18+
XXXVIII
I stare at him in shock, and Edward's eyes meet mine again.
I frown. 'You don't want to kiss me?'
'I do.' He says, his voice deep and rich. 'I always want to kiss you. But I don't need that, I just need you.'
The raw honesty in his voice almost brings me to my knees and I feel my mouth drop open.
Edward studies me for a second, then moves back from me, his hands dropping to his sides as his face is consumed by shadow again.
'Can I sleep with you?' He asks quietly. 'When I was hereā¦that was the only time I've slept-'
'Okay.' I find myself saying, my heart still beating frantically in my chest.
Our footsteps on the stairs creak.
We lie on my bed, fully dressed and Edward's fingers tangle with mine as he breathes deep, slow and measured.
Palm to palm.
Holy palmers kiss.
This desire takes more, feels more.
The thirst is quenched.
I need you.
'Don't leave,' my words are a breath in the dark, soft, too quiet, too full of things that I don't want to say.
His breathing stops, just for a second.
Fingers flex, then relax.
I turn my head to face him, unable to resist.
He's turned towards me too, inches apart, oceans apart.
Our breath meets somewhere in the middle, current against current, a riptide that either of us could get caught in if we get too close.
I can barely see his face but I make out his slight nod.
The house creaks, we breathe, water trickles somewhere.
His pulse slows against my palm.
Mine copies.
My eyes close as his thumb smooths into the back of my hand, slow and soft.
I squeeze his hand gently.
Sleep now. His thumb says.
Stay. My fingers reply.
