FATE - can a person in one lifetime fall in love with the same person twice?

Chapter 39

It was morning when I opened my eyes, my face nestled comfortably near his neck. A soft smile crept onto my face—I’d found my favorite spot to wake up in, enveloped by his warmth. Gently, I lifted my head to look at him, noticing he was still asleep. He was wearing that familiar white shirt, and I couldn't help but smile. Then I remembered that he’d made me take it off that night, and my smile turned into a playful pout.

Suddenly, I felt something move against the small of my back—his hand, warm and resting beneath my shirt. Is he awake? I wondered, but his eyes remained closed, his breathing steady.

His hand shifted again, sliding downward to my hips before gliding back up along my spine. Then he traced along my stomach, sending a flutter of butterflies through me. His fingers drifted lower, lingering just at my waist, and just as he was about to move further down, I couldn’t take it any longer—I jumped back, heat rushing to my cheeks.

“What’s wrong?” he murmured, waking up and blinking at me, while I sat on the edge of the bed with my face buried in my hands.

“Your hand…” I mumbled, pointing towards him, my cheeks burning.

He followed my gaze to his hand, which he quickly pulled away, his face turning the faintest shade of pink. He looked flustered for a moment, and then he did the most unexpected thing—he blushed. Oh my God, I thought, he's driving me crazy with these new reactions.

“I… I didn’t realize,” he muttered, trying to hide a grin. “I must’ve been half-dreaming, half-awake.”

“You… what?” I asked, my voice a little breathless. “You dreamt that?”

“Oh, yes,” he replied, leaning a little closer, his eyes gleaming. “You have no idea the things I dream about.”

My face turned a deeper shade of red as I pushed him away, my heart racing with every mischievous word he whispered.

"This shirt," I said, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. "You made me take it off in front of you."

“Yes, I did.”

“But… why?”

He looked at me with a soft but intense gaze. “Because I wanted to feel you close to me.”

“Oh…” My voice faltered, and my cheeks warmed.

He continued, his tone dropping to a murmur, “When I saw you in my shirt, it was so hard not to think about all the things I wanted to do with you.”

I looked at him, already regretting I’d brought this up. His words stirred something within me, but I couldn’t deny my own hesitation. Taking a deep breath, I slipped out of bed, needing some space.

“I want to take everything slowly, Eden,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I know we love each other, but… I need time.”

He nodded, his expression softening as he watched me. “As you wish,” he replied gently, respecting my pace without question.

Eden’s gentle response reassured me, and the warmth in his eyes made my heart ache a little. As much as I loved being close to him, I needed to know we were moving forward in a way that felt right.

I busied myself gathering my clothes from the chair by the window, but I could feel his gaze following me, warm and steady, never pressuring. After a moment, I glanced over my shoulder at him, catching the faint smile on his face.

“You’re thinking something,” I said, narrowing my eyes playfully.

He chuckled, pushing himself up against the headboard. “Only wondering how I got so lucky.”