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Olivia picked up her glass of whisky. She could not remember putting it down. The Michaels twin was accompanied by a tall, lanky woman in a shimmering black dress, who seemed to only have eyes for him. When he settled it on his sister, Jeremy's gaze was as nasty as his scowl.

“Grace.” His eyes swept over her, and then Olivia felt a chill as he took her in with the same look of condemnation and distaste. “Huh. Typical,” he snorted.

Was he referring to her? Or what he could read on her face? Olivia had just had a second to compose herself between one of the most exciting exchanges of her life and having to pretend that she was not on fire, still burning from head to toe. If Grace had not stopped when she did… Olivia was not sure how much further they might have gone. Just that she had not wanted her to stop.

“Picking up right where you left off, huh?” Jeremy went on with a dark sneer.

Olivia was already no stranger to Grace’s cool glances and sometimes wintry comebacks. But never had she seen in her eyes such coldness as her brother’s stare provoked. Grace took a step aside to stand just slightly in front of her, an obvious protective move that made Olivia want to reach for her hand in return. Keenly aware that Grace might not need or want her support, she just allowed her fingers to brush against the back of her hand. The gesture was as brief as it was subtle. Feather-like. Inthe shadows, no one would see. And though Grace did not look at her, Olivia was vindicated when she spotted a tiny sign of relaxation in the set of her shoulders. She breathed a bit better. She had no idea what family drama may be going on between the two siblings, but she felt protective, too.

“Let’s go back inside, Olivia,” Grace said.

“Not so fast.” Jeremy stepped in front of her, deliberately blocking their way.

Calm and collected, Grace met his gaze. “Yes? What do you want?”

“Your little take-over bid ain’t gonna work,” he spat.

“Are you talking about my proposal to Chloe?”

“Yeah. Plotting behind mine and Reece’s backs? You have no fucking right to get involved. By law, you have no right! And you know it.”

“Unless I’m asked to help out, of course. And don’t worry. The proposal is more like a rescue package deal. If it were a take-over bid, brother, you wouldn’t know it until I’m sitting behind your desk.”

Olivia suppressed a smile at the way she so easily put him in his place and established superiority. Grace also spoke in such a casual tone that some might miss the edge of steel underneath. It was obviously not lost on Jeremy.

“Keep your hands off my business,” he snarled. “Stay out of my life. And you.” Olivia was surprised when he addressed her directly, with a finger pointed at her chest. “She’s dangerous, you know? And a coward as well.”

Vicious words designed to hurt his sister and plant seeds of destruction in her own mind. His date sniggered. Olivia all but felt the effort it took for Grace not to react to this, though when she spoke, her voice was firm and steady.

“Let’s go, Olivia.”

Olivia ignored the man’s last taunting smile as she walked past him and followed Grace back into the reception hall. It was still full of people mingling, chatting, and connecting. Having a good time.

“Dammit, I left my drink behind,” Grace muttered.

“I’ll get you another,” Olivia was quick to volunteer.

“No.” Grace clasped her wrist and squeezed. “Dance with me.”

Oh, shit.Panic and elation hit as Grace led her to the dance floor, turned to face her, and laced a commanding arm around her waist. Elation, because being pressed against the woman’s strong slender body was fast becoming her favorite thing. And panic because Olivia knew even less about dancing than she did about string theory.

“Close your eyes,” Grace instructed.

“What? No, I… Why?”

“Because you’re tense. So, close your eyes and follow me.”

“You like this, huh?” Olivia grumbled as she complied.

“What?”

“Leading.”

“Oh, yes…” Grace’s chuckle was an alluring flutter against the side of her face. “In all things.”

All…?Olivia’s racing mind went nicely blank in wonder. And then, somehow, it was all fine. She managed not to trample over Grace’s designer shoes, her biggest fear. She allowed herself to tune in to her movements and to follow her lead. Relaxation came easily, and enjoyment, too.