Page 19 of The Rowdy Ones

“Hey, shh. You’re whimpering. Nightmare?”

I jerk out of the hazy memories of my past that weeded their way into my dreams and attempt to make sense of the voice speaking to me. It’s warm and familiar and safe. Rowdy. Not Jace. My brother.

This time, he’s the one comforting me. His massive hand is tangled in my hair as his thumb rubs circles on my cheekbone. I’m grateful for his touch.

“I hate sleep,” I mutter, voice wobbling. “I can’t escape him there.”

Jace is dead. He’s not coming back. And yet…I can’t shake him off me no matter how hard I try.

“Come here, Dez.”

I choke on a sob as he pulls me to his chest for a hug. Clinging to him, I let go of the troubled emotions plaguing my mind. He holds me tight, kissing the top of my head, and whispers reassurances.

He’s dead.

He’s dead.

He’s dead.

Rowdy rolls onto his back but doesn’t let go of me. I snuggle into his side, using his shoulder for a pillow. His warm chest is smooth and hard. It grounds me simply by touching him. This time when I fall asleep, I feel safe and protected.

Teeth nip at my neck and a large hand roughly palms my bare thigh, just below my ass. It wakes me with a start. I’m scattered and afraid until I realize it’s Rowdy.

“Rowdy,” I croak out, shocked at the way he’s touching me.

He murmurs something in his sleep, completely unaware of what he’s doing. I attempt to pull away, but he’s incredibly strong. His fingers bite into my thigh, no doubt bruising my flesh as he drags my leg over his body. It’s then I feel something hard against my inner thigh.

Oh my God.

An inappropriate flash of heat throbs between my legs and I whimper. His hand slides up over my underwear, over my ass cheek, and up my spine under my shirt. My heart hammers so hard I think my chest is going to explode.

How do I make him stop?

“Wake up,” I hiss, jerking my leg away from his erection that’s straining in his boxers. “Rowdy, wake up.”

His palm slides back down and his fingers edge beneath the hem of my underwear. I smack at his stomach to wake him. He grabs my ass cheek hard, fingers biting between the crack, and one nearly entering me there.

I twist his nipple and he jolts. His hand relaxes and his breathing evens out again.

What the hell was that all about?

And, as strong as he was and with what he was doing, why wasn’t I scared out of my wits?

I reach behind me to extract his hand from my underwear. He’s essentially dead weight as I move his palm to his stomach. Then I scoot away from him, needing distance.

I’ve barely made it a few inches when he rolls on top of me, pinning my body with his. His weight crushes me to the lumpy mattress, but at least he’s no longer feeling me up. He’s dead asleep.

All attempts to shove him off me are unsuccessful.

I guess we’re sleeping like this.

He’s going to freak out if he remembers what he’s done when he wakes up.

There’s nothing I can do about it either.

My cock pulses, aching for release.

I wake with a throbbing migraine, but all I can think about is the desire to come.