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."

to me and something flickers in his eyes. He huffs out

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

not good enough for you?" His

blink at him.

you afraid of tarnishing your reputation by being

inhale sharply. "No, Zaid. That's not

His voice is quiet, but there's an intensity in

uncertainty and insecurity in his eyes and my chest aches. I

it away;

all. The pain in his eyes steals my breath and I find

I'm standing, it feels like you're willing to keep me hidden

to have Aiden out in the

chest tighten. "No, Zaid. No. It's

nostrils

relationship like this before, with two people. And I don't know

eyes darken. "And what? You think keeping me a

be with the both of us out in public. But this is my

is so much more complicated

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spill everything.

hand through his damp hair before looking at me again. "You think my father has

4 shake my head.

quieter now, but no less intense. "One

Tell everyone."

right. Jake will have to know eventually, and Aiden and Zaid will have to know eventually,

fear in my eyes because he flinches.

with me in secret while you walk

because I

I want Aiden.

I want Jake.

is all

my eyes, and

face, rubbing his thumbs on my cheeks.

don't- I don't want to hide

clenches, eyes scanning

relationship.” The words come out of me and I have to bite

leans in close, his lips brushing mine. "We can't stop them, my love. We can only choose what we do. Either you will have to

judgement of being

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