Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 243

Chapter 242

The sun is high and shining at its brightest by the time we get back home. There are long shadows cast before us, the lake behind the house reflecting all the light.

Aiden's mouth drops open when Zaid pulls up the driveway. He gets out of the car and scoffs in surprise as he takes in the trees and the house. I smile to myself, knowing exactly how he feels looking at it for the first time.

We all step inside the house and Aiden looks around, grinning like a kid.

"This place is insane," he says, dragging his suitcase through the entryway. "How did you guys even find this?"

I smile, cheeks warm, because I can feel Zaid watching me from across the room. "Zaid found it."

Aiden whistles low, still in awe. I give him a tour before I lead him upstairs.

"You can drop your stuff here for now. It's my room." I say, stepping aside as he wheels

his suitcase in. He sets it down and then walks to my window to look out.

I'm about to walk to stand beside him when I feel Zaid's hand slip around my wrist, tugging me gently toward the hall.

"I'll be right back," I tell Aiden, and he nods, distracted by the lake view out the window.

Zaid pulls me into the art room, and the door clicks shut behind us.

He doesn't say anything, he just looks at me, jaw tight, breath shallow. Then suddenly, his lips crash into mine, and I gasp as he presses me against the wall, his body hot, his hands framing my jaw.

I melt into it, my fingers digging into his back, my hips grinding into his. It's fast and full of something desperate. When he finally pulls away, his lips are swollen and his chest heaving.

"What was that for?" I whisper, dazed,

He rests his forehead against mine. "Just needed it," he says quietly. "I've got a few things

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Chapter 242

to get done. Thought I'd give you two some privacy to catch up."

I blink. "You're leaving?"

He nods, stepping back, smoothing my hair with a soft touch. "Just for a bit."

I nod too, even though part of me wants to reach for him again. He walks away first and I whisper to myself, adjusting my clothes as I slip back to my room.

Aiden's still standing at the window, watching the ripples on the water. He turns when I enter. “It's warm enough to swim, right?"

"I haven't tried."

"Then let's find out."

Before I can react, he throws me over his shoulder with a laugh, and I shriek, pounding at

his back as he barrels down the stairs and out onto the deck.

"Aiden, wait, I'm not wearing -!"

But he's already running. Then we're flying through the air.

The lake hits like a shock, cold and clear, and I come up sputtering and laughing all at

once, hair slicked back and clothes clinging to me.

"You're insane!" I yell, splashing water at him, trying to kick him under the water. He's laughing, swimming toward me. "C'mon. You love it."

He catches me, arms strong around my waist. I loop mine around his shoulders, breathless from the adrenaline. He tugs at my soaked shirt, lifting it over my head before helping me

with my jeans.

The water is cool against my skin. I watch as he undresses and shake my head. "You ruined my clothes."

"We were going to take them off at one point," he grins.

I roll my eyes, but smile.

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When he throws our clothes on the deck, he's back to wrapping an arm around my waist. His hands slide down my back and he kisses me again.

It's warm and familiar.

But something's missing.

My eyes stay closed longer than they should. Maybe if I don't look at him, I can pretend I don't feel the difference. That this doesn't feel like a memory trying to repeat itself rather

than something new.

He pulls back, helping me wrap my legs around his waist. "So, tell me more about this fellowship with your aunt."

"Well, it's my aunt's fellowship. I'm just freeloading."

That gets a chuckle out of him.

He

after a beat. "It's like me not taking the

to."

heart thuds. It would be like that, wouldn't

showed any signs of doubt. I wouldn't ever let him

an

opportunity like that.

why would I let

and I kiss him back. He's hard between his legs and

against my

his lips down my jaw. "Fuck, I've

touch, take his kisses. I close my eyes, trying

as he stands on the shallow end. I

it all feels underwhelming. It's not a fire.

Not Zaid.

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on the deck, he's

waist. His hands slide down my back

It's warm and familiar.

But something's missing.

I don't look at him, I can pretend I don't feel the difference. That this doesn't feel like a

his waist. "So, tell me

it's my aunt's fellowship. I'm just

a chuckle out

smile and tell him the basics. He listens, nodding, listening as

says after a beat. "It's like me not

not taking it if he showed any signs of doubt. I wouldn't ever

why would I let myself choose

mine again, and I kiss him back. He's hard between his legs and

brushes against my

lips down my jaw. "Fuck, I've missed

his touch, take his kisses. I close my eyes,

myself in his

as he stands on the

underwhelming. It's not a fire.

Not Zaid.

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him again, and we get out of the water, sitting on the porch swing

is unnervingly quiet, and I feel too

finally looks at me after a moment,

that I

to him, wondering why he

"Did that feel

aches and my nostrils flare. The last thing I want to do

We don't say anything else until the door to the house opens and Zaid

and just gets up and

fall into the ground

his arms around me

chest.

Chapter 243

the scent of pine and lake water toward us,

don't turn to look at Zaid, just feel his

I am incredibly uncomfortable. Still, I don't want to move away from

touch.

His breath is warm against my skin. It seems he's

want to talk about

body soft in his arms, but my heart heavy.

how to feel about Aiden

back slightly. Just enough so I feel the space

his eyes study me intensely. "What do you mean?

him here."

I did, too, but then when we talked

giving me the chance to

the towel fall down my shoulders a little.

decided that I was... I was going to

him."

flicker of surprise in his eyes. Again, he

waits.

and he kissed me, and for a second, I remembered how he

the first real comfort I had.

else felt like

quicksand."

together. His thumb brushes along my cheekbone

soothing something beneath my

know

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hand down to my neck. "I can't tell you what to feel,

it sounds like your confusing platonic and romantic

know," I breathe. "That's the problem. I can't always tell the difference. I

same; but sometimes my brain doesn't know. I'm having a hard time separating them when it

for a long moment, and then he leans in, pressing his forehead to

trust your