Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 154

Spilling

"Aiden." His name leaves my mouth like a plea and an apology all at once. My fingers tremble as I set my hands on the floor.

He exhales sharply, like he's been holding it in too long. "You lied to me."

There's no accusation in his voice. Just the wound, just the pain. It makes my chest ache in a way that feels permanent, like I've done the unforgiveable.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

He shakes his head, a hollow laugh escaping. "The thing is, I know that."

I shake my head. "I didn't mean to hurt you, that's the last thing I wanted. And I thought I was protecting you from the pain."

He looks down at his hands, then back at me, his gaze piercing. "I understand your. reasoning, but it doesn't feel like it's enough sometimes. I felt like an idiot."

My, voice cracks. "No. I was the idiot. I was scared. I didn't know how you'd react. I didn't know if you'd hate me."

His eyebrows pull together, eyes narrowing like I've said something completely offensive. "I've never given you a reason to think I'd hate you."

"I know," I breathe. "They're my insecurities."

He runs a hand over his face, scrubbing at his jaw like he can rub the hurt out.

The guilt is a physical thing inside me now, twisting and clawing. My throat is tight as I try to form words that don't feel like enough. "There's no justifiable excuse. I was lost when I moved here. Everything felt like it was falling apart. And then you came along, and you made me feel normal. Safe. Like I wasn't broken."

His eyes soften for a second before they harden again. "And Jake made you feel that way,

too."

I nod slowly. "And Zaid."

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His chest rises, then falls. Controlled. But I can see the war going on inside him, in his clenched jaw, the way his fingers twitch like he's holding something back.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asks again. His voice is gentler this time, but no less pained.

I was afraid you'd make me choose, and I didn't know if I could," I say, barely above

had made

blink at him, my throat closing in on itself. The truth is raw and ugly, but I won't lie. Not now.

at me. Like he's trying to translate something he doesn't understand. Then he swallows, his Adam's

us," he says slowly, "or none of

I nod. "Yeah."

sit in silence after that. It's heavy. But it's

my palms scraping lightly against

slowly, carefully, like I'm waiting for him to

He doesn't.

on him, straddling and placing my hands

heart hammers in my chest, but I

feelings for Jake, and for Zaid, they don't take away from what

you is different.

close for a moment, like he's absorbing my

opens them again, he looks so tired. But he cups my cheek

his thumb brushing softly

sting my eyes. "What do you need from me? What can

can trust me?"

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pm

Spilling

for something he hasn't quite found yet. "Time? I just, I don't want to find out about any more lies. I don't think I could take it. Zaid was one hit and Jake was

I promise. I'm an open book now. Whatever you want to

His hand slides from my cheek to the back of

in. His lips brush against mine, light as a breath. My eyes flutter closed, and I press into him, tasting the hesitation, the uncertainty, but also the need. The kiss deepens gradually, and the

Careful turns desperate.

Soft turns hard.

Gentle turns painful.

closer, my knees pressing into the hard floor on either side of him. His arms

but tinged with something raw. His fingers dig

hands fisting in his shirt, clinging

feel his

"You were so sexy earlier, but I want you to

alive in sharp twinges that flare