“Kate, this is Olivia Morton. Olivia, Kate Martin. Why don’t we sit?”
Kate extended her hand, which Olivia graciously took. “Nice to meet you Olivia.”
“Likewise.”
___________
Kate
Kate was absolutely mortified, her entire face burned. Every time Dev touched her, it was like every brain cell flashed a neon sign that said DO ME. She knew someone was coming, yet she let Dev feel her up anyway. Classy, Kate. Real classy.
She was taken back to the time her mom walked in on her and Alex, her first boyfriend. They had gone to her bedroom to “study,” of course making out instead. Her mom opened the door and caught Alex with his hand on her breast, over the shirt, but needless to say, finding your sixteen-year-old daughter getting felt up didn’t sit well with her mom. She freaked, lectured, and grounded her for a month. Poor Alex was terrified to come around again and they broke up a short time later.
Strange things were happening to her now, had been since she’d arrived here yesterday. She’d actually sensed someone was coming into the room right before Ren and Olivia had entered. How could she sense someone was coming? And why did she keep hearing words whispering through her head? Like in the bedroom earlier, she swore she heard Dev say mine, but since his mouth was wrapped completely around her nipple, that wasn’t possible. Add this to the irrationally extreme attraction she felt for Dev and she was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Dev brought over her untouched plate and handed it to her with a wink. Jackass. She watched him walk to his desk chair. Hmmm…make that sweet ass.
“So, Kate. Olivia’s here because she has a similar…talent as you.”
Her eyebrows drew together and she looked at him questioningly. “Talent? What talent?”
“She also has dreams.” Kate sat up straight, looking back and forth between Olivia and Dev.
“What are you talking about? What dreams?” She could hardly catch her breath. She was angry, scared and hopeful, all at the same time.
Olivia, who sat on the couch next to Kate, spoke up, gently grabbing Kate’s hands in hers. “I have dreams about real events, too, Kate. I’ve had them my entire life, just like you have. I know what you’re going through and I want to help you.”
Olivia put Kate at ease and she instantly liked her. She was a petite blonde, with a body that obviously was honed by many hours in the gym. Her piercing blue eyes were framed with long, dark lashes and she looked to be about her age.
“How can you help? The only way you can help is to make them go away. And I haven’t been able to find anyone yet that can do that.” God, if someone could help her get rid of these horrific dreams, she would be free. Free at last. Was that even possible?
Olivia gazed at her with empathy. The hope that had quickly developed was crushed just as fast. “Kate, I know it seems like a burden and honestly, sometimes it is, but you have a gift. A gift, which, once you learn to hone and perfect it, makes it extremely powerful. And puts you in control versus feeling helpless. I can help you do that. I can help you control your gift instead of letting it control you.”
Kate shook her head. “No. Nope. There’s no controlling my dreams. They control me. You have no idea what kinds of dreams plague me, Olivia. If I could control them, I’d make them go away. I’m sorry that you wasted your time, but there’s no way you can help me.” Tears sprung into her eyes. She could barely speak. “I wish you could.”
Olivia grabbed Kate into a tight hug. Over her shoulder, Kate’s eyes locked onto Dev’s and his were full of sympathy, pain and…caring?
“I can help you, Kate. I know you don’t know me and have no reason to trust me, but please do. I can’t make them go away, but I can help you view your dreams in an entirely different way. I’ve done it myself. I’ve helped others do it. I can help you.”
She pulled away, holding Kate’s gaze. “I can help you, Kate. Trust me.”
Kate shook her head. “I don’t think so, Olivia. I’m sorry you’ve come all this way, but I just don’t think I can.”
Dev came over, crouching in front of where she sat. He held her hands in his. “Kate, love, I know this is difficult. Sometimes the easier solution is to bury your head in the sand. But most often the easier decision isn’t the right one. Just give it a try. One day, that’s all I’m asking. If you don’t feel this is useful, I won’t ask her to come back. You have my word.”
She’d buried her head in the sand for too many years. Hell, she’d been trying to figure out this dream thing for half her life. Maybe she was going about it all wrong. Maybe trying to stop the dreams wasn’t the right answer. It hadn’t worked so far. If she was cursed with this problem, at least she should learn how to properly deal with it.