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She sounded genuinely interested and slightly impatient as well. She made a good point too. Though Olivia would rather go running naked in the snow outside than admit it to the woman, who clearly did not require more vindication of her own worth, she was keenly aware that her arrogance and general bluntness were a fabulous turn-on.

“When it comes to my business, I like to handle everything myself,” she offered.

“Ah...” Grace squeezed her fingers and briefly rubbed her thumb over the back of her hand before letting go. “Spoken like a true control freak.”

“I am absolutely not a control freak.” Olivia’s protest came out a little weaker than she would have liked on account of that lingering touch.

“You may balk at the idea, but what else do you call this?”

“Simply being resourceful and resilient.”

“Do you? How about stubborn?”

“Speak for yourself, your Highness.”

Grace threw her head back and laughed, exposing the long, delicate column of her throat and making Olivia want to stare. Or kiss her there. Yes… Definitely kiss her.

“You’re not the first one to call me that, Olivia.”

“No kidding?” It was Olivia’s turn to smirk ironically.

“None whatsoever. All I’m saying is that your DIY website may not be helping much with your overall reach.”

“Not likely.” Olivia used her own words from before. “And as you said, you’re not an expert in that area.”

“Alright. Fair enough.”

“So…”

“So.” Grace leaned toward her with a knowing smile, also amused and sexy at the same time. “Thank you for a lively chat, but it’s time.”

“Time?”

“To call it a night. I want to check my emails before bed, and I have an early appointment tomorrow.”

It was already ten o’clock...Wow.

“Of course.” Olivia followed as Grace stood up. “Thank you as well. I didn’t realize it was this late.”

“Time flies when in good company.”

Had Grace just told her she was good company? Or was she talking about herself again? Olivia thought definitely the former, this time.

“Yes,” she smiled. “I really…—”

What happened next took her entirely by surprise. She lost her words and swayed with a rushing wave of light-headedness. Before she could react and get herself under control, everything went black. The next thing she was aware of was something soft but firm brushing against her cheek. She caught a whiff of heady but also strangely calming perfume. Amber and sandalwood? One hundred percent feminine. Olivia thought herself immune to any but the scent of fresh, strong pine. She must have been wrong, obviously. This perfume went straight to her head in a good way. She felt instantly safe and protected.

“Olivia.” A low and silky voice called to her.

When she opened her eyes, she was initially aware of only some shimmering shades of turquoise blue. As she blinked, her world suddenly righted itself, and she realized that she was gazing straight into Grace Michaels's eyes.

“Are you okay?” the woman asked.

“Uh… Yeah…?”

Olivia took stock of the situation. She had dropped back on her stool, and now Grace was standing very close, with one arm securely wrapped around her shoulders. She felt a lot stronger than she looked. Olivia could tell since she was pressed tightly against her side, basically in her arms.What happened?The wall clock only read 22:01, so, hopefully, nothing too embarrassing. The something soft but firm against her cheek turned out to be Grace’s right breast under a layer of her shirt.No bra?Olivia was pretty sure. She swallowed and drifted a bit more with that image.

“Hey.” Grace snapped her fingers in front of her eyes, her tone in sharp contrast with the gentleness of her embrace. “Stay with me.”