Potion Perfect

by Billie Dale

  “That’s great, Ten. I told you it was wonderful. You have to move around, get those muscles warmed back up, take some ibuprofen, drinks lots of water, the more you do the better you’ll feel.”

  Grabbing my glasses, I pick up my phone and see I missed a text from Kohl.

  K: How are you feeling this morning?

  T: Like I’ve been hit by a truck.

  K: So, does that mean you don’t want to meet me for coffee? I’ll rub your shoulders or maybe a whole-body massage?

  He texts adding the little devil emoji at the end.

  T: UR rotten. I have to shower and get to class but I’ll see you tonight to work out?

  K: I give a great massage, ur missing out. Yes, I’ll cu tonight.

  “You have a goofy grin, was it Kohl?” Ronnie asks.

  “Yes,” I nod, finally pulling myself up to grab some coffee. I have a little over an hour before class.

  “How did last night go? Did you have fun?”

  “My God, Ron, he is a machine. He keeps working and working. His body is ripped and he’s so sweet. He took care of me when I was cold, he listened to me babble, he’s amazing,” I say, grabbing the little vial to add two drops to my coffee. My mind, distracted, replaying his smell and the feel of his hard body when he held me.

  “Ten, you have a swoony look on your face. The same one you had when Chase started messaging you. Use your head, baby girl,” she warns.

  “We’re friends,” I tell her and explain our whole operation Ten and Kohl plan. “He’s going to help me, while I help him. It’s a win, win.”

  “I hope for your sake it is,” she says doubtful, “Anything happened from using the potion yesterday?”

  “Nothing negative, yet nothing significant either, yesterday was just a strange day,” I shrug finishing my cup, “I’m gonna shower and get to class. Dinner later?”

  “Sounds good,” she nods while I close the bathroom door and get ready for class. The hot water pounding on my skin feels marvelous on my tattered body. I hurt but the hurt is a good feeling. I feel like I accomplished something, something I have never done before.

  The class was slow and uneventful. Ronnie was right the more I moved, the more my body loosened up and the ibuprofen helped with the pain.

  After having Chinese delivered, I sit and eat dinner with Ron, my appetite hindered by my excitement at spending another night with Kohl.

  Wearing a t-shirt under my hoodie, packing my tennis shoes and an extra pair of socks in a bag, I bundle up tight and trek across campus.

  Pulling the door open, I run smack into Jackson Raines.

  “You’re not supposed to be here. Athletes only,” he grunts.

  “She’s with me, Raines,” Kohl beams, giving me one of his sexy grins.

  Something silent passes between the two causing Kohl to widen his stance and puff out his chest. A moment later Jackson nods and leaves.

  “What was that?” I ask.

  “Raines is a man of few words. That was his way of making sure I wasn’t pulling a Chase Masters on you. I think if he thought I was being a dick he would have kicked my ass right now.”

  “Jackson doesn’t know me, why would he care?”

  “We all know what Masters did. We know he was the one that spread the picture. Raines is one of us who thinks it was a dick move and doesn’t want anything else to happen that could jeopardize the team. Now, ready to work out again?”

  “Yes, but I need you to leave your shirt on.”

  Laughing he says, “Why?”

  “All that skin is too distracting,” I reply waving my hand at his body.

  His face lights with laughter, “I’m a distraction, huh? Alright, you want to start with the elliptical again?”

  Shaking my head in agreement, “I’m pretty sore but I think I can push through it,” I make my way into the room and up on the pegs. Kohl walks across the room starting up another playlist of great 80’s rock.

  After thirty minutes, I dismount from the machine, my legs somewhat stronger than the day before but still jelly. Grabbing a water, I sit on the bench watching Kohl work his body. Seeing I’m done, he grabs his phone and turns down the music.

  “Feeling good?”

  “Yes, it’s rejuvenating. I wish I had found this when I was in high school, it would have been a great stress reliever,” I pant.

  “You know, sex is another great way to release mass quantities of stress,” he jokes.

  “Is everything about sex with you?”

  “No, sex is everything. If done right, it could create world peace,” he explains seriously but his eyes give away his candor.

  “You’re such a horn ball. Sex has never solved anything for me.”

  Sobering at my words, “Then you’re not doing it with the right person.”

  “You could be right, Kohl. I’ll have to find that right person,” I giggle winking back at him.

  Grabbing his chest feigning pain, “You wound me. You want to exercise some demons with sex, you find me, Tennie Girl.”

  A pain slices through my heart, “That’s what my Mom used to call me,” I say sadly.

  “I’m sorry, I won’t say it again.”

  “No, I think I like when you say it,” I insist, faking a smile. I do like that he uses the nickname but the moment is surreal with memories of my mom saying the same thing.

  “So, tell me about teenage Kohl Black,” I ask trying to take the focus off me.

  “Teenage Kohl was a big ass dork.”

  Faking shock, “You mean you weren’t always this handsome man sitting next to me?”

  I can’t believe he wasn’t always a lady killer. Perhaps he understands my inner turmoil more than I give him credit for.

  “Fuck no. I was all arms and legs. My body grew so fast I didn’t have any coordination for years. I was all knees and elbows, unable to control any of it. I had acne and no matter how much I ate, I couldn’t bulk up.”

  “God, I wish I had that problem,” I mumble under my breath. He’s so lucky, that would be one of my wishes if I was granted three by a magic genie. To be able to eat whatever I want and still have a kick ass body without having to exercise serious fat girl nirvana. I was struggling to picture a lanky, unattractive version of Kohl, I think even with skinny arms and zits I would have still melted and hidden behind a book when he was around.

  “So, what changed? If you were this huge weirdo, how did you become the slightly less weirdo standing before me.”

  “You’re not impressed by my stellar weirdness? I mean, come on, I make all this look good,” he boasts, his blue eyes lighting in delight waggling his dark eyebrows.

  “Hmmm . . . I guess it’s a good look on you. I mean you’re not Sloth from the Goonies hot but not everyone can be that magnificent,” I shrug, shyly smiling loving his shocked expression.

  “Sloth? Oh man, you’re right, no one is that easy on the eyes,” he jokes.

  “Now continue your story. You were the ugly duckling, how did you become the swan?”

  “I made Varsity my freshman year of high school, which is rare. The other guys on the team were great, they pushed me to use the weight room, taught me what foods to eat and supplements to take to help my body gain muscle. The acne faded while the muscle developed. By my senior year, I had girls throwing themselves at me. After being gangly for so many years, I took what they were offering. I sunk myself between every pair of legs that were willing to open for me. I was either practicing or fucking. It was all I wanted to do.”

  “No serious girlfriend?”

  “I didn’t want the distraction of a relationship. I knew I needed to get a scholarship to be able to go to college. My parents couldn’t afford to send me to a good school. My grades weren’t going to get me anywhere. Studying was never my strong suit. I used the girls for that too,” he confesses. “Flirting my way in with the smart girls, playing them to get them to do my work for me. I was a complete dick, but they gazed at me like I was a God because I could score 10
0 points in a game.”

  “You used girls like me? Making them think you liked them so they would do your homework?” I ask feeling queasiness build in my stomach. “You made them feel special so that, when you were done, they had a broken heart and worse self-esteem issues? You left them wondering what was wrong with them? Is that what you’re doing now, Kohl? Is that why you are being nice to me?” I probe feeling my blood boil as memories of helping cute guys in high school take over my mind. The hope of acceptance and being liked that built within me only to be destroyed when they no longer needed my help and made me the butt of their jokes.

  “No,” he roars running his hands through his hair, gripping tightly with both fists.

  “I didn’t like that guy; I didn’t like what I was doing. I would have stayed friends with them but they wanted more than I was willing to give. I did what I had to do to get by. We lived in a Habitat for Humanity house. Both my parents worked their asses off to provide a life for us. When they noticed I had talent in basketball, my dad took on two jobs to be able to pay out the money to send me to the right camps and get the right training. Living paycheck to paycheck, wondering how they were going to buy food and keep the bills paid. I couldn’t throw away all their work and our nights of only having hot dogs to eat by failing my classes and ruining my chances for a scholarship. I never made those girls believe I was going to be any more than what I was. They offered, I took,” he says with a matter of fact tone.

  “I’m not him anymore, Ten. I’m not just being nice to you to get something from you. I like you. I like hanging out with you, talking to you. I don’t need to be him anymore. I’ve learned some good study habits and I’m getting by. Yes, I need some help in some of my classes but I would never use you to get that help. The team offers tutors if you don’t want to help me that’s fine. I’ll just find other ways to spend time with you,” he says with a sly grin.

  I believe him. I hate that he was that kind of person but there’s something in his eyes that is begging me to believe him. We all do what we must do to get by whether it’s becoming a user or a recluse that hides behind books, selfishness is ingrained in everyone’s DNA. I hope I’m not being gullible in my belief. “I’ll help you, Kohl. I’ve already told you I won’t do the work for you, but I will help you.”

  His body slumps like a huge weight has been lifted from his shoulders, he smiles a large genuine smile that reaches all the way to his eyes. With his rugged beauty, you can’t help but smile with him. He’s like the best high in the world and his smiles are easy to become addicted to.

  “Show me how to use some of these weight machines?” I ask nudging his shoulder with mine.

  He goes through each machine showing me how to add and remove weight. I start out with light weights, doing multiple sets of repetitions until my muscles are burning. Once I’m finished, I sit on the bench enjoying the view while he finishes his sets. I’m not sure what part to focus on; his flexing biceps, his rippling abs or his veiny forearms. This man has serious arm porn, ab porn and back porn, hell he’s simply man-candy porn.

  Curious, I ask, “So, you started having sex as a Senior in high school?” shifting my glance around the room.

  “No, I lost my virginity my sophomore year to a Senior that wanted to fuck a varsity player. Basketball players were Kings at our school. She thought she was doing something great by ‘breaking me in’. I was just glad to finally get laid so the guys would get off my ass. How about you? Are you still hanging on to that v-card?”

  * * *

  Kohl

  I went through it all with her, I laid it all out. I saw the hurt in her eyes when I admitted to the ass I was when I was younger. I knew it would bother her but I wanted to be honest. I wanted her to know that I wasn’t that kid anymore. I needed her to understand why I am the way I am even though I knew there was a possibility she would run from me.

  I’m impressed with her. I know her body must be hurting. I remember when I started working out, the pain and aches were intense but she’s holding in there. She’s getting into it. Watching her chest heave up and down is giving my erection control quite the workout. I’m not sure what side I want to watch more, her tits bouncing with each step or her ass jiggling with each stride, I want both. Standing off to the side of her, I get a glimpse of both.

  She wants to know about sex. Flushes a cute pink when she asks me. Guys are such dicks when it comes to losing your virginity. “You’re not a real man until you’ve been laid”, frankly I think it’s a bunch of bullshit. I didn’t tell her the girl who took mine was sloppy drunk and cruel at my inability to get her off. Jesus, it’s not like they hand out a manual to the female body in sex education class. I was a two-pump chump who shot his load as soon as she set her pussy on me. Like I said, I’m not him anymore. I made sure to know my way around a woman’s body and I would love to spend hours taking a road trip around hers. She has signs all over her screaming ‘warning curves ahead’, dips and valley’s I would love to crash in to.

  I ask if she’s still a virgin, fully expecting that she is, I figured she was shitting me when she said earlier that sex was not a stress reliever for her. With her body issues, I can’t see her being comfortable enough to get naked with anyone. Her answer blows me away.

  Sheepishly, peering at me from under her long, dark lashes she informs me, “No, I lost it right before the semester started.”

  My mouth gapes open and closed like a fish out of water, her words render me speechless.

  “Don’t look so shocked, Kohl. There is someone out there who wanted me,” she fumes, her hands fisted at her waist.

  She thinks my silence is from my disbelief that anyone would want her. Fuck, my silence is because I want her. I wanted all her firsts. Jesus fucking Christ, she’s only seventeen. Yes, I lost mine when I was sixteen, but I’m a guy and she’s Ten. She’s supposed to be innocent, she’s supposed to be mine; my inner caveman screams. A pain twinges in my chest at the thought of another man touching her. I know I sound crazy but she brings out an intensity in me I’ve never felt before, a possessiveness I can’t control.

  “I don’t doubt there are many men who want you, Ten. Like I said, you’re sexy as hell. You just seem so insecure with yourself and sex is a very physical naked act. You had a boyfriend?”

  Shaking her head, “No, I didn’t want to be a v-card carrier when I came to college. Wren and I took care of it for each other,” she cheers as if it’s no big deal.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. She had sex with Wren. No wonder he was such a dick to me. He still has a thing for her. If I had been inside her body and then denied the chance to do it again, I would be a miserable fuck, too. What the hell is this tight feeling in my chest and why do I care if he got to her first? She’s with me now, kind of. Is this what jealousy feels like? I don’t like it.

  Schooling my voice so she doesn’t hear my rage toward the squirmy little bastard, “So, you decided to hook-up?”

  “We’ve been friends for years. He was my only real friend in school. He was there for me when all the stuff happened with my mom and it’s not like people were beating down our doors for dates, so I suggested it. I thought since we were already comfortable with each other and hell, we had slept in the same bed numerous times as kids, it would be easy. Yes, sex is a physical act but you only need to be naked from the waist down and it can be done in complete darkness. We did it once and returned to our friendship status.”

  There is no fucking way he thinks of her as only a friend. He glared at me like he wanted to kill me when we faced off. Like Charles Manson, I can’t do it so I’ll have someone else do it for me, kind of psycho. He’s harboring some serious feelings for my Tennie Girl and something in my chest is telling my brain we don’t like it.

  “Was it good? Did you enjoy it?” I ask, knowing two virgins fumbling around in the dark could never be a good experience, I want to hear her answer.

  Chewing on the fingernail on her index finger, she ponders for a moment. “Do yo
u want the truth?”

  “Always.”

  “It was painful and the reality is I don’t see what all the hype is about. He said we needed to do it again to get it right but I was done after the first time.”

  Laughing to myself, I bet he did want to do it again. All those tits, bare, in my face and I wouldn’t climb out for days. That’s probably what part of his problem is, he didn’t get to enjoy any of the many perks of Tensanne naked. Those tits are going to be my first stop on the road to the promised land between her legs.

  “So, you don’t understand what is great about sex?”

  “No, it’s messy, difficult and takes very little time. The romance novels I read make it sound so romantic and hot but it was painful, awkward and I would rather read it than do it.”

  Laughing out loud, I make sure her eyes are on me. I want her to feel my words. “When it’s done right, Tennie Girl, you will see what all the hype is,” I joke but the laughter dies when thoughts of touching her fill my mind. “There is nothing quick about it. It’s bodies slapping, pulse-pounding glory right up until the explosion at the end. Touching, tasting, feeling someone’s body is the most exquisite action there is and that release at the end is as close to heaven as we ever get while were still alive. Someday, someone will show you the way it should be.” Thinking that someone had better be me and I wouldn’t let her out of my bed until every inch of her body had been pleased beyond her wildest dreams. Pleasured better than any words she has ever read. Hell, when I’m done she will be waxing poetic with her own words.

  Her eyes turn to melted dark chocolate, her pupils expand, the tip of her tongue wets her lips and the air gets thick. Sexual tension fills the empty space between us. My want for her is palpable, existing as a tangible object that can be touched. My balls ache for release, hanging heavy between my legs. My dick is so hard it’s painful and aching with each pant of air she draws in, pulling my eyes to her pebbled nipples poking out, her shirt and bra doing nothing to hide them from my eyes.