THIRTEEN

BPOV

The early morning sun rises over the savanna, casting long shadows across the grassy plains as the jeep bumps along the dusty path. I grip the edge of the seat, excitement bubbling in my chest as the landscape stretches out endlessly in front of us. The sky is a brilliant blue, and the air is crisp, filled with the sounds of the wild—birds chirping, distant animal calls, and the occasional rustling of the tall grasses as we drive past.

Edward sits beside me, his arm resting casually along the back of the seat, but there's an eagerness in his eyes that matches mine. The guide up front chats casually about what we might see today, but my mind is racing, imagining all the incredible animals we're about to encounter.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," I whisper, leaning closer to Edward.

He grins, his green eyes sparkling in the morning light. "I told you, only the best experiences."

I smile, feeling the warmth of his hand on my back as he gently rubs small circles. "I don't think anything could top this."

As we drive deeper into the savanna, the guide slows the jeep to a stop and gestures ahead. "Look over there," he says, pointing into the distance.

I follow his gaze, my breath catching in my throat as I spot them—giraffes, their long necks gracefully stretching toward the trees as they nibble on leaves. They move slowly, their patterned coats blending into the landscape like they're part of the scenery itself.

I gasp, clutching Edward's arm. "Look at them!"

He leans in close, his voice full of warmth. "They're amazing, aren't they?"

I nod, completely captivated by the sight before us. It feels surreal—like we've stepped into a different world, one where nature reigns and everything is pure and untouched.

The jeep continues on, and soon we spot zebras grazing in the distance, their black-and-white stripes standing out against the golden grass. Elephants move slowly along a riverbank, their massive forms silhouetted against the horizon.

Every sight, every moment, feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I can't help but feel a deep sense of awe at the beauty of it all.

The jeep slows to a near stop, and our guide holds up a hand, signalling for silence. My heart races as I follow his gaze, searching the tall grasses ahead. Then I see them—lions, their golden fur blending almost perfectly with the savanna. The male, with his massive mane, lies lazily under the shade of a tree, while a few cubs play nearby.

I nudge Edward gently, and he leans in closer, both of us whispering so as not to disturb the scene. "Look at them," I breathe, my eyes wide with awe. "They're incredible."

Edward nods, his gaze fixed on the majestic animals before us. "They really are."

As we watch, I realise something is missing. I glance over at our guide and whisper, "Where are the females?"

The guide smiles softly, his voice low as he explains. "They're out hunting, doing all the work for the pride. The females bring the food back to the males and cubs. It's the lionesses who do most of the heavy lifting."

I smirk, glancing over at Edward. "Do they now?"

He raises an eyebrow, catching the playful tone in my voice. "Careful, Bella. Are you implying something?"

I grin, leaning in a little closer. "I'm just saying… maybe the lionesses are the real rulers of the pride."

Edward chuckles softly, shaking his head. "I wouldn't argue with that."

The male lion barely lifts his head, basking in the sun as if the world revolves around him. I lean in closer to Edward, lowering my voice to a whisper.

"What a lazy king," I tease, smirking as I glance up at him.

Edward chuckles softly, his eyes still fixed on the lions. "It's all part of the job," he whispers back, playing along. "You get to look regal while everyone else does the work."

I raise an eyebrow, pretending to look thoughtful. "So, is that how you see yourself?"

He grins, his green eyes twinkling. "Only when necessary."

As the jeep moves on, we leave the lions behind and make our way deeper into the savanna. The landscape shifts, revealing new sights and sounds—rhinos grazing in the distance, their massive forms lumbering through the grass, and a group of hippos wallowing in a nearby river. Each moment feels more magical than the last, and I can't help but smile as I take it all in.

Edward sits beside me, his hand resting comfortably on my leg, and I reach over to lace my fingers through his. The warmth of his touch feels grounding in the midst of such wild beauty, and for a moment, everything feels perfect.

I glance over at him, a playful grin on my face. "You know," I begin softly, "I think I love you even more now… even if you're a lazy king."

Edward chuckles, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He turns toward me, gently cupping my face in his hands. "A lazy king, huh?" he teases.

I nod, grinning up at him. "But I suppose you make up for it in other ways."

He leans in, his lips brushing softly against mine in a kiss that's slow and full of warmth. When he pulls back, he whispers, "My fierce lioness."

The words send a flutter through my chest, and I can't help but smile, feeling the depth of his affection in every touch, every glance. Wrapped in the beauty of the wild, it feels like we're exactly where we're meant to be.

The warmth of the late afternoon sun filters through the tent as we step back into our suite. The day's safari adventure has left me feeling pleasantly exhausted, and I can't help but yawn as I stretch my arms over my head, feeling the tension in my muscles ease.

Edward chuckles beside me, shaking his head as he watches me. "Looks like someone could use a nap."

I give him a playful smirk. "Maybe I could, but you're one to talk."

He motions toward the bed, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Go on, take a nap. I need to call my father anyway."

I nod, stepping closer to him, and lean in for a soft kiss. As I pull back, I raise an eyebrow, teasing him. "You sure you don't want me to go hunt?"

Edward laughs, shaking his head before giving me a playful smack on the ass. "Don't get cheeky."

I grin, my eyes twinkling with mischief as I turn and head toward the bed. "Fine, fine. I'll leave the hunting to the real lioness."

I watch Edward as he picks up his phone, already preparing to make the call to his father. A part of me considers actually taking that nap he suggested, but then a different idea crosses my mind—one that brings a mischievous grin to my face.

As I slip off the bed and make my way to the bathroom, the soft, golden light of the room highlights the intricate details of the Belle-inspired lingerie set in my hands. The delicate lace and sheer fabric cling to my body, leaving little to the imagination. The black high knee boots add a touch of sultry to the ensemble, making me feel confident and seductive.

The bathroom is dimly lit, with soft light filtering in through the intricately designed curtains. The gold and lace lingerie glimmers against my skin, the delicate details highlighting my curves. Despite the darkness, I can still make out the intricate stitching on the crotchless panties and the way the high knee boots elongate my legs.

I glance at myself in the mirror, admiring the reflection of the Belle-inspired lingerie set, the deep gold fabric hugging my body in all the right places.

I'd been planning this since the idea of this holiday came up.

Feeling bold, I step back into the room, carrying a rose. Sauntering over to where he sits. He's quiet, listening to his father.

That's when I slide into his lap.

EPOV

Fuck.