Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 80

The Equation

I wake up with a heavy weight still in my chest, but it's accompanied with the warmth of Jake beside me.

His hand is splayed on my stomach and his lips pepper light kisses down my neck. Such a soft and gentle way to wake up compared to the storm brewing inside me.

He's a comfort I never knew I needed.

I can't imagine not having this, not having him to turn to. The way he makes me feel safe, understood, and, if I'm honest, wanted. But it's more than that. I can't stop replaying the way he looked at me last night, the quiet plea in his voice when he asked me to stay.

How happy, although conflicted, it made me feel to hear those words from him.

I sit up carefully, and he stops kissing me, his fingers holding onto me like I would disappear. "Where are you going?"

I chuckle through my nostrils and run my hand through his hair. "I have to go, Jake. I

can't be in here."

He thinks about it for a second before reluctantly letting me go.

"Thank you for last night," I whisper.

"Are you going to think about what I said?"

I look down at the sheets. "I won't be with you in secret, behind his back."

Jake looks away from me for a second. "Then we'll tell him."

My heart jolts in my chest. "No. Not now."

He turns to me, eye dark and serious. "But we will? Eventually?"

"I have to think about it."

He frowns at me, as if for the first time, thinking that I might not want him. Of course I

know that's not true.

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The Equation

kissing Jake, not holding him,

be together in secret is

that to Aiden? I can't. I won't. But can I break up with

at the

something in me that I didn't even know was there. The way he made me feel

wanted.

make my way to my room and change really quickly. I head to the bathroom

numbly

thoughts are interrupted by the sound of

looking toward the hallway. Aiden is standing there with his hands shoved into

brushing

out.

cozy. Aiden orders for us

into the corner.

the warmth doing little to

knees, fidgeting slightly. He looks at

searching mine.

Zaid," he

chest. My heart hammers, the muffled voices around us fading into static. I lean

despite the overwhelming urge

my knee, squeezing it affectionately. He exhales deeply, his jaw tightening before he continues. "We agreed to

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The Equation

his face with one hand. My thumb brushes his cheek, the familiar

He looks conflicted, his lips

then

has my anxiety

his throat. "Do you like

it. The moment to be honest.

to him.

betrayal for both

nod, barely,

He leans back, putting space between us, but I

cupping his face again.

pull away,"