KALEN

Chapter |5| Face To Face

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

Come on. Come on.

I screw my eyes shut, trying to block out the evident slurping noises and focus on the sensation down below. He shifts to the right.

Fuck, no! What do guys not understand about keep going?

I let out an audible sigh, and everything suddenly stops all together. He lifts his head up. The light pouring in illuminates his sandy hair, almost causing it to glisten.

I wish guys acted the way they looked. Luke is supposed to be the cream of the crop. The perfect jock with good grades and actually treats girls with respect. Yet in the bedroom, his skills were lacking in every way.

"Is it not good?" Whenever he asks me this question, I'm forced to lie. His puppy dog eyes come out to play, and he's so good to me that it hurts to see him disappointed in any way.

"No it's great, just maybe shift a little to the centre."

"Like this?" His tongue circles my clit and instantly I let out a moan.

"Yes," This spurs him on and he repeats it again and again and that's it.

My o****m teeters away again, and I'm left deflated whilst Luke tries to shove his tongue inside of my v****a. Again.

I'm all good for experimenting but after 5 months of being in a full committed s****l relationship, I would have hoped he knew what I liked. What my body responded to without having spell everything out.

We've slept together admittedly. I was drunk. We'd just been out on our eighth date and he asked if I wanted to have s*x. That bluntly. No foreplay, a little stroking I guess and there was a finger or two involved before he shoved it inside of me.

I was so shocked that I didn't even realise when the whole thing was over. It lasted three minutes. Then he rolled off me, panting hard and heavy and told me how good I was. I guess the compliment was enough to win me back because I carried on dating him.

Part of me knows Luke would only just be a rebound. Yet, I'm scared to let go of him, knowing it would opportunity for Kalen to come crawling back in.

20 months later and I'm still hung over a guy who would only ever break my heart.

"Tessa, Tessa!"

"Yeah, sorry what?" He sighs, and rolls over. I'm kinda glad because he eats me out like I'm the last popsicle on Earth...and he hates f*****g popsicles.

"You didn't like it." I shake my head. "f**k, why does it never work? You go down on me and I c*m within two minutes."

"Maybe with guys it's just easier? Every girl is different. Maybe it's just harder with me?"

"Yeah maybe." Of course the problem is me. Luke isn't just popular because he looks like a walking Calvin Klein ad. He has a reputation for being this extraordinary lover.

Kiara doesn't believe it. She says he spread the rumours himself because no guy had talent like that at our age. Yet, he tells me all these stories of his s****l conquests and I have nothing to add because there was only ever Kalen before him.

I get a sense he likes I lack experience. I'm the perfect image girlfriend for him. Not too smart, not too dumb, blonde and pretty, virginal.

"Hey Luke?"

"Yeah babe." I cringe inwardly, hating the pet name.

"Have you thought about college yet?"

"A scout is coming to my next game. He's from Arizona and if I manage to impress him then i might get a whole scholarship."

"Holy s**t that great!" I genuinely smile because I know how much he loves football.

"Yeah so that means if you went to Arizona too then we get our own place together."

"I don't think I'm going to go to Arizona."

"Why not?" He sounds so defensive and brash I'm a little taken aback. His eyes soften a little as he leans in to grab my hand. "I just mean, it could be a new start for us, you know."

I just nod, not knowing what else to say. I haven't really thought about college or what I want to do in general. Kiara has a safety net. Her parents are rich and then she has her whole family mafia legacy. I have a mother I'm trying to rebel against.

She loves Luke for me and probably has the same ideas of him for where our relationship should go next but ideally she wants me to stay at home for college and major in something like HR

A safe secure job she says, the perfect 9-5 so you'll still have time to raise your kids.

To me that just screams entrapment. I want something freeing, I definitely want to move out for college and I want travel. See the world maybe?

"Get on." Again, I'm pull down to reality. I just stare at Luke blankly. "Sit on my face." I laugh until I realise he's completely serious.

"Luke no. Let's just forget it."

"Come on. We're not stopping until we get this right." Gripping my wrist, he yanks me on top of him. I struggle to stabilise myself, frantically gripping onto his headboard so I don't fall.

His tongue laps at my clit, for once he focuses on one thing. I moan and it spurs him on. His palms are on either side of my thigh, forcing them apart.

I like the roughness. It feels so good to not be in control, for my mind to be plagued with utter pleasure for once.

"Luke, yes. Keep going, don't stop." I scream at myself for never suggesting this position before.

Maybe Luke is a s*x wizard? I grind slowly feeling his tongue strike me pleasure I haven't felt for so long.

Yes, yes...so close.

Then the phone rings. I ignore it because I'm about to c*m for once on top of my boyfriend's face.

He doesn't.

"Hello? Oh hey bro, no I'm good. What's up? Really, I can't believe coach made you do it."

This asshole. I'm still on top of him. His face is still beneath me, but he's shifted away from my leaking p***y and moved my leg so he can talk. I quickly get off him and start rummaging for my clothes.

My panties are forever lost. There's no way I'm digging under the pile of jockstraps and boxers for it so I just grab my dress and slip on my shoes.

I make a beeline for the door.

"Hold on one sec man." He covers the receiver. "You're going?"

"Yes, I'm going Luke." I'm practically seething whilst he stares on oblivious.

"Okay, I'll call you later."

Clenching my teeth, I storm out of his room, mumbling, "Please don't."

***

"I'm sorry but if you aren't satisfied sexually, then please break up with him." Finally confiding in someone makes it feel like this huge weight has been lifted off my chest.

Kiara was a little hurt I hadn't confessed before, but I knew what she would tell me to do and I'm so scared of what happens to me if I break up with Luke.

"It could be worse." She just stares at me like I've told her every Starbucks in the world is closing down.

"Barely four orgasms within a six month relationship is terrible and it is his fault. He could be more proactive, he could try harder, he could be willing to let you take more control during sex."

I offered to be on top once. Luke literally laughed in my face and told me good one. Maybe it was because I would have a more authoritative position? Or maybe he just liked pinning me onto the bed and f*****g me?

"What if I just can't c*m from penetration alone?" It could happen.

"What if he just really sucks? Look, s*x is a big part of a relationship to some people and to hers it's not a big deal but if there's any doubt in your mind about Luke, you need to choose yourself and break up with him. It's not fair to either of you."

Kiara was right. f**k, I hated when she was right. I pulled out my phone and texted Luke that we needed to meet up tonight. He responded almost immediately with a thumbs up emoji.

"What's going on with you? How's Sawyer?"

She rolls her eyes. "You don't need to say his name with such contempt."

"He's a stoner jackass. You can do better."

"I'm not dating him. We're just f*****g and he actually gets the job done." I stick my tongue out at her and she does it better. We break out into laughter, my head leaning against her shoulder as we stare out at the empty park.

"Are you thinking about college?" The prospect of going to school without Kiara was terrifying. I guess I still saw myself as the eight year old with a crazy Catholic mother who was bullied relentlessly.

"It would be fun. Definitely wild. I just don't know what I would actually study."

"Maybe you could major in business?" She was cutthroat, argumentative and amazing at getting her own way. All the qualities needed for a perfect CEO.

She smiles. "My dad would love it. I just don't know if I would."

An hour later we pack up our stuff and leave. I head to meet Luke at his house, whilst Kiara heads home for night unusually. She invites me over for dinner after I've and I quote 'dumped the four inch prick'.

"Want to head upstairs?" He wiggles his brows at me and I force down the urge to cringe.

"Luke, we need to talk." His face falls as I divulge every hesitation and thought I've had of our relationship.

At the end of it all, he looks dejected but still offers me a goodbye hug. I know deep down he's a good guy, but just not the guy for me.

I walk to the Romano mansion. It's only 20 minutes away but the cold night helps to clear my mind. I remember how scared I used to be coming back here after that night with Kalen. My heart would literally beat out of my chest, praying to God he wouldn't be there.

Then when he left, I wasn't filled with the relief I thought I would be, but instead felt empty and alone.

I guess the feelings he conjured up always kept me warm and without them, I was lost.

The door is ajar when I walk up to the entrance. I hesitate walking in but the bright laughter coming from inside settles my nerves.

Kiara's voice thrives above all. "I'm so happy you're back home. I've missed you Kalen."

And there he is. The same man who haunts my dreams and broke my heart.

I freeze up, unsure of what to do. No-one has noticed me yet. I could just creep away but...I can't deny I want to see him too. I want to stare into his deep brown eyes and see if I still melt when he flashes me a smile.

He's a taller, that's pretty much all I can decipher from standing here. His hair is grown, shaggier, and he's become stronger too. I think God hates me, because how on Earth can Kalen Romano possibly get hotter.

"Oh hey, Tessa's here." I grit my teeth. Thank you Kai.

Kiara pulls back, and her eyes flit to mine with concern first. I nod, letting her know the breakup was fine, and she relaxes. I can't stand to look at him, can't stand to talk. What the f**k would I even say?

"Hi." Oh. f**k.

I tear my gaze away from the floor and fix it on him. Jesus. He's beautiful. The whole Romano family is but Kalen has always had something more.

"Hi." Come on Tessa. Think basic courteous manners. "How was the scholarship?"

"It was really good. I learnt a lot, played a lot and I think I've grown. I think I've realised I've made mistakes in the past and I've come back to fix them." Oh my...

"Like leaving without saying goodbye to me." Kai chips in, dragging Kalen's attention towards him. He flashes one of those grins.

"If you weren't too busy f*****g Mandy Simons then I maybe I would have."

"Boys, language." His mother chides, sending him a seething look.

He just laughs and it's enough for her son to be here that she smiles too. "Let's have dinner."

Everyone starts bundling towards the dining room but I linger back, needing a moment to recompose. Then a hand finds my shoulder.

I jump back. "s**t, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Turning slowly, I struggle to find words. Any words.

"I...uh...I didn't...it's..."

"I know this weird. I'm sorry." For what? I want to scream. Ambushing me here, hurting me back then.

"I'm 18." I don't even know why I said that.

"I know. How does it feel?"

"Not much different. I can drive now, and...vote I guess. It's not very exciting."

"Well, being 21 is a little more fun I suppose. More responsibility, but at least I can use my real ID instead of a fake one." I laugh quietly and the air thickens into silence again.

Slowly, I watch as he reaches out and takes my hand. "I meant what I said before. About fixing my mistakes."

"So, was I a mistake?"

"No, but the way I acted was. I'd like to fix it, if you would let me." I don't even know what he means. Fix our friendship? Or something more?

He's still the most complicated man in the world and every part of my brain is screaming no.

"Please," I feel my resolve melt away. But I can't give him power over me. I can't let him determine everything.

"Friends." I offer out my hand for him to shake. He seems taken aback, but quickly recovers, masking his shock with a grin.

"Friends." He shakes my hand and that electrifying jolt strikes my body again. I can't tell if he feels it too. He just carries on smiling.

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A/N: Ahh thoughts on Kalen???

On Luke?? (No-one likes a guy who can't satisfy?)

What do you think is coming up next??