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It took a few attempts. Olivia seemed convinced that 30mph was fast, for God’s sake! Eventually, she got the approach right. Then, struggled with the on/off timing of the handbrake.

“Okay, let me show you.”

Grace scooted up close to wrap her hand on top of hers. The second she did, the power of the connection hit her like a ball of fire. Slamming across her chest. Spreading like a heated wave.Man...It was surprisingly intense, instantly throwing her into the zone. Her focus was crystal clear; she couldfeelthe woman’s… What was it? Presence? Being?Allure,she decided. Only then did it occur to her how much attraction was still present, simmering under the coals, only waiting for a little poke to sizzle again. Grace did not pull back. It would be too awkward at this stage. She was also beyond wanting to.

“Relax,” she murmured. “You are too tense.”

“Don’t want to be pitiful,” Olivia grumbled and made her laugh.

“You won’t be.” Grace had her free arm on the back of her seat. Now she passed it around her shoulders. “We’ll do this one together. Ready?”

Olivia bit on her lip attractively. “Yes.”

“Then go for it.”

Good speed. Good initial turn. Good weight transfer.

“Now,” Grace instructed, and at the same time, she guided the pull and release of the handbrake.

Olivia followed through with her beautifully, surrendering just enough to make it work and into a perfect slide. She gave a little shriek and laughed at the same time.

“Keep it going. Release. Accelerate. Yeah! Beautiful!”

“Okay, I got it now.”

“Yeah? You sure?”

“Yes. Let me do it again. On my own this time. Don’t say anything.”

Amused, Grace slid back to her seat, crossed both arms and remained silent. Olivia nailed it. And then a couple more times without her help.

“Aha! What do you think of that, uh?” She beamed with a triumphant smile.

Without really meaning to, Grace took a mental picture of the moment. Olivia, grinning at her with sparkling eyes. Happy. Just the two of them performing silly stunts in the middle of a storm. This, she would not forget in a hurry.

“Pretty perfect,” she nodded.

“It helped when you did it with me that one time. I learn best when I can feel.”

“Uh-huh.” The words, innocent as they were, sparked a few ideas in Grace’s mind. What else could she teach? Show Olivia to feel with her.

“Thanks, Grace. It was awesome.”

Olivia clasped her hand in warm fingers, no longer with any hint of shyness or hesitation. Grace noticed the way she held her gaze, also with quiet confidence—like an equal. Where shemight have rushed to take the lead again, filling the silence with a quick reply, she just relaxed.

“I enjoyed teaching you.”

“Now, can I buy you dinner?”

“I would like that very much.”

Fortunately, the vegan restaurant was just across the street, and they hurried to it in the middle of a blizzard. It was a total white-out by then, and you had to give points to any restaurant that offered a real fireplace in this weather. Double points when they also gave you the best table in front of it.

“Not a bad start,” Grace decided.

And figured even better when she spotted Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the menu. Over a glass of the smooth, full-bodied red, she grilled her dinner companion about her vegan diet.

“It’s not a diet,” Olivia corrected gently. She then explained that although it could be viewed as such, for her, it meant a lot more. Like a moral and ethical lifestyle choice. “If you ask most people if they are against cruelty to animals, the answer’s always Yes. But when you ask the same people if they are vegan, more often than not, they tell you No. And outline some way to justify it that doesn’t even stand up to their own argument. It's crazy how disconnected good-hearted people can be from the violence that they create with their choices.”