Page 3 of She’s a Big Deal

Red Falls – Vermont

As Olivia Bianchi crawled into a dark, icy tunnel, the last thing on her mind was a night of sultry dancing and forbidden sex with a high-class escort girl. Dana Matthews, the local vet and her partner in crime at the animal shelter, flashed her own light from the other end.

“You see anything?”

“Yeah.”

“What?”

“Spiders with a grudge,” Olivia replied.

“Watch yourself.”

When it came to most other things, Dana was fearless. However, as small spaces were her kryptonite, when dark narrow tunnels were involved, namely some kind of old drainage pipe, Olivia got the job. She would not mind that at all, nor the spiders, if only she could locate the dog they had been told was here. Ah… Just as the thought occurred to her, she finally caught two small eyes in the beam of her flashlight.

“Got him,” she advised. “Oh, gosh, he’s only tiny!”

“Is it a puppy?”

“Yeah.” Olivia angled her torch away slightly in order not to blind him. “Tiny trembling pup.” She crawled closer. “Hey there, little guy. Hey… It’s okay.”

The puppy watched her approach with terror in his eyes, and Olivia noticed a couple of fresh scars on his side. He’d been hurt. No doubt someone had done this to him on purpose. Sick bastards. She hated violence of any kind. When against children and animals, it made her blood boil. She edged a bit closer still, torn between not wanting to scare him further and also keen to catch him and make him safe.

“It’s okay, baby. It’s alright. Shhh…” She reached out with the clean towel she carried. The puppy let out a silent bark and a pleading whine. “I know, I know. I got you,” Olivia assured him. “I won’t hurt you, I promise.”

Finally, she managed to scoop him up, crawled back out, and emerged into the weak afternoon sun.

“He really is tiny,” Dana reflected as she took her first look at him.

“Terrified and cold, too.”

“Yes. We’ll get him back to the practice and check him out. You okay?”

“Sure.”

“You look frozen.”

“Well, there is that,” Olivia chuckled.

Back in the truck, Dana turned the heating on while she kept the black-and-white puppy cradled protectively against her chest in a nest of fluffy towels.

“Was he hurt?”

“Yes. Looks like someone cut him. But it’s okay now, little buddy,” Olivia added in a gentle voice. “You’re still handsome. Adorable baby.”

“Don’t fall in love,” Dana cautioned.

“Too late. I think he may be the one for me.”

“Lately, you’ve been saying that with every new rescue we bring in, Oli,” Dana remarked.

“Yeah, but I mean it this time. He’s not trembling anymore, look. And he’s not taken his eyes off of me once.”

Olivia continued to cuddle and reassure the wet and scared puppy all the way to the veterinary practice.

“He’s healthy,” Dana confirmed after a thorough check-up. “The scars look good too, as much as these things can. Cute little Havanese. Let’s give him a bath and feed him some.”

“Yeah. I’ll take him home with me after that.”

“If you wish. But you know what they nickname this breed of dogs, right?”

“No, what?”

“Velcro. He’ll cling to you 24/7 if you let him.”

“That’s alright. This little guy clearly needs a lot of love and affection.”

“How about you?”

“What?” Olivia stared, dumbfounded.

“Weird transition, I know.” Her friend chuckled, fixing her with amused blue eyes. “But really. How are you?”

“Fine.” Olivia shrugged. She ran warm soapy water into the sink and gently set the puppy down. He seemed okay with it as she began to scrub a layer of grime off his back gently. “Of course, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, because it’s been an abrupt end with Beth, and now I see you want to adopt every broken animal we rescue. So, makes me wonder.”

“What? If I’m broken?”

“No, but…”

“What, Dana?”

“You were pretty deep in that relationship.”

Olivia snorted, even as her heart tightened. “Hell, no. There are plenty of other mermaids in the sea.”

“If you say so.”

“I certainly do.”

‘Pretty deep’ was stating it accurately, though. The sudden breakup with Beth, a local teacher Olivia had been dating for six wonderful months, or so she thought, had rocked her world in the worst way. Especially when the woman thought it was okay just to declare one day that she really preferred to be with men, and was going back to her ex. Olivia never saw that bombshell coming. She’d fallen hard and fast for Beth. For sure, the break-up hurt.

“It’s been almost a year now,” Dana reminded her gently. “You should go out with us sometime, Oli. Mel and I are off to Montreal next weekend for one of her conferences. Why don’t you come?”

Dana’s wife, Mel, was a popular author of lesbian fiction. Her work events attracted lots of avid readers, and sometimes also women in search of a good time, no strings attached. Olivia used to be into that sort of thing too. And having fun. But not since Beth. She rubbed scented shampoo over the puppy’s short coat and smiled as she noticed his eyelids start to droop.

“Better dry him up and feed him puppy formula before he drops, uh.”

“Olivia,” Dana prompted softly.

“Look, I’m not in the mood, okay?”

“I get that, but sometimes you gotta dust yourself off and saddle up again even if you don’t feel like it. You’re too young to give up. Not to mention gorgeous, as well. ”

Olivia shot her a look, then pointedly glanced down at her mucky blue jeans and stained sweatshirt, covered in pet hairs, with a hole in the side. “You need glasses if you think this is gorgeous.”

“Oh, come off it, woman! You look like a butch version of Stefania Spampinato.”

“Spam what?”

“Italian actress my wife currently happens to have a crush on.” Dana laughed. “Think smoky, curvy in all the right places, with hair to die for, and gorgeous twinkling brown eyes.”

“Ah. Well.” Olivia shrugged, embarrassment warming her cheeks. “Okay. Thanks, I guess.”

“You’re welcome. So, will you think about it, at least?”

“Yeah, I will. For now, get me a bottle.”

“Sure thing. What should we name this one?”

“Hmm… How ‘bout Everett?”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. The name just popped into my head when you asked. He looks like an Everett, I feel; distinguished. Like an older gentleman. Anyway, better than calling him ‘Velcro’, uh?”

“Yes.” Dana laughed. “Way better.”

◆◆◆

At about the same time Olivia fell asleep on her couch with an exhausted puppy curled up in her arms, Grace arrived at the popular Cuban dance club in South Beach. Friday was Bachata night, another stroke of good luck. She enjoyed Salsa, known for being fast, energetic, playful, and flirtatious. In contrast, Bachata was slow, sexy, and sensual. It was by far her favorite style. The Miami evening was hot and steamy despite the time of year, which fitted her mood perfectly . If there was one thing Grace disliked, it was the bitter winter cold of her native Vermont. She made her way slowly toward the bar, dressed in sand-colored slacks fitted at the waist, which tapered down nicely to cinch above her ankles. On her feet, she wore a pair of Dior, ‘J’adior’ slingback heels which retailed at $1000. A narrow band of black Lycra around her torso covered her breasts adequately but left her back and tight stomach bare. Her shoulders were exposed, her blond hair slicked back. Grace noticed a few people glance her way and stare as she walked through the club. As the music flew over her, she felt an instant rush of excitement. Oh, yeah… She never failed to come alive in this sort of place and could feel her body waking up to the music. The layer of tension associated with her business persona would soon drop off.

“Ola chica!” The owner of the club glided toward her with open arms. “Ms. Michaels. It has been far too long.”

“I agree.” Grace returned his air kisses with an indulgent smile. “How are you, Roberto?”

“Ah, great. Business is great.”

“Good to hear. I can see it, too.”

“Will you save me a dance?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

He laughed and gave her a little bow. “Estupendo!”

Grace soon located her hired date for the evening. The dark-skinned woman stood at the bar in a short black cocktail dress which stopped just above mid-thigh, and was kept from riding up by a couple loops of black lacing around her thighs. The dress hugged a slender and tight body that Grace remembered was delightfully responsive, in bed and on the dance floor alike. Magalie’s long black curly hair was held back with a red satin tie. The overall look was both simple and glamorous.

“Good evening.” Grace slid her arms around her waist from behind and pressed herself lightly into her back. “May I join you?”

The woman flashed a blazing smile over her shoulder.

“Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Sky.” She greeted her in her native French. “It is a real pleasure to see you again.”

“Thank you for making time for me on short notice.”

“Oh, for you, always.”

Grace moved aside and signaled the bartender. “Can I get you a drink?”

“I’ll have what you have.”

“Hemingway daiquiri. No sugar. Two,” Grace ordered, and turned back to her companion with a smile of her own.

If she had wanted to, she could have walked straight into the club, had herself a dance, and found a partner for the rest of the evening. In the past, she often did just that. But success in her line of business had made her famous, and she could never be entirely sure of anyone’s motive. Would the tale of one night of passion end up plastered over the tabloids’ front page? With an illicit, stolen photo and lurid details? Grace did not mind paying a good price to guarantee her privacy. Also, she hated wasting time and knew she would be getting exactly what she wanted tonight. There was no rush, of course, but it helped her to relax and enjoy it more.

“I haven’t danced in a while,” Magalie informed her as they clinked glasses.

“That’s alright. You’re a natural at it.”

“Thank you, Ms. Sky.”

“Come closer.”

With her dark eyes glinting full of easy mirth and approval, Magalie complied. Grace was leaning back with one arm on the counter and her foot propped casually against the bar foot rail. As Magalie stepped in between her legs, she trailed a soft finger across her mouth in a possessive gesture, causing her lips to part open on a wanting sigh. Oh, yes… Grace tightened in reaction. The woman may like to cultivate an innocent look, and she was very good at it, but under that veneer, she was a consummate professional.

“It’s my birthday today.”

“Oh, happy birthday!”

“Thank you.” Grace caressed her face and the sides of her neck. She let her hand drift down the front of her dress and over her shapely side. “You’re beautiful.”

She used both hands to cup her ass; hard, without warning. Magalie should have anticipated this sort of move, really, but it made her gasp and stumble into her arms.

“Ms. Sky...” She laughed softly.

“Hmm. Yes.” Grace did not kiss her, but she trailed her lips along the underside of her jaw. It was definitely too long since she had done this, and indulged herself. She murmured against the woman’s ear. “So, you remember what I like?”

“How could I forget?” Magalie giggled.

“I’m glad I made an impression.”

“Certainly.”

“So, I take it you’ll be happy to play tonight?”

Grace had paid for her time, obviously, but consent was not automatically included in that price as far as she was concerned. Some may take it for granted since tastes, specific kinks, limits, likes, and dislikes were listed on the agency’s membership form. No one, escorts or clients, walked blindly into a date. Even so, Grace always liked to ask and confirm. Magalie nodded firmly in reply.

“Yes, Ms. Sky. I am totally on board with anything you might like to do tonight. Also…” She leaned in close and flashed her a mix of coy and wicked smile. “I am looking forward to every bit of it. You’re my favorite client.”

Grace chuckled. “Don’t you say that to all your clients?”

“Yes,” Magalie admitted frankly. “But with you, it’s always fun.”

This, at least, Grace knew was true. No woman would be able to fake multiple orgasms that well, not even an agency pro. Satisfied, she laced her arm around Magalie’s waist.

“Tres bien,” she declared. “ Let’s dance.”