Page 61 of Breakpoint
Her heart lodged in her throat. This was it. “You.” She searched Dani’s gaze. “I wasn’t looking for someone. If anything, I was determined not to after what happened with Lena. I was using tennis as my safety net and filling my life with that because I didn’t have anything else. It was the only place I’ve been comfortable. Until I found you. And every moment since then has left me frustrated and dazzled.”
A hand went to Dani’s mouth, and Jaz could see her lips trembling as she spoke. “Did you mean it? What you said to everyone about being in love?”
Jaz took a long breath. “I’m nervous.”
“You’re never nervous.” Dani smiled slightly.
“Well, this is important. Probably more important than anything I’ve ever accomplished.” She took another long breath to steady herself. “This year has changed my life. And for someone who likes routine and stability, change can be hard and scary.” She took Dani’s hands in hers and intertwined their fingers. It was amazing to feel them folded within hers again, but she also needed them as a lifeline to ground herself. “But I’m all in, Dani. I can’t help it. You sparked things in me I never imagined I could feel. You have this hold on me, and I want to be with you,” Jaz declared.
Tears were now starting to come down her cheeks. “I don’t want it to freak you out. And I know you have a lot going on. I’ve just retired, and I don’t want you to think I’m saying this because of that. But I love you. And I’m sorry for making you feel differently. I’ll be whatever you want us to be. I’ll be here and I’m not going anywhere. I’m sorry if that’s too fast, or too much, or—”
“I love you, too,” Dani shouted, cutting her off.
“ God, I love you, Dani. So much,” she declared earnestly. A warm feeling filled her heart at the thought of Dani loving her back. “I’m not an easy person to like or love. I can be controlling and have all these hangups about how I like things to be done...”
This time, Dani put a finger on Jaz’s lips to get her to stop talking. “I know all about you, Jaz. You come off all gruff, but you would give it all away to someone you love if they asked. You are so easy to love once you stop keeping everyone at arm’s length and let them in.”
“I would give it all away. Especially for you.” She needed Dani to understand that. That she wasn’t going to choose her career or tennis over her. That this relationship and happiness she had found meant everything to her, and she was going to prioritize it.
Dani just shook her head, her eyes becoming red-rimmed. “I’m not asking you to. I would never ask that of you because I know how tennis, your legacy, and what you’ve accomplished meant to you, your family, and the community. I understand your ambition and goals.”
“And because you never would ask, I got to make it on my own terms.” And now her eyes were starting to get teary-eyed again. She couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“This thing between us makes no fucking sense,” she stated, pointing her index finger between the two of them. “Where I’m simple and uncomplicated, you’re challenging and difficult. Where you’re unorganized and random, I’m controlled and dedicated. You grew up a rich white girl, and I’m a black kid from the hood. You’re everything I’m not.”
She cupped Dani’s face gently and looked her in the eyes, hoping Dani could see all the love she had for her. “But somehow, you’re everything I need. It’s hard for me to understand when someone so gorgeous and amazing looks at me the way you do, like maybe you could be mine.”
Dani leaned in. “That might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life.” And before she knew it, Dani’s lips were on hers.
Her lips were as soft as she remembered, and she couldn’t help but melt into them. It was a kiss Jaz had been waiting for without knowing she was waiting. She moved her mouth against hers, keeping her eyes closed so she could focus on how every moment of this kiss felt.
Then a dam burst, and they werereallykissing because there was no way not to be. Deep, lingering, wonderful kisses. Her hand found the back of Dani’s neck and tangled her fingers in her soft curly hair, pulling her in closer.
She pushed her tongue into Dani’s mouth, exploring, tasting, savoring. Lips slid over lips, with tongues dipping, wanting, and needing. Even though she had played a three-set match that lastedover three hours and her body was physically spent, the arousal hit her fast and hard.
Dani must have been feeling the same, because she let out a loud moan. She leaned Jaz back on the couch, drawing their bodies flush, with Dani’s body covering hers. Now that they were horizontal, their kisses became urgent, hungry. Her hands roamed over skin and curves, lips moving from her jaw to down her neck. Every action sent waves of heat through her.
Dani pulled back, her chest heaving, and her eyes dilated with arousal. “You’re stunning,” she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from Jaz’s body.
Her nipples hardened at the look she was receiving. Those beautiful eyes searched hers, a silent question passing between them. At Jaz’s rushed nod, Dani moved back in, attacking her lips.
She kissed her with a fierce intensity, her mouth claiming hers possessively. She responded in kind, her own passion ignited, a wildfire spreading through her veins. They were NOT moving this to the bedroom because right now, she did not have the patience for that. The couch would have to suffice for this reunion. She would make sure Kira left them a massive cleaning fee and tip. Their pace was fast and purposeful. There was only the feel of Dani, the taste of her, and the urgent, undeniable need consuming them.
Clothes became a hindrance, discarded with impatient tugs and hurried movements. Skin met skin, the heat radiating between them almost unbearable. She moaned at feeling Dani’s naked body lying completely on top of her, fitting perfectly betweenher thighs.
Jaz clasped her hips, pulling them together tightly. Hands roamed, rediscovering the familiar landscape of each other’s bodies. She was sure Dani could feel her wetness coating her legs. Jaz was on the edge already, and Dani hadn’t even really touched her.
After sucking on her tongue for an inordinate amount of time, Dani moved lower to Jaz’s sensitive breast. She flicked her tongue over her nipples before capturing one nipple in her mouth. Dani tasted every inch of her chest, alternating between sucking and lightly dragging her teeth over her peaks. A shot of energy surged through her at the touch, whimpering as electricity crackled across her skin.
Dani must have known that the pulsing between her legs was getting stronger because she pushed herself up on one arm and worked her hand down between her thighs. The first feeling of those exquisite fingers touching her where she needed the most sent tingles through her entire body.
“I love touching you,” Dani quietly groaned, intoxicated by the moment just as much as Jaz was. “I can’t believe how much I love touching you.”
She stuck one finger inside to capture her wetness, spread it over her clit as she rubbed circles. Jaz rolled her hips hard into Dani’s hand, trying to create more friction. Just when Jaz thought she was going to come, Dani slowly dipped her fingers back inside, her body clenching tightly around them. Dani pulled them out just as slowly before working them back in. Dani’s finger began to slide in and out of her, and Jaz was so overwhelmed with the sensation that she forgot everything that had happened today.
Her orgasm came out of nowhere, her back arched off the couch with the strength of her climax. “Fuck!” she cried out, the waves crashing over her. But sadly for her, too quickly.
