feel any movement.’ She bounced up and down experimentally. ‘Damn. It was a good idea, but I don’t think it’s going to work.’
‘Maybe if I try too?’ He stepped closer to her and rested his hand lightly on her hip. ‘This OK?’
‘Yeah.’
‘OK.’ He stepped closer, tightening his grip on her. ‘Ready?’
‘Yup.’