Page 185

“Well?” he asks the moment we’re alone.

“I…” I exhale slowly. “I don’t know, Zayn,” I admit honestly. “I don’t want you to think—or feel—like your parents forced you into this relationship.”

What would be the point of hiding my fears?

All that would do is give them room to grow quietly inside me until they eventually poison my mind.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, standing up.

“It’s obvious that, in one way or another, this relationship was arranged,” I explain carefully. “And even if it didn’t seem like it at that time, you were still pushed into spending time with me and…”

He closes the distance between us and kisses me before I can finish another word.

Both my hands slide around his neck as I deepen the kiss instinctively.

“Selene,” he whispers against my lips, “you can’t call this an arranged relationship when I wanted you with everything in me for longer than I can even remember.”

His forehead rests against mine.

“If none of this bothers you…”

“Their plan brought me the most incredible man I’ve ever known, Zayn,” I interrupt him. “Not a single thing they said upset me.”

“Thank God,” he breathes with relief.

“Why would you even think that?”

“Because you looked upset when they said they would’ve done anything to break you two apart…”

I start laughing softly.

He stops talking and watches me with amused eyes, gently biting his lower lip.

“I’m completely here, Zayn,” I confess quietly. “And I want to stay in this relationship, no matter what helped create it… if you want that too.”

“Only if you promise you’ll never leave me again,” he demands between kisses. “And that you’ll never ban sex again.”

Laughing, I pull him even closer.

“You have my word, my love.”

“I love you, Selene. I’m fucking consumed by you.”

SIXTY-TWO

Zayn

“Where are we going?” Selene asks, visibly shaken by my mood.

Even though I’ve done my best to stay present, my mind keeps drifting toward what we’re about to find when we reach our destination. The thought presses relentlessly at the back of my mind, refusing to give even a moment of peace.

“Are you okay, Zayn?” she presses, obviously noticing how much I’m holding back.

Bringing her hand to my lips, I kiss her knuckles and give her the most genuine smile I can manage.

“I’m okay, pixie. I’ll explain in a minute. We’re almost there.”

She nods, letting me know she understands, but she keeps watching me with suspicion, studying every inch of me as though she’s trying to make sure I’m not hurt.