"Yessss!" I whispered, so my voice wouldn't have a chance to break me. If he thought I was bluffing, then he obviously didn't know me very well. Bella Duck was a woman who had already made this decision, and Bella Duck was a sure woman. It didn't matter that my body was rigid as a plank, my hands balled into fists, my breathing erratic, and my heart bumping out of my chest, longing to jump into his...
He chuckled darkly, and leaned away. His face did look disappointed.
"You can't really believe that I would give in so easily," he said with a sour edge to his mocking tone.
"A girl can dream," I said, referring to myself.
His eyebrows rose. "Is that what you dream about? Being a monster?"
"Not exactly," I said, frowning at his word choice. "Being a Cullen."
His expression changed, softened, and saddened at my subtly aching voice.
"Bella." His fingers lightly traced the shape of my lips. "I will stay with you—isn't that enough? Isn't my presence enough to make you feel whole?"
I smiled on his fingertips. "Enough for now."
He frowned at my tenacity. No one was going to surrender tonight. Not Sure Woman, not Vampire Boy. He exhaled, and the sound was practically a growl.
I traced him with my own fingers. "Look," I said. "I love you more than everything else in the world. I just know it. Isn't that enough?"
"Yes, it is enough," he answered, licking his lips. "Enough for forever."
And he leaned down to press his cold, wet lips once more to my throat.
Forever.

499

Chapter 25

←

→

main contents contact