Page 2 of Pocketful of Us

"You should have seen his face, Ro." A small laugh of contentment escaped him. "He was so pissed."

So unbelievably relieved to have his arms around me, I clenched my eyes shut and absorbed the heat of his skin against mine, the sound of his beating heart as it thudded steadily in his chest.

Strong and steady.

Fearless and safe.

A sob of relief escaped me and Sketch stiffened. In one swift movement, he was sitting up with me straddling his lap. "What happened?" His hands were on my shoulders and the moonlight wafting through my window illuminated the concern in his eyes. "Another dream?"

"Yes… No… I don’t know anymore." Sniffling, I shook my head and then nodded, feeling both conflicted and concerned. "It always feels so real, Sketch, and it's getting worse." Shivering violently, I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him. "Just…just don’t be late again, 'kay?"

"Okay," he whispered, hands moving to my hips. "I won't be late again."

"And don’t go, okay? Don’t leave me alone at night."

"I never leave you at night, Ro." His voice was laced with confusion when he added, "I sleep here every night." Reaching up to cup my face, he wiped the tears from my cheeks with both thumbs and pressed a kiss to my lips. "I've got you, baby," he whispered, pulling back to study my face. "Always."

Trembling, I leaned my face into his touch. "Can you do one more thing for me?"

"Anything."

Swallowing back a sob, I took one of his hands in mine and placed it inside the thin fabric of my nightie.

"Ro, wh-what are you doing?" He sounded nervous and unsure. "I'm, ah, should we be doing this right now? I thought that we agreed we weren't ready for –"

"Please," I begged, tears still trickling down my cheeks as I pressed his hand to my small breast and held it there. "I need you to make it go away." Shuddering, I rested my head on his broad shoulder, absorbing the feel of his hand on my skin as it eliminated the touch of the man from my dreams. "Make the dreams go away, Sketch."

Breathing hard and ragged, Sketch hooked an arm around my waist and pulled my body flush to his. "Like this?" he asked, keeping his hand pressed to my bare breast, his touch achingly gentle. "Is this what you want?" Leaning close, he pressed his brow to mine. "Tell me what you need, Ro."

"More," I sobbed, reaching a hand between our bodies to pull at the hem of my nightie. "I need more." A deep shiver rolled through me as I yanked the fabric over my head. "I need to feel you everywhere."

When I bared myself entirely to him, Sketch went completely rigid. "Ro…"

"It's okay." Still sniffling, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his before rolling onto my back and taking him with me. "We don’t have to do anything," I breathed against his lips. "I just need to feel your skin on mine tonight."

His breath fanned my lips as his touch caused my skin to break out in the most glorious goose pimples. "You know I'll give you whatever you want, right?" Pressing another soft kiss to my lips, he leaned his weight down on me, smothering my body in delicious warmth. "I'll do anything for you." Our lips brushed softly, slowly, sweetly. It was everything and not enough all at once. "Can you feel my heart?" he asked then, tone soft and coaxing. I immediately knew what he was trying to do; distract me. "It's bucking like crazy in my chest." He kissed me again, deeper this time. "Just for you, Ro. Since forever and..."

"For always," I finished for him, wrapping my arms and legs around him. "I feel you, Sketch. I feel all of you."

"I've got your back, angel. I'll chase your demons," he whispered against my lips, cloaking me in a blanket of security and love. "All you have to do is dream of us instead…"

Tenderly stroking my nose with his, he pressed his lips to my ears and began to recite the lyrics of The Everly Brothers'All I Have to do is Dreamin my ear.

Nuzzling me like I was his favorite person in the whole entire world, he quietly hummed my favorite lullaby in my ear.

It was sweet and innocent and the lyrics cloaked me in warmth.

"Whenever you're scared, all you have to do is think of this song, Ro," he whispered. "Even if I'm not around, just sing the words and I'll hear it and protect you."

"How?"

"I just will."

"You promise?"

"Yeah, Ro, I promise."

Shivering into his touch, I clung to his big body as he slowly comforted me back to sleep…

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