Awaken Me (The Jaded Series Book 4) by Alex Grayson

Nick, I rush down the hallway to his room. I have no idea what time it is but it’s dark outside, so I turn the light on in the hallway. Afraid of what I might find, I gingerly push open the door.
    In the light from the hallway, I see Nick is still in the bed with the cover kicked to the side. I slowly walk to him and notice his chest pumping rapidly. He’s breathing heavily and the frown is back in place. He mumbles something in his sleep, but I can’t understand him. He starts thrashing his head in irritation. I want to reach out and soothe him, but I’m worried I’ll scare him awake. His moaning is getting louder and his body starts jerking.
    Unable to watch him in this state any longer, I step closer to the bed and reach out to place my hand on his bicep. His skin is clammy.
    “Nick,” I whisper worriedly.
    As soon as my fingers brush his arm, he settles down. His head turns my way, and I watch as the frown disappears. I run my fingers up and down his arm. He moans again, but it’s not pain filled. It almost sounds like he’s enjoying my touch.
    Gently, I lower myself to sit on the edge of the bed. His breathing has calmed some, but I still don’t want to leave him yet. I like watching him sleep. It gives me the opportunity to look at him without seeing the scowl he so often wears.
    His thick lashes lie against his cheeks. He’s lost a little weight so his cheeks are thinner than usual, but it makes him no less handsome. And I have to admit the scruff on his face is hot, even though it looks unkempt. There’s something extremely sexy about a man with a beard.
    Pushing away the desire to run my fingers along his face, I decide to just sit there and watch him for a few minutes. Without realizing it, my hand has moved from his upper arm to his chest. I know I should move it back. I’ve gone beyond trying to calm him. But I just can’t make my fingers leave his warm skin.
    I lightly graze along his pec and a slight moan leaves his lips. I jerk my eyes to his face and see him still sleeping. I feel like a pervert sitting here petting him.
    Beneath my hand, Nick’s heart is pounding in his chest and it makes my own speed up. My breathing has also become heavy and with each breath I take, I smell his unique smell. He starts to shift on the bed, and I know it’s time I get up before he wakes. I reluctantly remove my hand and start to stand. But I don’t get far.
    One minute I’m getting ready to stand and leave Nick, and the next I’m flat on my back with his warm, hard body lying over mine.
     

Nick
    I’m dreaming. I know I’m dreaming, and I don’t want it to stop. I want to stay in this fake world forever. In this world all is right. I know once I wake up the pain will be fresh again, but I don’t care. It’s worth it to have Anna whole and safe back in my arms, even if it isn’t real. I’m tired of dealing with the pain. I just want it to go away.
    The dream started off bad, with Anna dying in my arms, making me promise things I can’t. Once her body went still, I grabbed her tight to my chest and rocked her back and forth, murmuring in her ear, begging her to come back to me.
    The dream changed quickly to me and Anna sitting on a grassy hill, watching the sunset. We’re both quiet. My arm is slung over her shoulder and she’s snuggled up to my chest. This isn’t a memory, but my imagination creating visions of us together. Maybe wishes for a future we’ll never have? I don’t know, but I don’t feel pain during the dream, even knowing it’s not real and never will be real.
    As we sit there watching the golden rays of the sun fade, I breath in Anna’s scent. She’s always smelled like cinnamon cookies. She used to make me snickerdoodles because I loved the smell so much.
    Once the sun disappears behind the horizon, I tip Anna’s face back and gently kiss her lips. She’s pliable in my arms and a soft moan slips past her lips. My tongue runs across her bottom lip and she opens her mouth. I