Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card (Jessie and Luke)

SWEET DREAMS JESS

I awoke slowly, my eyelids fluttering against the soft, golden morning light that spilled through the window. The sheets, crisp and white, tangled around me like a cocoon, enveloping me in warmth. His hand rested possessively against my stomach, fingers splayed as if he n I could feel the rhythm of his breath against the nape of my neck-warm, steady, a tantalizing whisper of intimacy that sent shivers cascading down my spine.

His lips brushed against my shoulder, the soft, lingering touch igniting a fire beneath my skin. A delicious shiver danced through me, melting my defenses like wax under a flame. At that moment, I'd almost forgotten the intoxicating thrill of his presence, the way the air crack "Morning," I whispered, smiling and closing my eyes, sinking back against him.

Luke didn't answer, but his fingers traced along my hip, and he kissed the base of my neck, warm and lingering. A kiss that meant he was right here, that he'd never left..

I felt him kiss me to my very core, and then his hand slipped to my stomach - resting there like he knew. But he couldn't because I haven't told him.

SWEET DREAMS

238 Wouchera

This wasn't real - this can't be real....

"Luke..." I breathed, feeling the bliss of it, wanting to hold onto this feeling forever.

But he stilled, his breath suddenly uneven. And then, his voice muffled, he whispered, "Jess... come find me."

I blinked, confusion threading into the calm. "What do you mean?" I turned my head to look at him, only to see him there, just as he'd been, staring at me with his usual soft, steady gaze.

"You're right here," I murmured, pulling his hand closer to my chest.

He didn't answer. I blinked again, and he was different. Suddenly, Luke's hair was matted to his forehead, soaking wet, and water dripped from his lips. His hand slipped from my waist, fingers clawing at his throat

as he struggled to breathe, the water spilling from his mouth in choked, desperate gasps.

"Luke!" I tried to reach him, to pull him back to me, but I couldn't move. I watched, helpless, as his eyes widened, pleading, and he mouthed words I couldn't hear, couldn't understand.

I screamed, anxiety suddenly rushing through me. Why couldn't I move? I needed to get to Luke, but I couldn't.

Then I jolted awake, gasping, drenched in sweat. I blinked, my heart racing, as my hands clutched the edges of my bed. The dark room settled around me, shadows flickering from the blue light of the TV. The news channel was on, muted, but I could still make out the word 14.04

I exhaled, pulling the blanket up to my chest as my heartbeat began to slow. Just a dream. Only a dream. But I could still feel the weight of his arm, the warmth of his hand. The image of him choking on water refused to leave my mind,

I fumbled for my phone on the nightstand and texted Laura.

Me: I had another dream... it felt so real.

Not even ten seconds later, my phone buzzed.

Laura: Me too. They need to stop. I'm not sleeping, and my exhibition is in two days. You are still flying out, right?

I let out a shaky breath, staring at her message. I had no idea what these dreams meant or why they felt more real each time.

Me: Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Laura: The OBGYN signed off? I know the dreams haven't been good for the baby?

I swallowed hard. I almost lost the baby, but that was because my body was in a stress reaction, and I didn't eat or sleep. I kept running and running, hoping I could run away from the pain, but I couldn't.

Me: She said I'm good to go. It's still early in the pregnancy so the fliht won;t have an effect and now that I'm healthy- baby is fine. Everything is fine. We will see you soon!!!

I typed out my response and hit send, but the reassurance I gave Laura felt hollow, like I was trying to convince myself just as much as her.

I closed my eyes, taking a steadying breath, but the image of

SWEET DREAMS:

Luke's face-water pouring from his mouth, his eyes full of desperation-still lingered.

I pulled my knees to my chest, running a hand absently over my stomach. The faintest swell was starting to show, a quiet, almost invisible reminder of everything I still had to live for, to fight for. I'd come close to losing this baby, and that thought scared me more than anythi I couldn't let myself fall apart again; I had to stay grounded, focused, even if everything around me felt like it was slipping through my fingers.

The dreams had been relentless since the night of the

memorial, pulling me into memories so vivid I woke up feeling Luke's presence, like he was still here, reaching out to me. But tonight's dream was different. It wasn't just a memory, or even a longing-it was something else.

A warning? A cry for help? I didn't know, and I didn't want to overthink it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still out there somewhere, trying to reach me.

The phone buzzed again, and I glanced down to see Laura's reply.

Laura: I'm so glad you're okay. Can't wait to see you. And maybe... I don't know, maybe these dreams mean something? It just feels... off.

I stared at her words, my heart pounding harder with every word. She'd felt it too. This nagging, haunting feeling that something was wrong. That they weren't just gone. Me: I feel it, too. I can't explain it, but it's like he's still here. Like

SWEET DREAMS

he's... waiting."

I hesitated, hovering over the keyboard, then sent one last

message