Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [36]
Twelve? How strange.
I gave myself a quick once-over while I spoke, trying to be inconspicuous about it. I looked fine. The bruises on my arms were still a week old, yellowing. I stretched experimentally. I felt fine, too. Well, better than fine, actually.
Is the inventory complete?
I nodded sheepishly. The pillows all appear to have survived.
Unfortunately, I cant say the same for your, er, nightgown. He nodded toward the foot of the bed, where several scraps of black lace were strewn across the silk sheets.
Thats too bad, I said. I liked that one.
I did, too.
Were there any other casualties? I asked timidly.
Ill have to buy Esme a new bed frame, he confessed, glancing over his shoulder. I followed his gaze and was shocked to see that large chunks of wood had apparently been gouged from the left side of the headboard.
Hmm. I frowned. Youd think I would have heard that.
You seem to be extraordinarily unobservant when your attention is otherwise involved.
I was a bit absorbed, I admitted, blushing a deep red.
He touched my burning cheek and sighed. Im really going to miss that.
I stared at his face, searching for any signs of the anger or remorse I feared. He gazed back at me evenly, his expression calm but otherwise unreadable.
How are you feeling?
He laughed.
What? I demanded.
You look so guilty-like youve committed a crime.
I feel guilty, I muttered.
So you seduced your all-too-willing husband. Thats not a capital offense.
He seemed to be teasing.
My cheeks got hotter. The word seduced implies a certain amount of premeditation.
Maybe that was the wrong word, he allowed.
Youre not angry?
He smiled ruefully. Im not angry.
Why not?
Well He paused. I didnt hurt you, for one thing. It was easier this time, to control myself, to channel the excesses. His eyes flickered to the damaged frame again. Maybe because I had a better idea of what to expect.
A hopeful smile started to spread across my face. I told you that it was all about practice.
He rolled his eyes.
My stomach growled, and he laughed. Breakfast time for the human? he asked.
Please, I said, hopping out of bed. I moved too quickly, though, and had to stagger drunkenly to regain my balance. He caught me before I could stumble into the dresser.
Are you all right?
If I dont have a better sense of equilibrium in my next life, Im demanding a refund.
I cooked this morning, frying up some eggs- too hungry to do anything more elaborate. Impatient, I flipped them onto a plate after just a few minutes.
Since when do you eat eggs sunny-side up? he asked.
Since now.
Do you know how many eggs youve gone through in the last week? He pulled the trash bin out from under the sink-it was full of empty blue cartons.
Weird, I said after swallowing a scorching bite. This place is messing with my appetite. And my dreams, and my already dubious balance. But I like it here. Well probably have to leave soon, though, wont we, to make it to Dartmouth in time? Wow, I guess we need to find a place to live and stuff, too.
He sat down next to me. You can give up the college pretense now-youve gotten what you wanted. And we didnt agree to a deal, so there are no strings attached.
I snorted. It wasnt a pretense, Edward. I dont spend my free time plotting like some people do. What can we do to wear Bella out today? I said in a poor impression of his voice. He laughed, unashamed. I really do want a little more time being human. I leaned over to run my hand across his bare chest. I have not had enough.
He gave me a dubious look. For this? he asked, catching my hand as it moved down his stomach. Sex was the key all along? He rolled his eyes. Why didnt I think of that? he muttered sarcastically. I could have saved myself a lot of arguments.
I laughed. Yeah, probably.
You are so human, he said again.
I know.
A hint of a smile pulled at his lips. Were going to Dartmouth? Really?
Ill probably fail out in one semester.
Ill tutor you. The smile was wide now. Youre going to love college.
Do you think we