Chapter 8 Reality Kisses vs Fake Emotions

Jalen’s POV

Work felt long today, but finally, Teresa brought me the update I’d been waiting for. The meeting with Bright Initiative's executive board was set for 10 a.m. next Wednesday. But it wouldn’t be held at my company’s office. I’d have to go to theirs.

Figures.

I nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

As soon as Teresa left, Talia stormed in like she was walking a red carpet. She wore an expensive designer dress, hair, and makeup flawless, like she was gearing up for a photo shoot. Probably was.

Without waiting for a hello, she said, “After that stupid reunion, I’ll need to fly to Paris for Fashion Week. I need to use the jet.”

I sighed. “Fine. Take it. As long as you’re out of my face.”

Her smile was tight and plastic, literally. It looked like she’d just had another round of Botox, maybe something else, too. There was something... off.

“Is that all?” I asked, already praying for her exit.

She sat across from my desk like she had all day. “No. My FaceTok views are down, and my Pictogram is slowing up, too.”

I shrugged. “Announce a contest or something. Get creative.”

She rolled her eyes and stood. “You’re no fucking help. I’m going to talk to our marketing team.”

“Good riddance,” I muttered as she flounced out of my office.

The second the door shut behind her, my mind went back to Aria.

That first kiss still haunted me.

Flashback

Talia: Hey baby, can you please come and pick me up at the salon?

Was the message I got in the middle of my Commercial Insurance and Liability class.

Does she even go to class anymore?

We’d been hot and heavy for a few weeks, and recently made it official. After that little incident in the kitchen, she swore it wouldn’t happen again. The sex had been wild—especially when we were at her condo. I tried not to be too loud because Aria and Lucia were usually home, but sometimes... I couldn’t help it. We both got carried away.

And yet, no matter how deep I was in with Talia, Aria was always on my mind. Every time I was with Talia, I’d wonder if Aria could hear us. If she was thinking about me too. If she wished she were in Talia’s place.

Talia was all about performance costumes, toys, restraints. What started out fun now felt like a chore. Cold. Empty. Like there was no emotion behind any of it. I didn’t want to feel like a job. I wanted to feel something.

I wanted a connection. Passion. I wanted to kiss someone and actually mean it.

Me: Yes, I’ll pick you up. We can grab dinner and head back to your place.

Talia: Sweet! We can eat and try out these new clamps and the blindfold I got.

Me: Is it okay if we just do it the old-fashioned way tonight?

Talia: Umm… what’s the fun in that?

I sighed and responded:

Me: Ok. See you later.

Later, I picked her up and grabbed food from a nearby diner. Talia’s “meal” was a salad, just lettuce and air. I got a greasy cheeseburger, fries, and a shake. I knew she’d hate it.

“You know that’s poison, right?” she said, scrunching her nose.

I opened the bag and unwrapped the burger and took a big bite, and grinned. “Mmm. Delicious poison.”

Once we got back to her condo, Lucia was in the kitchen, tidying up.

“Good evening, Lucia,” I said politely.

Talia cut in before she could reply. “Why are you talking to the maid?”

“Because it’s polite.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

Lucia gave me a respectful nod before disappearing.

We ate while the hum of the vacuum buzzed from the other room. Afterward, Talia wasted no time. She straddled my lap and started kissing me like she was on a timer. I picked her up, still kissing her, and carried her to the bedroom. As soon as we got in, she locked the door and pulled out the new toys—clamps and a blindfold.

I sighed.

Without warning, she dropped her barely-there dress and thong. No bra, as usual. I pulled off my shirt, kicked off my jeans, and next thing I knew, she was on her knees, working over my cock with precision.

And all I could think about… was Aria.

I was glad she wasn’t home.

When it was over, Talia curled up beside me, mumbling something about me being “the best lover she’s ever had.”

Bullshit.

She fakes half of it, I know. She’s adventurous, but not the best by far. I sighed, got up, threw on some shorts, and slipped into the kitchen for water.

That’s when I saw her.

Aria.

Standing at the counter in a fitted t-shirt and cheeky underwear, bent over eating ice cream like the most beautiful, sinful distraction I’d ever seen.

Her ass. That spoon. That tongue.

My dick twitched instantly.

I watched her for a minute, then cleared my throat.

She jumped and turned quickly, tugging at her shirt to cover herself.

“Hey, Aria,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Just grabbing some water.”

She nodded, backing up a little, clearly trying to hide.

There was ice cream on her lips.

“Ice cream, huh?” I said, stepping closer. “Mind if I have a taste?”

She looked confused and probably thought I meant the bowl, but I leaned in and licked it off her lips.

She froze.

“Mmm. That’s good,” I murmured. “Think I need another lick.”

Still, she didn’t move. So I did it again.

And again.

Before I knew it, we were kissing.

Slow. Smooth. Intense.

She started slow, hesitant, but then melted into me. Opened for me. Let my tongue explore her mouth like it belonged there. Our breath was ragged. Our foreheads pressed together. One last kiss. Then I pulled away, grabbed my water, and walked back to Talia’s room like nothing happened.

But something did happen.

And I felt it.

Emotion. Passion. Connection.

Something I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

Talia was still asleep when I got back. I slid into bed beside her, cock hard as a rock, mind racing with thoughts of Aria.

Only Aria.