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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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.

basics. He listens, nodding, listening as he looks

"It's like me not taking the UCLA offer.

to."

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

of doubt. I wouldn't ever let

an

opportunity like that.

I

kiss him back. He's

brushes against my thighs,

down my jaw.

letting my body take his touch, take his kisses.

fucks me there as he stands on the shallow end. I come, my climax

of nowhere. But it all feels underwhelming. It's

Not Zaid.

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clothes on the deck, he's back to wrapping

His hands slide down my back

It's warm and familiar.

But something's missing.

look at him, I can pretend I don't feel the difference. That

back, helping me wrap my legs around his waist. "So, tell me more about this fellowship

aunt's fellowship. I'm just

chuckle

basics. He listens,

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

it? I would tell Aiden he's insane for not taking it if he showed any signs of doubt. I wouldn't ever

I let myself choose

lips find mine again, and I kiss him back.

my thighs,

down my jaw. "Fuck, I've missed

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

myself in his

he stands on the shallow end.

underwhelming. It's not a

Not Zaid.

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get out of the water, sitting on the porch swing

and I feel

finally looks at me after a moment, and he studies

that I

why he hasn't said

that feel different to

flare. The last thing

his jaw clenching. 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,

and just gets up and

fall

arms around me as I fall

chest.

Chapter 243

the scent of pine and lake water toward

turn to look at Zaid, just feel his body against mine. The towel still

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

touch.

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

not want to talk

soft in his arms, but my heart heavy.

didn't know how to feel about

so I feel the space open between

study me intensely. "What do you mean?

him here."

then when we talked at dinner that one time, I questioned

me the chance to

letting the towel fall down my

I decided that I was...

him."

see the flicker of surprise in his eyes. Again,

waits.

airport, and he kissed me, and for a second, I

was the first real comfort I had. He gave me something

else felt like

quicksand."

brows pull together. His thumb brushes along my

soothing something beneath

don't know what to

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down to my neck. "I can't

like your

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

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

for a long moment, and then

sounds like you don't trust your