Full Potential

by L. J. Kentowski

  He took off his shirt and jeans. She stared with an appreciative gaze.

  “Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?” she asked, sitting up and trailing a hand down his chest and abs until it slid underneath his boxer briefs.

  His breath came out in a whoosh as she caressed the head of his cock. Pulling the front of his briefs down with one hand, she wrapped her fingers around him and stroked up and down. He let out a long, low moan, and then grabbed her by the back of the neck, wrenching her mouth to his. Kissing her with unleashed abandon, he laid a hand on her breast, kneading it with his palm and pinching a nipple through the lacy material covering it.

  She cried out and pumped him faster.

  When his fingers slinked into her panties, she eased away, keeping her hand wrapped around him. Eyes on his, she whispered, “Lean back on your hands.”

  After taking a moment to let the meaning of her words sink in, he did as she’d said, placing both hands behind him until he was fully extended. She wiped a hand down his chest, and then pulled the boxers down his thighs until they bunched at his knees. His cock stood out between them, aimed and ready for action. She stroked him once more before leaning over and placing her lips on the tip, giving it a gentle kiss.

  Fuck, he was going to explode any second.

  Her mouth closed over him, and she slowly went down his length, stopping with him nearly all the way inside, and then back up. She repeated the move several times, her tongue smoothing over him along the way, and placing her grip in front of her lips, picking up the pace.

  Jesus, it felt like heaven, and if he allowed it to continue, he would detonate in seconds, which was definitely not his plan. He pulled up, put his hands underneath her arms, and lifted her off him.

  “You didn’t like—” she started.

  He shook his head as he laid her down beneath him, unable to get words out fast enough before he saw her face fall. “Baby, that was amazing, but I want to be inside you right now.”

  He didn’t give her time to argue as he hovered over her on an elbow, tugged her panties aside with a hand, and dove two fingers into her. She was already soaked, and he loved knowing she’d gotten that way by pleasuring him. Her moans picked up, and he watched every single one of them escape her lips, wondering if he would ever get enough of seeing her this way. When she seemed as close to the edge as he was, he positioned himself at her entrance and waited for her to open her eyes. Once she did, he silently asked the question, not wanting to presume she was still okay with him not using a condom.

  “What the hell are you waiting for?” she asked, before taking the initiative and pushing her hips into him. He thrust toward her the rest of the way, and they both let out a loud sigh when he reached as far in as her passage allowed.

  He stilled, unable to move from the mind-numbing sensation of being inside her. Back arched, her chin tilted to the sky, as if she were in the same predicament as him. After several moments, he eased out, not completely, because being outside of her was impossible for him. “Jena,” he said on a breath, before sliding back in fully.

  She let out another moan and lowered her head. Their eyes connected. When the pace grew steadier, she reached out and put her hands on his ass, digging fingernails in as if demanding him to go deeper.

  So, he did.

  “Oh, God, Tyler,” she cried, panting.

  Their eyes locked, gazes as intimate as their bodies, sending more signals than the physical pleasure they were experiencing. The connection at that moment was stronger than he’d ever felt before, overwhelming him with emotion. “Jena, I—”

  She lifted, her hands sliding to his back, nails scraping down the length of it. “Tyler,” she screamed in ecstasy, pulsing around him like a heartbeat squeezing around his cock, sending him over the edge.

  Exploding inside of her, Tyler plunged as deep as he could go, pausing after each wave of bliss to let it ride out. Drained, he collapsed on top of her. He was probably crushing her but didn’t seem to have the energy to move. His head buried into her neck, and he delivered mindless kisses onto her delicate skin.

  “That might have been the best orgasm I’ve ever had, and I’m not even completely naked,” Jena said, breathless.

  He chuckled and pushed up on an elbow to stare down at her, his lips twisting up into a sexy smirk. “I have a new goal then.”

  She smiled back at him. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

  He latched a finger underneath a bra strap and eased it down her shoulder. “Giving you an even better one, naked.”

  Her eyes clouded over again. “You think it’s possible?”

  Tenderly, he kissed her lips. “I don’t know for sure, but I think we’re going to have fun trying.” Then he kissed her long and hard.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  “She did what?” Jena asked, unable to contain her laughter.

  Jena and Riley were at the dress shop, where Evie was in the back room getting fitted for her bridesmaid’s dress. Jena met them after waking up too late at Tyler’s to make the breakfast date she’d originally signed up for. Riley had called her the night before but left a message. Jena was too busy to answer. She was in the throes of Tyler’s third attempt to better the first and second orgasms.

  While Evie was in the back room, Riley was filling Jena in on the events of the night before. “Apparently, Mr. Johnson made some lewd gesture towards her inside the mart at Old Man Simon’s gas station. Then he brushed against her boob, which she claims was no accident when he was reaching for a candy bar at the counter. So, she put him in an arm lock until Wade showed up to pry her off him.”

  “Oh. My. God.” Jena giggled harder. “I wish I could have seen it.”

  “Me too.” They laughed together. “Then she wanted sexual assault charges brought against him, so Wade took Mr. Johnson to the station with Evie following close behind. Wade didn’t expect that and was going to let the old perv go with a warning, but Evie insisted and wouldn’t let up until she saw him behind bars. Wade was beside himself.”

  “That is so her.”

  “For sure. Anyway, I finally got her out of there before Wade lost his shit. Man, he was ready to blow.”

  “I can imagine. Once she digs her nails in, she doesn’t let up. Your sister is a force of nature.”

  Riley rolled her eyes. “Don’t I know it. I practically dragged her out when I saw she had her hands wrapped around a bottle of pepper spray. I wasn’t sure if she was planning on using it on Mr. Johnson or Wade, but I wasn’t taking any chances.”

  Evie strolled out of the back room with Stacy following behind, the dress hanging over an arm.

  “Hey, Jena,” Evie said. “She telling you about that prick from last night?”

  “Yeah. I’m only too familiar with Mr. Johnson’s creepy ways.”

  Evie stopped short. “Oh, I wasn’t talking about him. Him I can handle. Little perv. I’m talking about that asshole cop.”

  “Wade,” Riley provided.

  “Whatever. He’s Deputy Dick to me. Thank God, I’m only here for the weekend and live hundreds of miles away. Sorry, Riles. But I would not want to deal with that jerkoff on a regular basis. Thinks his shit doesn’t stink just because he’s hot and has a badge.”

  Jena didn’t fail to notice Evie’s mention of his looks. By the secret grin Riley shot her, neither did she. If Jena didn’t know any better, Evie might have had a crush she didn’t know how to deal with.

  “By the way,” Riley said. “Wade is Jena’s boyfriend’s brother.”

  Jena’s boyfriend. It sounded so strange, but she loved the little tingle it gave her.

  Evie faced Jena, her features full of disgust. “God, I hope one of them’s adopted.”

  Jena shook her head, remembering all of the similarities she’d spotted the first time she’d met Wade. “Nope. They’re blood related all right.”

  “Then, girl, I’d get out while you can, if I were you.”

  “Riley,” Stacey peeked around Evie before Je
na had a chance to respond. “We were right about the size on this. There are not many alterations that need to be made. I’ll have it over to Lynn today.”

  “Great, Stacey. Thanks so much for your help. That’s all of them then, right?”

  “Yep. You’re all set.”

  Stacey left the three of them standing in the middle of the shop.

  “So, where to now?” Jena asked.

  “I thought I’d take Evie over to the bar. She hasn’t seen anything in town yet. We can stick around there for a while. Have lunch, maybe a few drinks before it opens. Then, show her around town before we go back to the house.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  When they arrived at the bar, Jena’s phone was sounding off in her purse, so she stayed outside to answer it.

  “Hey, beautiful,” Tyler said when she answered.

  “Hey, sexy.”

  “So, what does Riley have you doing today? Can I see you later?”

  The thought made her giddy to know that after a romantic night at the lake and an all-hours sex romp, he was still eager to see her again. Guess he meant what he’d said by being in for the long haul.

  “I don’t know. We’re at Beckett’s now. Riley’s showing Evie around. We’re going to stay here for lunch, and then give her the tour. I want to stick with them since Evie doesn’t get up here much, you know?”

  “I get it.” He sounded understanding, but she heard a hint of disappointment in his tone.

  “I can call you when I’m done, if it’s not too late. Maybe spend the night again?” She held her breath. Not completely comfortable putting herself out there with him but willing to make an attempt and see how it went.

  “That would make me very happy.” She heard the smile in his voice, and it put one on her face as well.

  She was about to tell him she’d call him later when he spoke again. “Jena, I…I love that you’re in Seeton, you know.”

  For a second, she thought he was going to tell her he loved her. And, thank God, he hadn’t. Right? Because that would be way too serious, too fast. They weren’t ready for love. Were they? Sometimes, when they were together, she might get confused and think it, but that was simply loving being with him. It wasn’t the same. Nope. Totally different.

  “Me too, Tyler,” she said. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

  They hung up, and she was glad because her emotions were getting all twisted up thinking about their relationship like that. She didn’t want to blurt something out she wasn’t prepared to explain. Maybe someday they’d be at the point where words like love came naturally. That would be when it was right. Right?

  She shook her head, shedding the confusing thoughts and joined Riley and Evie inside.

  The sisters were wandering around the bar, Riley explaining the renovations they’d made while Evie took it all in. She was a judgmental person, an outspoken one at that, not shy about voicing her opinion, and Riley always had problems getting her approval for anything she’d done. But tonight, Evie was quiet, seemingly listening and observing her surroundings with what appeared to be appreciation.

  Jena set her purse on the bar and sat on a stool, listening and watching while they finished the tour.

  “So, what do you think, Evie?” Jena asked once they had joined her. “Riley did good, right?” She was getting the conversation out of the way, prepared to put Evie in her place for her best friend if need be, but she wanted control of the situation first.

  Evie glanced around. “I like it.”

  “You do?” Riley asked, clearly as shocked as Jena.

  She nodded. “Yeah. It’s got that old school homey feel to it, you know?”

  They were almost the exact words Jena had used to describe the place the first time they’d stepped into the bar so long ago. Back then, she was only trying to give her friend hope, but she hadn’t lied. Beckett’s was homey. Seeton was homey. Only not in a way that would’ve enticed a girl like herself to stick around. For her, it had been like a great, peaceful getaway. For Riley, it was a chance for a dream.

  Seemed the opportunity was Jena’s now.

  “It does,” she agreed.

  “Is that why you’re sticking around too?” Evie asked. “Or is it the boyfriend I’ve heard about? Because, I have to tell you, moving your entire life for a man is—”

  “Evie,” Riley cut her off.

  “It’s okay, Riles.” Jena smiled. “No, Evie, it’s not because of Tyler. I mean, he’s got a role in it, of course, but only because it’s his mom’s shop I’m using for the daycare. I’m staying in Seeton to launch my career, not only for Tyler.”

  It was true. Trying to open up a daycare in the city would have been like standing in a crowd of people and hoping someone would notice her. Doing it in Seeton was the right thing to do. They had the need. She had the service. It was Smart Business 101. Sure, her feelings for Tyler were strong, but they weren’t the driving force keeping her in town. Were they?

  “Mmm hmm,” Evie said. “That’s what Riley said too.”

  Riley gave Jena a knowing smile. “That’s right. And look at me now. I couldn’t be happier. I live in a beautiful, peaceful town—”

  “I’m not so sure about that,” Evie snuck in.

  Riley chuckled. “Okay, aside from Mr. Johnson.”

  “And Deputy Dick.”

  “Shut up, Evie. I’m trying to make a point. I love running Beckett’s, and while the bar was what essentially got me here, it was Dax who caused me to stay. And I’ve never been happier. I’m in a career I love, I’m marrying the man of my dreams, and we’re—”

  Jena’s eyes popped, wondering if she was going to spill about the baby, but Riley caught the look and clamped her mouth shut.

  “You’re what?” Evie asked.

  “Going to have a beautiful wedding,” Jena provided.

  “Yes,” Riley cried, giving Jena a secret smile. “Exactly.”

  Evie narrowed suspicious eyes.

  “So,” Riley said, standing. “Let me get us something to drink. Evie, what are you having?”

  “You got margaritas?” Riley nodded. “I haven’t had one in forever. Give me one of those.”

  “Jena? Beer? Or something else?” she asked, going around the bar.

  “I’ll take a beer.”

  She got their drinks, set them in front of Evie and Jena, and went to the cooler to get a bottle of water.

  “You’re not having a drink with us?” Evie asked, eyeing her.

  “Actually, I’m going to make us some lunch in the back. Maybe I’ll have one later.” Grabbing her water, she walked away.

  Jena watched her friend disappear and then swiveled her head to find Evie staring at her.

  “What?”

  “Riley’s pregnant, isn’t she?”

  It wasn’t her place to tell Riley’s secret, but damn, Evie’s expression made her squirm.

  “Forget it,” Evie said, letting her off the hook. “Your face says it all. I’ll confront her myself. She’d better hope she was going to tell her own damned sister.”

  Jena grabbed her beer and chugged.

  Nothing more was said about the pregnancy throughout the rest of the day. Riley and Jena gave Evie a tour of Seeton, stopping in shops and taking in the unique sights the town had to offer. Eventually, the threesome made their way back to the bar. Riley wanted Evie to experience the atmosphere of Beckett’s in full swing, proving what she’d accomplished since coming to Seeton. She was proud of the part she’d played in its success due to the many renovations and her ideas.

  While Riley was in back talking to Dax, Evie and Jena sat at the bar having a drink. Two men wearing flannels, one blue, one red, sidled up to them. Their faces were tan, as if they worked outside all day, which might account for the dirt-stained jeans and clunky boots they wore. Jena placed them in their late thirties, but with the backward cap on the one in blue, the white, stylish sunglasses resting on the top of red flannel’s head, and the swagger they both tried to pu
ll off, they were attempting to appear younger.

  “You ladies interested in playing darts with a couple of bad boys?” the guy in the blue flannel asked, raising a dart up between them and twisting it around with his thumb and forefinger.

  “And by boys, he means the B.O.Y.Z. kind,” red flannel added with a wink.

  Jena’s eyebrows shot up her forehead, and from the corner of her eye, she noticed Evie’s expression was much the same.

  “Are you for real?” Evie asked.

  Red flannel squeezed his way between the two women, nudging Evie’s knee along the way, causing her to spin with him as he leaned against the bar and faced her.

  Jena tensed, knowing Evie wasn’t the type to be flirted with, especially by a couple of cocky jerkoffs.

  “Name’s Rico. You know, like suave?” He nodded toward blue flannel. “We call him JayZee. And yeah, baby. I’m as real as it gets. “

  The guy in front of Jena winked and gave her what he probably thought was a sexy smile, but it came off as a cheesy, adolescent attempt at seduction.

  Who were these yahoos?

  “And by gets, do you mean the G.E.T.Z kind?” Evie asked.

  Jena giggled into a hand.

  The guys laughed, apparently unable to process the jibe for what it was.

  Rico raised a hand to Evie’s cheek and said, “You’re cute.”

  Evie grabbed the guy’s wrist, shot up from her chair, and twisted his arm, forcing him to spin until it was locked behind his back. Snatching the dart from his hand, she put the tip to his throat.

  “Impressive,” a voice called out.

  Jena peered over her shoulder to find Wade grinning at Evie.

  “Oh, great, Deputy Dick is here.” Evie snarled and leaned toward Rico’s ear. “Don’t worry,” she whispered loud enough for Wade to hear. “You’re safe on his watch. All the pervs in this town are.” She pushed off him.