EIGHT

BPOV

The soft morning light filters through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. I stir, half asleep, feeling the comforting weight of Edward's body entangled with mine. His warmth surrounds me, and for a moment, it feels like nothing else exists but us—just this perfect, quiet morning.

I moan softly as his hand moves between my legs, his touch gentle but deliberate. My eyes flutter open, and the first thing I see is him, lying beside me, watching me with that familiar, lazy smile.

His emerald eyes bore into mine, filled with a familiar hunger. I can't help but shiver under the intensity of his gaze. Slowly, his hand trails up my thigh, sending tingles of anticipation through my body. I lean in, capturing his lips in a deep, passionate kiss, all thoughts of the outside world slipping away.

Our kisses grow more heated, desperate, as the need for each other builds.

Edward's eyes shine with adoration, a smile playing on his swollen lips. "Good morning, my dear," he murmurs, voice thick with emotion. I smile back, tracing the line of his jaw.

"It's a perfect morning," I whisper, snuggling closer. In this intimate moment, nothing else matters but the two of us, wrapped in each other's embrace.

"I have to fly home today," he whispers, his breath warm against my skin, as I feel his finger tip find it's home on my clit.

I sigh, wishing we could stay in this blissful bubble forever. "Do you have to?" I murmur, arching into his touch as pleasure blossoms within me.

"Unfortunately," he says, his voice laced with regret. "But I'll be back as soon as I can. I can't bear to be away from you for long."

I shift my legs apart wider, gasping as he pushes an expert finger inside me, casually as if he's not making the room around us crumble.

"These stolen moments with you are the only thing that makes the distance bearable," he confessed, his voice laced with longing.

My arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer as he shifts to slightly hover over me. My heart races, and for a moment, I let myself get lost to the rhythm of his hand.

His touch was electric, igniting a fire within me that threatened to consume us both. I arched into him, craving more of his skilled caresses.

"When will I see you again?" I moan quietly.

"I'll be back in a few weeks," he promises, his voice low and sincere. "Paris won't keep me away for long."

I nod, knowing I should be content with that answer, but the idea of him leaving feels heavier than I expected. Still, I cling to the moment, holding him close as if I can keep him here just a little longer.

"Edward," I breathed, my voice thick with desire. "I have to admit… I don't want you to go."

Edward's hand continues it's slow, teasing pace. I bite my lip, my breath catching slightly as he leans down and presses soft kisses along my jawline.

"I'll just have to give you something to remember me by," he murmurs against my skin, his voice low and full of that smooth, teasing edge that makes my pulse race, "to feel you come on my hand."

Then he ditches the slow act completely, causing my eyes to roll back.

His fingers moved with skilled precision, coaxing wave after wave of delicious pleasure from my body. I arch up into him, my hands gripping his shoulders as my breath came in ragged gasps.

"Edward..." I moaned, my voice thick with desire. "Don't stop, please..."

He kissed me deeply, swallowing my cries as his thumb circled my swollen clit. The sensations were almost too much, building rapidly until I was teetering on the edge.

"That's it," he murmured against my lips.

With a strangled cry, I shattered, my inner walls clenching around his fingers as bliss consumed me. Edward held me close, guiding me through the aftershocks with tender caresses.

When the last tremors had subsided, I opened my eyes to find him gazing at me with pure adoration. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, then slowly withdrew his hand.

"I'm going to miss this," he sighed, nuzzling my neck. "Waking up with you in my arms, feeling your body respond to my touch."

I ran my fingers through his tousled hair, savouring the intimacy of this moment. "Then come back to me as soon as you can," I pleaded.

His expression turned serious. "I will, I promise."

Something nags at the back of my mind, and before I can stop myself, the words slip out.

"Are you going to tell your family about me?"

Edward pauses for a second, his lips hovering just above my skin. He sighs softly before answering. "I've told my uncle Carlisle already. He knows, but… my parents? They're complicated."

I look up at him, trying to read his expression. "So, you're waiting?"

He nods, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Yeah. I'll wait until the time is right. I need to come up with the best way to protect you."

I bite my lip, nodding in understanding, though part of me wonders what "complicated" really means in his world. But before I can dwell on it too much, his fingers dip lower, and I let out a soft moan, the sound escaping before I can stop it.

Edward's eyes darken slightly, and his hand moves more purposefully now, his touch firm but still gentle. "Don't worry," he whispers, his voice smooth, "they'll know. In time."

I swallow hard, but my mind is still reeling. "What are we, then?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Edward's lips twitch into a soft smile, his gaze warm. "I suppose we're dating."

I grin wildly and shove him back onto the bed.

"In that case I suppose I better give you a parting gift too," I pull the sheets off myself.

The morning passes in a blissful haze, the warmth of Edward's body against mine, his touch lingering even after he finally pulls away. But now we're standing by the door, and the reality of him leaving is starting to sink in. I watch him, already dressed and ready to go, but I can't bring myself to let him walk out.

I step closer, reaching for his hand, my heart sinking at the thought of him leaving so soon. "You don't have to go yet," I whisper, tugging him gently toward me.

Edward smiles softly, leaning down to press a light kiss to my lips. "I do. My flight…"

I cut him off with another kiss, my lips lingering on his, unwilling to let go. "Just a few more minutes," I whisper against his mouth.

He laughs softly, his hands resting on my waist as he leans in, kissing me again. "If I keep kissing you, I'm never going to make it to that flight."

"Then stay," I murmur, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him again, this time slower, deeper, as if I can keep him here with me just a little longer. I feel his arms tighten around me, his lips moving against mine, and for a moment, it feels like he's about to give in.

But then he pulls back slightly, resting his forehead against mine with a sigh. "Bella…"

"I know," I whisper, though I can't stop myself from pressing another kiss to the corner of his mouth, my hands gripping the front of his shirt. "I just don't want you to leave."

He smiles against my lips, his voice soft. "I don't want to leave either."

I kiss him again, slower this time, savouring the warmth of his lips on mine. It's hard to let him go, harder than I thought it would be. But as I pull him closer, feeling his hands trace lightly up my back, I realise I don't care about the flight or anything else right now.

For a few more moments, I just want to stay wrapped up in him.

"I promise, I'll be back soon," he says, his voice quiet but reassuring. His green eyes meet mine, and I know he means it.

"I'll hold you to that," I reply, my voice tinged with a smile, though my hands still cling to him, not quite ready to let go. I press one last kiss to his lips, slow and sweet, like a silent plea to make these last few moments stretch on just a little longer.

"I'll be thinking about you the entire time," Edward whispers against my lips, his breath warm and steady, even as his hands reluctantly start to loosen their grip on me.

I sigh, my hands trailing down his chest as I finally step back, giving him the space he needs to go. "You'd better."

Edward smiles, that same soft, reassuring smile that I'm growing obsessed with. He gently cups my face with one hand, brushing his thumb along my cheek before he leans in to kiss my forehead.

"Take care of yourself until I'm back," he murmurs.

I nod, watching him as he moves toward the door, the absence of his warmth already making the room feel a little colder. I bite my lip, resisting the urge to pull him back one last time.

He turns at the door, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he finally opens it and steps out.

And then he's gone, leaving me standing in the doorway, heart still racing, the echo of his promise hanging in the air.