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.

the basics. He listens, nodding, listening as

have to go," he says after a beat. "It's

to."

It would be like that, wouldn't it? I would tell Aiden he's insane

of doubt. I

an

opportunity like that.

would I let

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

brushes against my thighs, making

his lips down my jaw.

body take his touch, take his kisses. I close my eyes, trying to lose myself in his

as he stands on the shallow end. I

feels underwhelming. It's

Not Zaid.

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Chapter 242

the deck, he's back to

His hands slide down my back and he

It's warm and familiar.

But something's missing.

I can pretend I don't feel the difference. That this doesn't feel like a memory

wrap my legs around his waist. "So, tell me more

my aunt's fellowship.

a chuckle

basics. He listens, nodding, listening

"It's

taking it if he showed any signs

I let myself

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

brushes against my thighs,

down my jaw. "Fuck, I've

his touch, take his kisses. I close my

myself in

on the shallow end. I come, my climax hitting

nowhere. But it all feels underwhelming. It's not a fire. Not an

Not Zaid.

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Chapter 242

kiss him again, and we get out of the water, sitting

is unnervingly quiet, and I feel too distraught

finally looks at me after a moment, and he

that I

him, wondering why he hasn't said

brow creases. "Did that feel

my nostrils flare. The last thing I want to do is lie.

We don't say anything else until the door to the house opens and Zaid joins us. He looks at us with a surprised expression, no doubt

Zaid and just gets up

crumple, fall into the ground

arms around me as

chest.

Chapter 243

of pine and lake water toward

look at Zaid, just feel his body against

and I am incredibly uncomfortable. Still,

touch.

rests lightly on my shoulder. His breath is warm against my skin. It seems he's had enough of the silence and his quiet voice

not want to talk

my body soft in his arms, but my heart heavy. "I

know how to feel

back slightly. Just enough so I feel the space

my waist, but his eyes study me intensely.

him here."

when we talked at dinner that one

nothing, giving me the chance to keep

towel fall down my

I decided that I was...

him."

in his eyes. Again, he doesn't say anything,

waits.

saw him at the airport, and he kissed me, and for a second, I remembered

the first real comfort I had. He gave me something

else felt like

quicksand."

brows pull together. His thumb brushes along my cheekbone

soothing something

don't know what to

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Chapter 243

sighs, moving his hand down to my neck.

like your confusing platonic

I

doesn't know. I'm having

and then he

like you don't trust your own feelings,"

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