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

you, Alina," he says, each word deliberate, like they're fragile enough

make myself spit it out from the delicious

you honestly tell me that you

much more complicated than that. It's so much more

"Baby?"

"No, but it's

doesn't have to

I shake my head.

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

understand,"

get some of you. As long as I get to love you,

of

you can do whatever you

you,

me, stealing the air from my

he saw Zaid and me. A

Jake's gaze sharpens. "Why?"

wouldn't be open to that," I

making my chest tighten.

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11 tt's Just Pieces of

a bit, and he scoots in closer.

buried myself in, but honestly? Getting to be with

"Maybe, but it would depend on how it works

"Well, we could do it anyway. Try

I can't lie to

nods, like he feels guilty for even

"That's cheating, Jake."

lift to mine. "Like

he's right, but it doesn't feel

my

heart.

to my lips, and the heat there makes my skin prickle. I place my mug on the bedside table

his hand grips my thigh, holding me in place.

cuts me off, his words tumbling