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.

tell him the basics. He listens, nodding,

to go," he says after a beat. "It's like me not taking the UCLA offer. You

to."

wouldn't it? I would tell Aiden he's

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

an

opportunity like that.

why would I let myself

kiss him

my thighs,

lips down my jaw.

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

the shallow end. I come, my

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

Not Zaid.

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Chapter 242

on the deck, he's back to

my back

It's warm and familiar.

But something's missing.

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

legs around his waist. "So, tell

aunt's fellowship. I'm

gets a chuckle

tell him the basics. He

a beat. "It's like me

taking it if he showed any signs of doubt. I wouldn't ever let him choose me

why would I let myself choose

and I kiss him back. He's hard between

my thighs,

moves his lips down my

nod, letting my body take his touch, take his kisses. I

myself in his

on the

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

Not Zaid.

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Chapter 242

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

towels. Aiden is unnervingly quiet, and I feel too distraught to

moment,

that I

why he hasn't said

creases. "Did that

flare. The last thing I want to do is

door to the house opens and Zaid joins

at Zaid and just gets up

want to crumple, fall into the ground and

wrapping his arms around me as

chest.

Chapter 243

of pine and lake water toward us, the

to look at Zaid, just feel his body against mine.

uncomfortable. Still,

touch.

breath is warm against my skin. It

you not want

my body soft in his arms, but my heart heavy. "I never

I didn't know how to feel about

back slightly. Just enough so I feel the space open

his eyes study me intensely. "What do you

him here."

I did, too, but then when we

says nothing, giving me

the towel fall down my shoulders a little. "I

and I decided that I was... I was going

him."

I see the flicker of surprise in

waits.

a breath. "And then I saw him at the airport, and he kissed me, and for a second, I remembered how he made me feel

had. He gave me

else felt like

quicksand."

pull together. His thumb brushes along

something

don't know

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hand down to my neck.

like your

problem. I can't always tell the difference.

know. I'm having a hard

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

like you don't trust your own