Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 77

She's Mine

The pine needles stick to my palms, and I hiss, dropping one hand.

Zaid yells, "Alina! Tell me when you let go."

He grunts as he takes more of the tree. We fight against the door frame and I cannot help the laughter that bubbles inside of me.

Trying to maneuver the tree through the door and into the living room is almost comical. The branches snag on the doorway, and Zaid grumbles under his breath, his lips twitching into a grin.

"I thought you were stronger, you know, with being so tall and everything," I tease. "Careful, Alina," he says, playfully. "You want to carry this tree all by yourself?"

"No!" I laugh, shaking my head as we finally get the tree upright in the stand. It's a Jittle crooked, but it works. We step back to admire it, our shoulders brushing, and I'm suddenly very aware of how close we are.

I don't pull away.

I lean into him.

The tension from earlier has dissipated, and as much as I am avoiding the topic of kissing him, I enjoy Zaid's company.

He sighs, leaning into me as well, before placing a kiss on my forehead. "Thank you for bringing Christmas back to me."

The words cause a swell of emotion to pull at my throat. "I'm going to change. It's too warm for this," I say quickly, tugging at the hem of my sweater.

Zaid nods. "I'll grab the ornaments."

I dart upstairs to my room, peeling off my sweater and jeans in favor of a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt. The fabric feels light against my skin, and I sigh in relief as I run a brush through my hair.

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She's Mine

This is the most unflattering outfit. The shorts are loose on me and so is the shirt, so nothing hugs my curves.

Perfect.

pulling out garlands and tangled string lights. His gaze lifts

my toes to my eyes. There's

I freeze. "What?"

shakes his head, muttering,

linger on my legs for a beat

ignore the burn in my stomach and slowly kneel down

decorating, and the tension melts away

the

I laugh as I correct the

and scratches the back of his neck. "It makes sense

never let me

I catch him looking down at the

lips, nostrils flaring. He's stiff, tense, and I can tell he wants the comfort of my

ornament and stretch on my tiptoes, trying to hang it higher on

"Careful," Zaid warns.

2/4

She's Mine

balance. His hands catch me, one warm and firm on my waist where my

hand still on my waist as he places his other hand on

with the same look

leaning closer, the pull between us too strong to ignore. His eyes flicker to my lips, and mine drop to his.

front door slams. I tense and

Aiden's

jerk back, my heart racing, and Zaid's hand drops from my waist as we both

storm of anger, his fists

you serious right now?" His

"Aiden, it's not "

at Zaid. "What the hell is wrong with you? She's my

jaw tightens, but

Zaid's fault," I say quickly, guilt twisting

and the anger in his eyes melts away to

his lips and he looks between the