Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 177

Consuming

My breath catches in my throat, and I whisper, "How?”

His jaw clenches, his throat working. "Because I would never step into a doctor's office, Or a hospital. Ever."

My eyes widen, remembering Nikki's comments when she was laying in the bathtub.

His voice is rough, weighed down by things I don't fully understand. "But I did. For you."

I blink, trying to process his words. "Why would you never step into a hospital?"

He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. "Can we can we save that conversation for another day?"

Something in his voice makes me nod.

I don't push, even though I want to. He never pushes me when I'm trying to stay afloat in the memories of my own traumas.

Instead, I cup his face again, guiding him down to me as I press my lips to his. He stiffens for a second before melting into me, his hands gripping my waist.

He's so gentle, so careful.

The kiss deepens, and I pour everything into it, every unspoken feeling I've been terrified

to admit.

When I finally pull away, my eyes are glassy with unshed tears, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. I search his face, tracing the lines of worry, the fear that lingers even

now.

"I want to say something," I whisper, my fingers still brushing his skin.

He watches me intently, nodding slowly.

"I want to tell you something." I'm trembling, not knowing why it's so hard for me to

words, not knowing how I'm even going

terror on his face

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Consuming

"I love you too."

His lips part, his body going rigid, his hands flexing on my waist like he doesn't know

to say that," he says, his voice cracking. "You don't have to feel

to his lips to silence him.

He trembles.

like you don't

me, his eyes darker than I've ever seen them. I repeat myself, letting my voice soften, letting it wrap around him like a

there, swirling in his gaze, and I wait for it to

I mean the

But it doesn't.

still can't believe it and

his hands, pressing his palms to my cheeks, letting him feel the

the soft hitch of my breath.

He's still shaking his head, but I see the cracks forming, the

say again,

for a brief second, and when they open

who's never been told they're worth

lips against his,

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Consuming

relief, his arms wrapping around my waist as he kisses me deeply. He starts off gentle at first and then he takes over, hand searching

It's not gentle, not careful. It's

intense, all-consuming. And

every inch of me. He groans softly against my lips, a sound that makes my stomach

moan in response and

tighten around me, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. He carries me across the room, never breaking the kiss, never loosening his

braced on his forearms as his lips trail down my jaw, my

always been intense. Always carried the weight of the