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

want Jake

enough for you?" His

blink at him.

reputation by being with the

sharply. "No, Zaid. That's not

voice is quiet, but there's an intensity in

of uncertainty and insecurity in his eyes and my chest aches. I want to

it away;

at all. The pain in his eyes steals my

I'm standing, it feels like you're willing

Aiden out in

shake my head, feeling my chest tighten. "No, Zaid. No.

is heaving, his nostrils flaring,

in a relationship like this before, with two people. And I don't know how to handle the judging. I don't know

"And what? You think keeping me a secret

understand you needing time to be with the both of us out in

This is so much more complicated than

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spill everything.

looking at me again. "You think my father has

4 shake my head.

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

Tell everyone."

know eventually, and Aiden and Zaid will have to know eventually, too. This is all going to blow up in my

fear in my eyes because he flinches. "Do you plan to

be with me in secret while you walk

words cut deep because I

I want Aiden.

I want Jake.

is all

and that has him

cups my face, rubbing his

tremble. "I don't- I don't want

jaw clenches, eyes

differently? This isn't exactly a normal relationship.” The words come out of me and I have to bite

mine. "We can't stop them, my love. We can only choose what we do. Either you will have to choose one of us, or

judgement of

don't want to choose, but I don't get the chance