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

how I'm even going to get them

look of absolute terror on his face is

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Consuming

"I love you too."

lips part, his body going rigid, his hands flexing on my waist like he doesn't know whether to hold on or let go. Then he starts shaking

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

silence him. "Do you really think

He trembles.

like you don't deserve

seen them. I repeat myself, letting my voice soften, letting it wrap around him like a blanket.

gaze, and I wait for it to fade, to

I

But it doesn't.

believe it and he

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

the soft hitch of my breath.

but I see the cracks forming, the fight inside him warring with the need

love you," I say again, firmer

for a brief second, and when they open again, I see it still; the

been told they're worth

my lips against

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Consuming

deeply. He starts off gentle at first and then he takes over, hand

it steals the air from my lungs. It's not gentle, not careful. It's desperate and consuming, and that's

all-consuming. And he's

hair, my body pressing closer as warmth floods every inch of me. He groans softly

moan in response and then I'm

wrapping around his waist. He carries me across the room, never breaking the kiss, never loosening his hold, like he

over me, his weight braced on his forearms as his lips trail down my jaw, my neck, his breath hot and ragged. I

the weight of the world on his