“I admit,” he said with another smile, “this is the first time I’ve ever made an appointment with one.”
She had thought so. “Well, usually clients seek me out because they have concerns or questions they would like answered. They’re often stressed and worried, not to mention nervous about seeing a psychic for the first time. So I do things a little differently than other psychics.” She opened a door and stepped into what used to be a sizable dining room before the duplex apartment had been converted.
Since purchasing her half, she had painted the walls in soothing earth tones. Large plants flourished in every corner. In front of the central window, she had created a garden with sand and stones, a variety of plants, and a rock waterfall. At one end of the long room, she had placed a small round table with two comfy chairs in what would make a great reading nook. Two more chairs were parked on the opposite wall beside a bookshelf that held books, puzzles, paper, crayons, and markers for clients who brought children with them.
And at the other end of the room, she had installed a comfortable massage chair.
She motioned to that now. “I usually start things off with a massage to relieve some of the tension and ease nerves.”
He arched a brow. “And because touch strengthens your gift?”
She regarded him with surprise. He was the first one to guess that. “Yes.”
He eyed the contraption warily. “I’m supposed to sit on that?”
“Yes.”
“I hate to tell you this, but I don’t think I’ll fit.”
She laughed. “You are taller than most of my clients”—and heavier with muscle—“but I can adjust it to accommodate you.”
He continued to look doubtful. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“It’s actually very comfortable,” she coaxed.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why?” Did he really think it wouldn’t support his weight? She might not have any clients who were as muscular as he was, but she had had clients who weighed more than she guessed he did and hadn’t had any problems thus far.
“Should I be blunt,” he asked, “or would you prefer I sugarcoat it?”
“Blunt,” she responded without hesitation.
“As you will.” He drew in a deep breath. “I don’t think it would be wise because I’m attracted to you.”
Surprise and pleasure warmed her.
“And if I park my caboose in that chair—”
She laughed. “Caboose?”
He grinned. “My friend has a two-year-old daughter who only seems to repeat the naughty words she hears, so I’ve had to clean up my language a bit.”
Too cute. “I’m sorry I interrupted. Go on.”
He dipped his head in a slight bow. “As I was saying, I’m attracted to you. And if I park my caboose in that peculiar chair and let you put your hands on me, I fear my body may react in ways that will embarrass you.”
Was that another blush heating her cheeks? “Oh.”
He winced. “I should have sugarcoated it, shouldn’t I?”
“No. No, it’s fine,” she said. “I just…” A brief self-deprecating laugh escaped her. “I just have no idea how to respond to that. Almost all my clients are women. And now I’m blushing like a teenager, aren’t I?”
He grinned. “Yes. I find it quite fetching.”
Something about this man just made her feel lighthearted. Comfortable. Almost as if they were good friends who simply hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
Perhaps it was his old-world mannerisms. Kissing her hand. Using words like fetching.
But she couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “You know what? It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Brushing her hands together, she motioned to the chair. “Go ahead and park your caboose in the chair. I’ll adjust it until you’re comfortable. And if your body responds to my touch, I’ll just pretend not to notice.” Yeah, right. Because she had been so successful with not blushing when he had broached the subject. “I really do need to touch you though in order to give you the most accurate reading.”
“As you will,” he said again.
Chapter Two
Dana made the necessary adjustments to the chair, then showed Aidan how to sit and where to place his face and arms.
“This is supposed to be relaxing?” he queried, doubt in his deep, warm voice.
Grinning, she moved to stand behind him. “You’ll see. Before I begin, are there any medical conditions or injuries I should know about?”
“No.”
“Just making sure.” She rested her hands on his shoulders.
Aidan chuckled.
“What?” she asked as she began to stroke his back.
“It’s my warped sense of humor. I was tempted to let out a long, loud moan as soon as you touched me just to see how you’d react.”
Dana laughed. She really liked this guy.
Beginning with some open-palm compressions, she worked her way down either side of his spine, then switched to loose-fist compressions.
Usually the muscles in the client’s back and shoulders were tight with stress. But Aidan’s muscles were surprisingly loose and relaxed.
Kneading her way up to his shoulders, she began to work contralaterally, holding his shoulder with one hand while she applied pressure to his scapula with the heel of the other.
Minutes passed. And with each she relaxed a little bit more herself.
No more flashes of Aidan covered in blood struck her.
That had been unnerving. And she had feared, more than a little bit, that the same would happen as soon as she touched him again.
“Let me know if I use too much pressure,” she said as she began forearm compressions. “Or not enough.”
He grunted. “Feels wonderful. I think your other customers have been lying to you.”
“About what?”
“I think they come here for the massage and the psychic reading is just icing on the cake.”
She chuckled.
His back was so broad. Had she ever touched a man who was so ripped with muscle before?
None of her other clients could compare. And she sure as hell had never dated any man who was so physically fit.
Thin? Sure. Strong enough to hoist her over his head with one arm? Definitely not.
Feeling all of that lovely muscle under her hands affected her in very unprofessional ways. She moved to his side, lifted one of his arms and draped it in the crook of her own, then began manipulating his shoulder.
Her heart began to pound. Get a grip, Dana, she scolded herself as she stroked and kneaded his big biceps with both hands, working her way slowly down his arm to his hand. His large, smooth, tanned hand that could easily encompass both of hers.
How did he work out without getting calluses?
She kneaded his hand, stroked his fingers. And suddenly saw those fingers cup her bare shoulder and slide down to clasp her breast.
Her breath caught at the vision. It was so clear! She could see and feel everything as if it were real.
Aidan knelt before her on a huge bed. Both of them were naked.
His big hand squeezed her breast. His fingers and thumb teased her nipple, sending fire dancing through her. Dark head dipping, he lowered his lips to her other breast and took the tight peak between warm, soft lips.
Aidan jerked his hand from her grasp.