TWELVE

We step back into our suite, the warm glow of the candles from dinner still lingering in the air. I grin, looking around the room before turning to Edward. "Oh look," I tease, "there's no elephants."

Edward chuckles, standing casually, holding a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other. His eyes glint with amusement as I step further into the room, already buzzing from the wine we had over dinner.

I glance back at him, feeling the playful energy between us, and without saying a word, I begin to lift my dress over my head. The silky fabric slides off easily, and I can feel his eyes on me, watching every movement. I'm left standing in nothing but my lacey underwear, the cool air brushing against my skin.

Edward's gaze darkens, and I can see the way his grip tightens around the bottle of wine. He's completely engrossed, his eyes trailing over me as I reach behind to unhook my bra, letting it slip to the floor. Finally, I slide my panties off, letting them join the pile of clothes at my feet.

"Come get me, you sex king," I grin, my voice low and teasing. And before he can react, I turn and run toward the pool out on the balcony, exposed by the opened tent curtains. I feel the adrenaline rush through me as I jump in, the water splashing up around me as I sink into its refreshing depths.

I tread water in the middle of the pool, the cool sensation of the water a refreshing contrast to the heat that still lingers from the night. I glance back at Edward, who's still standing at the edge of the room, watching me with a smouldering gaze. The bottle of wine and glasses are still in his hands, but his eyes haven't left me since I ran into the pool.

I grin, feeling the teasing energy between us build. "What are you waiting for? The elephants?" I call out, floating on my back as the water laps gently against my skin.

Edward sets the wine and glasses down on a nearby table with deliberate slowness, his eyes never leaving mine. His smirk widens as he begins to unbutton his shirt, the playful tension between us thickening. One by one, the buttons come undone, and my pulse quickens as I watch him strip down.

He doesn't rush—he takes his time, letting me watch, letting the anticipation build. His shirt hits the ground, followed by his pants and finally his boxers. My eyes can't help but drop. THAT is MY man… He's so well hung it's a crime. The moonlight casts a soft glow over his muscular body as he steps closer to the pool, his eyes locked on mine. I've hit the fucking jackpot.

With a quick, smooth movement, he dives into the water, disappearing beneath the surface before popping up in front of me, his hands immediately finding my waist. The warmth of his body against mine under the water sends a thrill through me, and I can't help but laugh softly as he pulls me closer.

He leans in, his lips grazing my neck, his voice low and full of heat. "You're naughty making me chase after you."

I laugh, the sound soft and breathless as I tangle my fingers in his wet hair. "Maybe I like being caught."

Edward's lips find mine in a deep, heated kiss, and for a moment, the world fades away. The water sways around us, the cool night air brushing against our skin, but all I can focus on is the feeling of him—his touch, his kiss, the way his hands grip my waist with just the right amount of pressure.

I grin mischievously, leaning back slightly in the water as Edward holds me close. The playful energy between us has only grown, and without warning, I splash water right into his face.

Edward blinks, momentarily stunned as the water trickles down his face. His mouth opens in mock surprise, and for a second, we just stare at each other. Then, he shakes his head, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, you're going to regret that," he says, his voice full of playful menace.

Before I can react, he splashes me back—sending a wave of water over my head. I laugh, the sound bubbling up as I try to dodge him, but Edward's grip on my waist tightens, and he pulls me right back into the water, laughing along with me.

"Not fair!" I gasp, trying to splash him again, but I can't stop giggling long enough to get another hit in.

Edward's laughter mixes with mine, and for a few moments, we're like kids in the pool, splashing and teasing each other without a care in the world. It's easy, fun, and it feels like we're the only two people on the planet.

Finally, breathless from laughter, I lean against him, my hands resting on his shoulders as the water calms around us. "Truce?" I ask, still grinning.

Edward leans in, his lips brushing against mine as he smirks. "Truce… for now."

As we stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, the splashing subsides, leaving us both catching our breath. The playful energy between us has simmered into something softer, more intimate. I rest my forehead against Edward's, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest as we hold each other in the cool water.

The night air is warm against my skin, and I glance up at the sky, the stars twinkling overhead, reflected in the still water around us. It's peaceful, perfect, and for a moment, I can't imagine being anywhere else but here, with him.

"You know," Edward says after a beat of silence, his voice thoughtful, "I think this might be my favourite place in the world."

I raise an eyebrow, tilting my head to look at him. "Really? Why?"

He smiles, his gaze soft as he looks at me. "Because you're here."

My heart skips a beat at his words, and I can't help but smile back, feeling warmth bloom in my chest. "You're such a romantic," I tease, though the sincerity in my voice is undeniable.

He shrugs, his hands still tracing gentle patterns on my skin. "Maybe, but I mean it."

I lean in, brushing my lips against his in a soft kiss, and for a few moments, we simply stand there, lost in the warmth of each other's presence. The rest of the world feels so far away—right now, it's just us, wrapped up in this perfect, quiet moment.

Finally, I pull back slightly, resting my head against his shoulder as we sway gently in the water. "This feels… like a total dream," I whisper, more to myself than to him, "I'm living out every girl's fantasy."

Edward chuckles softly, his hand moving up and down my spine in a soothing manner. "I'm glad I could be a part of it," he replies with a smile, brushing a wet strand of hair away from my face.

As we stand there, content in each other's warmth, the air around us grows cooler but I couldn't feel more warm. The stars provide a ceiling of magic as I continue to fall further into his aura.

The water ripples gently around us, the world quiet except for the soft sound of our breaths mingling in the night air. I rest my head against Edward's chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my cheek. The moment feels so right, like it's all leading up to this.

Slowly, I let my hand slip between us, my fingers lightly moving over his skin as I trace delicate patterns around him. I feel him tense under my touch, his breath catching slightly as his grip on me tightens.

"I think I'm falling for you," I whisper softly, my voice barely audible above the stillness of the water. "But… I guess that's stating the total obvious."

Edward's breath hitches, and I can feel the way his heart races against my cheek. He pulls back slightly, just enough to look down at me, his green eyes full of something deep and unspoken.

"I've already fallen," he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. There's a vulnerability in his gaze that I haven't seen before, something that tells me he's holding back words he's been dying to say.

My heart skips a beat, and I meet his gaze, feeling the weight of the moment settle between us. "You want to say it, don't you?"

Edward's lips part, but no words come out—his hesitation clear. I reach up, cupping his cheek, my thumb brushing lightly across his skin. "Say it if you want," I whisper, my voice low and full of promise, "see what happens."

Edward's breath comes out in a shaky laugh, but his eyes never leave mine, the intensity of the moment building between us. He leans in, his lips brushing against mine as he whispers the words that make my heart stop.

"I love you."

Suddenly, he scoops me up effortlessly, and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him as the water ripples around us. His hands grip my thighs, holding me close as he looks into my eyes, his gaze intense and full of emotion.

"I'm so fucking in love with you," he whispers, his voice low but filled with a depth that takes my breath away.

I smile, feeling the warmth of his words sink into me like a flame spreading through my chest. Leaning in, I press my lips close to his ear, my voice soft but full of everything I feel. "I love you too, Edward," I whisper.

Edward lets out a shaky breath, his hands gripping me even tighter as he pulls me closer, pressing his forehead against mine. The moment feels electric, like nothing else in the world matters but the two of us, here in this perfect, secluded place, wrapped in each other.

His hands begin to trail up my back, his fingers gentle but firm as they slide over my skin, and I lean into him, my heart racing with anticipation. My legs stay wrapped around his waist, pulling him even closer as our lips meet again, soft at first, but quickly deepening with a passion that feels almost overwhelming.

"I can't believe how much I need you right now," Edward whispers against my lips, his voice low and full of urgency, "more than ever."

"What do you want?" I whisper.

"To fuck you in this pool," He begins to walk slowly toward the edge, keeping us in the water, carrying me against his body.

I feel the wall of the pool gently against my back.

"Uh oh. Is dirty prince back? What if I told you I have been waiting for you to fuck me in this pool since I saw it." I grin.

Edward chuckles and leans down, his lips brushing against my ear before he speaks. "A dirty princess for this dirty prince. I like it," he breathes.

He lifts me up slightly, using one hand to support my back as he lines himself up with my entrance. I moan softly as he penetrates me without wasting another second. He begins to slowly thrust into me, the friction of our bodies sending waves through the water around us.

"Fuck, you feel so good," he groans, his movements growing more urgent. His other hand finds its way to my breast, massaging and teasing the sensitive flesh as he drives deeper into me.

I arch my back, meeting his thrusts with equal fervour. "Oh God, Edward," I gasp, feeling my orgasm building fast. The water around us sparkles with the stars above, creating a breathtaking backdrop for our intimate moment.

Edward picks up the pace, his hips moving faster as he takes me harder. I can feel the heat between us growing stronger, the water turning into steam around us. He leans down, capturing my lips in a deep, passionate kiss as he thrusts deeper still. My hands grip his back, desperate for more.

"I don't want to come yet," I pout, "I'm not ready for this to end."

Edward smiles against my lips, his eyes filled with love and desire. He slows down his thrusts, drawing out the pleasure for us both. "Not yet, my love, not yet," he whispers between kisses.

I can feel his cock pulsing inside me, filling me up completely. The sensation is both exhilarating and comforting at the same time.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, leaning down to place tender kisses on my jawline and down my neck. His hips start moving again, this time in a slow, steady rhythm that matches the beating of our hearts.

Time seems to stand still as we make love under the stars. The world around us fades into insignificance as we are consumed by our passion and love for each other. The water turns into a warm embrace as we lose ourselves in the moment.

Eventually, I feel my orgasm building, growing stronger with each passing second. Edward picks up on my cues, his thrusts becoming more urgent as he, too, approaches the climax.

"I love you so much," he groans, his body tensing as he feels his release.

Heat from our bodies fills the pool as we continue to move together, our hearts beating in perfect sync. And then it hits me - an explosion of pleasure that makes me see stars.

We lean into each other, panting heavily but filled with an indescribable joy. After what feels like an eternity, Edward finally pulls out of me, leaving behind a trail of desire and love.

The world narrows to just Edward and me—nothing else exists beyond the heat of our bodies, the soft lapping of the water around us.

As I rest against Edward, my breathing finally steadying, I feel his body shift slightly beneath mine. A soft smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as he looks over my shoulder, his gaze fixed on something beyond us.

I furrow my brow in confusion. "What is it?"

Edward chuckles softly, tilting his head toward the savanna. "Looks like we had an audience after all."

I turn in his arms, my eyes widening as I spot them—elephants, their massive forms looming gracefully in the distance. They're closer than I expected, their large, gentle eyes watching us curiously as they meander slowly across the landscape.

I gasp, my breath catching in my throat. "Oh my God," I whisper, my eyes fixed on the majestic creatures. "Did they… did they see…?"

Edward laughs softly, pulling me closer as he wraps his arm around my waist. "Looks like they caught the end of our show."

I feel my cheeks flush as I lean into him, my eyes still locked on the elephants. "They're so close…"

Edward presses a soft kiss to the side of my head, his voice low and full of affection. "Did you know elephants have incredibly strong emotional bonds?" he asks, his tone shifting to something more thoughtful. "They form lifelong partnerships, and they grieve deeply when they lose a loved one."

I glance up at him, listening as he continues.

"They also show affection by touching and nuzzling each other, just like we do," he adds, his fingers brushing lightly across my skin as if to emphasise his point.

I smile, feeling a warmth spread through me at his words. "They're beautiful," I murmur, my gaze drifting back to the elephants as they continue their slow, peaceful journey across the savanna.

Edward tightens his grip around me, his voice soft in my ear. "Kind of like us, don't you think?"

I laugh, shaking my head slightly. "Maybe we're the elephants in this relationship."

He chuckles, his breath warm against my skin. "I wouldn't mind that. Come on… they won't be able to watch the second act."

"Second act?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Let's move this party to the shower," he nods with a grin.

"Is this entire trip just going to be about sex?" I tilt my head.

Edward laughs heartily at my question. "Well, isn't that the best part of any trip? Besides, we're not going to stop at just sex. We'll explore the city, try new food, go sightseeing. But when you're with me, love, the sex is always going to be a highlight." He winks and helps me out of the pool, leading me towards the villa.