Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 101

A Secret

My heart hammers in my chest as I hear the click of the doorknob. It only takes a second before Zaid's door swings open.

I can feel my breath hitch in my throat and he just stands there, staring at me like

I'm at ghost. His dark eyes flick over me, from my face to my toes.

It's slow, deliberate, hot. His jaw tightens, and I lick my lips as it draws my attention.

"Can I..." I hesitate, my voice quieter than I intended. "Can I spend the night with you?"

He doesn't answer immediately, and I press my lips together, wrapping my arms around myself, suddenly unsure. Should I just walk away?

His frown is slight, but it's there, barely noticeable if I weren't so attuned to him. He watches me for a long second, those dark eyes melting my insides. Then he exhales through his nose and steps aside, pushing the door open wider.

I walk in, feeling the heat of his presence behind me as the door clicks shut. The silence

settles around us is almost too much to bear. He walks around me, toward his bed, where he begins to pick up the books he has scattered across it.

I take in his appearance. His damp hair, the way his grey sweatpants sit low on his hips, the faint sheen of water still clinging to his skin. My gaze drifts lower, tracing the jagged

scars that stretch from his abdomen to his back and over his shoulder blades.

I swallow hard and finally break the silence. "You're upset."

Zaid shrugs, shaking his head.

"You are."

"Why would I be upset?" His voice is flat, carefully neutral.

I hesitate before whispering, "I'm sorry I pulled away from you."

He stiffens, keeping his gaze locked onto the floor.

My fingers tighten around the fabric of my shirt. "I just... I'm not sure I want your father

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A Secret

to know."

and something flickers in his eyes. He huffs out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Why?" he asks, his tone edged in

how am I supposed to answer that? I don't want Jake to know because he has

I not good enough for you?" His jaw tightens as he

at

you afraid of tarnishing your reputation by being with the

"No,

is it?" His voice is quiet, but

uncertainty and insecurity in his eyes and my chest aches.

it away;

feel like that at all. The pain in his eyes steals my breath and I find

like you're willing to keep me hidden

to have Aiden out

shake my head, feeling my chest tighten. "No, Zaid. No. It's

chest is heaving, his nostrils

a relationship like this before, with two people. And I

think keeping me a secret

be with the both of us

This is so much more complicated than

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spill everything.

roughly, running a hand through his damp hair before looking at me again. "You think my father has a say in who I'm with? In who you or Aiden are

4 shake my head.

but no less intense. "One day, you're going to have to tell

Tell everyone."

and Zaid will have to know eventually, too. This is all going

in my eyes

Only be with me in secret

cut deep because I don't want that.

I want Aiden.

I want Jake.

is all

fill my eyes, and that has him

face, rubbing his thumbs on my

I don't want to hide

clenches, eyes

differently? This isn't exactly a normal relationship.” The words come out of me and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from adding the fact that

close, his lips brushing mine. "We can't stop them, my love. We can only choose what we

judgement of being with

want to choose, but I don't get the chance to tell him that because he kisses