Page 23 of She’s a Big Deal

Grace watched her eyes wander with interest over razor-sharp lines and cool edges, exotic greenery to bring a natural balance to almost industrial order and precision, and tiny water fountains hidden in unlikely corners.

“This is a real feast for the senses. It strikes me as a mix of Japanese influence and Miami vibe.”

“You’re quite right, yes.”

“And the paintings on the far wall,” Olivia pointed. “Vivid splashes of color to tantalize the eye... Very abstract shapes but, clearly, these are dancing couples. Cuban?”

“Indeed,” Grace approved. “That’s the Miami vibe you can feel.”

“It’s warm. Effortlessly sensual. Yin and Yang with the rest of the space. It feels calm but also stimulating.” Olivia flashed a delighted smile. “I love this space. It’s very you.”

“I’m glad you do. I designed it.”

“Really? Wow!”

It occurred to Grace in that instant that no amount of praise in specialist magazines, awards, or millions in the bank, indeed, could ever again make her feel as good as Olivia’s beaming smile of admiration .

“I love the words you use to describe it,” she let her know. “You picked up on all the things I wanted to achieve and delivered a keen assessment. This is the mark of a talented woman, and a gifted artist as well.”

In the middle of the lobby, Olivia’s smile suddenly turned wicked and she came to throw both arms around her neck.

“No longer such a baby dyke, am I?”

“Ah.” Grace had to laugh at the reminder. “No longer. But I never meant it as an insult. And you are still attractively butch.”

“You like that?” Olivia sounded deliciously amazed.

“Might do.” Grace winked.

◆◆◆

The weekend went by in a blur. A pleasurable interlude filled with all the things she had grown quietly, uncharacteristically excited about sharing with Olivia during the week. She took her to SuperBlue first off, with its digital walls of blooming flowers, amazing waterfalls, and mazes of glass. In front of the flickering lights that were supposed to record and respond to viewers’ heartbeats, without a care for the other people around them, she grabbed her for a passionate kiss. And thoroughly enjoyed the ensuing result.

“It works,” she approved, and Olivia chuckled.

“Does it?” she argued sweetly. “Let’s try it again just to be sure.”

They dined at the ever-popular A-KO Miami, an upscale Korean barbecue restaurant, and finished in South Beach at the Bachata dance club.

“You’re really good at this,” Grace complimented. “Smooth and relaxed. And a quick learner.”

“I just love watching you move. And to have an excuse to rub against you.” Olivia wiggled her eyebrows. “All very basic, I’m afraid.”

“Don’t be so modest. You’re very good, end of.”

“Okay!” She laughed. “And you’re a great teacher.”

“As for the other stuff, no excuse required. In fact, let’s go home now. I’d love to rub against you without clothes getting in the way.”

Olivia was wearing the set of new clothes she had bought her for the occasion, because Grace wanted her to enjoy the full experience of Bachata. So, now, there was the added pleasure of peeling her new hipster trousers off her strong legs and ripping open the tight bodice that went with it. The night was steamy and playful. It shifted into a long sensual shower the next morning, after which they shared a lazy breakfast on the terrace, with views of the Gulf in the distance.

“How about a drive?” Grace suggested.

“Oooh!” Olivia licked her lips at the sight of the gleaming Ferrari. “When you said you had one of these, I was pretty sure she would be red.”

“Oh yeah? How come?”

“Hot and sexy.” Olivia winked. “Just like you.” She went on as her lover snorted ironically. “Can I do handbrake turns in this?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“You’re not ruining my tires on hard asphalt. Or sinking the handbrake system for that matter.”

“But it was okay to do in the Mustang?” Olivia challenged.

“The hire company has a budget for it.”

“Really? They do?”

“Of course.” Grace had no idea, and probably not, hey...

But she enjoyed watching Olivia’s gorgeous eyes widen in astonishment and making her laugh. They strolled hand in hand through the streets of Little Havana, stopped for coffee, and explored a bustling artisan market they discovered on a side street. Then finished at Cafe La Trova, known for its delicious Cuban food, exotic cocktails, and Live Music. Toward the end of the meal, shared tapas and mojito criollo, Olivia slid a small jewelry box across the table.

“What’s this?”

“For you, Grace.” Olivia smiled. “Open it.”

In the box was a cute silver bracelet with five little stars engraved on it.

“Oh…”

“I bought it when you were talking to the glass maker at the market.”

Grace looked at the bracelet, back at her, and slowly raised an eyebrow. She was inexplicably moved and wanted to give herself time to digest.

“What’s the occasion?”

“Souvenir of a wonderful weekend.”

“Hmm.” Impossibly tongue-tied, Grace did not move.

“May I put it on you?” Olivia asked softly.

“Sure.”

She did and smiled in approval. “Perfect. Do you like it?”

“Yes, I… I really do. Thank you., Olivia.”

“And to you. I had a brilliant time.”

“Well.” Grace cleared her throat. “It takes two, of course.”

They went straight home after dinner. Olivia easily took her hand as they entered her spacious home. Grace followed her up the stairs and into the bedroom.

“Are you okay?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You were quiet on the way back.” Olivia locked her arms around her neck, pressing gently into her. Her eyes shone in the moonlight that filled the darkened room. “And I’ve been getting used to you backing me up against doors and walls, ravishing me with your mouth. So…”

“Are you saying I am failing in my duties?” Grace tried for an ironic tone that fell a little flat.

“Not at all.” Olivia kissed her. “I’m just making sure you’re alright.”

With a folded knuckle under her chin, Grace tilted her head back to brush her lips over the underside of her jaw. There was a sensitive spot right there; she had learned, closer to her ear, which always made her lover shiver. This time was no exception, and it elicited the same reaction in her.

“I love how responsive you are.”

“To you,” Olivia murmured. “With you, Grace.”

“Yes. Tomorrow night, you’ll be home,” Grace added. “And I’m spending the whole of next week in Chicago.”

The Excelsior re-design project was a massive undertaking. It was not going to magically work itself into success while she stayed home and indulged in fine dining and hot sex. Anyway, where was she going with this? So easy to lose the thread…

“I know you’ll be busy.” Olivia raked her fingers through her hair with both hands, eliciting a flurry of sweet tingles down the back of her neck. Such warm fingers... This gentle, and now exquisitely familiar touch. Grace dipped her head forward a tiny bit in reaction. “Are you avoiding answering the question, Ms. Michaels?”

“No. I’m alright. Let’s go to bed.”

She intentionally didn’t take the initiative other than saying this and more or less just prompted Olivia to do it. It seemed her partner required very little to understand what was needed. She lay with her, pulled her into a tight embrace, wrapped one leg in between hers, and hooked her foot behind her ankle. With that, she made her feel anchored—nicely weighted and protected. Grace took a deep breath and exhaled long and steady.

“We can just sleep if you want,” Olivia said.

“No, I don’t want to sleep.”

“Okay.” A quick grin, an easy nod. “Good choice.”

She was hot against her leg.

“You know I’m the dominant type, right?”

“Are you really?” Olivia asked with a disarmingly teasing chuckle. “Well, Ms. Michaels. I may have noticed that about you, yes.”

“I often do a lot more than simply back a partner up against the wall and kiss her.”

“More? Like what?”

“Make her call me Mistress. Tie her to the bed. Spank her.”

“Spanking?” Olivia’s eyebrows shot up and she bit lightly on her lip. “Hmm. I’ve never been spanked. Are you telling me this now because you want to try it with me?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Oh? Because, you know, it would be okay. We could try.”

“Have you ever wanted to do this? Before me?”

“Well. Not really. No,” Olivia admitted. “But I would. With you, it would be okay.”

Grace heard what she might not be saying. For you. Olivia’s trust in her made her heart tighten. She kissed her.

“Maybe. We’ll see. That part is not essential for me.”

“Okay… Fine. ”

“I just wanted you to know it’s what I’ve been doing for a few years.” A lot of years. “Sexual play with professional escorts. Easier that way,” she said, catching the question in her eyes. “No ties.”

“Ah, yes.” Olivia smiled, amused. “Other than to the bed.”

“Yeah.” Grace yearned to tell her more but suddenly found that the words just would not come.

What she did feel instead was an expanding ball of anxiety, pressure in the center of her chest, and no idea why it was there. Maybe because it was their last night here and the weekend had been so incredibly perfect. She had enjoyed every second and loved every moment of the connection. Olivia in her office, having fun with the holo tool. Grinning at her on the dance floor. Olivia walking through her house, looking very much at home. Olivia in her bed. Such a monumental change! Grace felt a little dazed by it all. For sure, she did not want this time together to come to an end. Getting too attached ? You know you are. Damn. Dammit! She did know, yes. Panic rising, she started to do the same, and move back.

“Grace,” Olivia murmured. She rested a calm hand over her cheek, prompting her to still. “It’s okay. Be with me.”

“I want to, but—”

“Shhh. It’s okay,” Olivia repeated and kissed her again.

Ah… Okay, yes. Okay. Grace found herself melting into that kiss like a drop of ice in hot coffee, forgetting her objections and whatever else had been on her mind to say, to explain, to tell her. Words to rationalize, clarify, hold at bay. Words to deny herself the emotional surrender she craved and refused to acknowledge. Could Olivia guess what was going on inside her mind? Did she instinctively understand the things that Grace struggled so much to put into words? Well. She certainly kissed her as if she did… And it was just wonderful. Long, easy kisses that made further words irrelevant. Patient strokes and gentle caresses to relax her body and dissolve the remaining tension. Olivia set the pace, and Grace let her. It was peaceful. Languid. There was no urgency in her movements, no rush to inflame or satisfy her own cravings. Arousal built. Slow, steady, and strong.

“Close your eyes. Lie down.”

Grace lay on her back, open and trusting. Simply allowing . Smooth lips over her mouth dispensed soothing kisses. Olivia’s tender mouth enfolded her nipples in a heated lock, making her arch under her caress in greedy pleasure. Trailing kisses all over her breasts, down the length of her torso and abdomen, on the inside of her thighs. Delighting in her exploration, Olivia lit her up from the inside out. Yet, even though pleasure radiated, and Grace was aching for that talented mouth to remain right where it was currently achieving miracles, she had one request.

“I want you with me. Please.”

“Yes.” Olivia kissed her swollen lips and glanced up long enough to flash a devastating smile. “In a minute, I will.”

No one ever said that to her. No one dared make her wait. The fact that Olivia so deliberately told her no, basically, and with that blazing smile, from between her legs, made her brain and other parts of her sizzle. It almost destroyed her on the spot, actually.

“I don’t think I have… a minute,” Grace told her through gritted teeth.

Olivia fixed her with tender eyes and that alluring grin on her wet lips. “You’re so beautiful. It’s okay, Grace. Relax. I’ve got you.”

Now… Now, she trembled. Grace had never even let herself dream of what Olivia was giving to her. Not just sex or pleasure. No t only a tremendous connection, the kind that scared her half to death and made her want to weep for joy at the same time. But this… It’s okay. I’ve got you. Reassuring words she normally told others. Nobody ever said them back to her because Grace always made damn sure that they knew she did not need or require this kind of thing. She was above it. Too hard, too strong. Invincible. Untouchable. Broken.

“Oh, God.”

Her mind emptied on a generous stroke of velvet tongue. Olivia lapped at her twitching center in exactly the right spot to almost make her scream. Grace gripped the sheets, her fingers clenching and unclenching reflexively. The muscles in her thighs quivered. She groaned.

“Let go,” her lover encouraged.

Even with such exquisite pleasure, even though every inch of her skin was on fire, and she burned to achieve release, Grace hovered on the edge, unable to do it. Orgasms always came easy for her. She never had any issue getting there, and more than once was usually the norm. But what Olivia was urging her to do now… It was something else altogether, and part of her still resisted it.

“I— I can’t,” she panted.

“Yes,” Olivia insisted in a whisper. “With me, you can.”

All she did was enter her softly with the tip of her tongue. In and out, gentle pressure. No need for any other stimulation or it would be forcing it, robbing her of choice. Olivia understood how to do this just right, with a steadying arm laced around her waist. To be held close and invited to trust like this... To believe it was safe to do it. Her words were more powerful than fear, the sensations too sweet to hold back. Grace closed her eyes and she let go.