Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 79

Even If It's Just Pieces of You

I push at his chest and he relents, pulling away and letting me sit with my back tot he headboard.

He's watching me carefully, as if trying to gauge my reaction to his words, to his suggestion. With my hand shaking, I reach for the mug of tea he had brought and sit cross-legged.

The tea warms my hands, and the room is quiet, except for the occasional sound of him shifting on the bed.

I take a sip, slow and careful. It burns my tongue a little, but then it soothes my throat, the sweetness of the honey making me close my eyes in comfort.

My nerves shoot in my stomach and I force myself to look him in the eyes. me what you meant, Jake?"

He flinches like he's terrified of the idea.

I reach for his hand and squeeze. "Please."

"Can you tell

He presses his lips together and looks away, jaw tightening as if he's trying to gather his thoughts. The furrow in his brow makes me want to reach out and smooth it away, like I did with Zaid.

I want none of them to feel so troubled, none of them to struggle with me.

In the quiet, I take him in. The faint stubble on his jaw shadows his face just enough to make him look rugged. The lines at the corners of his eyes, put there by years of laughter and smiles, make me happy that so far he has had a life well-lived despite its hardships.

He's so heartbreakingly handsome, and it makes me understand just why Aiden and Zaid can capture me the way they do.

Finally, he breaks the silence. "I've been thinking about it, Alina."

I swallow hard. "Thinking about what, exactly?"

He shifts his gaze back to me, his brown eyes warm. "You."

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Even If It's Just Pieces of You

I take a sip to busy my trembling hands, though I'm sure he notices the way my entire body shivers and warms. "Me?"

He nods, eyes dropping to my lips. "You. Me. What I want."

between us, my breath hitching. "What-what do

says, each word deliberate, like they're fragile enough to

before I make myself spit it out

you honestly tell me

so much more complicated

"Baby?"

at him. "No, but it's so much

have

I shake my head.

want to be with Aiden, then I won't stand in your way. I won't try

understand,"

get some of you. As long as I get to love you, even if it's

of

you can do

you,

from my lungs.

he saw Zaid and me. A fresh wave of

Jake's gaze sharpens. "Why?"

be open to that," I say, the thought of Aiden's

making my chest tighten.

2/4

Just

eyes widen just a bit, and he scoots in closer. "But

I've buried myself in, but honestly? Getting to

solve all my issues. "Maybe, but

quiet but firm. "Well, we could do it

widen. "What? No. I can't lie to him.

nods, like he feels guilty for even

"That's cheating, Jake."

"Like we aren't

ignore the pang in my chest. Technically, he's right, but it doesn't feel

my

heart.

to my lips, and the heat there makes my skin prickle. I place

his hand grips my thigh, holding me in

but he cuts me off, his words