The Female Tennis Jock

"I don't want to cause you pain."

"You ever have a broken bone?"

Puzzled, she answered, "a broken finger once."

"How'd they fix it?"

"I dunno. They set it and . . . "

"Hurt like hell, didn't it?"

She didn't have to be a psychologist to see what he was saying. She bit her lower lip.

"So, will you help me?"

Tanner held her hand, looked down at it as he let her think. No manicure, no polish, nails trimmed neatly and fairly short. He turned it over. All those lines that supposedly meant something. They meant something to him for sure, just because they were hers. He rubbed the little callus at the base of her thumb -- he had a matching one from holding a tennis racquet.

She had no idea what she might do. How could she help? These things he was saying nearly made her heart burst. The things that he hadn't said, yet were hidden among the words he had said only warmed her more. She thought of that day not too long ago, when the tears had started and his arms had gone around her and held her -- and helped her. Somehow, some words she had just heard a short while ago came back to her.

You alone can make my dream take flight, help me make the music of the night.

Was it Karma that took them to that show tonight? She watched him tracing the lines in her hand with his finger. She could have let him do that all night but, there was something more important to do. She took her other hand and lifted his chin until his eyes were on hers. Then, she was sure the biggest smile she had ever made was spread across her face. She watched his eyes widen.

His arms were around her neck and he was squeezing her to him. He didn't need words, that smile was more than enough. He could smell her hair against his face. It was clean and fresh. She was clean and fresh. She was just what he needed. He finally let loose of her.

"Thank you," he said, smiling back at her. "We'll do it." The excitement seemed to be radiating from him. They talked and laughed, had a coke and some chips. At 1:00 am he said, "I really should go, much as I hate to." They stood up and walked to the front door. She was hoping. He took her hand. That wasn't what she was hoping for although it was nice. Slowly, his head was moving toward hers. That's what she was hoping for.

It was a wonderful kiss, just long enough, just enough lip movement to be enthralling and a little tantalizing. She opened her eyes to see his looking at her. A quick nip to his lower lip and they parted. He looked at her for long seconds.

"Listen, beautiful, if you see Kristina, don't tell her what we did tonight, okay?"

She laughed. She knew she didn't quite look like tennis jock Kristina, but this was way more than she had expected.

"Good night, now," she said to one last squeeze of her hand and he was headed to his car.

She moved to the window, knowing she had to be silhouetted by the table lamp behind her. No beep of the horn at this hour but the headlights flashed three times and he was away.

She surely wasn't a psychologist but she thought she knew the answer to what was needed and what her part in it was. It wasn't a totally attractive position she held but probably one that was necessary. She was to be that dagger, ready to tear into his gut and cause him great pain if it came to that. She hoped it wouldn't and was fairly sure it wouldn't. But still, she had said yes.

Tanner had stopped by her place twice that next week, once for dinner and once just to be with her he said. They had two practice mixed doubles matches he had set up with club pros and that helped. She was very conscious of "protecting the middle" after that Wednesday night but they seemed to work together very well. That Friday they played their first two matches in the tournament and won them both fairly easily. Amazingly, one of them was against Cassie Simpson, the high schooler she had beaten in that tournament, and her partner. She had to laugh after the match when Cassie said to her, "still got that extra gear haven't you?"

When she heard that, she couldn't help but remember the first time Cassie had said it. And her thought had been that she had an extra gear in tennis but was missing a couple of gears in life. She looked at Tanner. Maybe she was down to missing just one gear now.

On Saturday they had won their first match and, evidently a good job of seeding had been done as number one was playing number four and Tanner and Kristina at number three were playing number two in the semi's. Number one swept their match and, with a match tiebreak, Tanner and Kristina made the final over number 2.

The next day's final was going to be tough. They both knew that as their opponents both played for the University of Kentucky, he at number four singles and she at number three singles. The match was closer than most thought it would be with the KU pair taking the first set at 6-4 and finally, the second set at 7-6 with the tie break going to 14-12. It's always hard to be upbeat when you lose but both Tanner and Kristina felt good about their play. It didn't hurt either when the head pro at the tournament site told them that they were totally outclassed skill-wise by the KU pair, but they played so well together, they kept it close.

And so, the days passed. Kristina was gearing up, at least trying to, for another year of teaching high school math. Tanner was teaching little ones and adults about tennis. She had been in a Dollar Store and found a trinket, bought it, brought it home and very painstakingly used a felt marker to write K-R-I-S-T-I-N-A on it and, one evening when Tanner had stopped by, she had given it to him. At first, he looked puzzled, then a smile slowly formed and she got a huge hug. The trinket was a plastic dagger. It was attached to his tennis bag the next day. He loved it.

That very next day he also had stopped by for dinner before heading to the club for some evening lessons.

"I heard some talk today," she began.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, some guy. Want to hear what he said?"

"You didn't start this conversation for me not to hear the end of it so, hell yes."

"The guy said, 'what the hell's happened to Tanner? I screwed up the other night at a lesson and he just explained to me what I'd done wrong. Two minutes later I did it again, expecting some shit, and he just explained again, went around the net and fed me a couple of balls till I got it right.' Other guy said, 'yep, he ain't the same Tanner as before.' Made me smile pretty big."

"You should. It's your dagger on my bag that helps do that. Even more, it's you in my life that's made it happen.

This time, she gave him the big hug.

A little later, she was standing at the sink, washing some lettuce when she heard him walk up behind her. She felt two pats on her butt and her eyes widened. She'd never had that before. No words. Then two more pats.

"Better get used to it," he said, heading back to the living room.

It wasn't that they didn't hug and kiss and whisper to each other, but there had not been anything overtly sexual between them. Kristina was an adult and she knew those things happened. If she stayed with Tanner, she knew they would happen as well. She didn't think about it often. But those butt pats got her thinking. She might have to watch some porn to see how things were done. She thought that might be a bad idea since she'd heard it wasn't really realistic. She knew a little of how things worked and what went on, but not a whole lot. Her mom had had a talk with her but it was a lot of years ago now and mom hadn't really said too much and there were certainly no details. She knew Tanner had dated a lot more than she had. Maybe she'd just leave everything to him. She trusted him to know the right moment. He had always seemed to know what and when since they had met. That's what she'd do -- leave it to him.

She did like the way she felt when they were kissing, when their tongues danced with each other. She had feelings that she didn't recognize and only had when that was happening. She thought she might want more, but didn't want anything that would change the way they felt about each other. However, her brain was telling her that maybe that something more would change those feelings in a good way, deepening them and making them more precious.

It was easy to have those thoughts, but when she thought about something happening physically, it was frightening. She knew how Tanner felt about her -- it was pretty obvious, and she knew he'd never do anything to hurt her, physically, spiritually or emotionally. It was more than she could handle right now. Although, she had to admit that, surprised as she was, she had enjoyed the butt pats. Maybe she was on the way to getting that final gear she had been missing.

No more tournaments were on the horizon but she got to hit with Tanner several evenings. She loved it because she could pound the ball as hard as she wanted and it came right back to her just as hard. A few times each evening she could surprise him with a drop shot or a sharp angle shot but usually he got to them. He was just too quick for her. When they were through, they'd go to the net for the traditional hand shake except, of course, it was a PDA, a hug and a nice kiss. There had been enough of them that members knew what was going on and they got a little ribbing from time to time.

The following Tuesday was her birthday. She didn't know if Tanner knew or not, but she wasn't going to broadcast it, like she was begging for a gift or something. She'd probably mentioned it sometime and he seemed to have a knack for remembering important stuff so she'd just play it by ear. She was going to be 24, not a momentous birthday at all. School had started and she was actually enjoying getting back into the routine of things although she certainly did enjoy that free summer.

Tuesday dawned and she got up, got dressed and checked her phone -- no text messages. She went to school and got a call mid-morning from her mother who had to leave a voice mail of course. It was a happy birthday message. Late afternoon she got a text from Tanner. "what time u home". She replied, "Have to grade papers -- home about 5". A reply, "Will be at your place -- see u then". She had given him a key some time ago so he wouldn't have to wait in the car if she was a little late.

She finally finished and headed home. Glancing at her watch she saw that she would be there about 5, as promised. Tanner's car was there as expected, and she pulled in beside it, grabbed her purse and jumped out. When she tried the door, it was locked. Puzzled, she started to get her key when the door swung slowly open. She stepped inside, about to say hello, when she stopped abruptly, mouth open.

There were rose petals, beautiful red ones, scattered across the carpet, over the couch and chairs. There were candles burning everywhere -- she couldn't believe the aroma that was filling her nose. There was soft music playing, Andrew Lloyd Webber things. Even above the aroma of the candles, she could detect what had to be something delicious cooking.

Her eyes moved across the room. There was her little dining table, covered with a white cloth, an ice bucket there with what had to be a bottle of champagne poking out the top, shining silverware, cloth napkins, a little bud vase with a single red rose. She could hardly breathe.

She turned slowly. He was standing there, a huge smile on his face.

"Welcome home," he said. She had never felt more at home in her life. Her arms went around him and his around her.

"How'd you know?" she asked quietly in his ear.

"Magic," he answered. "And this is the second time I've seen tears on your cheeks."

"This won't be like that time," she said. "Where did you come from?"

"No, no, that's my question," he replied. The hug finally ended. "May I seat you?"

He led her to the table and pulled out her chair. She sat and it was gently pushed in, with her help. He went to the kitchen and returned with a plate. It held a beautiful steak, a baked potato, smothered in butter and sour cream -- he knew how she liked her potato, some delicious looking asparagus, along with a hot roll. She couldn't believe he had cooked this for her.

He hadn't. "No way could I have done this so Longhorn Steak House was very cooperative. It's much better than anything I could have done." He went to the kitchen and returned with a second plate for himself. He took the champagne bottle from the ice and went to the kitchen. "It would be really romantic to open this at the table, but much more practical to open it over the sink. She heard the loud pop, then Tanner's, "Whoa," and he was quickly back and filled both flutes with the bubbly liquid. Then he sat down, still smiling at her.

She could only look at him and let her mind work. She couldn't believe all he had done. She knew he didn't have any of these things and had to somehow get them. He'd have had to plan way ahead. How long had he been here getting these things ready? Who had told him how to set these things up? This was even more than the Phantom tickets. All she could do was look at him and ask that question she had just asked. Where did he come from?

"Stop looking at me and eat," he said. "Your food will get cold." He was digging into his steak.

She started too, and everything was delicious. The steak, the potato, the asparagus and the hot roll, drenched in butter. And the champagne was wonderful -- he had already refilled her flute once. She settled back in the chair and just looked at him again.

"Yes?" he said.

"Tanner, this is just so amazing. I never imagined. I mean, I didn't even think you knew it was my birthday. This took, so much . . . so much everything."

"I just wanted to do something special for someone very special. I loved planning it and then doing it."

"You've outdone anything I could have imagined. It's just mind blowing."

"I have two presents for you also." He heard her deep breath. He jumped up and pulled a wrapped package from behind a chair. She took it and carefully opened it.

"Tanner, it's beautiful." She looked. "It's cashmere. I've never had a cashmere sweater." She looked again. "And it's the perfect size."

"I hope you forgive me but I snooped in your closet when you were taking a shower the other day. I wanted to get the size right."

"Totally forgiven and it's perfect." She looked at him again. He had said two presents but she didn't see another package. She wasn't sure what he could get her that would top the sweater.

He was just looking, a very different and special look on his face. He leaned forward and reached for her hands. What was happening she wondered.

"The second present is as much for me as for you. I've wanted to give you this for quite a while but just wanted the right time. You ready?"

Ready for what, she thought. How could she be ready if she didn't know. It was Tanner though, so she was ready. She shook her head.

His mouth was moving and the words were coming out and she was hearing them, but she could hardly breathe.

"The second thing I have for you is . . . is . . . all my love." It was out -- he'd said it. "I love you, Kristina and think I have in some way since those tears soaked my shirt. You may not know it or be able to say it yet but I think you love me too. That's why that dagger twisted in my gut when you walked away that night at the club. The thought of you leaving me was more than I could handle. That love is what changed me. Psychologists have words but I had love. It's worth more than all the words that exist. Your love, and I long to hear those words someday."

If she could find her voice, she'd say it. And the fact that her throat was getting tighter as the tears were beginning didn't help either. She was squeezing his hands and hoped that would do until she could speak. She'd thought of that word many times when she thought of him, much more so lately. They just seemed to go together and she had pondered about the actual speaking of those words. Now they had been spoken, not by her but they would be soon.

"I'm reading your mind, and it's saying it," he suggested.

"I love you too," she blubbered out finally.

"I kind of thought so," he replied. "Good to hear it though."

Surprisingly, now that the words had been spoken, they found immense comfort in just being themselves and doing normal things. They cleaned up the dishes -- Tanner told her the silverware and the flutes were hers, keepsakes if she wanted them to be, which she did. They got the sweeper and cleaned up the rose petals. They left the candles burning as the aroma was too pleasant to risk losing. They each had another flute of champagne.

And, with timing that he couldn't have planned, as they looked around the apartment, the music they heard was not from the Phantom but from Aspects of Love and the beautiful words, "Love, love changes everything," couldn't have been more appropriate.

They settled onto the couch and looked and talked and just enjoyed being there -- together. Plenty of time for talking about the future, their future together. Tanner was a new and different person and he was enjoying it. It was nice to be liked by everyone and he didn't know how he had survived the way he had been. And what had changed him was sitting right there, her leg against his, her voice much nicer than any music in his ears.

He leaned forward and she met him halfway. Their lips touched, then parted. His hand went behind her head and he pulled her against him. Tongue's darted and danced, wrestled a little. Mouths seemed to want to swallow the other. Her arms were around his neck and he heard a wonderful little moan from somewhere within her. His arms were around her, his hand slipping under her blouse and caressing her back. Her back was amazing, soft but muscled. He loved her back along with the rest of her. The rest of her.

He wanted the rest of her. Like never before he wanted that. His hand moved to the clasp of her bra, quickly joined by the other. A quick movement and it was loose.

Kristina gasped as her bra swung loose. She had thought about this moment but there'd be no more thinking. It was here. She was here. Tanner was here and his hand was moving along her side. She knew where it was going. Wishing did no good now, what was there was there. She squeezed her shoulders together so there was as much there as possible. She wanted it but she didn't. Yes, she did but no she didn't. Damn it, yes, she did. She willed her brain to shut up. She could feel herself breathing harder. This was why she was doing that. His hand was there, squeezing, his fingers bumping across her nipple. She had nipples. One was in his fingers now. She thought she might explode. More squeezing, more rubbing, more breathing.

Tanner couldn't believe what was happening. He couldn't help but remember the night he had picked her up to see Phantom. Before that, she had been really neat, his tennis jock girl friend who he really cared for, even if she didn't know it. When he saw her that night, her perfect legs trimmed up even more perfectly by the heels she had on, the dress with the scooped neck -- he'd never seen her chest before. The skin that he saw, so flawless and perfect. That night she had become something even more special. She had aroused him and he liked it. And now, he was squeezing her breast, playing with her nipple, and she wasn't fighting him. In fact, from the way she was breathing, he knew she liked it.

He wanted something else. He took hold of the hem of her bouse and began to lift.

Another gasp. He was going to see. He was going to see, and she could hardly wait.

The blouse was off and the bra slipped off her arms. Now both were being squeezed and she was watching his face. The look on his face was nearly unfathomable, and she was causing it. Kristina, the tennis jock, had this fantastic guy panting as he squeezed her tits. They were tits. She could say that now. All her gears were in place and she was loving it. And he was bending down and she could only see the top of his head as he was sucking on her nipple. She had never felt this hot. She had never been this hot. He'd moved to the other nipple. She'd never seen her nipple that long before. It felt amazing. He kissed her stomach which was certainly moving in and out with her breathing.