Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Unlock Your Heart

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 09:

Midnight found Bella sitting at the table in the kitchen, absently stirring a cup of tea. Her body was exhausted, but her heart and mind wouldn’t stop warring with each other. Her heart was telling her to let her feelings out and love Edward, but her head…well, that was telling her he was her best friend, and things needed to stay the way they were.

On one hand, she knew if she completely let Edward in to her heart it would be forever. On the other, she wasn’t sure if she was really ready to do that.

“What are you doing down here?”

Bella jumped at the sound of his voice, but turned and took in the sight of a sleep rumpled Edward. “Did I wake you?”

“No.” Edward walked to the fridge and took out a bottle of water. “Talk to me, Bella.”

Bella sighed, not sure where to start. “I’m scared.”

“Of what, me?”

“No; not you, per se. I’m scared of the way you make me feel.” Bella smirked at the grin that appeared on Edward’s face. “Stop it.”

Edward immediately sobered his expression. “Sorry. You were saying?”

Bella ducked her head, gathering her thoughts before looking back up at him and continuing. “When we were dealing with Mike tonight, I was worried about what your reaction would be if I ‘offered’ him a blow-job to get him to talk. That got me thinking…that’s not a normal reaction to someone I only have platonic feelings for.”

“Bella, you can’t analyze my reactions. What is your heart telling you?”

Bella licked her suddenly dry lips, “That’s just it…my heart is telling me to let you in. It’s my head that’s arguing.”

Edward stood up and walked around the table, extending a hand to help her stand. When she was on her feet, Edward ran his hand across her cheek and to the back of her neck. “Let me try something, okay?”

Bella only nodded, not trusting her voice. She watched as Edward slowly lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. She jolted at the shock waves that ran through her, before relaxing and allowing herself to close her eyes and kiss him in return.

It was a simple kiss—more of a test, really—to see if she would respond and Edward was pleased when he felt her lips soften against his. He nipped first at her upper lip, and then her lower one, before pulling back and leaning his forehead against hers.

Bella licked her lips, savoring the taste of Edward on her tongue. “Edward, I…”

“Don’t. Don’t say anything. I’m going back upstairs; I’ll see you in the morning.” With a quick peck against her lips, he was gone, leaving Bella wondering what she was fighting.

**UYH**

“The damage was mostly centered on the back wall of Newton’s store, although there is some fire damage to the interior,” Emmett reported.

“Good. Any news on how the little fucker is faring?” Edward wanted to know.

Alec chuckled. “Mommy came and rescued her boy from the big bad men.”

“More like the badass woman…” Emmett muttered.

Edward snapped his head around to look at him. “What was that?”

“Nothin’.”

“Emmett, if you have a problem with me letting Bella handle Mike, then tell me…now!” Edward stood up.

“Look, Edward, I get it. It was her business he destroyed, but if it were anyone else, you know they would have a bullet in their skull right now. I just think you are…” Emmett was cut off when the door banged against the wall.

Bella stood in the doorway, hands on her hips and fire in her eyes. “You think what, Emmett?”

“Nothing, B.” Emmett swallowed thickly.

“Really? ‘Cause it sounded to me like you were about to tell Edward his feelings for me were clouding his judgment.” Bella walked into the room and stood toe to toe with the big man.

“Bella, I…” Emmett started.

“Save it! Let me tell you something, Emmett Charles Cullen: I am the one who told Edward to let me handle it. Me! That fucker did this to me! So get off your soapbox!”

“Sorry, Bella.” Emmett actually hung his head.

Bella turned to Edward. “I’m sorry; I just don’t want him…” she paused and looked around the office, “or anyone else to think loving me makes you weak.” Bella smiled, walked closer to him, and quietly whispered, “I need to talk to you later.” Speaking slightly louder, she continued. “I’m going to lunch with Rose, Alice, and Kate; just wanted to tell you.”

Then she surprised them both by giving Edward a chaste kiss before quickly making her escape. Edward couldn’t help the smirk that appeared on his face. It took Garrett clearing his throat to bring Edward back to the business at hand.

“Alright, let’s talk about the potential problem from these men named ‘J’ and ‘L’.” Edward said, bringing the meeting back to order.

**UYH**

“So, Bells…how are things going?” Kate asked her sister-in- law.

Bella shrugged. “Fine, he kissed me last night.”

“WHAT!” Three voices exclaimed all at once.

Bella grinned but hissed at them. “Keep it down!”

“Tell us what happened, Sweetie,” Rose smiled.

Bella looked around the table at her friends and told them what happened. After she finished, silence surrounded her. “What? Now you have nothing to say?”

Alice leaned over to place her hand on top of Bella’s. “So how do you feel about him?”

“Can I tell him first?”

Alice huffed and crossed her arms. “I guess.”

“Gee…thanks, Alice.” Bella chuckled, and the four of them settled in for a nice lunch.

**UYH**

Edward was sitting in his office looking at the pictures from the damage at Newton’s when Bella walked in. He looked up and smiled at her as she entered the room.

“Hey! How was lunch with the girls?”

“It was…interesting.”

Edward laughed. “What does that mean?”

Bella smiled and sat down. “Well, I hope you don’t mind, but I told them about last night.”

“Which part: Newton? Or me kissing you?” He chuckled when she blushed.

Bella ducked her head. “The kiss.”

Edward got up and walked around his desk to her. When he got to her, he placed his hand under her chin and gently forced her to look in his eyes. “Bella, I don’t care you told them. What I care about, is how it made you feel, and more importantly…how you feel about me.”

“Oh, Edward. I felt so many things it’s hard to put it all in to words. I felt fear, joy, heat, passion…but most of all, I felt love. I could feel that you love me, Edward.”

“I do, Sweetheart. Bella, I’m not gonna pressure you into feeling something you don’t, but let me tell you what I felt in that kiss last night. I felt your fear and your joy, but I felt your love the most. I know it’s there…I just wish you would let it out.”

Bella swallowed past the lump rising in her throat and stood up. She gently traced his jaw with her hand and looked into his emerald eyes. “I’m ready to let it out, Edward. I need you to know that I lo…” The ringing phone cut her off.

“Fuck!” Edward grabbed the receiver out of the cradle. “What?” he barked, frustrated their talk was interrupted. “Where?” He looked at his watch and sighed. “I’ll be there in fifteen.” He replaced the phone and looked at Bella. “I’m sorry, Baby, but I’ve gotta go. Will you wait up for me?”

Bella nodded. “Be careful, please.”

“I promise.” He kissed her lips and ran out to the waiting car, still pissed they were interrupted just as Bella was about to reveal her true feelings.

Inside the house, Bella watched the car peel away from the curb, and whispered to the disappearing tail lights. “I love you…”