Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 66

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We step out into the backyard and the only thing stoppingfrom wobbling in my high heels is Aiden's steady

arm beneath mine.

The evening breeze sends shivers down my spine, and my skin breaks out into goosebumps. People are talking

around us, drinking and having appetizers.

Sof them wave at Aiden. Most of the people here are their friends and family. He only waves back at them

and doesn't try to start any conversation.

Twinkling lights are strung through the trees, casting a soft light over the crowd. Everything is picture-perfect. Far

too perfect for the storm of nerves swirling in my chest.

My stomach is a mess, my nerves flying erratically inside of me.

My eyes scan the space, taking in the faces of people | don't recognize until they land on Zaid.

He's standing near the edge of the crowd, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that fits him like a glove. His

hair is styled just enough to be called neat, though a strand falls rebelliously across his forehead. The sharp lines

of his jaw and the depth of his dark eyes make him look impossibly handsome.

Too handsome.

| feel a wave of heat rush through me, makinghyper-aware of the fabric of my dress, the way it clings to me,

the daring slit that exposes my thigh with every step.

And the fact that I'm not wearing any underwear.

Fuck. I rub my legs together, but that does little to help the unease between them. Zaid tilts his head atlike

he knows and, for a second, | feel like both of us are thinking about last night.

About how he watchescon his brother's cock.

| shift uncomfortably, a flush creeping up my neck as | try to push the thought

away. Aiden glances down at me, his brow furrowing slightly.

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"You okay?" he asks, his voice low.

I nod quickly, forcing a tight smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He misinterprets my discomfort completely, his hand giving mine a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about Zaid.

He was an idiot for bringing Sadie yesterday. Let's just enjoy the

night, okay?"

I nod again, though his words barely register. My focus is splintered, darting between Zaid and the growing

crowd.

He kissessoftly. "How are you feeling?"

He rubs a finger against my exposed hip and | know what he's askingabout. |

inhale against his lips. "I feel fine."

He smiles. "Can you feel the breeze?"

He shifts his hand under my dress, and | grab his wrist. "Stop, Aiden."

With a laugh, he draws his hand back. "Okay, fine."

"You were seriously not thinking about fingeringat our parent's wedding."

He shrugs and | smack his arm. "I can't help it. | want more if you every single fucking

time."

"I know the feeling," | mutter.

We stand at a high table for a while, drinking water and lemonade, when we hear

commotion. We look toward the entrance of the house and spot Jake exiting, greeting the guests as he walks, a

polished smile plastered on his face.

He looks so good in his suit, my mouth dries as | watch him walk toward us. But then his eyes find me.

The change is subtle. A flicker of something dark, sharp, as his gaze travels over me. | can feel the weight of his

attention, lingering on the slit of my dress, where my leg peeks through.

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My stomach twists, though I'm not sure if it's from discomfort or something else entirely.

Jake starts walking toward us, his smile never wavering. When he reaches us, his eyes flick to Aiden briefly

before settling back on me.

"Do you mind givinga moment with Alina?" Jake asks smoothly.

Aiden lifts an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Just want swords with my future step-daughter."

My stomach revolts.

Aiden looks atfor a moment before he shrugs. "I'll grab us sdrinks. Be right back."

| open my mouth to protest, but Aiden is already walking away. My heart stutters

as | turn back to Jake, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

His eyes rake overslowly, deliberately, making my skin prickle with heat. "Jake." It's practically a beg on my

tongue.

It doesn't stop him, though. He lingers on my leg, then my waist, and then my chest. He leans in slightly, his

voice low and teasing. "I knew you'd look delicious in that dress."

| lose my breath for a moment; the words hittinglike a bolt of lightning. "You...

picked it out?"

His lips curl into a smirk. "Of course | did. You think your mother would?"

The admission sends a rush of warmth flooding through me, leavingfeeling dizzy and

off-balance. My fingers curl into fists at my sides, trying to ground myself.

| shake my head. "I didn't really think about it, to be honest."

Jake steps closer. | watch as his nostrils flare. "What are you wearing underneath?"

My eyes widen. "Jake, I'm not having this conversation. You're marrying my mother, for

fuck's sake."

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"We can still end this."

"Jake." My heart hammers in my chest,

Another step and his hand brushes lightly against my arm as he leans in and presses a chaste kiss to my cheek.

The touch is brief but lingers like a brand, leavingbreathless.

"The ceremony's about to start," he murmurs, his voice rich and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine.

| nod mutely, unable to form words as he pulls back, his smirk deepening as if he knows exactly what he's done

to me. Then he turns and walks away, leavingstanding there, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

Aiden returns with a drink forand, as he hands it to me, he leans toward my ear. "I had them spike it for us."

I blow out a stream of air. "Good."

| throw my head back and swallow most of the drink. Aiden snorts. "What the fuck

did my father say to you?"

"You don't want to know."

He hums, his hand on my lower back as he pushestoward the front of row in

the ceremony area. Zaid sits besideand | tense.

His shoulder brushes against mine, and | can feel his eyes on the side of my head. | can't take the burning. | turn

to look at him.