Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 224

Hard Already

1 Week Later

The box sits in the center of the kitchen island like some object that can tell us the future.

It's not wrapped in bright paper or topped with a bow, just a sleek black box with gold edging. It's paired with a white envelope and my name is written in calligraphy across the textured paper.

Zaid stands beside me, arms crossed, frowning at it like it personally insulted him. "You gonna open it?"

I tilt my head, studying it with a squint. "I don't even know what to open. It looks like it might just be for decor?"

He raises an eyebrow. "A box for decor?"

I shrug, lifting the thing gently. It's heavier than I expected. "She's rich. You should know

how rich people are. You are one."

Zaid lets out a short laugh. "There's money rich, like my dad. And then there's rich rich like your aunt. That's a whole other breed."

I grin at him, shaking my head. With a heavy sigh. I walk the box to our newly furnished living room and set it on the coffee table.

I'll open the envelope tomorrow, on my actual birthday.

When I walk back into the kitchen, Zaid already has ingredients out for dinner. His sleeves are pushed up, and he's chopping a zucchini and mushrooms, while the steaks sit out with salt and pepper.

I lean against the counter, watching him, taking in the way his forearms moves.

"What do you want to do tomorrow?" He glances at me, a small smile pulling at his lips.

I blink at him and then frown. "I don't know. But my aunt wants to take us out for dinner."

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11:34 pm

Hard Already

His smile widens. "So I have all day tomorrow with you until then?"

I nod. "We could just get breakfast somewhere. Walk around. I don't care. I just

want to spend the whole day with you."

His smile fades, his expression pulling tight. Like the words hurt.

I frown. "What?"

chopping, slower

"Zaid."

edge of the counter.

I move toward him. "Do

lifts his eyes, and they're full of so much longing and

you."

stop just inches from him.

sharply, his jaw tightening. "Alina, we've only been here

trying to read

started therapy. You met your aunt. You're lighter.

happier," I whisper, wanting to show him that most of that is

smile so much more," he mutters, looking at me in a way that has

feel my heart turn light

don't want to be the

aches. I reach for his hand, curling

trying. I won't stop working

a quiet, strangled sound, like he's being tortured and tempted all

2/5

Hard Already

just take it slow?" I whisper. "No sex. Just this. Holding hands. Kissing.

together."

be

I whisper, grinning as

hand comes up, cupping my jaw gently. His thumb runs across my

into the warmth of his touch,

he's

my neck, and the whole world narrows down to this, to his mouth,

apart,

"I love you, Alina."

that spreads across my face. "I love

our breaths mingling, and for a moment I think that's it; we've finally closed

little. His hands drop from my face,

his sides. There's a

quietly. "You look like

hesitates. Then, softly, "I'm

knit. "Scared

even know how things are gonna look now." He pulls back

"What do

out. Therapy, your aunt, this place, it's all new. You're still adjusting. I'm

souring from the nerves.

3/5

Hard Already

together?"