Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 249

Zaid drives with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his thigh. The sky outside is shifting into that dark black of night, and the silence between us isn't awkward. It's just full of the things we're giving each other things to say.

I glance over at him. The slope of his nose. The slight pull on his brow. The way

his lashes fan against his cheekbones when he

blinks.

He catches me.

"You're staring," he says, a small smile tugging at his lips.

I don't even pretend to look away.

"I can't help it,” I say softly. "You're so beautiful to me."

His jaw flexes just once, and he reaches across the console for my hand. Our fingers tangle together like muscle memory.

I look down at them. "We have a week. Just us. Before I go."

"I know," he says quietly, and even though he's still smiling, I hear the weight in his voice.

There's a silence again.

I squeeze his hand gently. "It's going to suck, but it's also going to be good. I mean, you knew I needed this. Before I even did."

He nods, not looking at me, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I knew. And I want you

to have it. The space. The freedom. You're own piece of life."

His words warm me, and then guilt straddles my chest. I hesitate and take a breath. “Jake came by. While you and Aiden were gone that one day."

He finally glances at me.

in my throat. "He

blinks. His hand tightens just slightly around mine, his other hand turning white on the

wouldn't you want me

my hand and brings both of his hands to the wheel. "I didn't want you to feel like you owed me anything. You broke up with Jake, and then Aiden. What if you felt the need

have. I won't. I don't want

if you wanted to. I didn't want this getting in the way. I wanted you to have a place that was yours. You had to leave Florida, you had to leave Arizona. But this is yours. No one

tears from my

you end up. No matter

miss you so

1/3

Chapter 249

chuckles under his breath, but there's no humor in it, just tenderess. "You have no idea how much I'm going to

pulls into the driveway. We

my wrist. He

1

mine, and I gasp from the tenderness and

wanting to do this all week," Zaid

against his lips.

lays on my back and settles over me. His hands explore my skin beneath my clothes and I freeze, pressing a hand to his

are we doing?" I

Zaid frown. "Right now?"

back from Italy.

at me briefly, his eyes soft and sure. He pulls me with him as he sits, setting me on his lap with my legs around his

the way I guarded myself. Everything that happened in the accident, and then everything that

been scared, too,"

to Italy. Me, staying. Facing the stuff I've avoided for a

his knuckles. "So

"We're each other's future, and right now,

My throat is tight.

it out when you come back,"

nod, the tears finally spilling