3 eclipse月食-第56部分

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entertained。　He　was　having　fun。　
I　glared　at　him；　trying　to　ignore　the　way　his　smile　made　my　heart　react。　
“Are　you？”　he　pressed。　
“Ugh！”　I　groaned。　“No。　I’m　not。　Are　you　happy　now？”　
His　smile　was　blinding。　“Exceptionally。”　
I　groaned　again。　
“Aren’t　you　happy　at　all？”　
He　kissed　me　again　before　I　could　answer。　Another　toopersuasive　kiss。　
“A　little　bit；”　I　admitted　when　I　could　speak。　“But　not　about　getting　married。”　
He　kissed　me　another　time。　“Do　you　get　the　feeling　that　everything　is　backward？”　he　laughed　in　my　ear。　
“Traditionally；　shouldn’t　you　be　arguing　my　side；　and　I　yours？”　
“There　isn’t　much　that’s　traditional　about　you　and　me。”　
“True。”　
He　kissed　me　again；　and　kept　going　until　my　heart　was　racing　and　my　skin　was　flushed。　
“Look；　Edward；”　I　murmured；　my　voice　wheedling；　when　he　paused　to　kiss　the　palm　of　my　hand。　“I　said　I　
would　marry　you；　and　I　will。　I　promise。　I　swear。　If　you　want；　I’ll　sign　a　contract　in　my　own　blood。”　
“Not　funny；”　he　murmured　against　the　inside　of　my　wrist。　
“What　I’m　saying　is　this　—　I’m　not　going　to　trick　you　or　anything。　You　know　me　better　than　that。　So　
there’s　really　no　reason　to　wait。　We’re　pletely　alone　—　how　often　does　that　happen？　—　and　you’ve　
provided　this　very　large　and　fortable　bed。　。　。　。”　
“Not　tonight；”　he　said　again。　
“Don’t　you　trust　me？”　
“Of　course　I　do。”　
Using　the　hand　that　he　was　still　kissing；　I　pulled　his　face　back　up　to　where　I　could　see　his　expression。　
“Then　what’s　the　problem？　It’s　not　like　you　didn’t　know　you　were　going　to　win　in　the　end。”　I　frowned　and　
muttered；　“You　always　win。”　
“Just　hedging　my　bets；”　he　said　calmly。　
“There’s　something　else；”　I　guessed；　my　eyes　narrowing。　There　was　a　defensiveness　about　his　face；　a　faint　
hint　of　some　secret　motive　he　was　trying　to　hide　behind　his　casual　manner。　“Are　you　planning　to　go　back　on　
your　word？”　
“No；”　he　promised　solemnly。　“I　swear　to　you；　we　will　try。　After　you　marry　me。”　
I　shook　my　head；　and　laughed　glumly。　“You　make　me　feel　like　a　villain　in　a　melodrama　—　twirling　my　
mustache　while　I　try　to　steal　some　poor　girl’s　virtue。”　

　His　eyes　were　wary　as　they　flashed　across　my　face；　then　he　quickly　ducked　down　to　press　his　lips　against　
my　collarbone。　
　“That’s　it；　isn’t　it？”　The　short　laugh　that　escaped　me　was　more　shocked　than　amused。　“You’re　trying　to　
protect　your　virtue！”　I　covered　my　mouth　with　my　hand　to　muffle　the　giggle　that　followed。　The　words　were　so　。　
。　。　oldfashioned。　
　“No；　silly　girl；”　he　muttered　against　my　shoulder。　“I’m　trying　to　protect　yours。　And　you’re　making　it　
shockinglydifficult。”　
　“Of　all　the　ridiculous　—”　
　“Let　me　ask　you　something；”　he　interrupted　quickly。　“We’ve　had　this　discussion　before；　but　humor　me。　
How　many　people　in　this　room　have　a　soul？　A　shot　at　heaven；　or　whatever　there　is　after　this　life？”　
　“Two；”　I　answered　immediately；　my　voice　fierce。　
　“All　right。　Maybe　that’s　true。　Now；　there’s　a　world　full　of　dissension　about　this；　but　the　vast　majority　seem　
to　think　that　there　are　some　rules　that　have　to　be　followed。”　
　“Vampire　rules　aren’t　enough　for　you？　You　want　to　worry　about　the　human　ones　too？”　
　“It　couldn’t　hurt。”　He　shrugged。　“Just　in　case。”　
　I　glared　at　him　through　narrowed　eyes。　
　“Now；　of　course；　it　might　be　too　late　for　me；　even　if　you　are　right　about　my　soul。”　
　“No；　it　isn’t；”　I　argued　angrily。　
　“‘Thou　shalt　not　kill’　is　monly　accepted　by　most　major　belief　systems。　And　I’ve　killed　a　lot　of　people；　
Bella。”　
　“Only　the　bad　ones。”　
　He　shrugged。　“Maybe　that　counts；　maybe　it　doesn’t。　But　you　haven’t　killed　anyone　—”　
　“That　you　know　about；”　I　muttered。　
　He　smiled；　but　otherwise　ignored　the　interruption。　“And　I’m　going　to　do　my　best　to　keep　you　out　of　
temptation’s　way。”　
　“Okay。　But　we　weren’t　fighting　over　mitting　murder；”　I　reminded　him。　
　“The　same　principle　applies　—　the　only　difference　is　that　this　is　the　one　area　in　which　I’m　just　as　spotless　
as　you　are。　Can’t　I　leave　one　rule　unbroken？”　
　“One？”　
　“You　know　that　I’ve　stolen；　I’ve　lied；　I’ve　coveted　。　。　。　my　virtue　is　all　I　have　left。”　He　grinned　crookedly。　
　“I　lie　all　the　time。”　
　“Yes；　but　you’re　such　a　bad　liar　that　it　doesn’t　really　count。　Nobody　believes　you。”　
　“I　really　hope　you’re　wrong　about　that　—　because　otherwise　Charlie　is　about　to　burst　through　the　door　
with　a　loaded　gun。”　
　“Charlie　is　happier　when　he　pretends　to　swallow　your　stories。　He’d　rather　lie　to　himself　than　look　too　
closely。”　He　grinned　at　me。　
　“But　what　did　you　ever　covet？”　I　asked　doubtfully。　“You　have　everything。”　
　“I　coveted　you。”　His　smile　darkened。　“I　had　no　right　to　want　you　—　but　I　reached　out　and　took　you　
anyway。　And　now　look　what’s　bee　of　you！　Trying　to　seduce　a　vampire。”　He　shook　his　head　in　mock　
horror。　
　“You　can　covet　what’s　already　yours；”　I　informed　him。　“Besides；　I　thought　it　was　my　virtue　you　were　
worried　about。”　
　“It　is。　If　it’s　too　late　for　me　。　。　。　Well；　I’ll　be　damned　—　no　pun　intended　—　if　I’ll　let　them　keep　you　out；　
too。”　
　“You　can’t　make　me　go　somewhere　you　won’t　be；”　I　vowed。　“That’s　my　definition　of　hell。　Anyway；　I　
have　an　easy　solution　to　all　this：　let’s　never　die；　all　right？”　
　“Sounds　simple　enough。　Why　didn’t　I　think　of　that？”　
　He　smiled　at　me　until　I　gave　up　with　an　angry　humph。　“So　that’s　it。　You　won’t　sleep　with　me　until　we’re　
married。”　
　“Technically；　I　can’t　ever　sleep　with　you。”　
　I　rolled　my　eyes。　“Very　mature；　Edward。”　
　“But；　other　than　that　detail；　yes；　you’ve　got　it　right。”　

“I　think　you　have　an　ulterior　motive。”　
His　eyes　widened　innocently。　“Another　one？”　
“You　know　this　will　speed　things　up；”　I　accused。　
He　tried　not　to　smile。　“There　is　only　one　thing　I　want　to　speed　up；　and　the　rest　can　wait　forever　。　。　。　but　for　
that；　it’s　true；　your　impatient　human　hormones　are　my　most　powerful　ally　at　this　point。”　
“I　can’t　believe　I’m　going　along　with　this。　When　I　think　of　Charlie　。　。　。　and　Renée！　Can　you　imagine　what　
Angela　will　think？　Or　Jessica？　Ugh。　I　can　hear　the　gossip　now。”　
He　raised　one　eyebrow　at　me；　and　I　knew　why。　What　did　it　matter　what　they　said　about　me　when　I　
leaving　soon　and　not　ing　back？　Was　I　really　so　oversensitive　that　I　couldn’t　bear　a　few　weeks　of　sidelong　
glances　and　leading　questions？　
Maybe　it　wouldn’t　bug　me　so　much　if　I　didn’t　know　that　I　would　probably　be　gossiping　just　as　
condescendingly　as　the　rest　of　them　if　it　was　someone　else　getting　married　this　summer。　
Gah。　Married　this　summer！　I　shuddered。　
And　then；　maybe　it　wouldn’t　bug　me　so　much　if　I　hadn’t　been　raised　to　shudder　at　the　thought　of　marriage。　
Edward　interrupted　my　fretting。　“It　doesn’t　have　to　be　a　big　production。　I　don’t　need　any　fanfare。　You　
won’t　have　to　tell　anyone　or　make　any　changes。　We’ll　go　to　Vegas　—　you　can　wear　old　jeans　and　we’ll　go　to　
the　chapel　with　the　drivethrough　window。　I　just　want　it　to　be　official　—　that　you　belong　to　me　and　no　one　
else。”　
“It　couldn’t　be　any　more　official　than　it　already　is；”　I　grumbled。　But　his　description　didn’t　sound　that　bad。　
Only　Alice　would　be　disappointed。　
“We’ll　see　about　that。”　He　smiled　placently。　“I　suppose　you　don’t　want　your　ring　now？”　
I　had　to　swallow　before　I　could　speak。　“You　suppose　correctly。”　
He　laughed　at　my　expression。　“That’s　fine。　I’ll　get　it　on　your　finger　soon　enough。”　
I　glared　at　him。　“You　talk　like　you　already　have　one。”　
“I　do；”　he　said；　unashamed。　“Ready　to　force　upon　you　at　the　first　sign　of　weakness。”　
“You’re　unbelievable。”　
“Do　you　want　to　see　it？”　he　asked。　His　liquid　topaz　eyes　were　suddenly　shining　with　excitement。　
“No！”　I　almost　shouted；　a　reflex　reaction。　I　regretted　it　at　once。　His　face　fell　ever　so　slightly。　“Unless　you　
really　want　to　show　it　to　me；”　I　amended。　I　gritted　my　teeth　together　to　keep　my　illogical　terror　from　showing。　
“That’s　all　right；”　he　shrugged。　“It　can　wait。”　
I　sighed。　“Show　me　the　damn　ring；　Edward。”　
He　shook　his　head。　“No。”　
I　studied　his　expression　for　a　long　minute。　
“Please？”　I　asked　quietly；　experimenting　with　my　newly　discovered　weapon。　I　touched　his　face　lightly　with　
the　tips　of　my　fingers。　“Please　can　I　see　it？”　
His　eyes　narrowed。　“You　are　the　most　dangerous　creature　I’ve　ever　met；”　he　muttered。　But　he　got　up　and　
moved　with　unconscious　grace　to　kneel　next　to　the　small　bedside　table。　He　was　back　on　the　bed　with　me　in　an　
instant；　sitting　beside　me　with　one　arm　around　my　shoulder。　In　his　other　hand　was　a　little　black　box。　He　
balanced　it　on　my　left　knee。　
“Go　ahead　and　look；　then；”　he　said　brusquely。　
It　was　harder　than　it　should　have　been　to　pick　up　the　inoffensive　little　box；　but　I　didn’t　want　to　hurt　him　
again；　so　I　tried　to　keep　my　hand　from　shaking。　The　surface　was　smooth　with　black　satin。　I　brushed　my　fingers　
over　it；　hesitating。　
“You　didn’t　spend　a　lot　of　money；　did　you？　Lie　to　me；　if　you　did。”　
“I　didn’t　spend　anything；”　he　assured　me。　“It’s　just　another　handmedown。　This　is　the　ring　my　father　gave　
to　my　mother。”　
“Oh。”　Surprise　colored　my　voice。　I　pinched　the　lid　between　my　thumb　and　forefinger；　but　didn’t　open　it。　
“I　supposed　it’s　a　little　outdated。”　His　tone　was　playfully　apologetic。　“Oldfashioned；　just　like　me。　I　can　get　
you　something　more　modern。　Something　from　Tiffany’s？”　
“I　like　oldfashioned　things；”　I　mumbled　as　I　hesitantly　lifted　the　lid。　
Nestled　into　the　black　satin；　Elizabeth　Masen’s　ring　sparkled　in　the　dim　light。　The　face　was　a　long　oval；　set　
with　slanting　rows　of　glittering　round　stones。　The　band　was　gold　—　delicate　and　narrow。　The　gold　made　a　

fragile　web　around　the　diamonds。　I’d　never　seen　anything　like　it。　
Unthinkingly；　I　stroked　the　shimmering　gems。　
“It’s　so　pretty；”　I　murmured　to　myself；　surprised。　
“Do　you　like　it？”　
“It’s　beautiful。”　I　shrugged；　feigning　a　lack　of　interest。　“What’s　not　to　like？”　
He　chuckled。　“See　if　it　fits。”　
My　left　hand　clenched　into　a　fist。　
“Bella；”　he　sighed。　“I’m　not　going　to　solder　it　to　your　finger。　Just　try　it　on　so　I　can　see　if　it　needs　to　be　
sized。　Then　you　can　take　it　right　off。”　
“Fine；”　I　grumbled。　
I　reached　for　the　ring；　but　his　long　fingers　beat　me　there。　He　took　my　left　hand　in　his；　and　slid　the　ring　into　
place　on　my　third　finger。　He　held　my　hand　out；　and　we　both　examined　the　oval　sparkling　against　my　skin。　It　
wasn’t　quite　as　awful　as　I’d　feared；　having　it　there。　
“A　perfect　fit；”　he　said　indifferently。　“That’s　nice　—　saves　me　a　trip　to　the　jeweler’s。”　
I　could　hear　some　strong　emotion　burning　under　the　casual　tone　of　his　voice；　and　I　stared　up　at　his　face。　It　
was　there　in　his　eyes；　too；　visible　despite　the　careful　nonchalance　of　his　expression。　
“You　like　that；　don’t　you？”　I　asked　suspiciously；　fluttering　my　fingers　and　thinking　that　it　was　really　too　bad　
that　I　had　not　broken　my　left　hand。　
He　shrugged　his　shoulders。　“Sure；”　he　said；　still　casual。　“It　looks　very　nice　on　you。”　
I　stared　into　his　eyes；　trying　to　decipher　the　emotion　that　smoldered　just　under　the　surface。　He　gazed　back；　
and　the　casual　pretense　suddenl