Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 236

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.

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

after a beat. "It's like me

to."

thuds. It would be like that, wouldn't it?

any signs of doubt. I wouldn't ever let

an

opportunity like that.

why would I let

again, and I kiss him back. He's

my thighs, making me

down my jaw. "Fuck,

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

me there as he stands on the shallow

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

Not Zaid.

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Chapter 242

on the deck, he's back to wrapping

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 memory trying to repeat itself rather than something

legs around his waist. "So, tell me more

it's my aunt's fellowship.

a chuckle

the basics. He listens, nodding, listening as he

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

taking it if he showed any signs of

why would I let

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

my thighs, making me

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

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

in his

the shallow end. I come,

underwhelming.

Not Zaid.

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Chapter 242

we get out of the water, sitting on

quiet, and I feel too distraught

looks at me after a moment, and he studies

that I

to him, wondering why

creases. "Did that feel different to

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

the door to the house opens and Zaid joins us. He looks at us with a surprised expression, no

and just gets up and

fall into the ground

his arms around me as I

chest.

Chapter 243

carries the scent of pine and lake water toward us, the

at Zaid, just feel

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

touch.

on my shoulder. His breath is warm against my skin. It seems

want

in his arms, but

I didn't know how to

so I feel the space open between us. His

his eyes study me intensely. "What do

him here."

nod. "I thought I did, too, but then when we talked at

me the chance to keep

fall down my

and I decided that I

him."

in his eyes. Again, he doesn't say

waits.

he kissed me, and for a second, I remembered how he made me feel safe when I first moved to

the first real comfort I had. He gave

else felt like

quicksand."

pull together. His thumb brushes along my cheekbone gently,

soothing something beneath

don't know what

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Chapter 243

neck. "I can't tell you what

your

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

but sometimes my brain doesn't know. I'm having

then he leans in, pressing his

you don't trust your own

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