some rules that have to be followed.

Vampire rules arent enough for you? You want to worry about the human ones too?

It couldnt 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 isnt, I argued angrily.

Thou shalt not killis commonly accepted by most major belief systems. And Ive killed a lot of people, Bella.

Only the bad ones.

He shrugged. Maybe that counts, maybe it doesnt. But you havent killed anyone 

Thatyou know about, I muttered.

He smiled, but otherwise ignored the interruption. And Im going to do my best to keep you out of temptations way.

Okay. But we werent fighting over committing murder, I reminded him.

The same principle applies  the only difference is that this is the one area in which Im just as spotless as you are. Cant I leave one rule unbroken?

One?

You know that Ive stolen, Ive lied, Ive coveted . . . my virtue is all I have left. He grinned crookedly.

I lie all the time.

Yes, but youre such a bad liar that it doesnt really count. Nobody believes you.

I really hope youre 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. Hed 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 whats become of you! Trying to seduce a vampire. He shook his head in mock horror.

You can covet whats already yours, I informed him. Besides, I thought it wasmy virtue you were worried about.

It is. If its too late for me . . . Well, Ill be damned  no pun intended  if Ill let them keep you out, too.

You cant make me go somewhere you wont be, I vowed. Thats my definition of hell. Anyway, I have an easy solution to all this: lets never die, all right?

Sounds simple enough. Why didnt I think of that?

He smiled at me until I gave up with an angryhumph. So thats it. You wont sleep with me until weremarried. 

Technically, I cant eversleep with you.

I rolled my eyes. Very mature, Edward.

But, other than that detail, yes, youve 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, its true, your impatient human hormones are my most powerful ally at this point.

I cant believe Im going along with this. When I think of Charlie . . . and Rene! 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 coming back? Was I really so oversensitive that I couldnt bear a few weeks of sidelong glances and leading questions?

Maybe it wouldnt bug me so much if I didnt 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 wouldnt bug me so much if I hadnt been raised to shudder at the thought of marriage.

Edward interrupted my fretting. It doesnt have to be a big production. I dont need any fanfare. You wont have to tell anyone or make any changes. Well go to Vegas  you can wear old jeans and well go to the chapel with the drive-through window. I just want it to be official  that you belong to me andno one else. 

It couldnt be any more official than it already is, I grumbled. But his description didnt sound that bad. Only Alice would be disappointed.

Well see about that. He smiled complacently. I suppose you dont want your ring now?

I had to swallow before I could speak. You suppose correctly.

He laughed at my expression. Thats fine. Ill 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.

Youre 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.

Thats 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 Ive 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 didnt 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 didnt spend alot of money, did you? Lie to me, if you did.

I didnt spend anything, he assured me. Its just another hand-me-down. 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 didnt open it.

I supposed its a little outdated. His tone was playfully apologetic. Old-fashioned, just like me. I can get you something more modern. Something from Tiffanys?

I like old-fashioned things, I mumbled as I hesitantly lifted the lid.

Nestled into the black satin, Elizabeth Masens 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. Id never seen anything like it.

Unthinkingly, I stroked the shimmering gems.

Its sopretty,  I murmured to myself, surprised.

Do you like it?

Its beautiful. I shrugged, feigning a lack of interest. Whats not to like?

He chuckled. See if it fits.

My left hand clenched into a fist.

Bella, he sighed. Im 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 wasnt quite as awful as Id feared, having it there.

A perfect fit, he said indifferently. Thats nice  saves me a trip to the jewelers.

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, dont you? I asked suspiciously, fluttering my fingers and thinking that it was really too bad that I had not broken myleft 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 suddenly slipped away. He was glowing  his angels face brilliant with joy and victory. He was so glorious that it knocked me breathless.

Before I could catch that breath, he was kissing me, his lips exultant. I was lighth