Chapter 2
Leah
The lights dimmed across the ballroom as Jesse said goodbye to us and bounded onto the stage, his dark hair gleaming under the spotlights.
I clutched Malia's arm, champagne bubbles dancing in my bloodstream.
Tonight wasn't just any gala—it was my chance to do something outrageous. Something my would absolutely hate.
"Distinguished guests," Jesse announced, tapping the microphone with a manicured finger. His dimples deepened as he scanned the crowd. "Welcome to the main event of our Every Child Foundation Gala—the Bachelor Auction!"
The room erupted in applause and tittering laughter. I joined in, my hands stinging from enthusiasm.
"Each of our generous volunteers has agreed to donate their time for a private date tonight.
Your choice of drinks and dancing in the main ballroom—" He paused to gesture towards a dance floor at the far side of the room.
"Or, you can get to know your date over a quiet dinner in a private room through those doors. "
"What about both?" someone shouted.
"That works too. We have the space! And all proceeds going to fight interstellar child trafficking.
" Jesse's professional charm was wonderful, and I could see why they were letting him run the event.
"So don't be shy with those credits, friends.
It's for the children—and maybe for your love life.
And remember, the auction is just for the date, nothing more!
If you feel a spark, it's up to you and your date what happens next.
Once you're on your own, the normal rules of consent apply.
And please don't ask them to strip. I'm looking at you, Ruth. "
Laughter rippled through the crowd, and a woman who must have been in her seventies shook a fist at him. "Don't ruin my fun, Jesse."
Malia snorted beside me, her gold hairpin catching the light as she leaned close. "You ready to make terrible decisions with your trust fund?"
"Shut up," I laughed, elbowing her.
We settled into plush seats near the front, prime real estate for viewing the merchandise.
My bidding paddle felt slick in my suddenly sweaty palm.
The first few bachelors paraded across the stage—a pair of jovial Araced twins who worked as virtual reality programmers, a serene Chokrei diplomat with phosphorescent skin patterns, a human entrepreneur whose smile seemed practiced for the occasion.
There were so many interesting people of all genders on stage, but I didn't feel a spark for any of them.
Then he appeared. The Tholkon from earlier. His strangely bright blue eyes scanned the room, and I could feel the heat in his gaze as they skimmed over me.
His massive frame made everything on the stage look small.
He stood with arms crossed over a chest so broad it strained the fabric of his plain black shirt.
Unlike the others in their flashy gala attire, he wore what looked like tactical pants and boots—like he'd wandered in from some military base.
Perhaps it was part of an act — to add to the adventure.
"Introducing Aano," Jesse announced, his voice dropping an octave for dramatic effect. "He works in… construction?”
Aano nodded.
Jesse cleared his throat and continued. “This Tholkon bachelor enjoys... um..." Jesse glanced at his datapad, then back at Aano's glowering face. "Well, it seems he didn’t answer that question, either. Did you answer any of the questions?"
Aano shrugged, and Jesse flipped through the screens on his tablet. "Well, it appears that Aano is the strong, silent type. I guess you’ll have to ask him! Starting bid is five hundred credits."
My eyes drifted downward, snagging on the unmistakable bulge in his tactical pants. Holy shit. The rumors about Tholkon anatomy weren't exaggerated.
"You're staring," Malia whispered, nudging me.
"I'm appreciating," I corrected, not taking my eyes off him.
The scowl on his face should've been a deterrent, but something about his brooding presence made my skin prickle with heat.
A scar sliced through his left eyebrow, disappearing into the crease of his eye—the kind of scar that came with a story I suddenly wanted to hear. "Do you think he really has two?"
"So they say. But he looks like an asshole.
Couldn't even fill out his interests? What about that guy instead?
" Malia gestured toward an Araced in an immaculate business suit, waiting in the sidelines.
He was handsome, his red-orange skin complemented perfectly by the deep emerald fabric.
"He looks like he knows how to show a girl a good time without getting arrested afterward. "
"Boring," I said, though the Araced was objectively gorgeous. "I've dated 'fun' guys. I want..." My eyes returned to Aano, who was scanning the crowd with undisguised irritation. "Something different."
"Five hundred credits!" someone called from the back.
I raised my paddle without hesitation. "Six hundred!"
Aano's piercing blue eyes snapped in my direction. I straightened my spine, refusing to wilt under his gaze. His expression didn't change, but something flickered across his features—surprise, maybe, or annoyance.
"Seven hundred!" A woman in a sleek silver dress countered.
"One thousand," I shot back, flashing a smile that dared her to continue.
Malia hissed beside me. "Leah, what are you doing? That guy looks like he eats kittens for breakfast."
"He's interesting," I defended, watching as Aano's eyebrows shot up at the escalating bids. There was a sparkle in his eyes that intrigued me. "And I'm tired of being steered toward 'appropriate' choices."
“There are inappropriate choices, and then there are choices that make me wonder if you lack a survival instinct," Malia muttered.
"Two thousand credits," called the woman in silver.
I raised my paddle again. "Three thousand."
A hush fell over the crowd. Even Jesse looked momentarily speechless.
"Three thousand going once!" Jesse had recovered his professional demeanor, though his eyes darted between me and Aano with undisguised curiosity.
"Five thousand." The woman wasn't giving up.
I locked eyes with Aano again. His expression remained stony, but I could have sworn the corner of his mouth twitched. Challenge accepted.
"Ten thousand credits," I announced, my voice cutting through the murmurs.
The crowd gasped. Malia buried her face in her hands.
"Ten thousand going once," Jesse proclaimed, barely containing his glee. "Twice! Sold to the enthusiastic young lady with the pink and brown hair!"
A smattering of applause followed as Aano descended from the stage, each deliberate step bringing him closer to me.
Up close, he was even more imposing—easily over seven feet tall, with shoulders broad enough to cast a shadow over both Malia and me.
His blue skin had subtle variations in tone, darker along his jawline and the exposed portions of his arms. The scar through his eyebrow was joined by a smaller one at the corner of his mouth.
"Congratulations," he said, his voice deep and surprisingly smooth. "You've made a wise choice."
I rose to meet him, extending my hand. "Annaleah Sheffield. Call me Leah."
He stared at my hand like it might bite him before taking it in his much larger one. His palm was warm and calloused. "Aano." I knew from my studies that Tholkons had last names, typically tribal names, but he did not supply his.
"It's nice to meet you, Aano," I said, the syllables of his name feeling exotic on my tongue. "I'm looking forward to our date."
He released my hand, arms returning to their crossed position across his chest. "Let's get one thing clear.
I'm only here because—" He paused, glancing around.
"Because a friend dragged me here. I don't flirt, and I'm not going to pretend to be interested in whatever trivial nonsense you want to discuss. "
"Would you like to dance?" I asked, gesturing toward the slowly filling dance floor. With every bid won, another couple joined the fun.
"No," he replied flatly.
"How about some food, then? The catering is supposed to be excellent, and each couple has a table set for them."
He surveyed the room, his eyes lingering on exits for a minute, like he was considering an escape. He sighed. "Fine."
I guided Aano through the crowd, acutely aware of how people parted for us—or more accurately, for him.
His massive blue form dominated the space, making me feel small by his side, and I felt a buzz of satisfaction with every envious glance thrown our way.
And the way his pants hugged that thickly muscled ass and impressive bulge definitely didn't hurt.
The gala committee had transformed an adjacent hall into a romantic retreat for auction winners and their dates.
The room had been built for privacy, with a series of nooks along each wall, closed off by sliding privacy screens.
I checked my ticket and went to the table I’d reserved, smiling as I opened the screen and found a beautiful table adorned with bioluminescent flowers that pulsed in soft, hypnotic patterns.
Ambient music drifted through the space, just loud enough to ensure conversations wouldn't carry to neighboring tables.
"Classy," Aano muttered, his gaze sweeping the room with what looked like a professional assessment rather than appreciation. To my surprise, he helped me with my chair, waiting patiently as I arranged the long skirts of my dress, then helping me scoot it in.
Aano lowered himself onto the chair across from mine with military precision, back straight, one arm resting on the table as he reached for the pitcher of water and poured himself some.
“For someone who voluntarily signed up for a bachelor auction, you're not exactly bringing your A-game."
"I didn't volunteer. A friend… talked me into it." Something that might have been amusement flickered across his features before disappearing behind the scowl. "You're very direct."