Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [63]
"Okay, all kidding aside," Riley said, as they paused in front of the door. "You distract the clerk. Do whatever you have to do while I look around. My assistant told me the grandparents live upstairs over the shop. If I can get up there or in the back office, I will."
"What are you looking for?"
"I'll know when I find it."
"This doesn't seem very efficient."
"And Hathaways are always efficient?"
"Always," she said with a nod. "If you don't find anything, you're buying me lunch."
"Or you're buying me lunch. I have a craving for a lobster and steak combo at the fanciest restaurant in town."
"What? Do you think I'm made of money?"
"You said it; I didn't." He opened the door to the herb shop. "After you."
Chapter Twelve
Paige had no idea that do whatever you have to do would mean participating in an acupuncture demonstration. But when Riley had asked for a restroom, and the clerk had sent him toward the back room, she'd known she had to do something to keep the clerk busy until he returned.
"Have you done this before?" she asked nervously, watching the woman, who had introduced herself as Ona, twirl a long needle between her fingers.
"Lots of times. Now, tell me where the pain is."
Paige had made up a headache on the spur of the moment, which was what had led to the acupuncture demonstration, but now the prophecy was actually coming true. Anxiety had brought a throbbing to her left temple. She pressed the point of pain with the tips of her fingers.
Ona nodded. "That is an easy spot to fix. You'll feel better within a few moments."
"You're not going to stick that thing in my head, are you?"
"No. There are pressure points throughout the body that can relieve pain."
Paige lost track of what Ona was saying as her mother's voice entered her head. Are you out of your mind, Paige? That needle could be unsanitary. You could be sticking yourself with a fatal disease. You don't let some woman in an herb shop in Chinatown stick a needle into you.
"Um, maybe I don't want to do this," Paige said anxiously.
"The needle is sterile. You saw me take it out of the package. And I've worn latex gloves the entire time, yes?"
"Yes, but—"
"It's perfectly safe. I promise you. Now give me your hand."
Damn that Riley. Where the hell was he? Paige extended her hand, watching as Ona slowly inserted the needle into the back of her hand, the fleshy part between the thumb and first finger. There was a little pinch, but no real pain. Ona turned the needle back and forth, concentrating on her task. Paige was so tense she felt as if every muscle in her body was on red alert, ready to flee at any second.
"Relax," Ona said softly.
"I don't think—"
"Close your eyes. Let your mind drift. Find a picture that pleases you."
She closed her eyes and Riley's image came to her mind, unbidden and unwanted. His image did please her, but it did not make her feel relaxed. On the contrary, she felt her heart speed up and her palms dampen with sweat. Not that she was sweating because of him. Her nerves had more to do with the needle in her hand. Didn't they?
She saw his laughing face in her mind, his sexy smile, the lazy grin, and she wanted to smile back at him, run away into the sunset, find a deserted sandy beach and a big soft blanket, and fall into Riley's arms.
"Paige?"
His voice was so clear. She could hear him calling out to her, see him raising his hand to beckon her forward.
"Paige?"
She started, realizing his voice was much too clear to be part of her dream. Her eyes flew open, and she looked into his astonished face.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I— uh, I had a headache."
"And how is it now?" Ona asked, as she removed the needle from Paige's hand.
"Oh, my goodness, it's gone." She wrinkled her brow, surprised that the tension had eased. Had the acupuncture done the trick, or was it due to the fact that Ona had removed the needle from her hand? Or maybe it was because Riley had returned, and she no longer had to cover for him. Whatever