Page 45

“The best.” Olivia smiled, pleased at the endorsement. She waved to Dana, got a thumbs-up in return, and then gasped when Grace pulled off the curb like a rocket off the launchpad. And with zero warning whatsoever. The sudden acceleration sucked her deeply down into the bucket seat. “Jesus!”

Good thing all the snow had melted off the road, or they would be airborne by now. Or wrapped around a lamppost. Olivia could imagine the size of the eye roll that this departure must have caused from Dana. Her own exclamation earned her a chuckle.

“Sorry about that.”

“No, you’re not. Are you?”

Grace flashed an indulgent smile. “Not really. But you can relax. I know what I’m doing.”

It turned out she did. And anyway, no matter what, Olivia was the last thing from stressed. Her seat was comfortable, thecar nice and warm, and the rising sun across a vividly blue sky promised a lovely day ahead. Grace drove fast and sure through downtown Red Falls. She was aggressively smooth behind the wheel, a contradiction in terms that perfectly fitted her driving style. And of course, the Mustang was a manual. It was Olivia’s turn to chuckle.

“Hmm?” Grace favored her with another easy smile.

“Where did you learn to drive like this?”

“On the track. I like speed and wanted to do it safely. So, I learned. I drive a Ferrari at home in Miami.”

Of course, you do.

“A bit of a daredevil but responsible at the same time,” Olivia observed. “I like that about you.”

“Good to know.” Grace also looked and sounded relaxed, perhaps because she was doing something she enjoyed. Olivia did not allow herself to think it might have anything to do with her presence in the car. “I’ll give you some tips when it’s your turn behind the wheel if you like.”

“Okay. Great! I’d love to learn how to do a handbrake turn if you know how.”

“I do know how.”

Grace downshifted brutally as a traffic light ahead started to turn orange. She floored it again, as if really trying to push her foot through, and managed to zoom across the intersection with a micro-second to spare.

“I was thinking earlier that I can never quite predict what you’ll say to me next.” The smile on her face indicated she liked that about her. At least, Olivia dared to hope. “Why a handbrake turn, of all things?”

“First thing that popped into my head.”

“Ah.”

“And also, it’s kind of a sexy move, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Assessing blue eyes rested briefly on her face again, making her wonder what really was on Grace’s mind every time she looked at her like that. “Sexy, for sure.”

???

So was she. Grace wondered why this astounding fact had not been more obvious to her before. Maybe because she had kissed the woman by now and tasted all that heat. It was a good thing her fast driving forced her to keep her eyes on the road, apart from the occasional glance aside. Every time Grace turned her head, she found Olivia watching her. These mysterious and smiling dark eyes took her in. Olivia was smiling a lot, for sure. Had she dressed to impress her again today? She had on sturdy boots that looked pretty new. Khaki cargo pants molded attractively to her butt and thighs. And a white T-shirt with a splash of red across the chest and the letters B.O.L.D in block capitals. Grace did not linger over the enticing swell of well-rounded breasts, though she certainly noticed. A tailored black blazer completed the look. Olivia’s style, she figured. Casual, warm, and comfortable. Yet, with an added touch of allure today, obvious in the sharp cut of the blazer and the gold creole earrings she wore. This attention to detail, Grace supposed, may be for her. The idea made her almost shiver. Yeah, she was impressed.

“How come Charlie isn’t coming?” Olivia wondered.

“She didn’t feel like it today.”

“Ah… But she’s alright, yeah?”

“Yeah, yeah, she’s fine.” Without thinking, Grace reached across to pat her on the leg in reassurance. Tight muscles tensedattractively under her fingertips, and she quickly returned them to the steering wheel. “Since you are keeping me company, she said she’d opt out of a long drive, that’s all.”

Charlie had phrased it a little differently, of course.‘Three is a crowd’and‘You don’t need me on your romantic road trip’,had been some of her teasing comments. All of which made Grace grunt and roll her eyes. She was not about to share. But it was kind ofOlivia to ask.

chapter 16

They stopped three-quarters of the way there for a cup of coffee and a stretch, after which Grace let Olivia behind the wheel.

“We’ll keep stunt driving for when we get back on US soil, okay?”