78

ASHLEY

I missed this.

I missed being held by him. I missed being flushed against his chest as he snuggled me to sleep. I still couldn't bring myself to believe that he was awake, holding me in his arms. It felt so surreal because I felt like if I let him go, he might disappear from my side and just fade into nothingness. I didn't want to go through all I went through the last time.

My lips twitched in my sleep as I snuggled into him, even more, desperate to feel his arms around me. But then, every trace of the smile on my face was completely wiped off when I felt him jerk in my arms, muttering profanities under his breath. His hold grew tighter, almost as though he wanted to squeeze out every ounce of breath I had in me. My eyes snapped open, instinctively, his nails digging into my bare skin and I winced.

He was having a nightmare.

Again.

My eyes flitted to his restless frame tossing and turning in his sleep, his body drenched in sweat. My heart lurched to my throat, blood pounding