Undone, p.28
Undone, page 28
“I’d ask if you had one of your wild dreams again, but I think I know the answer.”
“This is the fourth one in the last two weeks. I don’t think the doctor’s wonderful pills are doing their job.” She attempted to cover the dark circles under her eyes. “I took one at lunch yesterday, didn’t I?”
Kat swerved the car around a cyclist. “They need their own damn lane. Uh, yeah, I’m pretty sure you did take one. Why?”
Checking their path to make sure there were no obstacles before she raised the mascara to her eye, Teegan sighed. “I wasn’t sure if I did. I must not be taking them regularly enough lately or something…”
“Or the doctor’s a quack, I’ve been telling you that all along.”
Teegan dropped her makeup bag into the back seat. “Will I pass as alive?”
A quick glance from Kat made her smile. “You look sexy and exotic no matter what you do. I really hate that you have six miles of perfectly straight undyed black hair you know.”
“Your hair is lovely.”
Kat snorted, “My hair is mud-colored fuzz and we both know it.”
Shaking her head, Teegan leaned back against the seat, it was safer to be braced for anything with her crazy friends driving. “You fit into the cute category and that is a far better thing.”
“Whatever…” Her cell phone buzzed from the dashboard. Grinning, Kat hit speaker. “Hey, Ann. Are you there yet?”
“Early as planned.”
Teegan sat up straight. “New girl there yet?”
“Yep.”
Kat smacked her hands off the steering wheel. “And?”
“I don’t like her.”
“You don’t like anyone.” Rolling her eyes at Kat, she smirked.
“Wrong, well, okay possibly true. She’s snotty and I get bad vibes crawling all over my skin when I look at her.”
Kat tapped her fingers on the wheel as she waited for the light to change. “Last time you had your bad vibes, I ended up having to work for that mutant Ernest.” She accelerated through the light before most other drivers had a chance to even realize it was green.
“We’ll be there in five minutes, Ann. I’m going to hang up before Kat gets us killed.” Reaching over she hung up the phone.
“Hey. I wanted more intel.”
Teegan smiled at her. “We’ll get it firsthand shortly.”
Hurrying to her desk, she tossed her purse into the corner and sat down. How could she not know what day it was or what she was supposed to be doing? Her phone buzzed, signaling to her the work day was about to begin and her boss wanted her already. Hitting the intercom button, she let out a silent breath. “Morning, Wes.”
“Teeg, I can’t find the layouts for the sports blitz… did I give them to you?”
She flipped through the folders on her desk until she found them. “Got it right here.”
“Good, it’s due by the end of the day.”
“No problem. I just have to get Ann to finish up a few font changes.”
“Bring it when it’s finished.”
She nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “Okay.” Clicking the button off again, she leaned back and sighed. Her brain at least knew the right answers, even if she didn’t. Grabbing the folder, she headed out into the art department. Of course, she could have called Ann from her desk, but she had to at least catch one glimpse of the new girl so her mind would leave that alone and let her get some work done.
Kat came around the corner and held out a cup. “I thought you could use a tea after your brisk start this morning.”
Tucking the folder under her arm she accepted the cup and cradled it between her palms before inhaling the steam. “Thanks.” Blowing on it, she started walking again. “Ann in work mode yet?”
Kat snorted. “More like wrath mode…”
“What? Why?”
Kat looked at the floor as someone walked by. “They put the new girl in her space.”
“Oh. Bad.”
“Yeah and then some.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Kat grinned wide. “Thought you might Miss Director, can’t have your top graphics designer on the warpath.”
As they reached Ann’s room, a tall redhead came strutting out. She brushed right past Teegan, almost causing her to wear her tea. With her mouth hanging open she turned to watch the woman in the too-tight red skirt wiggle her way down the corridor.
“That was the new girl, Celia Barnes,” Kat whispered.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Obviously, the material binding her butt in was under a lot of pressure, it looked like it didn’t even move when she did.
“Nope.”
“No wonder Ann is hissing.”
“I am not hissing. I’m pissed. There is a difference.” Ann leaned against the door and watched the redhead disappear around the corner.
“You wanted help...”
“Help doesn’t mean I have to share my space, Teeg.”
Teegan watched the way the redhead’s hips swayed in the tight skirt, everything she disliked about some women was right there. Hope she trips. As if she’d pushed a button the woman stumbled over an invisible bump on the carpet. Maybe today won’t be so bad after all. Smirking, she cleared her throat and turned back to Ann. “I’ll talk to Wes and see if there is somewhere else we can put her.”
Ann beamed at her. “Thanks.” She pulled the folder out of her hand. “This the blitz layouts? I have some ideas...”
“Teegan.”
Turning she spotted Wes standing at the door of his office. “Yes.” Beside her Ann would be purring, she had a thing for the blond Greek god-like superior. Trying to see him from Ann’s yummy classification scale didn’t work for her. He was just Wes, her boss, confidant, and blond pretty boy. Dark and dangerous was what set her motor humming, unfortunately, there were no men in that group here at work… or anywhere that she’d ever found.
“Can you gather everyone to meet in the boardroom in an hour? I have an announcement.” Adding his best pretty-boy smile, knowing that she didn’t like unplanned meetings he turned and went back through the door.
Kat leaned closer. “What announcement?”
Gnawing on her lower lip for a few seconds, Teegan shook her head. “No idea, but I’m going to go find out.”
Wes was sitting behind his desk looking at his watch as she came through the door. “That was fast, less than two minutes.”
What was with everyone timing her today? Closing the door behind her, Teegan leaned back against it. “Announcement?”
“I’m great today, thanks for asking.” He flashed a bright smile.
“Teeg, I can’t find the layouts for the sports blitz…” Grimacing at her own imitation of him, she pushed away from the door and headed over to the chairs. “Sorry, it’s been one of those days from the second my eyes opened.”
Frowning, he leaned forward and studied her. “Everything all right?”
“Just another bad night, at least I think it was bad.” Did she tell him she had changed clothes in her sleep?
He stood up and moved around to lean on the desk. “Dreams are back?”
“Yeah, and they’re crazier than before.”
The concern on his face was evident. “Have you been back to the doctor?” She shrugged. “Maybe you need to see a new doctor?”
Standing up, she went over and stood right in front of him. “Maybe you should stop procrastinating and trying to distract me and tell me what this announcement is all about.”
He laughed. “Busted.” His face went serious again. “Joking aside, don’t let this get out of control. I am going to need you on top of your game for the next while.”
“Why? What’s going on?” She didn’t try to hide the suspicion in her voice.
“One of the top board members is going to be working with us.”
Groaning loudly, she dropped her head down almost to her chest. “Why?” She whined.
Wes laughed softly again and lifted her chin so she was looking at him again. “Because there are going to be some changes shortly and he’s here to assess the situation.” She feigned a pout as he held her face.
“Am I interrupting?”
They jumped apart and turned towards the man standing at the door. Wes cleared his throat. “No, come in.”
Teegan’s heart was in her throat as she studied the man entering the room. He moved like a predatory animal stalking his prey as he took long strides towards her boss. He had shoulder-length jet black hair that was combed back behind his head, so not the style she was used to seeing on men wearing two-thousand-dollar suits. Beneath the suit there were well-disciplined muscles, absent from any unnecessary handles, at least judging by the way he moved that was what he hid under the tailored cloth.
She stifled the urge to be as dramatic as Ann and wave a hand in front of her face. His jaw was broad and could have been molded from steel, from the angle she was getting. As she moved to his eyes, her heart skipped a few beats, dark and dangerous was the assessment her mind came up with. She also noticed those eyes were studying her as aptly as she was him. A man that masculine should be illegal. Sin in a suit was what this man was.
“Teegan.” She turned to look at Wes when she realized he was speaking to her. “This is Leland McKay, the board member we were just discussing.”
Swallowing, she debated for thirty seconds on whether she should speak or extend her hand. Both, she decided as she held out her hand to him. “Teegan Jacobs.” As his large hand closed around hers, shocks buzzed up her arm. Pulling her hand away quickly she met his eyes to see the humor in them. What was that?
“The amazing director you were telling me about? I look forward to working with you.”
When he smiled, she forgot any of the words she was about to speak.
Wes chuckled. “Be warned, Leland, stay out of her path when the deadlines are close, she’ll run down anyone in her way.”
Dragging her eyes away from the man, she glared at Wes. “Speaking of that, I have to go see if Ann has gotten anywhere with those changes.” Get away from him. Giving the sexy giant a wide berth, she smiled sweetly. “Pleasure to meet you. I’ll have everyone in the boardroom in forty-five minutes.” He inclined his head but didn’t speak.
As soon as the door closed, Leland turned back to Wes. “She’s the one.” It wasn’t a question, for he’d felt her power as soon as he touched her.
“Yeah.”
Leland smirked, “And do I want to know why you were holding her when I walked in?”
Wes snorted, “That wasn’t holding her. She wasn’t happy when I told her about you.”
“Ah.” Unbuttoning his jacket, he put his hands in his pockets. “Is there a connection between the both of you?”
Wes shook his head and leaned back against the desk. “Not the kind you think. We’re friends, nothing more.”
“Good.” Moving over, he studied the picture on the wall. “The other one arrived this morning?”
Wes blew out a breath. “Yes, Celia is here now and the energy coming off her is darker than anything I’ve felt before.”
“The council thought it would be strong.” Turning he sent the other man a serious look. “And where is Teegan with everything? Has she realized yet?”
“No, but she’s close. The dreams are coming to her...” Rubbing a hand over his jaw, he sighed. “I’m worried about her, she’s fighting it every step of the way.”
“That’s why I’m here, it’s my place to bring her to realize and accept her destiny.”
Chortling, Wes walked back around behind his desk. “I wish you all the luck in the world, you’re going to need it.”
“I don’t need luck, my friend, I have magic.” Leland grinned wide. “I felt her magic with my own as soon as we touched.”
Wes shook his head. “Years of training isn’t going to help. You can’t force anything on Teeg, she’s a fighter, you’re going to have to get her to trust you… and that, my friend, is a chore. I’ve been working with her for three years and it’s just the past year she doesn’t look at me like I’m a bug she’d like to squash.”
Leland studied him for a long silent moment. “We’ll see about that.”
Also by Jacqueline
ANIMAL SENSES
1 Heart
2 Scent
3 Passion
4 Courage
5 Solace
6 Faith
7 Spirit
8 Fury
9 Pride
10 Torment
11 Honor
12 Beauty
Coming soon
13 Trust
MAGIC SEASONS ROMANCE
1 Beltane Magic
2 Solstice Heat
3 Harvest Dreams
4 Autumn Dance
5 Winter Mist
MYSTIC GIFTS TRILOGY
1 Mystic Perceptions
2 Dream Visions
3 Inner Reflections
ANCESTOR’S ENCHANTMENT TRILOGY
1 The Witch Within
2 Magic Descends
Coming soon
3 Final Circle
Dreams
Three steamy stories that started with a dream
Curses
Two tales of curses.
After the Silence
Volume 1 Bree
SINGLE TITLES
Solitary Witchling
Salvation
Café Serenity
Writing As: J. Risk
Realms Books:
THE ALTEREALM SERIES
1 The Huntress
2 The Seer
3 The Empath
4 The Witch
5 The Chronos
6 The Warrior
7 The Telepath
8 The Healer
9 The Kinetic
THE SOLRELM SERIES
1 Concealed
2 Unveiled
3 Undone
Coming soon
4 Unleashed
GEMINI LEAGUE
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1 Dark Moon
2 First Eclipse
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline is a multi-published author of ‘all things paranormal’. Her book list proves this is her niche with stories of witches, ghosts, psychics, shifters, and more now on the shelves. Her current genres are paranormal romance, paranormal fantasy, and paranormal romantic suspense.
Her books are available in many formats around the globe, including book/reading apps. Since adding them during the pandemic, her books have had over a million reads and her ‘to be written’ list is growing longer each day. She can’t write fast enough.
Jacqueline began her writing career in 2006 (as a joke) and her first book was published in 2009. She hasn’t stopped since then. She is an avid reader and will read ‘anything with words’, whether it’s a novel, article, or even every sign she passes.
Jacqueline lives in Ontario, Canada in a small town that’s part of the popular Georgian Triangle area. Even though she can see the mountains, she does not ski.
When she’s not in one of her writing worlds, she spends time with her grand-monsters. She has twelve of them (so far) and looks forward to corrupting them in the years to come.
Jacqueline also writes under the pseudonym of J. Risk
Jacqueline loves to hear from her readers, you can find her at
http://jacquelinepaige.com/
J Risk, Undone
