Return to Forks

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 8: The Talk

A/N Thank you al for reviewing and thank you my Beta - twilight-is-lovee.

"All you guys are the same. She's the new novelty. You all think she's this beautiful, magical being just because she's from another country. Well you'll see just how plain and boring she is after a few months, and then you'll be begging for me to take you back."

I was astounded that she could think that about Bella. She doesn't even know her.

"Bella is far from plain and boring. She's twice the person you'll ever be, Jessica. She's the most kind and caring person I've ever met. She's more than just beautiful. She's intelligent and witty and can stand up for herself if need be."

"Whatever, Edward. We're done, okay? I'm leaving and don't even think about coming after me."

She ran out of the house and slammed the door shut.

"Fine by me." I muttered to myself.

I heard the door open and looked up.. In came a very shocked looking Alice, Emmett, and Bella.

Oh god, they heard everything.

Bpov

Was I dreaming? Did I just see Jessica run past me, and more importantly did I hear Edward correctly? Did he really just say all those things about me? I had to have been dreaming. This couldn't be real. No way on earth could Edward have the same feelings as for me as I do for him. Jessica's right. I was plain and boring. There's nothing special about me. I was just a novelty. The new girl.

Alice and Emmett entered while I stood frozen to the spot. Edward looked at me nervously.

"Hey, Edward. Sorry to interrupt, but I had to come home and get some things. I'm staying at the Swans tonight," Alice said apologetically.

Edward didn't answer. He didn't even acknowledge her. He continued to stare at me.

"Emmett, I, eh, need your help." Very subtle, Alice.

As Emmett went over to Alice, he turned to me and winked.

"Bella, I think we need to talk," Edward said, his voice sounding hoarse. "I just want to know. How much of my conversation with Jessica did you hear?"

I looked at him. Did I really need to tell him that I heard everything?

"Well, Alice decided to come home earlier than planned, and we saw Jessica's car in the drive so we decided to give you some space but Alice, being Alice, had to eavesdrop. So we heard pretty much everything."

He nodded, thinking about everything that I said. I had to ask him if what he said was true. I needed to know. I couldn't go on like this anymore. Were our feelings for each other mutual?

"Edward, did you mean what you said?" He looked at me and smiled.

"What exactly did I say?"

He's not going to make me say it, is he? He is.

"Th – that you ... might be falling for me and that you think I'm beautiful, caring, intelligent and all those other nice things you said. You weren't just saying that to Jessica so she would leave."

"I meant every word."

He looked me in the eyes, his emerald eyes smoldering. Again, for the millionth time since I'd met Edward, I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Bella?" He sounded uncertain and nervous. "Do you remember when we were camping and you said I should ask the girl I liked whether she felt the same?"

I nodded. Of course I did. I remember every single moment I'd spent with Edward.

"Well, I'm asking you now. You know how I feel about you. It's time you said how you feel about me. Do you like me Bella?"

"No," I answered without hesitation.

"Oh ok." His eyes were filled with pain and rejection.

"Edward let me explain. . . I don't just like you. What I feel for you is more than a mere infatuation. It's too soon to say I love you because I've only known you 5 days. But, I know given the chance, I could most definitely come to love you. These past few days I've been telling myself that I shouldn't be feeling like this, I couldn't be feeling like this. I mean, you're my brother's best friend and my best friend's brother. If we decided to give this a go and it didn't work out, then it would put our friends in an awkward situation."

"Bella, you are describing exactly how I feel. I've been torturing myself as well these past few days, because I'd been having the same thoughts as you. I've decided it doesn't matter. I want to give us a try, Bella, and I have a feeling that it will work out. But let's just take it one day at a time. I know we barely know each other, but I want to change that. I want to know everything about you. You're like my drug, Bella. I've had a taste of you but now I need all of you."

I felt myself break out into a huge grin. I looked at Edward and he was wearing the crooked smile that I love.

He moved towards me in three strides, closing the gap between us. He lifted my arms to his neck and then placed his own at my waist. I felt a shock of electricity run through my body and pulled myself closer to him. He all too willingly obliged.

I placed my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I could feel its speed increase. He placed his head on mine. I could feel him sigh as he breathed me in. His own scent was absolutely mouthwatering. It smelt like his aftershave, pine and something else I couldn't put my finger on. I breathed in deeply, relishing in glory of it.

He softly tilted my chin upwards and gazed into my eyes. We stood there for what felt like forever, getting lost in one another's eyes.

He tilted his head and inched it closer to mine. His lips brushed against mine and I could feel them burning with desire.

"Bella," he murmured against my lips. "I haven't stopped thinking about our last kiss. In fact it's all I think about."

He placed his lips on mine and kissed me deeply. Our lips molded together. We fit perfectly together like pieces in a jigsaw. We completed one other.

The kiss itself was soft and gentle, but it started building in momentum. It became harder and filled with passion. My breathing hitched, and I could hear Edward breathing heavily. All the longing and desire we felt for each other was in our embrace.

Surprisingly, it was I who came up for air first. I leaned my forehead against his and we were both breathing as if we had just run a marathon.

I heard a stifled giggle from behind us. I turned to find an over-excited Alice shaking with laughter.

"EMMETT!" she screamed. "Come here! I need helping prying your sister from my brother."

I pulled away from him and went over to Alice.

"Bella Swan, you little minx," she tutted. "Took you guys long enough," she said before hugging me, and then continued to squeal like a child on Christmas morning. "This is so awesome you guys. I just knew you were going to get together. Bella! We need to call Rose immediately. We need to have a good old gossip about this. We need details, Bella, details."

She dragged me upstairs to her room and locked the door. I groaned. That devious little pixie was keeping me from Edward.

A/N So what do you guys think? Review and let me know.

Helen =]