Page 50 of Breakpoint

But she also wanted to touch her. She burned with the need to touch her all over. To make her feel as good as she just made Jaz feel. Twice.

She kissed her on the edge of her mouth, then made her way up Dani’s jaw to her neck. Her lips worked insistently at Dani’s neck, on all the spots she knew she loved.

Dani moaned, just the way that Jaz hoped she would.

“That feels so good, baby,” she stated, arching her neck to give Jaz more room to operate. She’d dragged her lips down her neck before moving to the other side to plant open-mouthed kisses. She whimpered, her fingers sinking into the roots of Jaz’s hair as she held her mouth close.

She continued to kiss her neck and all Dani’s hot spots as she moved her hand down to caress her body. Hand sliding over her hips, ass and muscular thighs. After several passes, she moved that same hand in between Dani’s legs.

She let out a groan when she encountered the hot, searing wetness that awaited her there. “You’re so wet. Did I do that?”

Dani just nodded as Jaz worked her over.

She dipped inside a few times, loving the feeling of Dani tightening around her. But she knew that Dani needed clitoral stimulation to really get off. And she wasn’t going to deny her love.

She placed two fingers on her clit and moved in circles, rubbing in slow, lavish circles like they had all the time in the world. She stared at her gorgeous lover as she stroked. Dani’s forehead scrunched, and it didn’t look to be in complete pleasure.

“What’s wrong? You okay?” she asked, because usually by now, Dani would have come.

Jaz grew nervous and hoped she hadn’t forgotten what Dani needed. Their connection and sexual chemistry had been there from day one. Had their time apart caused this break in their bond? Dani opened her eyes and looked at Jaz to reassure her. “No, baby, just keep going.”

She increased the pressure on Dani’s clit, rubbing tighter circles. But her eyes now looked far off, like she wasn’t in the moment. Jaz could almost sense her distraction. She slowed her fingers, then removed her wet hand from between Dani’s legs, putting it on the top of her hip.

Dani laid her head on Jaz’s shoulders. “I’m sorry! It’s not you, it’s me.”

Jaz kissed the top of her head, wanting to stay physically connected to her in some way. To bridge the divide that was currently building between them. “That’s not reassuring.”

“No, everything feels good. It’s amazing and I love you so much,” she rambled, then bit her lip, in an obvious sign of nervousness. “It’s just… I’m playing a Grand Slam final! I can’t get th at completely out of my mind to focus on this. To push me over the edge.”

Jaz smiled and buried her face in the crook of Dani’s neck. If anyone understood the single-minded focus and tunnel vision during an important tournament, it was her. “It's okay. I definitely get it. And don’t feel like you ever have to fake it with me or do something you’re not in the mood for.”

She pulled back from her embrace and looked Jaz in the eyes. “I am so in the mood. I want you so bad. You have no—”

This time, she stuck her wet finger on Dani’s lips to stop her.

Which Dani happily took in her mouth and sucked all the juices off, then released with a pop.

“That is definitely not helping.” Jaz warbled, trying to tamp down her arousal and be considerate to her partner.

“I totally understand sometimes your mind and body just can’t get there. It’s okay. It happens.”

“Not to me.” Dani pouted.

Jaz laughed. “It’s okay, honey. Maybe we should have a no sex during Grand Slams rule. It’s not fair that, because I’m retired and don't have to focus on playing, that I’m the only one who can get off.”

“That just sounds ridiculous!” Dani shrieked aghast. “How can I keep my hands off this glorious body for two whole weeks?

Jaz placed a chaste kiss on her lips. “Well, maybe that will motivate you even more to go out there and win.”

Dani playfully shoved her shoulder. “Like I need more motivation to one day pass your record. ”

Jaz scoffed. “Please, you ain’t touching eighteen. Hell, by the time I was your age, I already had a couple. So you got some catching up to do, honey.”

“Ha-ha. There’s the confidence that I love. Even in retirement, you’re letting me know you’re untouchable.”

Jaz gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Well, you can touch all these other things,”—she waved to her naked body—“but my record will not be one of them.”

“Suuurrrre. We’ll see about that.” Dani frowned. “But I am sorry about tonight. I know how much you wanted nineteen Grand Slams.”

Jaz rolled over, lay her head back on the armrest, and blew a deep breath from her lungs.

Now away from the adrenaline of the match and making things right with Dani, it was setting in that she had really retired.

Her professional career was over; she didn’t win this one and would never win another tournament.

“I won’t deny it and say I didn’t want to win more.

And it fucking sucks to go out on a loss.

Like really sucks. But I just don’t have the fight in me anymore to do what I need to do week in and out to get me there.

And I don’t want to play if I’m not going to win the big ones.

And I’ll be honest, sometimes I doubt if I will.

We both know that doubt is the worst thing you can have as a tennis player. ”

“What are you going to do now?”

Jaz shrugged, doubting how she would adjust to the change.

“I actually don’t know, and it could be nice for the first time not having a schedule or an event to think about next.

I may do more events with at-risk kids. It’s sad because the people at the top get the most and have the easiest route to success.

I want to do more for kids who come from where I do.

Maybe start some tennis scholarships at historically black colleges and universities as well. ”

“That sounds awesome. I’m going to be as supportive as I can be in whatever you want to do.” She leaned in to kiss Jaz. “I just can’t believe you retired from tennis.”

“Me either, but I wasn’t going to play forever.

I was already the oldest female singles player on tour at thirty-five.

Besides, I’m no longer fanatical and nuts about being world number one.

Hell, I haven’t been number one in a few years.

I didn’t think I would ever be at peace with that, but I am, and that’s how I know it’s time to hang them up.

I just feel beaten down and exhausted. Mentally, more than anything.

” A weight lifted from Jaz to finally say those words out loud.

To admit that she no longer thought she had it inside her to be the best.

Dani still looked at her skeptically. “But you’re the most competitive person I know. They say champions are greedy and can never have enough.”

“I mean, there are other ways I can get my competitive juices flowing.” Jaz knew nothing would be like tennis, but there had to be things out there that she could do to recreate that championship high. “Maybe I’ll take up pickleball.”

“That’s blasphemy. Please. Do. Not.” She enunciated each word carefully.

Jaz laughed. “Well, tell me how you really feel.”

“Woman, don’t act like you don’t feel the same way.”

“You’re right, I do. But it's everywhere and they are taking over tennis courts.” Jaz waved frantically.

Dani shook her head. “It's been a good night. Don’t let me get on my soapbox about it.”

“Okay, okay. Since you can’t focus on the other things, and it’s hard for me not to think about sex with you lying here naked beside me. Wanna talk about your match?”

“God, yes!” Dani exclaimed. “I would love some thoughts and tips about playing Katarina. I’m sure she’s pissed that she won, but you stole her thunder by retiring and outed your relationship with me.”

Jaz shook her head in disagreement. “No, I didn’t out our relationship. I left it pretty vague. And didn’t give much away in the press conference either. Just stated that I wanted to keep my relationship private.

“It wasn’t that subtle in what you said,” Dani stated while circling Jaz’s dark nipples with her index finger. “Unless you want them to think you’re in a relationship with Katarina.”

Jaz gave her the best stank face ever. “Ew, no.”

Dani pinched the nipple, and it stood at attention. “Well, they will definitely know it’s me when you’re sitting in my player’s box tomorrow.” She went to take that nipple in her mouth, but Jaz moved her chest away from those glorious lips.

“Are you sure you’re ready to start something that you can’t finish?” she questioned, raising one eyebrow. She could feel herself getting turned on again, and at some point, knew she wouldn’t want to stop.

“Oh, I can finish it and you.” Dani grinned. “Just give me five minutes.”

“Slow down there, speed racer. You need all your energy for the final,” Jaz whispered. “And I’ll definitely be in your player’s box watching you be great.”

“You think I have a chance?” Dani asked hopefully.

Jaz looked at her resolutely. “You’re here in the finals, of course you have a chance. Just play your game and know you’re capable of anything.”

Dani closed the distance between them again, placing a soft, tender kiss on her lips. It was a kiss not dissimilar from many they shared, but something about it just felt different. She hoped she would be kissing these lips for the rest of her life.

Just as she was about to deepen it, Dani pulled back. “Did we just have a third-act breakup? Like all of the romance novels you’re obsessed with?”

Jaz just laughed and shook her head. “No, this wasn’t a breakup.

This was a big argument that we’ve settled.

” Dani just rolled her eyes at Jaz splitting hairs because it was definitely a breakup.

But before she could interject, Jaz continued, “Plus, this isn’t the third act, it’s just the beginning of this love story. ”