Page 7 of Storm Dragon
Opening her mouth to explain, he beat her to the punch. “My mistake.” Nodding, he raised his head as his smile widened, and his blue eyes twinkled. “It’s just that you seem so familiar.”
“Well, it might be because the dude that keeps appearing in her dreams, the one that I just know is her Mate, is somehow related to you, and I think she should…”
“I think you should hush.”
“Well, I never.”
“You did, and you will again. So, just hush. I think he can hear us.”
Ignoring the Bobcat Queen’s continuing rant, Tamsyn smiled brighter and asked, “Can I get you some water?
Coffee? A cup of tea?”
“No, thank you,” Carrick shook his head. “I’m good for the moment.”
“Well, then, we might as well go ahead and get to the conference room,” Luke finally interjected.
“Where was he when I needed him?”
“Looking at you like you had three heads because one of the most famous Dragons of all time thought he knew you and you went from shock and awe to Miss Kitty’s got claws in the blink of an eye.”
“Didn’t I tell you to hush, Bridgette?”
“You did, and I chose to ignore you,” the Bobcat Queen huffed. “Kinda like you chose to ignore me when I was tryin’ to tell you…”
“And I am ignoring you again.”
“Lead the way.” It was Tamsyn’s turn to force a smile as she motioned toward the door they’d just entered.
Bringing up the rear, she took a deep cleansing breath and tried to clear her mind. She had to focus. Had to be on her A-game. Had to have all the answers and be ready to lead the most important meeting of her life. It was time to put the last three minutes, hell, the last three weeks out of her mind. With one foot over the threshold and the other on its way, she plastered on a smile, stood tall, and greeted one of her oldest and dearest friends.
Walking into the outstretched arms of Bonnie Sampson, she felt as if at least a ton of weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Filled with a warm, glowing, soothing love that only came from someone who knew all your faults and loved all the more because of them, Tamsyn let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Wow! That was a big one.” Bonnie’s sweet, smoky Texas twang floated through her mind. “How long has it been since you had a good night’s sleep?”
“How did you…?” Stopping with a snorted chuckle, she quickly picked up a few ticks ahead of where she’d left off. “I’m not even gonna ask. I know better. Your abilities are even stronger than mine.”
“And let’s not forget I know you just as well as you know me, Girlie.”
Stepping back as the She-Wolf’s hug loosened, she winked and smiled, “Damn, it’s good to see you.”
“Right back atcha, Hot Stuff.” Letting her hands slide down her arms, Bonnie added, “We’ll talk about what’s keepin’ you up at night just as soon as this meeting’s over.” Dropping her chin just enough to level her gaze, the She-Wolf added, “And don’t even think about puttin’ it off. We can work and talk at the same time. Done it before.”
Without waiting for an answer, Bonnie leaned, gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and whispered, “Handsome strangers covered in mud can sometimes be just what we need.”
Mouth dropping open, Tamsyn was so caught off guard by the She-Wolf’s words that she could only nod as Bonnie gave her another wink and added, “Now, come on and snap out of it. You had to know that I was gonna take a peek in that old noggin of yours. Hell, you left the door wide open for me.”
“Well, shit,” Tamsyn snorted. “You’re right. I never even think about closing or blocking our connection.”
“Good,” Bonnie quickly cheered. “'Cause I always keep it open too. It’s good to know you’re there.”
“Damn sure is.” Reaching forward, she gave the She-Wolf’s hand a squeeze. “Till we’re old and gray.”
“And beyond,” Bonnie answered with the saying they, along with Bonnie’s twin, Maggie Mae, had made up all those years ago. “Now, go be all important and shit, and let me know what I can do to help. Ya’ know, I always got your back.”
“Thank the Heavens.”
“Amen.”
