Page 29 of She's a Big Deal

“Okay.” Still dazed, Olivia smiled. “I’d love to.”

???

Grace watched it happen. As Olivia stood up, every bit of color drained from her face. Her large, expressive, dark eyes emptied and glazed over. It was frighteningly quick, and no doubt she would have dropped if Grace had not been there to catch her. Now the woman was staring at her with that goofy, horny, and frankly, hugely attractive smile on her lips. Grace resisted the urge to hug her. What was up with that anyway? She clasped her chin instead and ignored the dreamy look in her eyes.

“What happened, Olivia?”

“I went dizzy.”

“I saw that. What did you have for dinner?”

“Dinner? Ah… I didn’t have time for it.”

“No wonder you’re not well. Good thing I was with you, or you’d have smashed your forehead on the marble floor. Yeah,” Grace nodded when she saw her wince. “Not a nice thought.”

“Thanks for catching me.”

“You’re welcome.” Grace also had to bite her tongue, not to mention that it had been a pleasure.

“I’ll have some food when I get home.”

“You’re not driving home before you have food. Actually, you’re not driving, period.”

“I meant I’ll take an Uber. Uh… Where’s my phone?”

Grace noticed a slight tremor in her fingers as she passed it to Olivia. Olivia was still as white as a sheet, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on her forehead. This looked like a typical low-blood-sugar event prompted by a lack of food, a couple of strong drinks, and perhaps stimulating conversation as well. So…

“No,” she decided.

“No?” Olivia repeated, looking confused.

“You’re not taking an Uber home at this time of night when you’re not feeling a hundred percent.”

“But—”

“No, but. Come with me.” Grace pulled her to her feet and kept a steadying arm around her waist as she led her toward the elevators.

“Where are we going?”

“My room.”

“Oh?” Olivia’s hopeful glance was endearing. Grace had to laugh, though it made her blood quicken as well. “Not for some wild sex, Ms. Bianchi. You are in urgent need of sustenance. And then you’ll rest. My suite is plenty big enough for the two of us tonight.”

“Well,” Olivia grumbled. “I’m not sure I want to do that.”

Grace moved in front of her to hit the top floor button on the elevator panel. She turned back to see Olivia grab hold of the brass railing for balance.

“Tough,” she shrugged. “That’s what you’ll do.”

“This feels like an abduction.”

“Feel free to experience it any way you like.”

“Man!” Olivia half-laughed and half-groaned. “Who’s the control freak now, eh?”

Of course, there was a reason for it, and it was still painful. Grace knew Charlie would not have said anything to her young friend. She also decided not to share her personal business. But the memories were especially vivid tonight. Being in Red Falls, with this dark-eyed woman... Grace chased tragic pictures out of her mind. This was here, now.Focus.

“They have chips and vegan burgers on room service here. In case this might make your kidnapping a bit more enjoyable for you.”

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