KALEN

Chapter |7| For Real This Time

T E S S A ' S P. O. V

I let out another grunt of pain as Pepper tightly curls another strand of hair. Right now I look like a poodle, but I'm placing trust in the transformation.

I'm more nervous than I'm letting on about all of this. Kiara and I have been looking forward to being apart of the auction ever since we first attended the gala at 15.

We saw beautiful girls in huge dresses being escorted away by hot rich gentleman. I know the reality is far from perfect.

The girls could be bought by older men too. I remember seeing a girl, she was young and gorgeous, but her youth was marred by thick tears that caused her mascara to gloop as she was dragged towards her date for the evening. An old moustached banker who eyed her with nothing other than lust.

I feared being bought like that. I feared being alone because I wasn't tough like Kiara. I couldn't take care of myself. I'm a people pleaser and even if an old rich guy buys me, I'd still walk towards him with a smile, though instead my anxiety would be plaguing.

An hour and half later, my hair is pristine and shimmering even. My golden curls match the tinted yellow gown I'm wearing that trails along the floor as I walk.

I actually feel beautiful. Such a rare occurrence for me.

"Aw Tess. You look amazing." I gave my best friend the once over. Her eyes were illuminating with excitement, something I hadn't seen from her in a while.

"So do you. I didn't think you could get much hotter, and you've proven me wrong. Tristan is lucky man."

She shushes me immediately but a small smile creeps up on her lips. "I think we're moving to a better place Tess. He seems genuine about wanting me back."

"And do you trust him?"

"It's hard. I want to, god knows I do, and I don't believe he would ever intentionally hurt me but my heart is still guarded. I can't let my walls down so easily."

"If he buys a date with you, then maybe you should put everything aside, treat it as if your strangers."

If I had to choose between Tristan or Aaron, it was Tristan all the way for me. He just seemed like the saner choice. The better choice.

Unfortunately my best friend was attracted to danger.

"You girls ready?" Kiara's father calls from outside the door.

We leave her room to make our big entrance. Not really but we grew up watching movies like the Princess Diaries or Cinderella where walking down a grand staircase was the height of the movie.

We grin at each other before making our descent, our hands clasped in the middle. As I look up, I see him first.

Kalen appears transfixed, staring at me with a look I've never seen before. When he finally notices my gaze, he smiles, and all resolution that Kalen and I are just friends flies out the window.

"Hi," I murmured softly as I reach him. Kai and Kiara head straight to the limo, followed slowly by everyone else.

"You look stunning." His eyes roam the length of my body and then back up to meet my eyes. "f*****g perfection." I shudder as his hand reaches out to push back my curls.

It lingers on my cheek, his thumb brushing over my lip. Am I dreaming? If so, pinch me now. I can't handle the tension, the knowing that if we were to kiss right now, it could potentially f**k up the friendship we've fought to build.

Instead of his gorgeous face smashing into mine, I pull away and watch the hand between us drop. I ignore the hurt in his eyes, remembering all the tears I've cried for him.

"We don't want to be late." He nods and gestures for me to leave first. We ride in the limo in silence. And for the first time in a long time, I feel that desolate loneliness creeping back in.

***

"Tessa Jones." My heart races as my name is called before most of the city's higher society.

The first thing I feel is the searing heat of the bright spotlights. I try to squint as I walk to the marked spot on the stage and flash a small but conservative smile. Hopefully they all know I'm definitely not willing to put out tonight.

"We'll start at 10,000." I ignore the fact the starting offer is lower than most. I'm here by association after all.

A man puts his hand up, and another calls out 15,000. Then someone else screams 30,000 and I feel my hope lifting up.

They're all fairly attractive and young, so this won't be too bad.

"200,000!" I struggle to find the man who calls out the bid. f**k. He's practically 4 foot 2. That's why, and his stomach is protruding out so far he barely fits underneath the table.

"400,000." Another shouts.

"800,000." The same man bellows.

Then suddenly the room erupts. Men of all different ages start screaming out numbers. It reaches 3 million when I realise what a terrible f*****g mistake I've made.

I don't want to date anyone. I don't want to spend the night making nice chit chat. I want one man, only one and he's the only guy I can't be with.

"10 million." The voice is filled with so much authority and possession, the room stills to silence. A spotlight lands on Kalen and I half expect him to retract his bid, realising that he's just claimed me in front of family, but instead he meets my gaze and repeats his bid. "10 million."

An applause slowly breaks out among the stricken crowd. It's the biggest bid yet, though it's not the money that's immobilised my body from head to toe, it's the fact Kalen f*****g Romano wants me.

"Congratulations Mr Romano," I don't hesitate this time. I run straight into arms, past the strange weird men that are scowling because they lost.

"I can't believe you just did." I breathe out.

He pushes back my hair, his hot breath tickling my ear. "I'm all in this time Tessa."

As I pull away, I stare into his eyes that hold nothing but promise and truth. I feel the moment coming and lean in a little closer to spark his attention.

His eyes roar to life, desire overpowering everything else. My arms encircle his neck, and I rise up on my toes just to feel the velvet of softness of his lips once again.

"Kalen!" I jolt back at Mr Romano's voice. His is violent and abrupt, such a stark contrast to his son's mellow calmness.

Kalen flinches too. I think the both of us just realised the bubble we secluded ourselves into has been violently burst. "Yes dad."

Another round of applause drags their attention away. Kiara is up soon.

"We'll talk about this later. For now, stay away." He physically pries Kalen away from me, shoving him towards his brothers. Gabi wraps her arm around my shoulders and guides me closer towards her.

I frantically search for Kalen but he's lost somewhere in the crowd.

"How long?" Gabi's calmness eases my desperation.

"A while." She could be referring to anything but that seemed the most suitable answer.

Nodding, she flashes me a small smile and turns back towards her daughter. Ten minutes later and Mr Romano looks even angrier, if possible.

I swear the vein in his neck is ready to pop as Aaron Black hands over his briefcases full of money in exchange for a date with the mafia princess.

Kiara seems both relieved and terrified. Tristan has stormed away somewhere, and I just hope he doesn't blame her for Aaron's affections.

"I think my husband is going to go into cardiac arrest." Gabi murmurs, drifting over to his side. I watch her soft voice soothe him instantly, causing the anger to melt away.

"They're older now, you have to let them figure this out for themselves."

"I'm their father. I still have a right to educate about them about right from wrong, to protect them, help them..."

"And I will let you know when it's time to intervene." Gabi glances over at her daughter.

"She's in not danger with Aaron. He wouldn't hurt her and it's one date." Then her eyes flicker back to me. "Tessa is 18, perfectly capable of making her own choices and we have to have faith in our son that we raised him to be a man of worthy of her."

He gestures for Kalen to come here and draws him in to whisper something. I just see a lot of nodding and gruff expressions until Kalen finally pulls away. He looks up at me and smiles, pushing past the crowd to reach me.

"What happened?"

"I think my father just gave us permission to date." I only laugh, falling into his arms as he swings me around.

"Does this mean we can go on our first date now?"

"Definitely." He pulls me towards the exist, hastily kissing me before we climb back in the limo.

"Drew, you know where to go." The driver nods and sets off, the divider closing up.

"I'm hungry." Kalen's deep voice vibrates as he towers on top of me.

"We're going for food right now." I retort coyly.

"I don't need food, I need you." His head ducks under my dress, the material ruffling as he pries aside my thong and licks me thoroughly.

"f**k," My head lolls back as I feel his teeth graze the sensitive bud, then circle it with such precision.

It's been two years since I've felt him so intimately. I've forgotten how truly blessed this man is.

He moves back, his touch lost for a second. I'm too used to being with Luke I cry out, "Don't leave."

The sheer desperation causes him to ease over me. I cling onto him, my nails sinking into his hair. I know he's searching my eyes, scared that I'm slowly turning hysteric.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I evade his eyes but he grips my chin in place.

"Talk to me." The dominance his voice causes my p***y clench, yet I know he isn't trying to be sexy, he just wants honesty. His eyes soften. "Please,"

"I had a boyfriend. After you left and I broke up with him the day you came back. I didn't even know you were home." Holy f**k. Maybe we really are fated to be?

"Why did you break up?" His gaze so intrusive it makes me want to spill everything thought I've ever had.

"He wasn't right for me. I always knew that but he was a good guy and he wanted me. I told myself things would get better, there would be more than just attraction, yet after months I still didn't feel it so we broke up."

"He didn't hurt you?" I shake my head. "But there's something..."

"I had s*x with him." I brace myself for his reaction. The impact causes him to flinch first, hurt fills his eyes and for a moment he has to look away.

"He took your virginity?"

"I was willing, I wanted it. I wish I didn't. I wish I saved myself..."

"No. No. You did what you wanted to do, and that's fine. Even if you regret it now, I wouldn't have wanted you to have stopped yourself because of me."

"It was horrible though. Sex...it was awkward and weird and I didn't c*m at all. It lasted like two minutes."

"He is a teenage guy and you are incredibly sexy." I laugh into his neck, inhaling his deep musky scent. Somehow it grounds me.

"What else?"

"He was terrible in bed. I don't want to offend him but it was pretty bad. He ignored me a lot, choosing a blow job over anything, and sometimes I guess it hurt me. I was naked and willing and he would take a call in the middle of something that's supposed to be intimate and special."

Kalen's gaze softens. "Boys often forget to think about other people, especially their girlfriends. I promise I won't ever do that to. I promise to never make you feel anything less than beautiful."

His grin slips back on as he lowers down but I pull him back up instead.

I don't want an o****m. I just want to feel close to him.

Wrapping my arms around him, I yank him down until he's practically squashing me. He drops his head low, sending my need for us to hold each other, and nudges his nose against mine.

"I'm all in Tessa. This is the start of forever."

Forever with Kalen? I could see it perfectly. Marrying each other with stupid smiles on our faces, moving into a new house, carrying his baby, him coming home to us in a suit and tie.

This is my dream. Being with the man I love. Still love after so many years of trying to assuage the feelings I have for him.

Everything I want is all right here for the taking.

I smash my lips into his. His eyes widen slightly in surprise, but he quickly recovers. His hand cups my cheek whilst he kisses me back with the same intensity.

My lips part and I move back for just a moment. "I'm all in too."

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A/N: Is the finally the start of Kalen and Tessa??

What's would their ship name be?

Talen? Kalessa? Let me know in the comments!!