He stepped back into the room to see Aspen’s eyes now scrunched, her chest moving faster, air whooshing in and out of her.
She was having a nightmare.
“Stop.”
His muscles tensed at her word. At the fear woven through her voice. He set the Glock onto the dresser and inched closer.
She rolled to her back, her chest moving faster again, breaths deep.
What was he supposed to do? Leave her? Wake her? Walking away when she was clearly in pain went against every protective instinct inside him.
“No!”
That single word…it was so filled with pain that it gutted him. It also propelled him forward. He perched on the edge of her bed. “Aspen.”
Her eyes squeezed tight again, her breathing almost sounding like cries.
“Aspen!” He gripped her shoulders. “Wake up.”
When she still didn’t, he gave her a gentle shake.
One more scrunch of her eyes and they flickered open. But the second her gaze hit him, she screamed and swung her fist. He dodged it easily before lifting his hands up in defense.
“Whoa, Aspen, it’s me, Jesse!”
Her brows flickered, breaths still too fast. “Jesse? I…I couldn’t see you in the dark.”
“It’s me, honey. You’re safe.”
She turned her head to look around the room, as if needing confirmation of exactly where she was. “I’m in Amber Ridge.”
“You are.” He frowned. “Where were you in your nightmare?”
“Misty Peak.”
“Do you have nightmares about Misty Peak often?”
“I…” She looked back at him and shook her head. “I’m sorry, what are you doing in my room?”
“I heard you.”
Her brows shot up. “You heard me? From your room? Jesus, I’m a mess. What time is it?”
He hadn’t actually checked the time. He hit the screen of her phone on the bedside table. “Three a.m.”
“Three?” Her gaze moved down his bare chest. “You were asleep, and I was so loud I woke you.” She pushed up and ran her fingers through her hair.
“I’m a light sleeper.”
She shook her head. “It shouldn’t have happened at all.”
“What were you dreaming about?”
Even though it was quiet, he didn’t miss the sharp intake of air. “It was…”
A visible shudder rolled down her body, and all he wanted to do was hold her. Wrap her in his arms and chase the dream away.
“I don’t remember,” she whispered.
